Our smartphone cameras are better than ever these days — but what if you want to take your photography to the next level on your long-awaited trip? Then you may be in the market for a Digital Single-Lens Reflex camera (DSLR).
If you’re an amateur or hobby photographer, you may not see the point in spending hundreds of dollars on the newest model. I tend to agree with you! So before I went to Spain last year, I decided to buy myself a used DSLR on eBay. Was it risky? You bet. But did it pay off? Definitely.
Although I ended up saving approximately $500 when compared to a similar newer model, buying a high-dollar item from eBay should not be taken lightly. Check out my top tips for making sure you score a great used-camera deal.
1. Do your research
First, ask yourself a few questions. What kind of camera do you want: Nikon or Canon? How new of a model do you want? And what is your budget? Check out camera/photography blogs, read reviews, and decide on 2-3 cameras you’re interested in.
Now, make an account or login to eBay, and begin your search. Search for the names of the cameras you’re interested in, and set a filter with your maximum budget so you only see results that are under your budget.
When you find a good listing, do a few things: read the description thoroughly, and research the seller thoroughly. Do they have a reasonable number of good reviews? This is a good sign. Are they selling many of the same item? This may be a bad sign — they could be a scammer or counterfeit product maker. Use your best judgment in this situation.
2. Ask questions
Great, you found a camera that’s under your budget and a reputable seller! This is when the real work begins — now you need to start asking questions to them. If it’s not listed in the description, find out:
- What condition is the camera in?
- What is included? Body only, or kit lens as well?
- Are any other lenses included? What about lens caps?
- Does it come with a battery and charger? Memory card?
- Is there an instruction manual?
The more complete this package is, the higher the price will likely be. Decide which of these components are most important to you. Note: be cautious of buying a “body only” camera — if you don’t already have a fitting lens, the camera will be useless to you. And even if this information IS in the description, it’s good to verify anyway.
3. Get shutter count
A shutter count is like an odometer for your camera — it’s a great way to get an objective reading on how much the camera has been used. Many novice photographers (aka people who may be selling their barely-used DSLRs on eBay) do not know how to find this information, but with some gentle prodding from you and special instructions, they should be happy to oblige. If they’re not, take it as a red flag.
If the seller is not sure how to find the shutter count, instruct them to take a photo with the camera and then direct them to a site like https://www.camerashuttercount.com. There, they can upload the photo they just took, and the website will indicate a shutter count result. Simple as that! Other, more complex sites can even pull more detailed extracts of camera information if you are interested.
After taking all these steps and finding the best camera for you, it’s time to start bidding or making offers. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get one right away — your patience and diligence will pay off. Best of luck!
What other tips do you have for buying used cameras/equipment on eBay? I’d love to know!
-Cathy
Originally Published on June 17, 2017.
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