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 buying a SLR camera, on the page you have in front of you right now you will find the answers to all the questions related to buying 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 will 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 in the blog where we approach the issue of second-hand cameras from different angles.
INSIDE THIS ARTICLE… đź“–
Let’s start then.
Second-hand camera, or new?
To illustrate my idea about second-hand reflex 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 still considering starting. In any case, let’s imagine that you are someone who is passionate about photography, someone who always wanted to dedicate himself to photography as a hobby, but who never had the opportunity to venture into this exciting world of photography… until now.
You want to start in photography and buy your first good camera, but… you have no idea (yet). You have a budget of 800 euros, so you go on the Internet and, after a while of research, you find a good new SLR camera. Although it is made for a hobbyist level, the camera looks very good, it is from a great brand and… it is the latest model that they just released. What a good investment! By 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 minute: what good is a reflex camera without a lens? The camera body itself is useless without a lens attached. So, along with the camera, you opt for the pack that includes a standard lens. In this way you squeeze the budget you had, but it’s good, because that way you make sure you can use your camera as soon as the delivery man leaves it at your house. What a win!
It’s been a couple of days, it’s 11:15 in the morning and… someone rings the doorbell. Through the peephole (with 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 all your life is on the other side of the door. Finally, the day you have been eagerly awaiting 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). But first I want you to go back with me for a moment. I want us to go back to the day when it occurred to you to buy a camera.
Let’s imagine an alternative path 🙂
You are still that person who had always felt something for photography and who is finally deciding to take the step. The difference, this time, is that when you want to start looking at SLR cameras, instead of opting for the latest release, you decide to investigate second-hand SLR cameras. You start with the same 800 euros, but in this alternative version of the story you end up choosing a used, old, cheap and obsolete DSLR camera. 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 a basic lens to your order, to start with, 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. Chows! In addition to the two lenses, you add the odd 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 completely cover his face.
Again, your heart beats a thousand. The dream you’ve been chasing all your life is on the other side of the door. Finally, the day you have been eagerly awaiting has arrived.
As you have seen, I have taken the liberty of taking you, my dear reader, down 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 choose the second path, that of buying a used camera.
This is one of those issues in life for which there is no single answer. There is no right way and wrong way.
What is certain is that I have seen people succeed with a new camera, the latest model, and I have also seen them fail despite having the latest virgueria in photography. Similarly, I also know amateur photographers who opted for a supposedly “old-fashioned” model, despite which they were able to go very far as photographers.
If among the buyers of new cameras there are people who do well and others not so well, and if among those who buy a second-hand camera there are also people who go very far in terms of photographic results and others who are left behind, Wouldn’t this mean that, in reality, whether the camera is new or old, whether it is advanced or basic, has little influence on the result?
If the fact that a camera is new or old has so little influence on the result, 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 in 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 them new when I thought that was convenient for 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 great joy and satisfaction.
Having said that, I think there is a popular opinion that believes that second-hand cameras are bad by definition and that new ones are good. per se.
Big mistake.
My commitment to second-hand cameras
In December 2019 it occurred to me to conduct an experiment to refute this false belief. The experiment consisted of acquiring an old DSLR camera, the most obsolete one I could find for sale on the second-hand market, and trying to get decent photos with it. At the time I uploaded the video of the experiment to Youtube, if you haven’t seen it I recommend 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’m going to leave you with some of the resources and advice that will help you make the right purchase of your next second-hand camera.
Tips for buying a second-hand camera
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
If what you are looking for is a second-hand lens for your camera, here is a good 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 very decent condition. Another option would be to search through individual advertisements 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 a greater variety of products and above all (this is essential) where they offer you greater guarantees is on this particular portal.
Cameras 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 will be cheaper. I’m not interested.
Wallapop and many other websites and apps all they do is put individuals in contact so that some can sell their things to others. The concept is nice, interesting, but boy, I prefer to have my guarantees and that’s why eBay is the only place I’ve ever bought second hand.
Well, but what second-hand camera do 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 needs. 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 as popular, it is difficult to find information, guides or videos dedicated to them.
Second hand Nikon cameras
Here are some options for second-hand Nikon SLR cameras.
- Here I have refined the search so that only the cameras appear…