How to Buy a Camera Used Second-Hand
Most readers of this blog are our people who love photography, beginners who want to step up to an SLR camera with good features affordable yet. Exposing the best in each case SLR cameras: Nikon, Canon, Sony, Olympus and Pentax. We have seen ranges, benefits and prices, but what if our budget does not yet reached the minimum price that a new SLR camera cost? It is more .. What if our budget is very limited but our aspirations are HUGE?
Yes, folks, you guessed it. If this is your case, the concept of “second hand” is presented as a very attractive option: good market opportunity there SLRs very good, very good quality for all beginner and advanced levels, especially with prices much more affordable.
If you have just purchased an SLR, do not worry, you made the right decision. While one you can afford a new camera is always better, but you can not afford a new or ye weighing more affordable alternative options we will see what needs to be taken into account when making the BEST BUY.
How to buy a camera used / second hand:
Step 1: Choose a camera
Indecision, uncertainty and being a bit “lost” will make our purchase of one of the worst decisions we ever made. Do not complicate your life, forget everything and first Focus on “discovering” what is the camera you want. Think about the type of use that you’ll give, for what purpose you want it (professional or hobby), how many times you think you’re going to use, etc. As said earlier, in articles I published here on the blog before you have a catalog available to you with the best of the best SLR cameras. Ojeal well researched, and makes a decision. Already a mentally chosen camera? Well, let’s go to step 2.
Step 2: Choose one of two or guarantee affordable price:
Depending on the country where you live have few other options to buy a used camera.
Thrift shop option:
In some countries like U.S have stores specializing in selling items and second-hand aircraft. The advantage of these sites is that you have the assurance that the product is in perfect working condition. It gives you a ticket, an invoice, and a commitment to security in many cases up to one year. It’s like if you buy a new SLR camera, but cheaper, albeit with the same guarantees.
Particular option unknown:
Another option is to go to newspapers and websites and find the camera you want. We will price many results varied depending on the length of the camera and how much or little that they care. The clear advantage of this way of shopping is that the price is much cheaper if you buy a second hand shop (as in the previous option), you can find real bargains, but the security is virtually nonexistent. We speak of individuals who sell their houses after 3 or 4 years of use, and when you buy an SLR camera Unknown particular, considerable uncertainty accompanies you. Afraid to spend whole days thinking, “Would I be deceived?” And if I damaged the camera after 2 or 3 shots? “.
Sorry particular option:
This is what I call the golden opportunity. Normally if a person buys a DSLR, the test and does not like, have a few days to return it and get your money, period. But sometimes, very little truth, that happens a short time period but higher returns, and that the person who bought the SLR, new, and can not return.
There are such cases. When this occurs, the person did not like at all the camera, either because they wanted something different, either because he can not use, or for any other reason, usually that person is selling, as in the previous option, a through advertisements in newspapers and websites in ads. There is an unwritten rule by which any product purchased new money drastically lose its value no longer be purchased. So if you are lucky enough to find an opportunity like this, not waste it. This option usually combines an affordable price with a good warranty, since the camera was new and therefore still retain its original brand warranty.
Step 3: Check the product:
Here I am going to indicate what things you have to look at the SLR that we buy at the time of purchase, to make sure it is in good condition.
All elements included: items usually have to include the camera are, camera, at least one target (except if you sell only the camera body) camera battery, battery charger for the camera, in some cases, data transfer cable from camera to computer.
House in good shape: note the outer body of the camera, check that it is okay, which has no serious scratches or cracks at sides.
Lens / lens in good condition, also should be noted that the target is good. This will check the optical lens looking out, making sure that is fine and has no rayajo, but another way to check is to shoot one or two shots and watched closely in case it appreciates some strange streak in the photo because a target scratched.
If the lens focal length is variable (eg 18-55mm) is also necessary to rotate the focal length and see if it turns properly.
Buttons and controls in good condition: We found absolutely all the buttons on the camera (photo shutter, mode dial, wheel, auxiliary buttons, flash trigger, etc.).
Auto and manual focus: In the end, locate the button that switches focus to autofocus and manual focus with the camera tried both options (auto and manual focus). Both should work.
Check the number of shots: The digital SLR cameras have an estimated life based on the number of shots (usually around 150,000 to 300,000 shots). It’s like the car’s mileage, the time to buy one, should find out how many miles a car has traveled, and how many photos has made a reflex camera. This number can be seen only once made the last picture and the computer, looking at the photo’s EXIF data (in a future article I will explain this in the EXIF data and how to get). This is something that is not always possible to verify at the time of purchase but at least they arrive home one can do one or two photos and look at this data.
Compatibility Test objective: if we have our goals that we intend to use with the camera, should bring with us so we can test them directly into the camera and see if they are compatible. So we save the power later take a dislike to see that the camera and our lenses are not compatible: (
Step 4: Buy
Once you have checked all this, we can be calm. There is still room for the camera is bad, but at least we have done everything possible to ensure we are making a good investment.
Beware of second-hand purchases. PLEASE if you can avoid it is always advisable to play it safer, though you have to pay a little more. But if there is no choice, a purchase of second hand can be equally successful as a new purchase.
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