Any tips on buying a used DSLR?

[Antitrust]

Hi :)

I'm thinking about buying a used camera instead of a new one, hopefully to get a better model for my hard-earned money ;).

The problem is that it's my first digital camera purchase :rolleyes:.

I mean, I *am* digging the concepts for many months, so I do know a couple things, but still I would really appreciate some help.


Is it a good idea? Maybe a new one would be better?

What should I check when testing a used camera? For example, I read somewhere that you can see dust on the censor by somehow focusing into infinity or something. What functions should I test to see if they work properly? Are scratches important to notice (and on which parts of the camera)?

[Saralonde]

Are you buying this from an individual? Some reputable dealers sell used cameras and that might be a good way to go. Look at bhphotovideo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/category/2872/used_digital.html) and keh.com (http://www.keh.com/onlinestore/home.aspx).

[RexK_Cozumel]

ok so if you are buying a used camera from an individual it will be important to take a couple shots (and view it on a big screen not the small lcd on the camera) to see is there is any scratches of burned out pixels/hotpixels on the sensor (dust is not a big deal since you can clean that off). If there is a scratch on the sensor forget it.. even if he were selling it for $1 it is not worth it since replacing that sensor would cost you as much as or more than a new DSLR.
Another thing to check is how many pictures have been taken with the camera since DLSR's have a shutterlife it would be bad to buy a camera from someone who shoots a lot of frames every day (eg. a professional sports photographer) You can just ask the person if they are pretty honest and you trust them or you can take it into a certified technician and they can check for you. Checking on the camera yourself is pointless cause you can reset the count (at least on my nikon..unless there is somewhere that I am not looking. and please let me know if there is a way to check.)
Third you want to check the lenses make sure that they work smoothly and that there are no scratches or spots on the glass. Check for dents or scratches on the lens especially around the threading as that is a clear indicator that the person dropped the lens or banged it against something hard.

Other than that I cant think of anything.. but it will of course be safer buying a new camera or getting a used one from a reputiable dealer.

[kirbinster]

I have found that on sites like flickr when you upload a photo and go to the detailed info the data shows the total number of shutter presses on the camera.

[henryp]

I have found that on sites like flickr when you upload a photo and go to the detailed info the data shows the total number of shutter presses on the camera.

You have to be careful you're reading actual shutter actuations and not a frame counter which could have been reset by using a memory card that already had images on it. Image exif data often has that and not actual shutter actuation values.

[Canon4me]

You have to be careful you're reading actual shutter actuations and not a frame counter which could have been reset by using a memory card that already had images on it. Image exif data often has that and not actual shutter actuation values.


Henry brings up a good point. I would like to add that the pro film body, Canon EOS-1v, counts every roll of film that is loaded into the body, but it does not count shutter actuations, like the Canon EOS-1D digital series does............

[Antitrust]

Thanks for the info :)

I was thinking about buying from individuals, that are located not too far away :cool:.

I've found some nice deals in local ad paper/magazine (350 Euro for a Canon 350D for example with lens and some stuff, dunno if I really want that specific camera though, I'm more of a Pentax fan)

Can I confirm the serial number or something? (to see if it was stolen, not everyone keeps the check)

Is age of the camera a matter of concern? Could a 2 years old one that is in apparently good condition be a bad option?