Camera Gear: Should You Buy New or Used?

Text and photos by Heather Cline 

Rufous Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbird, shot with a used lens

We are approaching Black Friday and you may be thinking about holidays gifts, or maybe you are thinking about getting some camera gear for yourself. Here is some information on buying photography gear new or used. 

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Cactus patterns Cactus patterns, shot with a new lens

Tips for Buying Used 

• If you are buying a used camera, see if you can get the shutter count before you buy. If a camera has tens of thousands of shutter clicks, that may impact the longevity of the camera. Most shutters are rated to a minimum of 150,000 (entry and mid-range DSLRs) or 300,000 (professional DSLRs)
• Compare the price of the item sold new vs used. If you aren't saving at least 20%, maybe consider buying it new 
• Pay attention to the age of the equipment. For example, if a camera was originally released 1 year ago, it couldn't have gotten more than 1 year's worth of use. Five years ago - a different story. 

Pronghorn, Yellowstone National Park Pronghorn, shot with a used lens

What Gear Should You Avoid Buying Used?

• Batteries - over time, batteries lose their maximum capacity which means you have to charge them more often 
• Memory cards - these also wear out over time and shady people sell counterfeit ones 
• Hard drives (for storage) - these also wear out over time
• Diffusion material (like a soft box) - these get dirty with wear over time
• Anything you really want a warranty for 

Cypress silhouettes, Pacific Grove California Cypress silhouettes at sunset, shot with a new lens

Where To Buy Used Gear 

• Your local camera shop - you can see the condition of the gear first hand before you buy 
• KEH - wide selection of gear that goes through a rigorous testing process and is graded 
• Adorama- wide selection of gear that goes through a rigorous testing process and is graded 
• B&H- wide selection of gear that goes through a rigorous testing process and is graded 
• MPB - wide selection of gear that goes through a rigorous testing process and is graded 

Saguaro Cacti. shot with a new lens

In conclusion, whether you decide to buy new or used is highly dependent on your needs and constraints. I can tell you that I have bought used lenses over the years with no issues, but I always buy from a reputable dealer like B&H, Adorama, or KEH. My motivation, like many, was cost and I believe the decision to buy used was well worth it based on the results I have seen.