Buyers’ guide
London Camera Exchange › lcegroup.co.uk
Be it tripods, cameras, lenses, bags or lights, LCE has it all, and the brand’s website makes it very easy to search for specific second-hand equipment. Not only are all items photographed individually – so you can view the condition for yourself – but kit such as camera bodies include information like shutter count, giving you a real-world idea of how much mileage these products have. Used cameras also come with a six-month guarantee, which will offer peace of mind. There’s free shipping on all orders over £100 to the UK mainland, so that will save a few quid as well. One additional feature of note is that when you look at an item on the used section of the website, LCE also suggests similar items – great if you’re exploring alternative options and need some inspiration. And like other used dealers, customers can trade in unwanted items to offset the cost of any purchase from the LCE website.
UK Digital › ukdigital.co.uk
Hireacamera › hireacamera.com
To make the process even easier, Hireacamera offers a solutions page, where you can click on genre-specific options such as landscapes, sports or weddings, and then you’ll be prompted through to helpful packages. For example, head to the landscapes section and one of the options is the Sony A7R IV and FE 12-24mm f/4 G package, making it easier for you to select the right equipment needed for a specific job. It’s also worth pointing out that cameras come with a memory card included – handy for bodies that use media like CFexpress – as some photographers may not already own these expensive storage cards.
When you find a product you like, you want it in your hands quickly. UK Digital offers express delivery with its used products, and there are some real bargains to be found. For example, a Canon EOS 2000D, complete with 18-55mm IS II lens, is listed for just £409, offering newcomers to photography a chance to get up and running with an acclaimed DSLR for a sensible price. Photographers can also receive a no-obligation quote for older gear, so it can be sold outright or used as part-exchange for something new you want to buy.
Despite the name, Hireacamera is a one-stop shop for all the kit you need for a photo or video shoot. From cameras and lenses, to lighting and audio, everything is covered and the prices may well surprise you. For example, the Nikon Z 9 full-frame mirrorless body currently retails for £5299, yet you can hire the same camera for the weekend (complete with a FTZ mount adapter in case you need to use F mount legacy lenses) for just £180. This would massively suit photographers planning a special weekend away to a photography location where they want to capture imagery for selling on or making professional prints from.
Park Cameras › parkcameras.com
Park Cameras offers a well-rounded used gear service with a number of key benefits that will appeal to photographers looking to pick up a second-hand bargain. For example, head to the website and you can create alerts – so you’ll be the first to know when the specific product you’re after comes into stock. You won’t be obliged to follow through and buy, it just gives you the option to know it’s in stock. Like other dealers, you can trade in equipment, and Park Cameras will collect gear valued over £300 for free. Filters help you narrow down your search options quickly, and you can also pick up ‘Park Points’ on used purchases – each Park Point is worth £0.005, so for 1000 Park Points you’ll receive a gift voucher worth £5. Used kit goes through a quality-control procedure before being listed, and Park Cameras also lists any extras that come with the product – for example lens hoods with optics, or chargers and cables with camera bodies. Finally, all equipment comes with a six-month warranty, so you can buy with peace of mind.
ALL THE GEAR Preparing for a location shoot can start to add up if you’re lacking specialist equipment
Chiswick Camera Centre › chiswickcameras.co.uk
SAS Auctions › specialauctionservices.com
55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens is currently listed for just £239. Even professional-level kit can be snapped up at bargain prices; a Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM – a lens that cost thousands when new – is listed for just £299, complete with images to show its excellent condition. Used gear comes with a three-month warranty, so you can buy with confidence and, should any accidents happen, CCC also offers both sensor-cleaning and equipment-repair services.
stereo film camera and a Tamron 200- 500mm telezoom. Although the final price of a product is anybody’s guess, SAS does offer an estimated guide price, which will help you drill down into the items that should make it on your wish list. The real advantage of this approach to buying used is that the potential savings can be enormous, and items that you previously thought were well outside your budget suddenly can become much more affordable.
To stand out from the crowd, some dealers offer additional services. Along with a wide range of used photographic gear, Chiswick Camera Centre (CCC) also has a commission sale service, where it will sell your equipment for you in return for a 25% commission. The used products on the website will appeal to both fans of analogue photography – with plenty of legacy equipment on offer – and those looking for real bargains. For example, a Canon EOS 1300D, complete with an 18-
Here’s a truly different way of sourcing and buying used gear that could result in making gigantic savings. SAS runs regular auctions of photographic equipment – and the process couldn’t be simpler. Just register, pick out any equipment that takes your eye and you’re ready to bid whatever amount you’re prepared to spend. These auctions are particularly useful for sourcing rare equipment; for example, items in the next auction include a David White
46 Photography News | Issue 104
photographynews.co.uk
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