Refurbished: I have always wondered about "refurbished" cameras and lenses. How many of you have given up relatively recent cameras and lenses (trade in or whatever) to enter the...

lenben Loc: Seattle

I have always wondered about "refurbished" cameras and lenses. How many of you have given up relatively recent cameras and lenses (trade in or whatever) to enter the refurbished market. Where does Nikon, Canon, etc. get the raw material to refurbish. It is just hard to image so many recent items released for refurbishment.. Any thoughts on this?

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

I would highly recommend a refurbished camera or lens from a reputable dealer. I recently got the D7100 18-140 kit...mainly because I wanted the lens for work.

JerseyJim Loc: New Jersey, USA

lenben wrote:

I have always wondered about "refurbished" cameras and lenses. How many of you have given up relatively recent cameras and lenses (trade in or whatever) to enter the refurbished market. Where does Nikon, Canon, etc. get the raw material to refurbish. It is just hard to image so many recent items released for refurbishment.. Any thoughts on this?

Refurbished means a lot of things. Here is a summary:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refurbishment_%28electronics%29

I am not sure of where all the refurbished cameras originate but I doubt many were in the hands of end users. Those cameras are call "used". Most refurbished cameras are returned to the manufacturer from retailers. I guess demos, unused returns and such. Any other thoughts?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I have a refurbished Canon SX50 that Canon sent me free of charge to replace one I killed. It has a one-year warrant. Several UHH members have purchased a refurbished SX50 recently.

What Canon stressed to me is that some of these are overstock or returns, thoroughly checked out, and under full warranty.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

lenben wrote:

I have always wondered about "refurbished" cameras and lenses. How many of you have given up relatively recent cameras and lenses (trade in or whatever) to enter the refurbished market. Where does Nikon, Canon, etc. get the raw material to refurbish. It is just hard to image so many recent items released for refurbishment.. Any thoughts on this?

I have bought many refurbs over the years and have about a 90% success rate, not much different from getting new items that are sometimes not perfect. They usually have warranties, though sometimes shorter than those of new items, but those warranties are often extendable at your discretion and cost. If you buy from a reputable dealer or the manufacturer itself, read the fine print and keep your paperwork, you should be fine, and can come away with a nice deal.

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

lenben wrote:

I have always wondered about "refurbished" cameras and lenses. How many of you have given up relatively recent cameras and lenses (trade in or whatever) to enter the refurbished market. Where does Nikon, Canon, etc. get the raw material to refurbish. It is just hard to image so many recent items released for refurbishment.. Any thoughts on this?

Most refurbished cameras and lenses are in new condition and never sold or used. I purchased a Canon 6D From B&H and a Canon lens from Adorama. Both came spotless with a manufactures 1 year USA warrantee. Every thing came with them except for the original box. That didn't bother me as I don't keep my camera in the box.

rich808 Loc: Honolulu

Totally agree with you Jim. In days of Yor, refurbished meant worn parts replaced, precise re-calibration etc.

Today, its the stuff we returned to Amazon and the like because we changed our minds. (or is it only me?)

Personally, I almost always buy Gray market lens because it is exactly the same lens but 30% cheaper. Gray exists because ALL manufactures charge Americans more then they charge in say, Singapore, Hong Kong, or anywhere else.

Those retailers who feed the Gray market are the biggest and best retailers in their respective markets and can demand enough inventory from Canon and Nikon etc to supply the Gray market.

The no warranty is an empty scare tactic. In 50 years I have sent 1 lens in for repair because I dropped it and thats not covered in the warranty anyway!

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Linda From Maine wrote:

I have a refurbished Canon SX50 that Canon sent me free of charge to replace one I killed. It has a one-year warrant. Several UHH members have purchased a refurbished SX50 recently.

What Canon stressed to me is that some of these are overstock or returns, thoroughly checked out, and under full warranty.

Same for me after I wore out the shutter after 12 1/2 months. Came packaged just like new except it had a refurbished sticker on the box. Works just fine. Looks new.

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Just got a Sigma 150-500 for a little over $600 (new is $1000+). Came from KEH, in great condition, love it. Sold several lenses on Craigslist and had enough extra money to get the new Sigma 18-300 Contemporary new. I'm sold on used and refurbished from reputable dealers or the factory. Many here have gotten cameras with less than 1,000 clicks on them. They are probably checked out better than some of the new merchandise.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

lenben wrote:

I have always wondered about "refurbished" cameras and lenses. How many of you have given up relatively recent cameras and lenses (trade in or whatever) to enter the refurbished market. Where does Nikon, Canon, etc. get the raw material to refurbish. It is just hard to image so many recent items released for refurbishment.. Any thoughts on this?

I have bought refurbished often. I try to find refurbished first when buying, only if I can't find refurbished do I buy new. One thing though, buy from I reputable dealer. I only buy refurbished from Nikon or B&H.

usken65

Last 810 I got refurbished 0 shutter clicks it was unopened return for refund. But still sold as refurb.

OviedoPhotos

If its from a reputable dealer then its as good as new.

mikedidi46 Loc: WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA

I have a beautiful refurbished Canon 24-105 'L' and it works very well, and looks, even to this day, brand new. I would buy another if I needed a lens.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lenben wrote:

I have always wondered about "refurbished" cameras and lenses. How many of you have given up relatively recent cameras and lenses (trade in or whatever) to enter the refurbished market. Where does Nikon, Canon, etc. get the raw material to refurbish. It is just hard to image so many recent items released for refurbishment.. Any thoughts on this?

I look for refurbs first, but they're obviously not going to be available for new products, like the Nikon D750.

Refurbs come in a factory box with all the bits and pieces, just like a new camera. Some people say that they're better than new because a tech has gone over them, bringing them up to perfect specs. Nikon's warranty is only 90 days, though.

MaryAnn Loc: Florida/Massachusetts

lenben wrote:

I have always wondered about "refurbished" cameras and lenses. How many of you have given up relatively recent cameras and lenses (trade in or whatever) to enter the refurbished market. Where does Nikon, Canon, etc. get the raw material to refurbish. It is just hard to image so many recent items released for refurbishment.. Any thoughts on this?

On Black Friday I purchased from Canon a refurbished 70D with the 18-135 STM lens for $799.99. It looked new when I got it and I love it.