dslr camera used for sale image
C.
I want to buy a dslr camera and have been looking for a good deal. I've found some pretty cheap, but nice cameras on Ebay from sellers with very good feedback. Do you think I should take a slight risk by buying used (but in nice shape) or should I just spend some more to buy a totally new one?
Answer
Hi Maggie,
I would say it depends on your experience level on using ebay and the type of account that is offering an item for sale. Some sellers are private individuals, some are Pawn Brokers or other resellers that offer items for sale on consignment (on behalf of others) and some are specialty dealers that only handle certain types of products. Another common occurrence for photographic equipment is to have retail camera dealers who accept "trade ins" for newer models and then dispose of the older cameras by selling on ebay.
The specialists often have industrial contacts for the type of equipment they sell and can offer warranties on those item and they, along with camera dealers, often have a better idea of reasonable prices and evaluations of condition.
I have purchased used or refurbished/demo equipment via ebay from two very reliable dealers Cameta Auctions and KEH. Both of these dealers offer warranties on many, but not all, of the products they sell and have established relationships with manufacturers to get parts and have repairs done by authorized service centers. KEH maintains an extensive, in house, repair facility. If you purchase from one of these companies you can be fairly confident that you will be treated fairly and get reasonable values for your money.
If you buy from retail camera stores you should expect them to have evaluated a camera's "suitability for purpose" and give you a fairly good idea of condition and working order. I would normally expect them to have a copy of the instruction manual (either a printed manual or a readable document on CD). I would not buy anything from such a store that didn't include a 7~10 day return privilege if you aren't satisfied with the purchase.
Buying from individuals can be very unpredictable but I have had very good luck with people when ever they have had high positive feedback over a period of time. If they have negative feedback I always find the negative reports and read them carefully. If bad reports appear to be cases of "buyer's remorse" or someone having unrealistic expectations I ignore them, otherwise I do not bid. My best experience was finding a set of lenses and camera that amounted to my "dream list" of most desired equipment that would have cost me about $3,800 ~ $4,200 to buy new. This was an "as is" auction from a pawn broker that I won for about $1,800, the only drawback was that one part was missing. It cost me about $100 to get that part replaced. I still use every bit of that equipment today and that was purchased about 4 years ago.
I will find links and add to source references below. I am a VERY EXPERIENCED buyer and have dozens of cameras and lenses that I have acquired over the past 45+ years so I am able to buy with great confidence but I have also coached others on how to find good values in camera equipment.
One technique I use is to go to the KEH online store and/or similar dealers to see how much I can buy any item being offered for auction for from their store. This helps me to be sure NOT to OVERBID on any items! Why risk buying an auction item from an unknown seller when I can buy it outright for less $$$ from a dealer who will guarantee what they sell?
Hope that helps. Feel free to email me if you need more help.
Hi Maggie,
I would say it depends on your experience level on using ebay and the type of account that is offering an item for sale. Some sellers are private individuals, some are Pawn Brokers or other resellers that offer items for sale on consignment (on behalf of others) and some are specialty dealers that only handle certain types of products. Another common occurrence for photographic equipment is to have retail camera dealers who accept "trade ins" for newer models and then dispose of the older cameras by selling on ebay.
The specialists often have industrial contacts for the type of equipment they sell and can offer warranties on those item and they, along with camera dealers, often have a better idea of reasonable prices and evaluations of condition.
I have purchased used or refurbished/demo equipment via ebay from two very reliable dealers Cameta Auctions and KEH. Both of these dealers offer warranties on many, but not all, of the products they sell and have established relationships with manufacturers to get parts and have repairs done by authorized service centers. KEH maintains an extensive, in house, repair facility. If you purchase from one of these companies you can be fairly confident that you will be treated fairly and get reasonable values for your money.
If you buy from retail camera stores you should expect them to have evaluated a camera's "suitability for purpose" and give you a fairly good idea of condition and working order. I would normally expect them to have a copy of the instruction manual (either a printed manual or a readable document on CD). I would not buy anything from such a store that didn't include a 7~10 day return privilege if you aren't satisfied with the purchase.
Buying from individuals can be very unpredictable but I have had very good luck with people when ever they have had high positive feedback over a period of time. If they have negative feedback I always find the negative reports and read them carefully. If bad reports appear to be cases of "buyer's remorse" or someone having unrealistic expectations I ignore them, otherwise I do not bid. My best experience was finding a set of lenses and camera that amounted to my "dream list" of most desired equipment that would have cost me about $3,800 ~ $4,200 to buy new. This was an "as is" auction from a pawn broker that I won for about $1,800, the only drawback was that one part was missing. It cost me about $100 to get that part replaced. I still use every bit of that equipment today and that was purchased about 4 years ago.
I will find links and add to source references below. I am a VERY EXPERIENCED buyer and have dozens of cameras and lenses that I have acquired over the past 45+ years so I am able to buy with great confidence but I have also coached others on how to find good values in camera equipment.
One technique I use is to go to the KEH online store and/or similar dealers to see how much I can buy any item being offered for auction for from their store. This helps me to be sure NOT to OVERBID on any items! Why risk buying an auction item from an unknown seller when I can buy it outright for less $$$ from a dealer who will guarantee what they sell?
Hope that helps. Feel free to email me if you need more help.
Im in the market for a dslr camera, should i buy it before christmas or after christmas? which sale is bigger?
thehundred
i wanted to buy a dslr camera (canon rebel xti or nikon d40x) and was wondering will i get a better discount/deal for the before christmas sale or after christmas sale. any input appreciated.
Answer
Ahem. "Gray" cameras from Nikon or Canon are not plastic versions of metal cameras sold in the USA. Rather, they are identical cameras that have NOT been brought into the country by official import channels. Since Nikon and Canon do not have any control or share of the distribution, they refuse to provide the same level of support and service. It would be like you buying something from one store, and expecting another store to help you with how to use your new item, or expecting free adjustments. Gray market cameras are physically identical (except for the occasional label), but have not earned warranty or after warranty support. Example: Nikon will never repair a gray market Nikon in the USA, even if you offer to pay in full.
My advise for buying a camera? Buy it now. Trust me, there are huge discounts now for your Canon Rebel XTi or Nikon D40x. Yes, there will be some discounts after Xmas, but there's two major concerns.
1. You may be buying a camera that someone got as a gift, and returned. The stores will "check" them, and put them back on the shelf.
2. You'll miss all the great photos for the next few weeks. Missed photos are lost photos.
In either case,since you've narrowed your choices down, I make one strong recommendation. Go into a camera store and try both camera bodies out. See which one suits your hands, your style, and feels most like an extension of you. More bells and whistles mean nothing if the camera gets in the way of your photography.
Hope this is helpful.
Ahem. "Gray" cameras from Nikon or Canon are not plastic versions of metal cameras sold in the USA. Rather, they are identical cameras that have NOT been brought into the country by official import channels. Since Nikon and Canon do not have any control or share of the distribution, they refuse to provide the same level of support and service. It would be like you buying something from one store, and expecting another store to help you with how to use your new item, or expecting free adjustments. Gray market cameras are physically identical (except for the occasional label), but have not earned warranty or after warranty support. Example: Nikon will never repair a gray market Nikon in the USA, even if you offer to pay in full.
My advise for buying a camera? Buy it now. Trust me, there are huge discounts now for your Canon Rebel XTi or Nikon D40x. Yes, there will be some discounts after Xmas, but there's two major concerns.
1. You may be buying a camera that someone got as a gift, and returned. The stores will "check" them, and put them back on the shelf.
2. You'll miss all the great photos for the next few weeks. Missed photos are lost photos.
In either case,since you've narrowed your choices down, I make one strong recommendation. Go into a camera store and try both camera bodies out. See which one suits your hands, your style, and feels most like an extension of you. More bells and whistles mean nothing if the camera gets in the way of your photography.
Hope this is helpful.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Title Post: For a first time dslr user, is it a bad idea to buy used off of Ebay?
Rating: 92% based on 9788 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Yukie
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
Rating: 92% based on 9788 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Yukie
Thanks For Coming To My Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment