It’s no secret that most photographers want the pro stuff. Indeed, perhaps your favorite YouTuber has a Canon R5 or the latest expensive L lens. Pro gear beats amateur gear in most areas, even if it’s 10 years older. I know people who shot global campaigns in 2018 on a pro camera from 2009. Pro gear is great but expensive. Sometimes extremely expensive.
What if I told you it doesn’t have to be that way? There is a fantastic way of buying pro gear for a fraction of the cost — buying it used.
I admit, whenever I recommend a used camera (or any used gear) to anyone, they get worried and start telling me they don’t know what to buy. A good friend of mine told me that they just don’t know where to look and what to look for. While that’s a valid concern, I also strongly believe that there is a significant negative stigma around used gear that prevents photographers from buying pro-level equipment for a fraction of the cost.
I am not ashamed of saying that 99% of all of my photo gear is used. I believe that by this point, I’ve saved around $15,000 in costs. You can too, and here’s how.
The easiest way to buy used gear and be sure it is quality is to go on the “used” sections in reputable camera stores such as Adorama, B&H, Amazon, etc. This is by far the best way to buy used gear for a beginner, as you are guaranteed to get a camera as described.
Pay attention to the description though. Never buy broken gear. Another option is to go to your local camera store and look at the “used” section.
When a business buys gear from a photographer to resell as used, they are interested in making sure that it works so they can turn a profit. It’s in their interest to sell as described. Most stores are providing shipping and limited warranty for their used gear, meaning you can buy from anywhere. This is particularly helpful when you need something in a pinch for a job.
Buying used from large stores has drawbacks, though. The biggest one for me is not being able to negotiate the price with the seller. As I hunt for bargains, I am glad to wait to find the right kit for the right price.
The only time I was in a pinch was when I sold my 5D Mark II and had a job coming up in three days. Luckily a camera store had a 5D Mark IV going for a good price, so I bought it. My experience was very positive. The 5D was perfect and had a low shutter count. I don’t care about scratches too much.
If you were to buy a 5D Mark IV now, you could save $800 by buying it used. For $800 you can get a decent used pro lens.
I call this the harder way because it requires a lot more knowledge of what you’re buying. I almost always go with this method because it works out to be a lot cheaper. What I’m talking about is buying from local sellers, such as those on Facebook Marketplace or craigslist.
Facebook Marketplace is a weird animal. There are both bargains and outright scams on there, but usually more bargains than scams. In any case, you have to be cautious. Having bought everything from lenses to light stands from Facebook Marketplace, I’ve found that I almost always negotiate for 10% cheaper. Often, ads featured on there are from pro photographers who need to get rid of an expensive bit of kit.
The advice I always give to everyone buying any gear (new or used) is that you must, I repeat, must know what you’re buying. Here are some common things that you should pay attention to whenever buying a used camera or lens.
If you are in the market for a pro camera, you will want to look at the shutter count first.
The shutter count refers to the number of pictures the camera has taken. Think of it like mileage on a car. The more miles there are, the more the car has seen. I tend to buy cameras that have below 20,000 to 50,000 actuations. Canon claims that their pro cameras last 150,000 clicks. They generally last longer, but 150,000 is the watershed. A few were known to last 2 million.
The second thing is the physical state of the camera. You want to be looking at the mirror, and the sensor. Dust is generally fine, but there must not be any scratches or problems with the sensor.
Regarding the cosmetic state of the camera, I wouldn’t worry too much. Scratches and small imperfections can be a negotiating point but only that. My 70-200mm lens is from 2006 and it’s been through hell. After all these years, it still works like a dream.
I mentioned my 70-200mm, and for good reason. The second thing you may want is a decent pro lens. Those can give you more creative options, and will probably last longer. I recommend buying a used pro lens over a used average lens. Maybe I’ve been unlucky, but all the average lenses that I bought broke within a relatively short time. The pro gear is going strong.
Whenever buying a lens, make sure the autofocus and apertures work. The depth of field preview button comes in handy there. You will probably get worried about all the tiny scratches on the front element and a dust particle inside. In reality, it doesn’t affect the image quality. Look out for major dust and large scratches. I would advise against buying if the damage is too significant for you.
Used gear has been good to me so far. I strongly encourage everyone to buy all gear used. This saves a lot of cash that you can spend on improving your skills and knowledge. Having spent a lot of time on finding prices, I calculated to have saved roughly $15,000 on gear because of buying used. Some things are best bought new, but that’s a whole other topic in itself.
About the author: Illya Ovchar is a commercial and editorial fashion photographer based in Budapest. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. You can find more of Ovchar’s work on his website and Instagram.
It’s no secret that camera gear is expensive. Fortunately, saving money on gear isn’t as hard as it might seem.
Over the years, I’ve discovered a handful of ways to keep photography costs (relatively) low. No, my methods won’t let you grab a camera or lens for free – but they can significantly reduce costs and help you purchase dream gear much faster than you would have managed otherwise.
So before you buy that next camera body, lens, or accessory, read up on these money-saving tips, starting with:
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but you should always, always, always be on the lookout for sales or discounts. Retailers such as Amazon often run sales where certain photography products are heavily discounted for a few days – and if you’re not on top of your sales game, then you’ll miss out.
If you have particular gear items in mind, I’d recommend bookmarking the product pages on Amazon and checking back daily. (Make it a part of your morning routine!) That way, if a sale does go live, you’ll see it immediately.
You should also subscribe to photography blogs and websites like Canon Rumors, Nikon Rumors, and Sony Alpha Rumors. In addition to bringing you the latest gear-related information on upcoming camera specs and release dates, these sites frequently post top camera, lens, and accessory deals. (They’re fast, too; they often seem to know about the best deals before everybody else.)
Another tip is to wait for certain sale “holidays.” Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day almost always result in massive gear discounts, so I encourage you to mark them in your calendar and determine the gear you want to buy in advance. Then, when the holiday rolls around, you can snap it all up!
Most camera manufacturers have a fairly regular product release cycle. Many full-frame and APS-C camera manufacturers release a new product every two years, while GoPro releases a new Hero every year. (The steady release cycle of cameras has been disrupted somewhat by the turn toward mirrorless technology and COVID-19 supply-line issues, but if you do careful research and/or follow rumor sites, you should be able to expect new models before they hit the shelves.)
Why is this useful?
While purchasing a camera or lens right after the public release won’t save you money, previous models often receive a big price cut. Additionally, current owners will be looking to sell, which means you can get great deals on sites such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace. And if you know in advance when new models will launch, you can start putting aside money and plan for the moment you can take advantage of the bargain prices.
If you’re serious about purchasing the new model, you can also save money by waiting six months to a year after its release. Then you’ll start to see deals pop up. Not only will the price likely drop, but camera stores are also likely to create product bundles that throw in extra goodies such as Adobe Photoshop subscriptions, memory cards, camera bags, and more.
There aren’t many third-party camera bodies out there, but there are plenty of third-party lenses and accessories, and I highly recommend giving them a look.
For a long time, third-party products were seen as inferior. However, companies such as Sigma and Tamron have really upped their game. They’re now producing high-quality lenses that rival the quality of those made by original camera manufacturers – and they’re often significantly cheaper. (Also, third-party brands sometimes offer unusual items that are difficult or impossible to get via original manufacturers, such as soft-focus lenses.)
So the next time you’re looking for a new piece of glass for your camera, definitely consider the third-party options out there. You might find a great lens for an even greater price!
Cameras and lenses are made to last. As long as they’ve been well-cared for, they hold their value and their quality.
So if you’re in the market for camera gear, definitely consider buying used or refurbished products, which often come at bargain prices. The process can seem (understandably) intimidating, and there are several ways to go about it, each with its own degree of risk.
One option is to buy locally via an online store such as Facebook Marketplace. This is the most dangerous option; you’ll need to evaluate the product in person, and there’s often little chance of a refund if the product is defective. However, this method also gives you the most wiggle room for negotiating a better price, and because the selling platform doesn’t necessarily take a cut of the sale, prices can be especially low.
Another way to buy used or refurbished is to look on major resale sites such as eBay. (Amazon is another good option with a slew of used product listings.) These websites will back your purchase with various guarantees, but you do need to be careful and ask plenty of questions before buying. You’ll also need to thoroughly inspect the product upon receipt; sellers won’t necessarily disclose (or even recognize) issues, so you need to be hyper-vigilant.
Finally, you can purchase gear from a camera store. Nearly all major online camera retailers – including B&H Photo and Adorama – have a “used” section with discounted gear. And there are also websites such as KEH that specialize in buying and selling used gear.
The benefit of using a dedicated photography site is security. In most cases, your purchase will be covered by the store, the gear will be inspected by a technician for flaws, and you’ll be able to return the item in case of a defect. However, prices tend to be on the high side, plus there’s no room for negotiation, so the price you see is what you’ll have to pay.
Maybe you’re traveling to Africa and you know you’ll need a blazing-fast camera and a long lens. Maybe you’re planning to shoot your friend’s wedding and you want a bag full of fast glass.
You plan to just go online, find the right equipment, and just hit that “Buy” button.
But before you do, ask yourself: “Do I really need to own that?”
If you’ll only be using a camera, lens, or accessory for a single photoshoot or trip, it might be better to rent the gear temporarily and return it once your project is complete. This is especially true when using specialty lenses such as super-telephoto zooms that retail for $10,000+.
If you like this approach, find a nearby camera store and see if they offer gear rental services. Another option is BorrowLenses, a website that specializes in renting out camera gear for reasonable prices. (They also sell used gear, so you might consider making some money-saving purchases while you’re at it!)
If you’re diligent about paying off your purchases each month, it might make sense to apply for a credit card with a good rewards system. There are camera-specific credit cards, such as B&H’s Payboo card, that reimburse you for sales tax. And there are more general credit cards that allow you to get points or money back from a wider variety of purchases.
Personally, I’m a fan of the Amazon Prime Store card. It gives you 5% back on all items plus the option to finance big purchases (i.e., cameras!). Either way, do your research and see if you can find a card that suits you. Of course, be sure to pay the card off on a regular basis; otherwise, it will cost you money.
Well, there you have it:
Six ways to save some money on cameras, lenses, and photography accessories.
Hopefully, you can use these options to make bigger, better, cheaper purchases!
Now over to you:
Do you have any tips to add to the list? How do you plan to save money on camera gear? Share your thoughts in the comments below!