Buyers’ guide
Park Cameras › parkcameras.com
As one of the leading independent photo specialists, employee-owned Park Cameras typically has an impressive array of new and used gear to offer from the full portfolio of leading camera manufacturers. With stores in Sussex and Central London, if you’re looking for a pre-loved addition to your current system, you’ll likely find it here. As well as being able to buy quality second-hand gear outright with the peace of mind of a six-month warranty, Park offers a fast and easy-to-use trade-in service, with the retailer ensuring your equipment is collected efficiently and you’re paid quickly. Of course, you don’t have to go the trade-in route, but can also sell your gear outright and pocket the cash. It’s up to you. Head to the dedicated sell or part-exchange page on the website, fill in the relevant details and wait for Park Cameras to get back to you with an offer for your old gear. Better to have it earning or saving you money on the next pre-loved purchase than gathering dust.
Chiswick Camera Centre › chiswickcameras.co.uk
This long-established and proactive retailer just off Chiswick’s high street in leafy West London trades in the very latest coveted camera gear and lenses, while also offering equipment repairs, sensor cleaning, image recovery and more. Alongside all this, it buys and sells used equipment, with its current second-hand stock available for browsing online or in-store. Chiswick Camera Centre will either buy your used gear or part exchange subject to inspection of the goods. Another enticing option is to take advantage of its commission sale service, whereby it sells your equipment for you and takes 25% commission for doing so. All of Chiswick’s used equipment is fully tested and offered with a minimum three- month warranty. Add in photo processing and printing, plus cine/video transfer – and this outfit is the definition of a one-stop shop.
Wex Photo Video › wexphotovideo.com
Renowned for a busy online presence and increasingly, its brick-and-mortar stores, Wex Photo Video has become a major player for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Positioning itself as the most-trusted camera retailer, it’s a sensible option if looking to sell, trade in used gear, or buy pre-loved stock. With an instant quote generator online, you can receive cash or credit in days, with your equipment returned for free if you change your mind. An additional trade-in bonus is offered if you’re seeking to trade up to selected brands and models. Even if you’ve nothing to trade in return, the list of what’s available is refreshed online daily and used stock comes with up to a 12-month warranty, plus the knowledge that the gear has been checked, cleaned and tested by its in-house experts. Want to feel even more virtuous? Reselling and reusing reduces carbon emissions, saves resources – and is better for your wallet!
Special Auction Services (SAS) › specialauctionservices.com
London Camera Exchange (LCE) › lcegroup.co.uk
While its 26 UK stores all sell brand-new kit first and foremost, at the time of writing, LCE was displaying 4208 quality used items on its website. A covetable Canon EOS R7 with 18-150mm lens kit was listed at £1599.99 when we visited, while a Sony Alpha mount 18-55mm zoom could be had for as little as £29.99. To save us buyers tabbing through 335 pages of gear, there’s the helpful option to instead have this displayed as one simple alphabetical list, to scroll down and quickly find what we’re after. LCE buys these cameras second-hand, and like others it devotes a section of the website to solicit a quote and cash for used gear. A competitive offer is promised within one working day. The website states the guarantee period for used gear is typically six months, but if it varies, buyers will be informed at the point of purchase.
questions regarding items for sale, either prior, during or post auction. A quick visit to its website displays highlights from previous auctions to give you a helpful idea of the kind of gear up for sale and the prices achieved, with 16mm film reels of Monty Python’s Life of Brian catching our interest in particular. Make a note that its next ‘Photographica & Cameras’ auctions are scheduled for 10 October and 19 December 2023.
Obviously, there is also the opportunity to sell here too, and the auctioneer claims to be able to offer expert and comprehensive advice if you’re looking to offload some equipment. Its online catalogue is produced and publicised worldwide to ensure your items reach their best price. Likewise, its consultants are available to offer friendly and honest advice to any buyers with
Who dares wins? You’ll have a good reason to feel victorious if scoring a bargain in one of SAS’ regular auctions of cameras, photographs and scientific equipment each year. Typical goods put up for sale include, it notes, cameras and lenses by Hasselblad, Leica, Rollei, Zeiss, Canon, Nikon and Pentax, along with mahogany-and-brass plate cameras, plus early photographic images from the 19th century.
Issue 111 | Photography News 57
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