MOVIE MATTERS CASHFLOW
BUYING USED GEAR Camera equipment that, not very long ago, was the latest in cutting-edge technology still has the ability to create great movies.
equipment, MPB has used stock fromRed, Blackmagic, Canon and all the bestselling cinema cameras to the latest mirrorless kit, along with a detailed description of its condition and what it includes. MPB’s website allows you tomanage the whole transaction online, frombuying your chosen item to getting a quote for your old kit in part exchange. All you have to do is fill out an online form, which lists your gear and its condition, and you receive an instant quote. MPB then arranges the collection of the items, checks it over and then sends the new gear out to you. It’s simple and you can save a lot of money compared to new. SOME TOP UK USED DEALERS: cameraworld.co.uk cliftoncameras.co.uk cvp.com theflashcentre.com ffordes.com mpb.com parkcameras.com proav.com srsmicrosystems.co.uk wexphotovideo.com wilkinson.co.uk
be ‘sold as seen’ and youmight well have little comeback if you discover a fault. And for many professionals using cameras to make a living, that’s too risky. Tomake sure the camera comes as described, then a sensible option is to go with a reputable dealer who will offer some guarantee and will have checked the kit over for faults. Camera retailers like Camera World, Park Cameras andWilkinson Cameras often have lots of used DSLR andmirrorless cameras and lenses. Many of these will have been used by amateur stills photographers, so can be in remarkable condition. Pro video firms like CVP andWex have lots of used video cameras, specialist lenses and video accessories, but the leader in used video and stills kit is MPB, which has an easy-to-use website where you can not only buy kit, but also sell your old gear to help fund your purchase. It has bases in the UK and USA. When you want some new kit, then quickly getting rid of your unwanted gear for a decent price is what you need. While many retailers don’t take used gear in part exchange, MPB offers a worry-free way of disposing of your equipment without the hassle and risk of private buyers. With one of the biggest inventories of used
By buying used - usually a previous- generationmodel (although a second- hand version of the current camera is a sensible buy, too) - you will avoid the huge depreciation that affects all new equipment. Some cameras have stood the test of time far better than others, and lenses aren’t replaced with a new version that often. So doing your research and buying the right gear is a sensible thing to do. Always ask yourself if you really need a new 4K camera that outputs Raw, records at insane frame rates, can livestream and shoot in HDR. All that new tech costs extra, but if you don’t actually need it, then it’s a waste. Remember to factor in the cost of memory, in terms of cards or hard drive space, for 4K or Raw. And youmight need to upgrade your computer to handle the files, too. So do you research wisely, and then have a careful look at the condition of the camera whichmay have had a tough life at the hands of working filmmakers. Check the hour meter on a camcorder as well, to see how long it has been used for. Of course, to really get things at a bargain you can go for a private sale from eBay, Craigslist or social media. But it will
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PRO MOVIEMAKER SPRING 2020
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