Buying second-hand photographic equipment has several benefits… One of the most significant advantages of buying second-hand equipment is obviously the potential cost savings, which can be particularly beneficial for beginners or photographers on a budget.
But, the second-hand photographic market is also aimed at, and popular, amongst professional photographers and videographers. This is due to some enthusiast photographers often selling “old” gear and upgrading to newer models at a fast pace, resulting in gear that is still in excellent condition, being sold at lower rates.
Most photographers take excellent care of their equipment, which means that buying used equipment doesn’t necessarily mean compromising on quality.
Reasons for buying used gear
Price
Huge cost savings can be experienced! The original prices of high-end Canon or Nikon gear can be colossal but depreciate as soon as the next generation is announced. The second-hand market can thus become saturated with older models. And technology really doesn’t move at such a fast pace that a huge difference can necessarily be seen in a one-year product cycle, making used gear a viable option for upgrading or adding.
Variety
There are a wide variety of cameras available in our used-gear category. This gives photographers the possibility to experiment with different types of systems, brands and models without spending too much.
Benefits of buying used gear
Huge cost savings
Many cameras that are one or two generations below the current model can be found at more affordable rates. The gear is often in fantastic condition with only superficial flaws present.
Finding unavailable gear
Photographers may be able to find gear presenting popular features that are no longer in production and unavailable to buy new.
Sustainability
Buying used gives new life to gear that would otherwise have gone to waste. It’s altogether better for the environment.
We understand that there are several reasons why people may feel apprehensive about buying second-hand camera equipment. To alleviate these concerns, you can rest assured that we take the necessary precautions that help mitigate the risks associated with buying used photography gear, and in turn, provide buyers with more confidence with their purchases.
We are a well-known and trusted source of quality second-hand cameras, lenses and photographic accessories. We inspect and rate all used gear to very high standards and provide a 6-month warranty on the manufacturer’s warranty if it still applies. Quality checks are run on all items and the product images you see on our website are those of the actual products. We take those photos in-house and provide them to you as is. (We also offer you the opportunity to trade in your gear and upgrade to new gear or for you to send us your gear for us to sell on your behalf.)
We pride ourselves on the diligence with which we inspect and rate pre-owned gear, and set very high standards for what is acceptable for second-hand sale. All of our used gear is in good working condition regardless of the ratings, which are only used to indicate appearance and warranty information.
★★★★★ Brand new or demo unit. It might still carry the manufacturer’s guarantee, in which case we will indicate it as such.
★★★★☆ Excellent condition with minimal signs of use.
★★★☆☆ Glass and functionality 100%. Good condition with slight signs of previous use.
★★☆☆☆ Glass and functionality 100%. Good condition with some scuff marks.
★☆☆☆☆ Glass and functionality 100%. Acceptable condition with a fair amount of scuff marks and signs of harder work.
Values offered in our trade-in procedure are based on current market values within the second-hand market, as well as the condition of the equipment.
All used photographic equipment is covered by a 6-month warranty against any defects that we may have missed during our pre-inspection, so you can rest assured that your purchase is completely safe. Also, if a product’s factory warranty is still valid, it will automatically be carried over to you.
We also offer a 7-day return policy within receiving shipment/collection of the used gear in-store.
Buying second-hand camera gear is definitely something to consider. It’s a great way to get a bargain without sacrificing quality.
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