What to Look for When Purchasing Used Gear

Photo gear tends to be quite expensive, and when you are outfitting your camera bag, the costs can add up rather quickly. However, the used market is always bustling, and you can save significant amounts of money by buying what you need there. This helpful video essay discusses what to look for when buying used equipment to make sure you get a good deal on equipment that will last you a long time. 

Coming to you from Photo Tom, this awesome video essay talks about buying used versus new camera gear and what to look for when evaluating a used product. I personally love buying used gear (I discuss my favorite place to do so here), but of course, you have to be a bit more careful and proactive in ensuring the gear is in proper working order before you purchase it. That being said, well-cared-for photo gear can easily last decades with no decline in function. I have outfitted probably at least half of my gear with used equipment, and it has saved me thousands of dollars in the long run. Just be sure to do the proper homework first. Check out the video above for the full rundown. 

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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3 Comments

Yet another gear talk for "Camera owners"; I want to learn photography !

Well, then go to the tutorials section.

Nice idea... but there are much better videos around showing precisely what to look out for. That's far more helpful than shaking a lens and 'I don't now [how to explain].. you have to move it, zoom it .. and you will notice...' Newbies have no reference for what to expect and what is normal.