Should I Buy A Used Camera
Recently, nosotros had a private Facebook group member ask what others thought about buying a used digital photographic camera. The response was around seventy% for and 30% against.
Those odds aren't that bad. Only, with your coin on the line, do y'all want to take a chance your used digital photographic camera will get kaput in a few months… or on day 31 of a 30-day warranty (if yous get that choice)?
To increase your chances of getting a used digital camera that doesn't plough into a dud… read on.
To Purchase Or Not To Buy A Used Camera? That Is the Question!
One of our insightful members has this recommendation when information technology comes to buying a used camera or electronics in general:
I'thou sure y'all can find a lot of deals. But having worked for an electronics company in the by, I tell all my family unit NEVER buy used electronics of whatever kind.
Electronic merchandise is harder to repair than many may recall. The thing may piece of work fine initially earlier information technology starts showing signs of non working correctly.
To each his or her ain but to me, it would non be worth the run a risk, time, or money.
When was the terminal fourth dimension y'all bought a used car (or even a new one) without checking the mileage? Probably never since a motorcar'due south mileage provides a clue to its life expectancy.
For that same reason, before shelling out your difficult-earned coin for a used camera, you lot'll want to know the life expectancy of information technology. There are other things you'll want to know too before handing over your coin.
Let'due south continue with a list of things to look for earlier buying that used camera you have your optics on…
What Is the Life Expectancy of Your Photographic camera?
Like your auto, a photographic camera's life expectancy is determined by how much it's used. In this instance, how many photos you have. But, unlike your automobile, a used camera doesn't accept a (mileage) counter that is like shooting fish in a barrel to meet (or find).
Instead, yous'll need to dig into the Metadata of a photo file to discover how many photos were taken with it. This data is known equally a shutter count.
Every time you take a photo, the shutter pall opens and closes. A shutter tin can but do this so many times before it stops working… similar the diverse parts in your car'due south engine.
When it comes to extracting this data, it's easier for some cameras vs. others. In fact, i specific brand requires y'all to jump through some hoops. More on that coming up.
What Is a Camera Shutter Count (Actuation)?
A camera shutter count or the shutter actuation is a recording of how many photos are taken. A digital camera + the actuation count is similar to that of an auto + mileage. The higher the count, well, the closer to the junkyard it will be.
Depending on your camera, make, and model will determine the life expectancy of it.
For example, I take a Nikon D2 (2005) with a shutter actuation of upward to 150K. Compare that to my new Nikon Z6 that has a shutter lifespan of 200K.
To find your camera'south life expectancy, you'll need to refer to the camera manufacturer'due south website (Nikon, Catechism, Sony) or practise a Google search.
Checking Your Camera'south Actuations
For every photo you take, data about your camera's settings is included inside the Metadata, like; the engagement and fourth dimension captured, Bit Depth, Dimensions, Color Mode, and more.
In improver to this, other data is stored nether the Camera Information (or Exif) section of the Metadata. This includes things like the shutter speed used, the ISO you selected, the aperture, the lens used, and (a lot) more.
This data is easy to find and run into in software similar Lightroom, Adobe Camera Raw, Adobe Bridge (epitome above), etc.
However, when information technology comes to actuations, y'all have to dig a little deeper, and it'southward harder to find this data. This requires using specialized software that will extract and display the necessary information. Hither'southward how:
Nikon + Pentax
Then, you're a Nikon user? Me too! Smart choice if I do say so myself.
To excerpt the number of photos taken, you'll need to first have a picture. Take a snapshot of anything. For a smaller file, take a photo of a solid black or white wall. Also, it's important not to process the photo.
Take this photo and uploaded it to My Shutter Count. Information technology will tell you exactly how many images y'all've taken.
Canon
For some reason, Catechism makes it harder to find your shutter number. You can endeavour camerashuttercount.com to see if they can excerpt information technology.
If non, you may have to send in your DSLR to Catechism to go the information! There's the "hoop" I referenced earlier.
Sony
Sony user? Check out this website to observe how many photos were taken. Make sure to upload an paradigm that has not been processed.
Will Your Used Photographic camera Stop Working In one case It Reaches Its Life Expectancy?
Proceed in mind, the life expectancy of your photographic camera is not written in stone. You're camera is not (in near cases) going to finish working once y'all go over the "shutter number." It could dice sooner or later.
From what I've heard from other photographers, they tin still get more life out of their camera after exceeding the recommended actuation count. How much varies.
If you happen to habiliment out your shutter at some bespeak, you tin have it replaced. You'll have to weigh the toll of doing so vs. buying some other used camera.
Look For External Impairment
There are the obvious and non so apparent imperfections to cameras. Other than dents and scratches on the torso, you'll want to dig a little deeper.
Here are a few tips to look for to see if there's damage lurking in our outside the torso.
One: Remove the body cap to inspect the camera's vital components; the mirror, the focusing screen, the lens mount contact, etc.
Is there dirt, crud, or oil anywhere? If so, that'southward a bad sign! It's about likely a deal-breaker.
Ii: Take a photo. Not whatever image, though. The goal here is to notice if the sensor is scratched and how dirty it is.
Find a white wall or a brilliant sky and accept the shot. Zoom in on the photo and look for any scratches on the image (short or long lines). If you find any, laissez passer!
Dust spots are more than common and are easier to clean. It's not that uncommon to find a few.
However, if y'all run across dozens, this will give you lot an insight into how the owner treated the camera.
Iii: One time you lot've checked the sensor, take another photo to detect if there are whatsoever focus issues.
Is the autofocus operation smooth or jumpy? Is the used photographic camera able to focus on your intended betoken of focus? After taking the photograph, is the area yous focused on, well, in focus?
If not, this could exist a sign of what is known equally back-focusing. This is difficult to repair and you may want to pass once again.
Iv: What about the LCD screen? Does it take a protective encompass that'due south kept information technology in pristine condition? If non, this could be another indication of how the owner treated their DSLR.
Buy Your Used Camera Gear From a Trusted Dealer or Individual?
It goes without saying that a trustworthy source will have your back. It could be a xxx or xc-day warranty or a money-back guarantee. Or it could be superb client service. Or all three.
I've bought and sold gear on Eastward-bay many times. No more. Too sketchy if you inquire me.
I've also bought used gear from the big "boxes," like Adorama and B&H. No more. Too impersonal. I'd rather see and "feel" what I'yard ownership.
That's why I recommend buying used camera gear locally. I'thou more than interested in friendly staff with outstanding customer service and will pay a fiddling more for this. That'south my personal preference.
For me, sometimes local is in another country. The closest used camera store is iv hours away! All the same, if I hop the border over to Michigan, the closest is most an 60 minutes away.
Although I've been dying to travel a bit further (two hours) to a camera shop, I discovered not that long agone (see Camera Mall info below).
I've heard nothing but great things and look forward to checking out their used and new camera gear one time the borders open up again (the Pandemic shut down the border crossing the past six months).
Purchase From a Private Seller?
Would I always recommend or personally buy from a private seller? Only if the person is known to you lot! At least that's my recommendation.
If y'all decide to buy used gear from places similar eBay, Amazon, classified ads, et al, you can't "see" or experience the camera. You can simply go by the photos provided and the info in the listings. Photos and list items (description) don't always tell the whole story.
Oh, and they can exist Photoshopped besides. Does this happen? Maybe. Perchance not. Practice you want to take the chance? Information technology'due south your money.
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not necessarily advocated by PetaPixel.com.
About the Writer: Chris Parker picked upwards his first semi-pro photographic camera back in 1989 and hasn't stopped shooting since. A couple of years later, he was introduced to this new software called Photoshop. Fast forward to 2001 when he decided to buy his showtime digital camera, the Fuji S2. He used it in conjunction with his Mamiya to shoot weddings that year. It wasn't long afterward that he made the transition from film to 100% digital. After shooting 500+ weddings over 15 years, he retired and now teaches photography + editing. You lot can find Chris sharing his thirty years of experience in the friendliest Facebook group this side of the Milky Way. He also shares his knowledge on his website. Oh, and he's begun a Youtube channel where he'll share additional tips on photography and editing (coming soon). Aye, y'all can follow him on Instagram and Pinterest also. But, he'due south not that active with those at this time.
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