Buying Used Cameras

What you need to look for when you buy a used camera.

This is for everyone who’s a photographer. Besides what you see, the aesthetics of it, there are more things to check before buying a camera.

First, buying a used product comes with many risks. Malfunctions, scratches or there are some things that the seller might not say about the camera. Many of these can be prevented, especially if you’re buying online. Here are a few guidelines to follow and see if you’re buying a working camera or not.

1: Always, I mean always, check the seller’s profile, his feedback and comments from other buyers, to see if it’s not a scam. Also, check if it’s possible to return the product. I think there’s an international law which says there must be a month, or so, after buying the product, in which you can return it and get full refund.

2: Always check for warranty.

3: Don’t trust the photos of the product. 99% of the time, the pictures are fake or edited so you can’t see the scratches.

4: If the seller is from your city, ask for a meeting in which case, you can check the camera.

5: Check the lens for any scratches or any fungus. Watch very closely. If the lens has scratches, there’s
nothing you can do to get rid of it. If there’s any fungus on it, it’s almost impossible to clean it, and very expensive to get it cleaned at a professional shop. Even though, the fungus is very small, it will spread like a spider web. If it’s a metal lens, check it so it will move smoothly. Also, make sure that there’s no vaseline inside the lens.

6: Take a test film, place it inside the camera, and check if the wind and the rewind button works without any problems.

7: Open the back of the camera, leave it open ad take a couple if test shots to see if the shutter works properly at the times you set it.

8: See if the front has any holes in it,so it won’t leak light on your film. Just point the camera at any source of light and check for any light leaks. Do the same for the back side of the camera.

9: If it’s possible, ask the seller to shoot a film. This is the perfect proof that the camera works, and doesn’t have any problems.

Most of the sellers, on eBay or other online site are selling things that where stored in the basement or, whatever unproper space, so, if you want to buy a camera to use it, you must check it first.

Recap: Check the lens, check the shutter, check the wind and rewind button, check the front, and take test shots.

written by pvalyk on 2011-11-17 #gear #tutorials #35mm #tips #camera #tutorial #second-hand #ebay #buy #used #tipster