Photography is an expensive hobby, and the price for a decent camera or lense can easily be more than what you'd spend on a new phone or a holiday flights for the family. Is it worth saving money by buying second-hand? — Photo: Sina Schuldt/dpa
BERLIN: When it comes to buying system cameras and lenses, is it always better to buy new? No, say the experts.
Equipment that’s a few years old but otherwise in good shape is fine. And it's sustainable, too. Just steer clear of anything from the entry-level class.
"Used system cameras are worthwhile for anyone who wants to save a lot of money and doesn't necessarily need to shoot with the latest technology," according to photography journalist Peter Nonhoff-Arps.
Even cameras that have not been available new for several years still deliver high-quality digital images, he says.
When it comes to lenses, the price difference between new and second-hand is not so great but you can still get nearly unused ones at a decent price.
What is a system camera?
A system camera is one with interchangeable lenses – even if the term is often used exclusively for models without a mirror. However, an SLR camera is also a system camera and that has a mirror.
Whether you choose a system camera with or without a mirror is ultimately a matter of taste and habit. With an SLR camera, the light travels via the mirror and there’s an optical viewfinder onboard.
Mirrorless system cameras, on the other hand, have an electronic viewfinder. The light falls directly on the sensor, which then sends the image to a high-resolution display. One advantage of mirrorless system cameras is that they’re slimmer and lighter than SLR cameras.
Test before you buy
Nonhoff-Arps recommends buying used cameras and lenses from a dealer. “The advantage is that you can test them on site and also usually get a warranty,” he says.
However, the price is often significantly higher than with private sellers. A compromise between these two poles is the online retailer.
Buying from an online retailer puts you in the middle of the pack in terms of price, Nonhoff-Arps says. In addition, online dealers should provide a warranty and take back the product if there’s a problem.
"But in the case of valuable cameras and lenses, it's worth going to the vendor to take a practical look," the expert says.
Buying used cameras and lenses in a store makes sense because there are a number of things you should check before committing to a purchase.
Nonhoff-Arps lists some of them: "From the sensor to the signs of use on the housing, display, tripod thread or flash shoe to the condition of the battery." When it comes to lenses you should check that no dust has got into them.
Vincent Meyer regularly buys used cameras for his Berlin camera store and knows what's important. His first check is for the overall condition and the external appearance.
"With a camera that already has significant scuffs, there is a higher risk that something is no longer in order," Meyer says. Point two: the image sensor should be free of dirt.
How much money you actually save when buying used equipment depends heavily on the camera model in question. "If you buy a product that is still currently being manufactured and sold, you can definitely save 20 to 30%," Meyer says.
When is a camera too old to buy?
If you weigh up the range of functions and the photo quality against the potential price reduction, buying a used digital camera is worthwhile up to a camera aged five to six years, according to Meyer.
"Otherwise, you really have to know your stuff and be really sure it still works," the expert says. "Because technology has advanced so rapidly that you get results with older models that are far from today's standard." – dpa
