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11/09/2010 11:21:53 AM · #1 |
| Do you guys get most of your equipment new or used? It's so expensive...trying to figure out how everyone affords all this stuff. |
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11/09/2010 11:30:10 AM · #2 |
Originally posted by kgeary:
...trying to figure out how everyone affords all this stuff. |
Rationalization. |
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11/09/2010 11:32:14 AM · #3 |
| In all seriousness, I've taken the approach of buying used when I know I'm getting a like-new piece of gear. It typically does not save that much money on higher end glass, perhaps 15%. I have not bought used bodies, though I would consider doing so in the right situation. The savings on used bodies are typically greater than on glass. |
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11/09/2010 11:37:14 AM · #4 |
| Mostly used or demo lenses. |
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11/09/2010 11:42:08 AM · #5 |
I've never bought used but probably should have when I look at how much the prices drop as soon as I walk out of the store.
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If you can't afford it, sell stuff until you can. |
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11/09/2010 11:54:45 AM · #6 |
I've generally bought used, but I look for the bargains. I did buy my wideangle lens new, because a used one would not have saved me much and if I am taking that risk on buying used gear, I want to get a bargain in exchange for the risk I am taking. Generally, if I feel the asking price is at the low end of reasonable, I will not haggle. If it's midpoint, I will usually bargain them down a few $.
You are always taking that chance buying used. Just like buying a used car. I bought a used 20D from  Scalvert about a little over a year ago and the shutter went crazy after using it for 2 1/2 months. (Shannon did offer to contribute to the repairs, but he sold it to me in good faith for a fair price, so I declined his offer.) More recently I bought a used Canon 70-300 IS from a craigslist ad. Of course I took some test shots, but you can't always tell much on a 3" screen. When I got it home and did some further test shots, I found the stabilization was defective and was inducing blur instead of reducing it. Fortunately the seller was honest and met with me the next day to take the lens back and send it for repair. You can't count on that sort of integrity, however. I could have been stuck $425 lighter with a near-useless lens.
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11/09/2010 11:58:22 AM · #7 |
| I have bought and sold used equipment at KEH.com. I wasn't disappointed. Their rating system is fair enough. I would NEVER buy anything on EBAY or Craig's List, but that's just me. |
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11/09/2010 01:31:28 PM · #8 |
If you look at my lens list on my profile you will see many lenses. I have one on the list that was bought new. I also buy used camera bodies, however my last two 1 series bodies have been bought new, simply because there weren't any used ones to get. Save some money and buy from a reputable individual or company.
Matt |
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11/09/2010 02:05:43 PM · #9 |
I've bought one lens as used, my 100mm Macro, bought from --^  MattO .. Great lens, absolutely great quality!
I've also been given a used 20D and a used 12-24 Sigma, both of which are fantastic. I've also recently borrowed a 5D that was well used, also - very good quality, despite the owner's abuse.. (I returned it last night, upon returning it I was told to "Find a pile of trash somewhere on the floor to put it in")
So, in short, hell yes I'll buy used gear, but new is nice too. :)
Message edited by author 2010-11-09 14:06:08. |
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