 Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 358
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Buying Second hand
I am toying with the idea of possibly buying a second hand digital SLR. Any ideas on what to look for or how to test it quickly and conclusively at the point of sale?
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Kit 1 Canon EOS 650D EFS 18-55 IS II EFS 55-250 IS II EF 50mm 1.8 |
Kit 2 Lumix FZ-28 (not quite an SLR but more versatile) |
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My Compact/P&S: Lumix FT-10 |
 Fondly Remembered
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Perthshire Scotland
Posts: 8,168
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What are you after Gav & from who ?
If you're buying through a forum - ask for decent photographs of the camera - if the lens is also part of the deal - ask (if they have another camera) for some specific shots of the element with the light on it.
Look for info on camera body actuations too.
If you're buying from somebody you know - ask for a play - take some sky / white wall shots to see how much crap is on the sensor.
Take a SD/CF card of your own so you can bring the shots home with you.
If you're buying through a forum - ask for decent photographs of the camera - if the lens is also part of the deal - ask (if they have another camera) for some specific shots of the element with the light on it.
Look for info on camera body actuations too.
If you're buying from somebody you know - ask for a play - take some sky / white wall shots to see how much crap is on the sensor.
Take a SD/CF card of your own so you can bring the shots home with you.
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Kit 1 Canon 1D Mark 3 Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II |
Kit 2 1D2 & 40D |
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: east sussex
Posts: 3,484
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Agree with Phil. If you get a chance try the camera out first, also look for any signs of wear. Try and obtain the original purchase receipt as well sure way to see how old it is.
Cross reference the serial number against the receipt.
Shutter actuations are the most important ask for an unedited photo to be sent to you via e-mail then using an exif file such as Kuso exif it will give the shutter count listed 20th from the bottom example and the date the photo was taken.
Example from Kuso of one of my pictures
ShutterCount: 6044
Some exif views read the CF/SD card not the camera.
Another point is make sure it is a UK based model not an import which is why you need a receipt, else you may have a problem if it needs a repair. Average shutter clicks tested by Nikon is a max of 150,000 so anything above say 10,000 will reduce the price considerably.
Check to see what a new model comes with against the one you are thinking about buying, some "extras may be missing or the battery being third party not the original.
Has the camera been sent back for a professional overhaul or not and will it need it.
Bazza
Cross reference the serial number against the receipt.
Shutter actuations are the most important ask for an unedited photo to be sent to you via e-mail then using an exif file such as Kuso exif it will give the shutter count listed 20th from the bottom example and the date the photo was taken.
Example from Kuso of one of my pictures
ShutterCount: 6044
Some exif views read the CF/SD card not the camera.
Another point is make sure it is a UK based model not an import which is why you need a receipt, else you may have a problem if it needs a repair. Average shutter clicks tested by Nikon is a max of 150,000 so anything above say 10,000 will reduce the price considerably.
Check to see what a new model comes with against the one you are thinking about buying, some "extras may be missing or the battery being third party not the original.
Has the camera been sent back for a professional overhaul or not and will it need it.
Bazza
 Admin Team
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
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Agree with both of the above - except, personally, I'm not bothered if the model is local or from abroad - so long as the charger works I'd be happy when buying second hand. I'd only want a local model for new - in case it has to go back for repair under warranty.
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Kit 1 Nikon D300 Nikon 55-200mm VR |
Kit 2 Nikon D40 Nikon 18-55mm |
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My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7 |
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Brisbane Australia
Posts: 358
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Thanks guys. I didn't even know there was a shutter count available. How Orwellian 
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Kit 1 Canon EOS 650D EFS 18-55 IS II EFS 55-250 IS II EF 50mm 1.8 |
Kit 2 Lumix FZ-28 (not quite an SLR but more versatile) |
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My Compact/P&S: Lumix FT-10 |