New, Used, or Refurbished? (Page 6): KEH warranty is six months. Most missing parts such as batteries, body caps, straps, lens caps, lens shades, lens pouches, etc. are available on...

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

ChrisT wrote:

What's the best way to go?

When you buy new, you get a manual, all the parts, and a warranty ...

When you buy refurbished, you save a bit, but is it worth the savings, to lose out on the other?

When you buy used ... you get ZILCH extra, and - perhaps, only, a 30-day return policy ...

Does that make up for the smelly trash they might have sent you?

KEH warranty is six months.

Most missing parts such as batteries, body caps, straps, lens caps, lens shades, lens pouches, etc. are available on the usual Net sites for a few dollars. Used gear prices usually reflect what's missing.

I do the following:

1) Wait until the first price drop happens and Firmware "2.1" is available, if buying new.

2) Buy new or refurb bodies and flashes.

3) Buy gently used lenses and tripods.

repleo Loc: Boston

I've bought numerous used lenses - mostly on eBay. I will only buy on eBay if I can get it for several hundred bucks less than used on KEH, but mostly because I can't always find what I am looking for on KEH or the other recognized used dealers. I have only had one problem - a cheap 500mm telephoto. It was worse than my low expectations, but I had no problem returning it. All of the others have been in excellent condition. If you resell them on eBay you will get most of your money back.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

ChrisT wrote:

What's the best way to go?

When you buy new, you get a manual, all the parts, and a warranty ...

When you buy refurbished, you save a bit, but is it worth the savings, to lose out on the other?

When you buy used ... you get ZILCH extra, and - perhaps, only, a 30-day return policy ...

Does that make up for the smelly trash they might have sent you?

When I bought refurb from B&H my camera came in original packaging with Eveything that a new camera comes with. Including Canon's 1 year warrantee. Good as new. M y used battery grip from KEH with an 8+ rating was damn near perfect. No original pcakaging, wrapped in bubble wrap, couldn't care less. it works perfectly. Cost $79. A new Canon grip $225. Best deal I ever made

lamontcranston

Just bought a Nikon Factory Refurbished lens from Adorama about 10 days ago. Everything that comes with a new lens was in the box except for the manual. And it did not come with the original box. It was in a Nikon Refurbished box and had the latest firmware installed. It was 25% off the listed price for a new one at Adorama and looks like brand new. Perfect on the outside and completely clean of dust, specks, etc. on the inside. With a 3-month warranty, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another factory refurbished Nikon lens.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

I have bought used successfully but not over the 'net, only from Camera Stores. Over the 'net I prefer refurbished from one of the reputable stores. If I can find neither, new, if I can't live without it!

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Ched49 wrote:

Did not realize when you buy refurbished you don't get a manual but your still saving money and I'm sure you can get a manual on line. At least you get a 30 day return policy with used and I'm sure a shutter count but really...what can go wrong with camera in 30 days if you don't use it a lot. It's a tough decision.

The manual is usually online, That said, if one is new to cameras they basically suck. They are primarily a reference manual that assume you know a lot. That is why there better books on the market specific to a model that does a better job. Refurbs are fine as long as you get it from a reputable dealer or the manufacturer.

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

ChrisT wrote:

What's the best way to go?

When you buy new, you get a manual, all the parts, and a warranty ...

When you buy refurbished, you save a bit, but is it worth the savings, to lose out on the other?

When you buy used ... you get ZILCH extra, and - perhaps, only, a 30-day return policy ...

Does that make up for the smelly trash they might have sent you?

Assuming you are referring to a camera DSLR or MLC:

If it's a recent model it's worth exploring refurbished as the camera/lens is subjected to greater scrutiny and testing than a new model would off the assembly line. Oftentimes, refurbished means "the box was damaged" so they unpack everything, inspect/test and repackage in a generic box, non retail box. Other times, refurbished means lightly used as a store demo, or perhaps a warranty return that was substituted to the original owner, so there could be few to several thousand shutter clicks.

I prefer refurbs to used as the camera is subjected to testing by the manufacturer or an authorized rep, with a warranty from 90 days to 1 year usually. With USED, there is no such testing or warranty, unless possibly from a reputable place such as Cameta or B&H. From a private party, USED can be a crap shoot, so make sure it is a USA model (if you're in the USA) so it can be properly repaired if need be.

I just purchased a new D7200 @ B&H but was looking for a refurb but they were out of stock.

You might get a great deal on a lens USED on eBay and such, as there are fewer things that can go wrong with a lens. Just make sure there is no fungus, haze or other optical defects, or signs of extreme wear.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Depends. This morning I saw a low-end refurbished laptop for sale with an 18 month warranty. Most of my new stuff is covered for one year.

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

Camera - definitely New . . .

Lens - Used or Refurbed ONLY if you buy local and have a chance to put it on your camera and check it out . . . Otherwise - New

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

CHG_CANON wrote:

cthahn - you rarely have anything intelligent to say ... but today, you hit the nail on the head. Great job!! Try to make it a trend ....

It was just a lucky shot. He's a a sawn off shot gun or a grape shot guy. Certainly not a sniper.