Photography News Issue 55

Photography News | Issue 55 | photographynews.co.uk

30 Accessories test

MPB.com

Specialist Auction Services (SAS)

Topdeals fromMPB.com*

Ffordes Photographic Originally based in Essex, Ffordes moved to the highlands of Scotland in 2001 and sells a range of kit as broad and captivating as that landscape. Operating mainly as an online mail-order business, the company is the largest independent photographic pre-owned specialist in the UK, with over 35,000 pre- owned listings and its website promises to be the “most live around, updating every five minutes for pre-owned gear”. Pre-owned and new gear includes Canon (for which Ffordes has just been awarded Canon Pro Dealer status), Fujifilm Pro, Hasselblad, Nikon, Panasonic, Sony, Pentax, Leica Premier, Sigma, Tamron, Voigtländer, Zeiss and more, while the range spans entry level to pro gear, and even a range of large- format field cameras. Ffordes also stocks accessories like tripods, bags, rucksacks, filters and lighting equipment. All Ffordes’ pre-owned gear is fully checked by in-house technicians with up to 25 years’ experience, and all pre-owned purchases Founded provides photographers and filmmakers with an easy and reliable service whether they’re buyingorsellingusedequipment.MPB.com is said to be the world’s largest marketplace for used photo and video equipment and unlike websites like eBay or classified ads, MPB allows buyers and sellers to avoid the hassle that comes with traditional ‘peer- to-peer’ marketplaces, priding itself on “a trusted end-to-end customer experience and the best prices on the market”. The company buys and sells an extensive range of second-hand cameras, lenses and most other digital photography equipment. If you’re a buyer there’s next working day delivery and a seven-day return policy, but all used equipment also comes with a six-month warranty. Product listings include information like shutter counts and an easy-to-understand condition rating, from ‘heavily used’, ‘well used’ and ‘good’, to ‘excellent’ and ‘like new’, and all product photos are shot in-house to ensure any wear and tear is seen by the buyer before purchasing. If you’re selling, getting a quote is simple and commitment free. You fill out a form online and receive an instant quote via email. If the item’s condition matches what is described on the sell form, MPB confirms the quote and pays the customer for the gear with a 3-5 business day turnaround on payment. Sending gear is free and fully insured and if you change your mind items are returned free of charge. in 2011, MPB

Specialist Auction Services (SAS) is different from the other companies outlined here; it deals with second- hand photographic equipment, but as an auctioneer. Goods are offered at nine or so sales a year, and there’s no retail presence. SAS sells a lot of cameras and lenses this way; in 2016, for example, the company shifted £1m worth of photography-related lots making it the largest UK camera auctioneer by far. SAS started life in 1991 and is staffed by people who have worked for large London auction rooms in the past. While those auctioneers focus on the upper reaches of the paintings and Oriental market, SAS also deals in specialist sales. Camera auctions began in 2009, and grew in scale and quality very quickly. Equipment is sold as it comes to SAS, but the company does grade it for cosmetic and optical condition and does basic checks like testing the mechanical shutter. The sales calendar is divided into Fine for the best pieces (which also includes photographs) and Express for well used or intrinsically less valuable photography equipment. As you might expect, Leica is king of the photography auction market, but SAS also sells antique British mahogany and brass plate cameras. According to the firm, “gems to look out for at the back of drawers are very fast 1950s and 1960s British lenses such as the Dallmeyer Super-Six, which can realise £8,000 to £10,000 a piece in good condition.” SAS also recently sold a Leitz black M-fit f/2 35mm Summicron lens, circa 1958, for a whopping £4400.

Sony Alpha A7R II £1329

Nikon D810 £1239

MPB mpb.com 0330 808 3271 48a Old Steine, Brighton BN1 1NH Open daily 9am-5.30pm

Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III £879

Topdeals fromFfordes Photographic*

are assured by a 15-day conditional approval period and a six-month warranty after that. The company ships next day anywhere in the UK, and also sells worldwide. When it comes to selling your kit, gear can be collected from anywhere in the UK, and as long as it’s well packed, it’s fully insured by Ffordes. Interestingly, Ffordes also offers a commission sale service (something it’s been doing since 1960); the company tests, and services if appropriate, all equipment then promotes it through its website and magazine adverts; once sold the customer picks up 80% of the sale value, minus any servicing costs, which is a good way to increase your return hassle free.

SpecialistAuctionServices (SAS) specialauctionservices.com 01635 580595 81 GreenhamBusiness Park, Newbury RG19 6HW Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm; closed on Bank Holidays

FujifilmX100F £949

FfordesPhotographic ffordes.com 01463 783850 The Kirk, Wester Balblair, By Beauly, Inverness-shire IV4 7BQ OpenMonday to Friday, 9am-5.30pm

Canon EOS 7DMark II £849

Nikon 14-24mm £849

*Prices not guaranteed and subject to change.