132 PRACTICALPHOTOGRAPHY
T
HANKSTOATHRIVINGCAMERA
market flooded by newmodels,
advanced upgrades andthelatest
te ch, the draw of upgradingis
st ronger than ever before.In theface
of this constant temptation,those
who do take the leap to new kit will invariablybe
lo oking to fund their latest acquisitionsby trading
in older systems. This is great news forthesavvy
secondhand shopper, with bargains a-plentyon the
used market. It’s possible to find modelsthathave
had light usage and boast a wealth ofrelevant
fe atures and abilities, meaning they can still
compete in today’s kit bags, at a fraction of the
cost of new gear.Is there anything I should be wary of?
Always do your homework. We highly recommend
using trusted retail sites that test and rate each
camera, and price them accordingly. This means
you’re sure to get what you pay for, and your
purchase will also be protected by a warranty to
cover any issues that may arise.
Of course, buying online means you won’t be able
to see these cameras for yourself, so it’s essential
that you read the descriptions carefully. Reputable
retailers will offer limited warranties with your
purchase, and you’re also protected by law. You have
the right to return goods ordered online within
14 days – perfect if you notice something that
wasn’t mentioned at the point of sale. Your method
of payment should also be a consideration – using
PayPal or a credit card will allow you to request
a refund if the seller has made false claims.Are there any downsides?
Not really. You may not get the latest features
and updates, but many cameras from previous
generations can strike the best balance between
value for money and functionality. If you’re a savvy
secondhand buyer, there’s no reason why your
new-to-you kit won’t serve you very well indeed.Understanding condition scoresHere’s what to look out
for when considering asecondhand purchaseINVEST IN
USED THE
SMART WAY
One of the biggest issues
when buying secondhand is
ensuring the condition of the
camera. Thankfully, trusted
sites such as Wex, LCE and
MPB give you a scale to work
with so you know what to
expect. Wex grades cameras
from one to ten, though you
won’t see any items listed
below a six. It also includes +,- and OB (meaning it’s been
taken out of the box, but
returned before use). MPB
uses terms such as good,
excellent and like new, while
LCE uses a five-star rating to
guide you. This is essential to
ensure you know what you’re
getting. All three sites also
take photos of the sale item,
which means that what you
see is what you get, warts
and all.
wexphotovideo.com |
mpb.com | lcegroup.co.ukCHASSIS
CONDITION
Cameras are tools,
and professional
photographers
treat them as such.
Check for any loose
compartments or
excessive scratches- over and above
expected wear
and tear.
SENSOR SPOTS
Dust spots can be
invisible to the naked
eye. To test for them,
take some shots of a
white wall or sky then
examine the images
for evidence.OVERALL CONDITION
An essential part of owning a used
camera is making sure it’s in good
working order. Whether it’s the
shutter, the controls or the battery
compartment, carry out a thorough
check of these within your 14-day
cooling-off period.SHUTTER COUNT
Theshutter count
refers to the number
of actuations, or
images that have
been captured. The
average shutter is
built to withstand at
least 100,000 shots,
though some pro
bodies survive into
the millions.OPTICALCLARITY
If you’rebuying a
lens, or get one as
part of a kit, you’ll
want to make sure
that the focus system
works, and that the
elements are free of
mould. Both should
be obvious from a
visual check and
test shoot.GetIntoGear