In this article I am going to talk about second-hand cameras and how a used, old, cheap and obsolete camera can change your photographic destiny forever. For the better, of course.
If you were thinking about the idea of buying an SLR camera, on the page in front of you right now you will find the answers to all the questions related to the acquisition of a second-hand camera.
In addition to giving you my opinion on buying old or second-hand cameras (I have a very clear opinion, as you'll see in a moment), I am going to provide you with a series of tips, tricks, resources and links to other articles that we have on the blog where we approach the subject of used cameras from different angles.
Let's start then.
SECOND-HAND CAMERA, OR NEW?
To illustrate my idea about second-hand SLR cameras versus new ones, I ask your permission, my dear reader, to become, for a brief moment, the character of a little story that I am going to tell you. In the next lines you will be the protagonist. Obviously, this is a fictional story, but I want you to get into the role as if it were real.
I don't know how long you've been dedicating yourself to photography, I don't know if you already had a camera, or if you were considering starting yet. In any case, we are going to imagine that you are someone who is passionate about photography, someone who always wanted to pursue photography as a hobby, but who never had the opportunity to venture into this exciting world of photography... until now.
You want to start photography and buy your first good camera, but… you have no idea (yet). You have a budget of 800 euros, so you go online and, after some research, you find a good new SLR camera. Although it is made for an amateur level, the camera looks very good, it is from a great brand and… it is the latest model that they have just released. What a good investment! Buying a latest model camera you can have the peace of mind that it will not become obsolete in a short time.
But wait a moment: what good is an SLR camera without a lens going to do you? The camera body itself is useless as long as it doesn't have a lens attached. So, along with the camera, you opt for the pack that includes a standard lens. In this way you drain the budget you had, but that's okay, because that way you make sure you can use your camera as soon as the delivery person leaves it at your house. What a win!
It's been a couple of days, it's quarter past 11 in the morning and… someone rings the bell. Through the peephole (with a fisheye effect) you see that at the door of your house there is a man in a delivery company uniform holding a large box.
Your heart beats a thousand. The dream you've been chasing your whole life is on the other side of the door. Finally, the day you have been anxiously waiting for has arrived.
At this point we will pause the story for a moment. Don't worry, I'll tell you the ending right now (things will get very interesting, now you'll see it). But first I want you to take me back a moment. I want us to go back to the day when it occurred to you to buy a camera.
Let's imagine an alternate path ?
You are still that person who has always had feelings for photography and who is finally deciding to take the plunge. The difference, this time, is that when you want to look at SLRs, instead of going for the latest release, you decide to dig through second-hand SLRs. You start with the same 800 euros, but in this alternate version of the story you end up choosing a used, old, cheap and obsolete DSLR. You buy it for a whopping 90 Euros.
You look at your account and… problem! You are left with 710 euros of budget with which you do not know what to do. You do some more research, you find out things, and you end up adding to your order a basic lens, with which to start, and another more advanced one that you discovered in a forum and whose photographic results seemed promising. Let's say it's the 50mm f/1.4 (the one I call the King of Lenses).
You still have money left over. Shit! In addition to the two objectives, you add the occasional accessory, a backpack perhaps, and above all, you sign up for a photography course that allows you to start off on the right foot.
A few days later, the same thing: 11:15 in the morning and…someone rings the doorbell. You look through the peephole, and there you have the delivery man, this time doing stunts to keep that mountain of boxes that he carries on him (camera, lenses, backpack, etc.), and that they completely cover his face.
Again, your heart beats a thousand. The dream you've been chasing your whole life is on the other side of the door. Finally, the day you have been anxiously waiting for has arrived.
As you have been able to observe, I have taken the liberty of taking you, my dear reader, on two different paths. Two different versions of the same story. At this point, how do you think each of the two paths will end?
What will become of that "you" who opted for a new camera, the latest model?
What will become of that other version of you that opted for an old and rudimentary model?
Do not believe. Every day there are people who follow the first path, that of betting on a new camera, and others who opt for the second path, that of buying a used camera.
This is one of those questions in life for which there is no single answer. There is no right and wrong path.
What is true is that I have seen people succeed with a new, latest-model camera, and I have seen them also fail despite having the latest photography fads. Similarly, I also know of hobbyist photographers who opted for a supposedly “old-fashioned” model, despite which they were able to go a long way as photographers.
If among the buyers of new cameras there are people who do well and others who do not so much, and if among those who buy a second-hand camera there are also people who go far in terms of photographic results and others who are left behind, Doesn't this want to tell us that, in reality, whether the camera is new or old, whether it is advanced or basic, has little influence on the result?
Whether a camera is new or old influences the result so little, but one costs 90 euros and the other 700 or 800 euros, and the 90 one leaves us a margin of money to invest in a lens, accessories and, above all, , invest in "growth" as photographers and learning, does it make sense to turn your back on the "second-hand camera" option?
I don't know. I don't want to take sides so as not to condition you. This story is simply an invitation to reflection, not to assume that a new camera must necessarily be better than a second-hand one.
I don't want to demonize new cameras. As a photographer, when I needed to buy cameras, I bought new ones when I thought that would suit me. Other times I have bought cameras again and they were second-hand. I have a good collection of SLR cameras, some bought new and others second-hand, and the truth is that both groups gave me joy and great satisfaction.
That being said, I think there is a popular opinion that second-hand cameras are bad by definition and that new ones are good per se.
Big mistake.
MY COMMITMENT TO USED CAMERAS
In December 2019, it occurred to me to carry out an experiment to refute this false belief. The experiment was to buy an old DSLR camera, the most obsolete I could find for sale on the second hand market, and try to get decent photos with it. At the time I uploaded the video of the experiment to Youtube, if you have not seen it I recommend that you watch it because it brings a new angle to the issue of buying cameras.
RESOURCES TO BUY SECOND-HAND CAMERAS
At this point, I am going to leave you with some of the resources and tips that will help you make the right choice with the purchase of your next second-hand camera.
TIPS FOR BUYING A SECOND-HAND CAMERA [ HERE ]
This article , although a few years old behind it, is still very useful today. In it I explain my method, step by step, to acquire a second-hand camera.
HOW TO BUY A SECOND-HAND LENS [ HERE ]
If what you are looking for is a second-hand lens for your camera, here are a handful of practical tips to make a good purchase.
WHERE TO BUY SECOND HAND CAMERAS
There are many stores, both physical and online, where you can find second-hand cameras in a very decent condition. Another option would be to look through individual ads and buy the camera from an individual, although I do not recommend it. Did you know that most stores, both physical and online, that sell second-hand cameras usually include some kind of guarantee? With an individual you do not have this guarantee.
In my case, all my second-hand cameras come from eBay. There are many "second-hand" online stores, but I think that where there is the greatest variety of products and above all (this is essential) where they offer you the best guarantees is on this particular portal.
Camera section on eBay
Below we will talk about categories of specific, second-hand photography products, and there I will leave you links so that it is convenient for you to consult them.
ARE WALLAPOP AND OTHER APPS FOR SELLING SECOND-HAND PRODUCTS GOOD OPTIONS?
I have nothing against Wallapop, but the criteria that I apply in my personal life is the following: if the person who is going to sell me the used camera is an individual, I am not interested. I don't care if it's going to be cheaper. I'm not interested.
Wallapop and many other websites and apps all they do is put individuals in contact so that some sell their things to others. The concept is nice, interesting, but boy, I prefer to have my guarantees and that is why eBay is the only place where I have made second hand purchases.
FINE, BUT WHAT SECOND-HAND CAMERA SHOULD I BUY?
When it comes to cameras, I have always recommended the two best-known brands , Canon and Nikon , due to their popularity, the number of models they offer, and how easy it is to find documentation, user guides, courses, videos, and specific material for your cameras. models (in the links you will find two very complete guides on these brands).
There are other brands of cameras, equally good and valid, but since they are not so popular, it is sometimes difficult to find information, guides or videos dedicated to them. But Sony , Olympus (OM System) , Fujifilm or Pentax are other brands worth looking at.
SECOND HAND NIKON CAMERAS
Here are some options for used Nikon SLR cameras.
- HereI have refined the search so that only second-hand Nikon cameras from Spain appear (so you have a faster shipping time) in which shipping is completely free, as well as returns that are also free (this from my point of view is essential).
- HereIt is the same search but limited by price. In this case, only those Nikon reflex cameras appear that, in addition to the previous filter, their price is below 150 EUR, which seems to me a more than reasonable price.
SECOND HAND CANON CAMERAS
To please my Canonist readers:
- Herea selection with used Canon cameras, with the same filters as the ones I mentioned before (free shipping from Spain, with the possibility of free returns).
- and here, the same selection but filtered to show only those Canon cameras whose price is below 150 EUR.
CAN I ALSO FIND SECOND HAND PHOTOGRAPHY ACCESSORIES?
Indeed, many photography accessories are very well priced (and of quality) in the second-hand market. However, there are others that it is not interesting to take second hand.
ACCESSORIES YOU CAN BUY SECOND HAND
Any of these accessories can be found second-hand in perfect condition and, due to the nature of these products, there should normally be no problems (knowing that you also always have the buyer's guarantee that some sites like eBay offer).
- Tripod.
- Backpack.
- Lighting and LED Panels.
- Remote shutter release: for Nikonand for canon.
ACCESSORIES THAT IT IS PREFERABLE TO BUY NEW
These other accessories from my point of view are preferable to buy new:
- Memory card
- Hard drives
- batteries
- filters
One more thing: in some searches it is possible that new products will appear to you as well. This is because eBay sells both used and new products.
On the other hand, second-hand photography products that appear on eBay (cameras, lenses and accessories) disappear quickly. This is because, in general, there is no stock of several units, at least not in second-hand products. When a store lists, say, a used Nikon D7000 for sale on eBay, they usually only carry that unit. The fastest to place the order is the one who keeps it. Keep this in mind when you are looking at cameras or photography accessories for yourself.
I hope that this mega-guide has been useful to you and that you have found answers to all your questions in it. If you have more questions, you can leave them below in the comments. I will do my best to answer everyone.
As always, thanks for your time. If you have enjoyed this article, share it because in your environment you can surely think of someone to whom this information could be useful.
