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Guide to Buying Used Photo & Video Gear
Purchasing equipment from the used market can be an effective way to save money. However, there is a risk of ending up with subpar or defective items, such as a damaged lens or broken gear, with no option for return. Given our extensive experience handling thousands of pieces of equipment daily, we would like to offer some valuable tips for navigating the used gear market.
Additionally, we would like to highlight a few programs available through our rental channels for those interested in purchasing used gear. Specifically, we offer the Keeper Program, designed for customers who have previously rented from us. If you find that you prefer to keep a piece of equipment you have rented, the Keeper Program allows you to purchase it directly from us. Under this program, we determine the fair market value of the gear and deduct the rental fees you have already paid, providing you with an advantageous purchase price for the equipment you already possess. We also have a large selection of used gear available for sale outright on our site. As you read through these recommendations, you’ll likely find the safety that comes from purchasing used from us, instead of scrowering Craigslist, FB Marketplace, and eBay. Okay, marketing pitch over, let’s look at some tips when purchasing used gear.
Lenses
Given that our name is LensRentals.com, it seems appropriate to start with lenses. Lenses are among the most frequently encountered items in the used market for photography and videography equipment. One of the significant advantages of purchasing used lenses is their ability to retain value over an extended period, particularly in comparison to camera bodies. Major manufacturers often update lens designs only once every 10 to 15 years, so well-maintained lenses tend to hold their price relatively well. Despite their stable pricing, the quality of used lenses may deteriorate over time. As highlighted in our technical articles, lenses can lose sharpness with use and may develop issues such as back or front focusing, necessitating regular servicing. To ensure a good purchase, consider the following tips when buying a lens from the used market.
Scratches, Dust & Dirt
Although dust within a lens generally has little impact on image quality, visible cosmetic damage can indicate improper use or mishandling. If you are confident that such visual imperfections do not affect the lens’s performance, you might find a good deal on a used lens. I’ve personally purchased a few used lenses that had some small cosmetic defects at a deep discount, without affecting image quality.
However, a notable concern when buying used gear is the potential for unsmooth focusing caused by dirt and sand within the focusing barrel. The accumulation of these particles can gradually damage the internal components of the lens. Therefore, it is advisable to have the lens serviced if you detect any issues related to focusing and maybe steer away from a used lens that has some grinding during focus.
Focusing Issues
One of the most significant issues when purchasing used equipment is improper focusing on older lenses. These accuracy problems typically develop over the lifespan of the lens but can often be corrected by the manufacturer or, in some cases, through micro-adjustments on your own camera. However, when purchasing a lens (particularly in person), test the autofocus of the lens by pointing the lens around while mounted and taking test photos at different distances. From there, check the focus of those photos to ensure the lens is focusing properly and accurately.
Age & Location
What you should next look into is the age and location of the lens you’re looking to purchase. To find the age of the lens is easy, simply use the date code. A date code is simply a serial code that indicates when a lens was manufactured. Generally, the older the date code, the more likely the lens may have issues with sharpness, chromatic aberrations, and other problems that can develop over time. While finding and interpreting date codes is relatively straightforward, explaining the process in detail for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Sigma, and other brands can be complex. Therefore, I’ve included links for each brand to guide you through this process.
Our friends at The Digital Picture have put together a handy guide for reading Canon Date Codes, while Nikon has a somewhat more complicated process, their codes can be found here. Sadly though, Sony, Sigma, and many other third parties do not share their serial coding process publicly, though you’re often able to contact them directly to get the information and manufacturing date.
As for location, this may be important simply because of climate differences. While this might mean less for those who take care of the gear, location can change the quality of a buy considerably – especially from a neglectful seller. Particularly, we’ve seen hundreds of examples of salt from the ocean destroying gear, and while hopefully, no one is dropping their gear in the ocean, the salt and humidity in the air can cause damage to gear over time. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t buy from that photographer living in San Francisco, just be mindful of where the lens has spent its life, and make a judgment call. The same could be said about extremely humid climates like Florida and the South.
Warranty Cards & Boxes
It is common practice for photographers to retain the warranty cards and original packaging for their lenses, allowing them to include these items when reselling the equipment. With a valid warranty card, buyers may still benefit from the manufacturer’s warranty if any issues arise. Although the specifics and duration of warranties vary by manufacturer, including the original box and warranty card provides added assurance to the buyer against potential unforeseen problems with the equipment. Overall, I personally find this to be meaningless extras, and a few years ago, I took my closet back by throwing away all those cardboard boxes. But having the original box and extras is usually a good indicator that the seller cares about their gear.
Camera Bodies
One of the most effective ways to save money in photography is to purchase camera bodies on the used market. Due to the frequent release of new models, camera bodies tend to depreciate more quickly than lenses or other equipment. This is partly because cameras have more moving parts, increasing the likelihood of mechanical failure over time. For example, camera mechanical shutters have a limited lifespan and will eventually fail with extensive use – alternatively, mirrorless cameras could have more electrical failures because of heavy use. These factors contribute to the lower prices of used cameras but also increase the risks associated with purchasing them. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when buying a used camera body.
Shutter Count
As noted earlier, all camera shutters will eventually fail over time. Many shutters are rated for 100,000 to 500,000 actuations before failure, but this number can vary widely. Unfortunately, there is no reliable way to predict when a shutter will fail unless there are obvious signs, such as unusual noises or visible deterioration. However, you can often check the shutter count using various software programs, and it is advisable to verify this count before purchasing any used camera body.
Sensor Condition
Conducting a full, comprehensive test of a camera sensor may not be practical, but checking for visible damage is straightforward. By locking up the mirror (for a DSLR) and inspecting the sensor from different angles, you can easily spot any issues. Dust and dirt can typically be removed with a simple cleaning. However, if cleaning was not performed correctly, the sensor could have been damaged, with scratches being the most obvious sign of improper care. Although scratches are uncommon, this quick visual inspection can be done in just a few seconds. It is crucial to check the sensor carefully before purchasing a used camera body. Generally, because mirrorless cameras don’t have a mirror box blocking the sensor, they’re more susceptible to damage – but it depends entirely on the carefulness of the user. If you’re meeting the owner in person, get a decent read on them and how meticulous they are when showing you the camera.
Firmware
Another good indicator of the condition of a camera is by checking to see how up-to-date the firmware is. If it’s a few versions old, it might show signs of neglect – but also might indicate that the camera has spent most of its life in a box or closet somewhere. Alternatively, if the firmware is up to date, it can usually indicate that the camera has been well taken care of and that it has seen some routine maintenance. This information can be immensely helpful, particularly when pairing it with the shutter count. High shutter count and old firmware, means it was a workhorse and perhaps not well taken care of.
Lights & Other Equipment
When buying used gear that is in the realm of lighting or grip gear, it gets a little more complicated. Depending on the brand, a lot of grip gear will last a lifetime so it’s always a surefire option to buy used if at all possible. Brands of c-stands like Matthews, Avenger, or American, are truly built to last and retain their value exceptionally well. However, the same can’t be held for some of the more budget-friendly brands. If at all possible, test any grip gear you may buy ahead of time, to make sure that they’re locking correctly and are as advertised.
When it comes to lights, you can usually get a pretty good deal searching the used market. Most high-quality flash bulbs will last an exceptionally long time, so you generally don’t have to worry about them being near the end of their life. Modeling lights aren’t as lucky. So like any gear, if you’re able to, test the dials and buttons to make sure everything functions as advertised. Research any common faults for the specific product you may be looking at. For example, Paul C buff lighting will often have failure points at the modifier locking mechanism. Check to make sure it still holds plenty of tension, to ensure you’re not going to lose a softbox next time you’re on location.
And that’s it. Great deals are pretty common when shopping the used markets for photography or videography gear, but it’s still important to do your due diligence to make sure you’re getting a good deal. Hopefully, some of these tips helped you, and if you’re looking to purchase some used gear, be sure to check out our inventory for sale.
