Farview Loc: PA

Anyone ever buy used cameras via ebay photo dealers? Do you trust doing this? I only joined here about a week and already feel like I "need" a new one. Do you usually buy local from your area or online from photo dealer like B&H in NY or others? I've been using a Finepix HS10. thx for replies.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

The main consideration when buying a used DSLR is the "Actuation Count" which is the number of times the shutter has been used. Expected camera life is measured in shutter count or actuation count. http://www.digital-photography-school.com/actuations-shutter-count-someday-our-cameras-will-die

An automobile's warranty is measured in miles, and resale price diminishes as the mileage climbs. The same is true for electronic DSLRs. A camera may look pristine, but Actuation Count may reveal heavy usage.

snowbear

I bought two film cameras on ebay three of years ago - a Nikon F90 and a N90s. Both have been great.

I bought our (son & I) D40s from a local (DC based) chain, and got a used macro lens from Adorama's super store in NYC.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

i highly recomend KEH.com having bought both a nikon n-50 slr and a Nikon D-100 from them. DO NOT BUY USED CAMERAS FROM OFF EBAY OR AMAZONE for the following reasons. First their prices are too high compared to what KEH charges. I paid 160 for the d-100 in excellant condition, while an ebay store wanted 500 for the same camera, other sellars wanted 250 -350 on amazon and ebay for what really is a 1st generation dslr. Keh prices beat adorama and b+h hands down. second equipment bought on ebay and amazon comes as is,or at most a 2 week return policy. KEH PUTS A 6 MONTH WARRANTY ON ALL THE EQUIPMENT THEY SELL, they do their own repairs as well. customer service is fantastic. they exceeded my expectations.on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the best, i give them a 14. both cameras i received they rated only at excellant and weree being conservative. the n-55 did not have a scratch and for all i know looks brand spankin new. My d-100 had a few scratches around where you attach the camera strap, that is it. I am extremly pleased with KEH and they have made a friend and customer for life. The only time i would consider ebay is for auctions on film cameras and manual focus lenses, where there is so little demand you can pick up equipment for a song. but you still have to wait for the auction to be over. with keh if you order early enough it can go out the same day. If you are going to buy used look at KEH first.

WildBill Loc: South West Florida

If you bid for a camera or lens on E-Bay, make sure you buy from someone who offers returns. Check the item out right away and make sure it is what you were told. E-Bay can be a great way to get equipment. I personally would suggest B&H for anything over a couple hundred bucks though. One lens I wanted was being bid on E-Bay for 50 dollars less than B&H. I rather new and spend 50 more dollars than save 50 on a 700 dollar lens and get it used / no warranty. (I watched over 20 lenses go for almost exactly the same price)

foghornleg90 Loc: All over USA - Medford, OR & Knoxville, TN

A lot depends on the lens... the amount of money (spent/invested... AND saved). I bought my 35-350 L off eBay nearly 10 years ago for about $1200 (it was selling new for 2800... and finally sent it in for servicing for the first time ever a few weeks ago after a 2 week back backing trip & a fall). But the buyer was rated high... was a pro... linked to some of his work... and was very detailed in how it was cared for & used. AWESOME DEAL (for me).

At the same time, I've bought some terrible 'deals' (that really weren't), from novices or LIARS. IF you deal with eBay - always pay by credit card (even through paypal)... that way if the problem is determined quickly enough, and they are con artists - you can cancel the card without too much hassle. I would ONLY recommend this if over $500 AND you've spent at least a week attempting to work it out (and documenting) prior to the cancellation.

All the other places mentioned above are great... mail order, but honest businesses. I've shopped with all of them at one time or another (new, referbs, and used). The key is knowing what questions to ask. Just like the Canon Lens... there are metal connections (last a lifetime if not dropped off camera)... and plastic (ok - but not as solid if you travel a lot, or don't support the lens properly... or if gets banged around some on safari or backpacking... or if you ever get ran over by an athlete).

If you shoot Canon - try to buy 'L' glass... a) canon will clean & condition for $300 or less, b) AWESOME GLASS, c) sharpest photos possible (99% of the time - compared to non-'L' glass and off brands), d) faster 'silent' focusing, Plus, E) - they hold their value better than any other glass, and f) work on all Canon dSLR bodies (EF/USM). Try to make sure you either buy from a reputable seller (that knows about function, fungus, and focus)... or buy with a warranty. Especially when spending over $500 on a lens.

As for the bodies... all depends on how you use them... but I'd always try to get a accidental damage warranty if there is a CHANCE of being ran into or dropping the camera. I was nearly ran into twice at a football game last week, ran into 4 times at basketball games last year... and had a lion try to take a swipe a few years ago. Accidents CAN happen, especially if you're close to the action. If you only shoot portraits or products, I doubt I'd worry about a warranty much.

Best of luck in what ever you decide. The majority of the advice in the other posts is spot on, regarding the bodies. It's all about actuations, the shape of the body, and whether there is a warranty you're happy with.

Farview Loc: PA

WOW, lots of info there; gotta save it. thx so much. Who would have thought photography could be so involved; almost have to sell your work to pay for equipment.

Farview Loc: PA

Me too, rather spend a few more $ and get new, thx for info.

Farview Loc: PA

thx for all that info too, going to ck out KEH as you recommended. Got my Thinkpad laptop from B&H few wks ago; 1st one arriv. and didn't work; they sent me out a new one immed, with no issues; so I'm pretty happy with their service too. thx for the suggestions.

foghornleg90 Loc: All over USA - Medford, OR & Knoxville, TN

IMHO - the BEST deal out there (today) for laptops... is at Best Buy... an HP, 17.3" wide screen, 8Gig Ram, 750 Gig HDD, 2 USB 3 + 2 USB 2, double layer DVD/CD player/writer... built in HDMI... and, get this, a 10 hour battery life. For $799 to 899 (depending on the store). I bought 3 - 1 for myself, 1 for my boys.

If you don't know about USB 3... then you're not messing with massive files efficiently. 1 Terabyte on UBS 2 takes about 27 HOURS to transfer to another external drive. But, with USB 3, under 6 hours. HUGE TIME SAVER.

Very important if you shoot a lot of RAWs... or massive Jpegs... or video.

The closest thing to it was over $1200 (with only 1 USB 3 port, and only an 8 hr battery life).

50teeslady Loc: Ormond Beach Florida

http://www.cameta.com/


they sell refurbished and demo! all like new....90 day mfg warranty and 1 yr warranty from them!

also Keh.com..6mos warranty...

effrant Loc: New Hampshire

This is the way I see it too......

GordonB. Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl.

50teeslady,

Thanks so much for recommending cameda.com for used cameras and equipment. You may have just made the difference in whether I can afford the camera that I want so badly.
Would you be so kind as to contact me.

Gordon2

Bullfighter

I bought a used Tamron 200mm zoom on Amazon for my Canon EOS Rebel XTI. First the seller, who admittedly does not know camera equipment, sent me the wrong lens (a fisheye). Then he told me he'd send the correct lens when I returned the wrong one. Did not offer to pay for return shipping. Then he sends me the zoom Tamron. When I got it there was a rattle inside the lens barrel. Cost me $60 to get it fixed. I did get a refund for the original purchase price from Amazon. I left some very negative for the seller.

As they say, "caveat emptor" when buying used.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

keh has just reduced prices on film camera equipment including lenses, you definetly should check them out. I am not employed by keh or bryan peterson for that matter but if i got 5$ every time i recomended either, i would be carryinng a d-3x now.