Affordable Photography | Best Way to Buy Used Camera Gear

Good camera gear is a costly undertaking.

So I’m always interested in whether there’s a better way to acquire the right photography gear through the used market.

A safe and affordable way to buy used camera gear is through companies like MPB, KEH and Used Photo Pro, as these platforms have excellent reputations, maintain a wide range of equipment and provide a warranty with each purchase.

Some resellers have been in the industry for decades, while others are relatively newcomers.

So they aren’t all the same.

We will dive deeper into what each vendor offers and whether they are a good option for your next photography gear purchase.

But first, let’s explore if purchasing used camera gear is a good move.

Should I Buy Used Camera Gear

Buying used camera gear is an effective way of accessing high-quality photography equipment and timeless cameras and lenses at a more affordable price. Purchasing second-hand can help your money go further and be environmentally sustainable.

There are many benefits to buying used camera equipment over purchasing new gear.

Let’s look at a few important ones.

Access to Great Gear

Most camera gear released over the past 4 to 6 years has been impressive with fantastic technologies.

The products were unbelievable when they were announced and, for the most part, are still incredible several years later.

From Sony, Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Olympus and Panasonic. They are packed full of features that still benefit most photographers today.

Yet many people move on to the new version, and this can be to your advantage.

Because these cameras, lenses, and other equipment can be accessed through the used market.

Access to a Great Price

So why spend top dollar on the latest model when you can get a model that is one or two generations previous for a fraction of the price?

A camera that’s only a few years old will suit the needs of 99% of photographers.

There is a misconception amongst some photographers that when a new model comes out, the old model suddenly becomes reductant and doesn’t meet their photography requirements.

It’s human nature to be tempted and justify a new purchase.

I’ve been there plenty of times myself.

I’m not trying to gilt anyone out of buying new gear.

I’m throwing up an argument for considering buying used.

The reality is that camera companies and other photography gear manufacturers come out with new models every year or so to continue making money and being profitable.

The needs of photographers don’t change that much.

So a camera released last year or the year before will be more than enough for most photographers.

This is even more, the case when it comes to lenses.

Buying used gear means you can stretch your dollar further and have in your hands a camera, a lens or other photography gear that will meet your needs at a lower price.

More Financially Sustainable

You can see how buying used gear can make financial sense, but we can take it one step further and explore how it can be more financially sustainable.

A new camera is probably worth 10% to 15% less the moment you walk out of the store with it.

Start shooting with it for one or two years, and its value will likely drop closer to 25% to 30% or even more, depending on the condition.

Say you pick up the Nikon Z6ii new for $1,696 at Amazon.

You’ll probably be able to sell it after one year for around $1,272, a loss of $424.

As of writing, you can pick the Nikon Z6ii used for as little as $1429 and the model before, the Z6 used, is available for under $1000, and there is not much difference between the model.

Even if you were to sell the Z6 at the same percentage loss, 25%, you would get around $750. So that’s only a drop of $250.

So there’s more money in your pocket for other gear.

So if you are keen to cycle through cameras and upgrade, it makes excellent financial sense to buy used as the value of your equipment reduces by less.

Where to Buy Used Camera Equipment

One concern about buying used is the camera gear’s condition and peace of mind if something goes wrong.

Generally, there are two ways to purchase used gear;

Peer-to-Peer – When you buy from the individual who owns the item. This covers platforms like eBay and Craigslist. While you purchase through these services, eBay and Craigslist never own the item. You are effectively buying from the person who initially owns the product.

Non-Peer-to-Peer – Where you purchase from a company that maintains a catalog of products. Websites like MPB, KEH and User Photo Pro are non-peer-to-peer purchasing services.

There are several advantages to using non-peer-to-peer services for purchasing used gear over peer-to-peer platforms.

The described condition of the items can generally be more trusted, your purchase comes with a limited warranty, and shipping is often included.

But not all non-peer-to-peer services are the same, so let’s look at three of the most well-known platforms.

Purchasing Used Gear from MBP

MPB are the newest players in the used photography game.

They use photos of the actual item they are selling, which is helpful to see what you are getting and its condition. However, their return policy is only seven days, so having images of the genuine product is valuable.

MPB has a slightly less variety of items on their site than others, but they are adding new products daily, so it is worth checking what they have available frequently.

They have more recent photography gear and some older digital products but have little to select from if you are after older, more obscure camera gear.

But that might be a reflection of how new they are, and it’s something that may change over time.

Their site is easy to use, and you can set up search alerts to notify you when a product you are looking for becomes available.

Shipping is free and coupled with their price, which is generally very good, so if you’re after a bargain, make sure you check out MPB.

Just be prepared for slightly slower shipping times.

MPB has student discounts and offers referral coupons. However, they don’t have many other promotions or sales.

They package their items for shipping very well and offer a warranty of 180 days.

You can find more information on the MPB website.

Using KEH to Buy Used Camera Gear

KEH is one of the largest resellers of used camera gear, and they have the greatest range of products, from relatively recent gear to older equipment.

Just remember that if you are looking for available items, make sure you’ve selected ‘in stock’ when you are searching.

Instead of photos of the actual items, KEH uses reference images of the product. So you need to be careful and read the description of the items along with the ratings KEH provides.

They maintain a good reputation, so you are going to be safe.

The risk is also minimized by their fantastic return policy, which is 21 days. It’s just an added hassle to return items if they differ from what you expected, which could be avoided if they shared photos of the actual product.

They frequently add products to their site, so there’s something new each day.

Shipping is free for purchases over $49, so consider that when working out the item’s final cost.

KEH offers a 180-day warranty on the items they sell.

While their prices are pretty good, you may be able to find it slightly cheaper elsewhere. Also, keep an eye out for their frequent promotions because they offer codes for small discounts occasionally.

KEH package their item well for shipping and have an excellent buying ad tracking process.

You can find more information on the KEH website.

Buying Used Camera Gear from Used Photo Pro

Used Photo Pro has an excellent reputation. Along with its new camera gear division, Roberts Camera, UPP has been in the photography industry for decades.

Used Photo Pro use images of the actual item you are purchasing so you can inspect the product before buying.

They always add new products to their website, restocking multiple times daily. So it’s always worth checking out what they have available.

The pricing on Used Photo Pro is comparable to prices found on E-bay, and they offer free shipping for most purchases, just not some smaller items.

Be on the lookout for promotions up to 20% that come up from time to time on specific categories.

Their return policy is 14-days, and their warranty policy is 180-days

You can find more information on the Used Photo Pro website.

Using Peer-to-Peer Platforms for Buying Used Gear?

You can’t be confident in the seller’s reputation when using peer-to-peer platforms like eBay or Craigslist to purchase used camera gear. So you need to know how much to trust the condition in which they describe the item.

There are mechanisms to mitigate this impact, but you always need to be aware of it.

I have two rules when using peer-to-peer platforms for most purchases. Either I need to be able to meet up face-to-face with the seller to inspect the item and assess its condition, or I only purchase low-value items.

Although that has meant I’ve missed out on some purchases, I lower the risk of losing my money.