TIPs in buying 2nd hand DSLR cameras. Must Read before buying.

[vanix09]

Good day! I would like to share this info i got from a trusted source. This is for individuals who are planning to buy 2nd hand Digital SLR cameras. Ive followed these tips pud before I bought my D60. I hope this would help. God bless.

Here it goes:

Buying a used DSLR from a private seller is like buying a used car, you can either find a real bargain that's worth the money you pay for it or you can get stuck with a lemon. Buying used from private sellers is the way to get professional grade equipment on a consumer budget if you know what to look for when looking at a used camera. With that said, lets kick the tires and take a used DSLR for a test drive, so to speak.

How many actuations has the camera undergone? The first question that you want to ask the seller is, how many actuations has the camera gone through? How many pictures has the seller taken with the camera? He or he probably won’t be able to give you an exact figure but he or she should be able to give you a good estimate. Why does actuations or shutter releases matter? Camera shutter has a lifetime measured in actuations with most pro cameras rated for between 50,000 and 100,000 actuations. Research the camera that you are about to look at before hand because you will need to know the shutter actuation life cycle.


Check the camera’s sensor for scratches. When researching the camera, make sure you learn how to lock the mirror in the up position with the shutter curtain open because that is the only way you be able to see the sensor. Removing the lens alone isn’t enough to reveal the sensor because the sensor is behind both the mirror and the shutter curtain. If the seller is hesitant to allow you to perform these detailed checks, he or she is hiding something and it’s time to move on.


Ok, there’re no scratched on the sensor and the owner tell you that he has taken about 15,000 pictures with the camera. Pro cameras with 10,000 actuations are considered new so 15,000 isn’t bad but how can you be sure the seller is telling you the truth.


With a used car, we would check the undercarriage for rust and other signs of excess mileage. Check the DSLR neck strap for wear. If the strap is worn and frayed, it’s likely that the camera has seen more use than the seller is claiming it has received. Check the finish for wear on the right side of the camera case where most photographers grip it with their right hand. Check the paint on the camera hot shoe. The amount of paint worn off is a good indication of how much use the camera has received.


Check both the front and rear elements of the lens for scratches if you are buying a lens with the camera body. Don’t buy a lens with a scratched element, front or rear. To check the sharpness of the lens ask the seller to pose for a portrait and focus on the seller’s eyes with the lens wide open. If the eyes focus sharp, the lens is fine. This also tests the seller honesty. If he or she doesn’t want you to take his or her picture, don’t buy the camera.


Arrange the seller during the day and shoot some outdoor pictures with the camera. Then shoot some indoor pictures with the camera. Bring your laptop and a USB cord to the meeting and download the pictures to your laptop. That’s the best way to judge the quality of the camera’s output.

-------------------Additonal tips from our fellow ISTORYANS-------------------
update as of: 10-30-09

from: big myk
Ask for the serial no.daan sa unit. If hesitant muhatag, hehehe... ikaw na lay sabot...
-No meet-ups if possible. Hangyoa ang seller ikaw mu adto sa iya place or office (para katoltol ka later on inig uban nimu sa pulis if naa blema! hehehe...)
-Test camera at all shutter speeds, aperture & white balance.
-Test pop-up flash for consistent output kay basin worn out na nya kaayo ang flash tube.
-If CF media ang gamit sa cam, check for bended pins. Try using other CF's
-Check flash hotshoe contacts for corrosion. Test with external flash. One contact lang naay blema ana, you might lose features sa imu external flash later on.
-Bring laptop & card reader para download dayon then check files.
-Check contacts sa body ug lens. Try removing lens then put back again or try other lenses pud sa body.
-Check battery terminals o contacts for corrosion (body & battery). Try using other fully charged battery of the same kind.
-Lastly,ask for an acknowledgement reciept putting all info about the unit,seller,buyer,payment,terms & warranty if any.
-Then picture2x dayon with seller! hehehe...
Hope this helps! Happy dslr hunting!

from: esc
""Check the camera’s sensor for scratches. When researching the camera, make sure you learn how to lock the mirror in the up position with the shutter curtain open because that is the only way you be able to see the sensor. Removing the lens alone isn’t enough to reveal the sensor because the sensor is behind both the mirror and the shutter curtain. If the seller is hesitant to allow you to perform these detailed checks, he or she is hiding something and it’s time to move on.""

This method is kinda risky. you could already check if naay damage sa sensor by checking the results sa picture taken thru your laptop. Your method could expose the sensor to dust labi na poluted kaayu atong country. your method would be nice unta in a clean enviroment which is rare.

Please don't try opening ur sensor in the car while naka aircon Mao hinuon na ang cause for dust to enter your sensor. Mas maayo to have it check sa pro.

from: sushiro1988
In order to follow the processes outlined above, I think one should just bring a PRO with him; otherwise you might just do more damage with the camera especially when exposing the sensor.

And also, since making test shots will "affect" the shutter actuations, I suggest for the seller to sell the cam "as is, where is" or perhaps let the buyer buy it first and then test it right there and then, if there's no defects then it's good to go. If there are defects, then the seller will return the money and abort the deal.

Only sure buyers should test the product, because a lot of unsure buyers who keep on testing the product will just contribute to the product's degradation.

If you want to know the actual shutter counts of your Canon DSLR, this link will help, astrojargon - EOSInfo

from: alfer
to the buyer also.
know the price of the 2nd hand camera you are buying then hangyu gamay.
ayaw ninyo ihanyu barato na kaayo na murag pangayuan nalang ninyo.
and also, send inquiries if you have the intention of buying the unit.

from: therealmacoy
Allow me to add to this thread. This is something I got from tamron.com

How to Buy a Lens, Tamron USA

The following is the excerpt:

HOW TO BUY A LENS (What to check)


1) A First Look Looking into a quality lens is like looking into a dark well filled with clear water; deep and dark, with no internal reflections. This appearance is the result of careful finishing, state-of-the art multi-coatings, and blackening of all reflective surfaces including the edges of lens elements. It’s one of the most important factors in lens performance, because stray light reflections detract from picture quality.
2) A Closer Look With the lens focus set at minimum distance (if the lens is a zoom, set both the focusing and zooming rings to bring the maximum number of elements into a forward position), angle the lens slightly to reflect the room lights. Count the number of colors you see. Three or less means the manufacturer has reduced the number of costly and time-consuming multiple layer coatings, which are necessary for superior light transmission and accurate color balance. Both sides of every element in each Tamron lens are multicoated with Tamron's patented BBAR (Broad Band Anti-Reflection) multi-coatings to assure optimum image quality.
3) A Quick Physical Turn the control rings over their entire range from end-to-end. Focus and zoom action should be silky smooth, with no play, looseness or binding. The action of the zoom ring in particular should be well damped and hold its position well. Diaphragm click-stops should be positive, with no slippage. Any problems encountered in this test mean awkwardness in use, and are an indication of poor machining and assembly.
4) Ergonomics Now mount the lens on your camera and see how it feels. The manual focus ring should be wide enough to grasp easily and securely and the lens should be well balanced and, compact enough to work in some of the tight spaces you may find yourself in.
5) Open Wide Check the maximum aperture. It's not only important for light-gathering power, it also determines the brightness and clarity of your focusing screen under low-light conditions, and can affect focusing accuracy when focusing manually. For example, an f/2.8 lens transmits twice the light than an f/4.0 lens, and lenses with apertures smaller than f/5.6 may be difficult to focus manually, especially in dim light.
6) Now, close down Check the minimum aperture as well. If you're using higher ISO settings such as ISO 800 and 1600, you'll need to stop down to f/22 or f/32 in some daylight situations or risk over-exposure. Small f-stops like f/22 or f/32 also provide the best depth of field. Working at long telephoto focal lengths in the 200mm or greater range requires very small aperture settings to ensure good depth of field.
7) Fine Tuning The manual focus ring should operate smoothly and hold their settings well. Lenses with aperture rings should lock at their minimum aperture when using the AE Program mode to prevent accidental incorrect exposures. If the lens is a push-pull zoom (not too common with newer lenses) point the lens upwards and downwards to be sure the zoom ring doesn't slip; it should stay in place.
Get Up Close Check that the lens you are considering provides continuous focus from the normal distance range settings right down to the macro settings. In real life, you usually don't have time to take your eye away from the viewfinder to focus on a close-up subject. Note that the very best lenses will provide full zoom action even at macro distances, a great convenience.
9) Investment Most photographers ultimately invest a lot more in their lenses than in their cameras. Even weekend enthusiasts use a variety of different lenses for different shooting situations. So it's a good idea to protect your investment in lenses by making sure they have superior quality optics that will stand you in good stead for the long haul.
10) Warranty Fine lenses are built to be rugged and reliable. A good indication of just how rugged they are is how long the manufacturer warranties them. Top optical companies such as Tamron provide the longest warranties in the business.

Please post other helpful tips. I would be updating this thread from now on. Thanks ISTORYA!

[vanix09]

UP UP UP for today!

[vanix09]

Up up up up up...

[john_yo]

nice info, tnx....

i was planning to buy a dslr, but due to some projects, mora ma taod taoran pa, i'll keep this info in mind. tnx again.

up para ma kita pod sa uban.

[elroy15]

thanks bro. really planning on buying one before i leave the country. but i guess bnew nlng ako paliton. any advice for a newbie on dslr cams? i mean which brand is the best and which model. ako budget ra bro is around 35-40k. thanks.

[aykiman]

sayanga wala jud namo na-picturi ang among gipalitan og cam..

pero nag search ko sa internet nya nakit-an jud nako iyang pics..hahahaha..

basta di jud to mu-reply nako kai akong ibulgar iyang modus operandi..

[limes]

nice kaau ni up ni para sa mga tao na mo palitay ga plano ta ko murag na discourage ko da hehehe. ^^,

[vanix09]

@ john_yo: no prob bro.. nag share lang ko ug info sa uban.. basin makatabang..

@ elroy15: it would be a lot better jud bro if you would buy bnew para assured jud ka that the cam is NEW jud.. ang mga 2nd hand is for people who are budget concious.. hehe. well if newbie paka, i recommend NIKON units jud like the D40.. ideal kaau pang entry level. Pero if imung budget is around 35-40k and willing jud ka mu buy ug DSLR nga BNEW, why not buy an average-level dslr (like NIKON's D60/CANON's 400d etc) or better buy a pro-level dslr(like NIKON's D80/D90/D200 or CANON's 500d/1000d/450d etc.) nlng jud. It doesnt mater whether ur cam is NIKON/CANON/PENTAX etc. Kay they are just tools in order for you to achieve desired outputs.. Ergonomics matters a lot pud! In the end, what matters most is not the brand of your camera or the number of pixels it could produce, what matters most is HOW YOU USE YOUR CAMERA! Kay a camera is NOTHING without a USER! That's it! ^_^

@ aykiman: haha.. blackmail bro?? hehe

@ limes: haha.. ing.ana sad akong attitude bro sauna.. mura sad kog ma discourage kung padung nako mupalit.. kay dako man gud ug value ang DSLR.. dako2 jud sya nga investment.. pero once naa na nimo ang cam and u wud know na unsaon pag.gamit.. i tell you, its worth it! ^__^

[vanix09]

UP UP UP UP! Maynta ma STICKY POST ni.. ^__^

[vanix09]

UP UP UP para ani. Hope makatabang ni sa uban.. ^^

[big myk]

Additional tips:
-Ask for the serial no.daan sa unit. If hesitant muhatag, hehehe... ikaw na lay sabot...
-No meet-ups if possible. Hangyoa ang seller ikaw mu adto sa iya place or office (para katoltol ka later on inig uban nimu sa pulis if naa blema! hehehe...)
-Test camera at all shutter speeds, aperture & white balance.
-Test pop-up flash for consistent output kay basin worn out na nya kaayo ang flash tube.
-If CF media ang gamit sa cam, check for bended pins. Try using other CF's
-Check flash hotshoe contacts for corrosion. Test with external flash. One contact lang naay blema ana, you might lose features sa imu external flash later on.
-Bring laptop & card reader para download dayon then check files.
-Check contacts sa body ug lens. Try removing lens then put back again or try other lenses pud sa body.
-Check battery terminals o contacts for corrosion (body & battery). Try using other fully charged battery of the same kind.
-Lastly,ask for an acknowledgement reciept putting all info about the unit,seller,buyer,payment,terms & warranty if any.
-Then picture2x dayon with seller! hehehe...
Hope this helps! Happy dslr hunting!

[aykiman]

blackmail jud tirada!!hahahaha

[vanix09]

@ big myk: thanks bro..

@ aykiman: haha.. mao jud.. naa kay idea bro unsa ni para ma sticky post?

UP UP UP for today!

[esc]

Check the camera’s sensor for scratches. When researching the camera, make sure you learn how to lock the mirror in the up position with the shutter curtain open because that is the only way you be able to see the sensor. Removing the lens alone isn’t enough to reveal the sensor because the sensor is behind both the mirror and the shutter curtain. If the seller is hesitant to allow you to perform these detailed checks, he or she is hiding something and it’s time to move on.

This method is kinda risky. you could already check if naay damage sa sensor by checking the results sa picture taken thru your laptop. Your method could expose the sensor to dust labi na poluted kaayu atong country. your method would be nice unta in a clean enviroment which is rare.

[giadda13]

thank you very much for sharing this info

i hope someone would post some TIPS para pud sa 2nd hand na PSPs