Buys cameras: Gear Focus – Buy and Sell Camera Gear
Places That Buy Cameras | Sell Camera Equipment
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Cash-for-CamerasErik2022-02-21T17:09:33+00:00
We specialize in buying high end Digital SLR camera equipment. We pay top dollar in cash for Digital SLR camera bodies, lenses, and accessories. From Sony Alpha to Nikon and everything in between, we purchase a wide variety of camera equipment for cash – our cash offers are always fair. Let our electronic experts evaluate your equipment and receive a top dollar offer today! We buy broken cameras & lenses too!
We also offer a wide variety of gently pre-owned certified digital SLR cameras, lenses and equipment with warranties. As a used camera store, we offer great deals on today’s top cameras and yesterdays favorites.
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Digital SLR (DSLR) Cameras & Mirrorless
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All Digital Camera Lenses (Zoom, Macro and more!)
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HD/4K Video Cameras
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HD/4K Video Camera Accessories and Equipment
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Flashes, Stabilizers, Etc.
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Rugged Point and Shoot Cameras
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Some Point and Shoot Cameras
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And much more!
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Canon
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BlackMagic
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Fujifilm
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JVC
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Leica
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Light
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Nikon
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Olympus
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Panasonic
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Sony
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And much more!
Every device that is sold to PayMore is professionally wiped of all your personal data, free of charge. Before you leave our location, your device will be fully wiped of all data and reset to factory defaults.
Sell your gadgets with confidence knowing that our electronic experts have fully wiped your device, and your personal data securely removed. We wipe all memory cards from cameras on the spot.
We Buy Broken Cameras & Equipment!
We pay cash for broken digital SLR cameras and lenses. Sometimes things break, we get it. We offer as much cash as we can for your broken digital SLR camera; we always need the parts.
Prices depend on make, model, condition and damage. Unfortunately, we cannot buy all broken cameras, some we cannot use.
Why Buy or Sell to PayMore?
- We pay top dollar for your devices. We’ll beat or match any reputable offer, usually we’re much higher anyway.
- We pay cash on the spot, join the thousands of Long Island customers that sell to us.
- We offer safe, convenient, and clean walk in locations to sell, trade, and purchase electronics.
- We’re licensed, bonded, and insured through all county, state, and federal mandates.
- We’re experienced, professional, and courteous; Our customers come first.
Selling Requirements
To receive cash from a PayMore store, your must:
- Be 18 years of age, or older.
- Present us a physical and valid state or government photo ID.
Tips for getting top dollar!
Want to get even more cash, or trade credit for your camera and lenses?
- Bring any cables, and accessories that originally came with your device.
- Bring in the original box, if you still have it; and any warranty cards or paperwork.
- Bring your camera bag too, and memory cards.
Want to make it a quick visit?
- Charge your camera’s battery before coming, we will need to test your camera.
- Wipe your memory card before coming. If you can’t, we can surely do it for you when you come.
We Pay Cash on the Spot
Get top dollar in cash today for your new, used, and even broken devices – all while remaining data safe.
We Sell Cameras & Equipment!
We offer discounted new and pre-owned cameras, lenses and accessories for sale with warranties.
Visit a PayMore Store
Visit a PayMore store and start buying, selling and trading your electronics.
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The Best Places to Buy Used Cameras and Lenses in 2023
Ever since I became a photographer, most of the cameras and lenses I have purchased have been used. Most cameras and lenses only come with one-year warranties (though there are exceptions), and since some used gear sellers offer 6-month warranties, that extra half-year is often not worth the difference (to me). And, of course, some items — like vintage or discontinued cameras and lenses — are only available used.
Also, if I want to try a camera out to see how it works for me, I look for an open-box item — I am not a fan of returning brand new cameras because of purely personal preference.
I have had experience with all the below-mentioned companies, some much more than the others.
So, without further delay, here is our list of the top six (in alphabetical order) places to look at when seeking out your next piece of gear. Obviously, all these places offer gear well beyond just cameras and lenses too!
At a Glance
Adorama
Adorama is my absolute favorite supplier of photo and video products. After hundreds (if not thousands) of items purchased and tens of thousands of dollars spent with them, I can safely say I have quite a lot of experience — including returns and dealing with its amazing customer service team.
As far as digital cameras and lenses, its used department is my favorite of anyone on this list. Adorama has tons of used gear available at any given time, with new gear being added every day. Best of all, it has very, very good prices with some unbeatable deals popping up now and then.
Items are rated from X (for parts only) to F (fair, which means it has certain malfunctions) to E+ (Excellent Plus). I have had nothing but great experiences with items from G (Good, just above Fair) to E+, with the lone exception of a thirteen-year-old Sigma DP1. Since returns to Adorama are so utterly seamless, it was not even a bother.
One of the best features of Adorama — not just its used department but the site as a whole — is its VIP360 program. It costs $49.99 per year, but if you order a decent amount of photography or video equipment, it is well worth it. The primary benefits are: free 2-day shipping on thousands of new items, 60 day return period instead of the normal 30, 1-year “drops and spills” protection (applies to new items only, with some exclusions), dedicated customer service, and early-bird access to discounts and sales. Oh, and shipping for returns is free with VIP360 too — so even if you simply change your mind but the product is not defective, you still pay nothing for return shipping.
All of Adorama’s used photo products come with a six-month warranty for G grade or higher and a 30-day return window. Used video and lighting gear carries a 90-day warranty with a 30 day return period.
B&H Photo Video
We likely all know B&H Photo Video. It is almost certainly the largest photo and video retailer in the United States, if not the world. While most of its seemingly endless options of products and brands are new stock, it does have a decent used department.
Based out of New York City, B&H sits less than two miles from its nearest competitor (both literally and figuratively) — Adorama. The retailer has a massive superstore that thousands of people visit every day. Should you be lucky enough to do so, you can browse its used equipment in person. You can also drop off returns and pick up online orders at its physical store, often same-day.
Unlike Adorama, the used department is not nearly as robust, nor are its prices as competitive. B&H’s inventory does not rotate over as much, and its rating system is more opaque. It does often include a note alongside the numbered rating (which ranges from 7 to 10), e. g. “Moderate Wear,” “Well Used,” or “Little to No Signs of Wear.”
Like purchasing new items from B&H, used gear will still come with the same quality customer service and free expedited delivery over $49. Used equipment may be returned for any reason within 30 days and carries a three-month parts and labor warranty.
eBay
I am sure everyone is familiar with eBay, so not a lot needs to be said about how it works. It is probably the most controversial option on this list — some hate it and will never use it and others (like me) find it to be a great source for a variety of different situations.
eBay is where you stand to get the best possible price and have the largest variety of options at any given time for any given item. For some items, namely vintage lenses, cameras, and accessories as well as rare or niche items, eBay may be the only place where you stand a chance to find what you are looking for.
A lot of the apprehension regarding eBay is the potential for scams or dubious sellers. This is a completely valid concern; however, it is far, far less something to worry about as a buyer. eBay has an incredibly robust protection system in place for buyers — to the point that I feel the site is riskier for sellers and not the other way around. The retailer will side with the buyer in almost every situation.
If there are any issues with your item, you can simply file a claim and eBay will refund your money whether the seller accepts the return or ignores your claim. You should, however, thoroughly read any description and look at all available photos before purchasing. From my extensive experience of over fifteen years on the site as both a buyer and seller, I have zero reservations as a purchaser.
Unlike every other company on this list, eBay items, in general, have no warranty — however, some sellers on the site (including several on this list who also sell on eBay) do offer warranties on items sold via eBay. Again, you should thoroughly read the listing and/or contact the seller if you are unsure about the terms. eBay itself has a 30-day window to file a claim should your purchase be not as described, not arrive, etc.
It is worth noting that eBay, along with the below-mentioned MPB, is the only company on this list that is NOT an authorized dealer for Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc. This can be important if you are, for example, an NPS (Nikon Professional Services) member — it also may affect the ability to get repairs from the manufacturer, since any camera or lens not purchased from an authorized retailer is considered gray market.
KEH Camera
KEH Camera — the largest pre-owned camera store in the United States — is based just outside of Atlanta and is one of the most popular and highly regarded sites for used photography (and some video) gear. With great prices, fantastic customer service, warranties, and a huge catalog of used equipment, it is one of my go-to sites when I am looking for my next piece of gear. From 35mm to large format cameras and lenses, DSLRs, mirrorless, and tons of accessory gear, there is not much it doesn’t have.
The site is easy to navigate and browse, with everything broken down into clear and specific categories, plus plenty of search filters along the left-hand side of the page. Its ratings range from “Like New” to “Ugly” — there is also an “As Is” rating, which essentially means “for parts only.” And its rating system is one of the strictest out there — “bargain” grade, which is just above “ugly” is often equivalent to what many eBay sellers would list as “Excellent++” or “Near Mint.” I have even bought dozens of “ugly” lenses — most of which simply had cosmetic issues but were optically good or excellent.
Unfortunately, KEH’s site does not have photos of each item, so you can only judge its items based on the rating system.
KEH offers a 180-day warranty and 21-day return window on bargain grade or higher items and free shipping for orders over $49.
LensRentals
Our original choice here was LensAuthority, a subsidiary of LensRentals, however as Petapixel reported in November of last year, Lensrentals chose to integrate the two into one site. This is certainly a good move because it was somewhat difficult to find LensAuthority unless you were directly familiar with it, even if you knew about LensRentals.
Every piece of equipment at LensRentals goes through a rigorous X point inspection, cleaning, and provision program after each loan, which allows them to achieve what is purported to be the lowest failure rate in the rental business. Equipment naturally goes through the same proprietary inspection process before being put up for sale.
You can browse the LensRentals site as you normally would if you want to rent something, and if you’re interested in buying or seeing what’s available to buy, each product page has a “Buy” button in the top right. Clicking that will take you to a page that lists all of the available bodies/lenses for sale.
Each item will have an overall rating like “excellent” or “good,” along with sub-ratings for Cosmetics, Performance, and Shutter Count (for cameras). Lenses will, in place of Shutter Count, have a “Glass” rating.
LensRentals does provide some other very nice options that you don’t see elsewhere. Chief among them is its incredibly affordable extended warranty options. For example, you can get a 1-year extended warranty on any camera priced from $1,000 to $3,000 for an additional $25! A 2-year extended warranty on a lens from $500 to $1,500 is $14. I don’t know any other company that offers extended warranties anywhere close to those prices if they’re even offered at all.
I do wish the site was easier to navigate for potential buyers who are not interested in renting — similar to how LensAuthority worked, or every other site on this list. As it stands, you have to find the item you’re interested in, click “Buy” and then see what’s available (if anything is). A somewhat separate section of the site with navigation for all products currently for sale, along with filters and the ability to organize lists (e.g. from Low to High price) would be incredibly nice. But again, the transition away from LensAuthority is very recent, so it’s highly possible updates to the site are in the works or planned.
Lastly, if you rent an item from LensRentals, you can opt to purchase it after your rental and LensRentals will credit 100% of the rental fees for up to 7 days toward the purchase as part of its “Keeper Test Drive” program.
MPB
MPB is probably the least well-known on this list, but it has grown quite a lot during the COVID-19 era and are absolutely worth a look. Not unlike the others on this list (except eBay), MPB purchases and resells used camera gear after thoroughly inspecting and testing the equipment. With two offices in the UK and one in Brooklyn, New York, MPB serves even more markets than several others on this list, and in April of this year, it acquired Series D funding of $69 million to expand to other markets.
The two best things about MPB are its massive catalog of available products and its very good prices. For example, at the time of writing there are twenty Nikon Z6 (starting at $1059), thirty-four Canon 5D Mark IV (starting at $1959), and twenty-seven Sony a7R Mark III (starting at $1889) cameras available to purchase. I do not know of anywhere else, except eBay, with that kind of inventory.
The company offers a 7-day return window with a six-month warranty on all the retailer’s products.
As mentioned above for eBay, MPB is not an authorized dealer for Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc.
Robert’s Camera (Used Photo Pro)
Robert’s Camera (hereafter referred to as Used Photo Pro), based out of Indianapolis is one of the largest suppliers of both new and used gear in the United States. Its used department, which exists on a separate website and with its own customer service line, is one of the best in the country.
Over the years, I have purchased thousands of items from Robert’s, visited its store dozens of times, and it has been nothing but the kindest, most helpful company I have ever dealt with. Customer service resolves issues with lightning speed and without hassle.
Used Photo Pro sells everything from modern digital cameras and lenses to vintage 35mm, medium format, and large format cameras and lenses — as well as the expected accessories like tripods, camera bags, etc.
While its inventory is not as extensive as KEH, the prices are just as competitive and, unlike KEH, each item on the site has photos of the actual product.
Grades range from Inoperable to Mint. The description of what each grade means is listed on every item’s page and, as mentioned, photos are available for you to inspect. The retailer is as transparent as it gets as far as what you are buying — in fact, out of the thousands of items I purchased from them, only one had an issue and the return was seamless.
Used Photo Pro offers a six-month warranty on all items, except for those graded “poor” or “inoperable.” Free shipping is offered on all items except those graded Inoperable, Poor, or Fair.
If there is one niggle with Used Photo Pro, it is that ever since its redesign, the website is achingly slow to load each page — it is borderline unacceptably slow. But, have patience because it is a wonderful resource. I do hope the retailer fixes that issue, though — it would make it a lot more pleasant for me, as I check it several times a day.
Full disclosure: Adorama has been a long-time PetaPixel sponsor, but the camera store was not involved in the creation of this article.
Image credits: Header photo licensed from Depositphotos
Tele2: 60% of customers buy cameras to monitor children and animals
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Tele2, a Russian mobile operator, found that demand for Smart Home cameras is highest in July and August, accounting for an average of 10% of purchases each month. The popularity of such equipment in the summer is explained by the desire of customers to monitor their apartment during a trip outside the city – more than 50% of video camera owners have country houses.
In Tele2 communication stores, customers can connect Rostelecom’s Smart Home, a digital solution that allows them to control devices in their home using a smartphone. With indoor surveillance cameras, users can monitor what is happening indoors in real time.
Tele2 analyzed consumer demand for indoor video surveillance cameras. Users on average buy two cameras, using them in different places of the apartment or house. The share of Tele2 customers who purchased cameras for indoor video surveillance in 2022 was 90%, the rest use them for outdoor video surveillance.
Among the reasons for buying such equipment, 48% of buyers mention the opportunity to look after the house during their absence. According to the operator, the need to install video surveillance in half of the cases arose among those who periodically travel to the country. Video surveillance acquisitions peaked in July and August in 2022, with an average share of 10% each month. The surge in purchases is associated with the height of the summer season and holidays. Owners of video cameras want to be sure of the safety of their apartments – 74% of the purchased cameras were installed there.
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The company also found that a popular reason for installing indoor video surveillance is the need to monitor a child – 34% of buyers indicated this reason. Most often, these are parents of children aged 7-14 years – in 61% of cases. The operator notes that cameras are installed for remote monitoring of pets – this reason was named by 26% of users. Another 15% buy video surveillance to look after elderly relatives, and 14% of respondents control repairs using cameras. At the same time, respondents could indicate several reasons for installing video surveillance systems.
One of the main advantages of video surveillance from Rostelecom is the ability to connect cloud storage. This feature allows you to record the broadcast without restrictions on the size of the video. In addition, the user can select the desired number of days to keep the record.
- Applications for spying on someone else’s smartphone, for which you will get nothing
10 mistakes when buying a camera | Articles | Photo, video, optics
A camera is not only an intricate device, but also a worthy investment. Therefore, mistakes when choosing a suitable camera are undesirable. However, we are often mistaken. Therefore, we have collected 10 popular mistakes that most often lead to choosing the wrong camera.
Source: Digital Trends
1. A cool camera will give good photos
An expensive fancy camera can give the user a lot. Shooting speed, autofocus accuracy, high aperture, etc. But all this is just technical specifications. Just as the best brush and paint do not make the owner an artist, so the best camera does not guarantee masterpieces. In order to get the result, first of all, a skill is required, and then a camera.
This does not mean that you should skimp on technology: cheap or outdated equipment will not be able to cope with your requirements if you are planning to seriously get into photography. But if photography becomes just a hobby for you, you should not invest in the most expensive equipment at all. Most of the professional features may not be needed, so the expense will not be justified.
2. It is not necessary to research anything in advance
The ideal way to get as much information about which camera is better to choose is to do a full research. To begin with, it is worth deciding on the goals, and then carefully study the characteristics of the cameras and their specifics. It is far from always worth relying on what consultants in stores will tell you, because their task is to sell goods that are available, and not to advise what is suitable for your tasks. Therefore, in this case, the responsibility lies entirely with the buyer. The good news is that most of the information is available online, so anyone can prepare and make a choice before heading to the store.
Understand the different types of cameras and their pros and cons. Be sure to look at examples of photos without processing. All this knowledge will be useful to you not only when buying a camera, but also in further learning photography.
Source: HotRate
3. Don’t rely entirely on reviews
Reviews are very convenient. When real users talk about the disadvantages and positive aspects of the device, you can be sure that they have no third-party motives. Is this true? Not really. We are not talking about the fact that the network is full of fake reviews, although sometimes they appear. But almost everything has both fans and haters. As absurd as it may sound, some users can’t stand Canon cameras, for example. And no positive characteristics can convince them. And so it can be with almost every product. So don’t worry too much if you come across a review that says this is the worst camera ever because it was released under a specific brand. Pay attention to detailed reviews with examples and explanations, and be prepared for the fact that there are no comrades for the taste and color. Also, do not pay attention to subjective comments: if you are not used to the location of the buttons on the previous camera, then the problem on the new one will not affect you.
4. Do not forget about accessories
Of course, there are buyers who are only interested in buying a case, but these are most often not beginners at all. If you are buying a camera for the first time, be prepared that the body itself will not be the only waste. You will need a lens or multiple lenses, a spare battery if you intend to do long photo shoots or shoot events, a fairly large memory card or cards, a camera strap, a case or bag, and of course photo editing software. All these are absolutely necessary things, the cost of which will have to be taken into account when planning the starting budget. Sometimes you can save money by buying a kit kit, which includes a lens in advance. But everything else will have to be bought separately anyway. So avoid this common mistake and immediately consider everything that may be useful to you in the future.
Source: YouTube
5. Don’t spend your entire budget just because you can
You may have a small budget, or you may have an unlimited budget. There is nothing wrong with this, of course. But great opportunities do not mean great needs. In other words, you don’t need to spend money on features that you definitely won’t need. Unless you intend to do astrophotography, you should not take a special lens just for the sake of it. There is no need to chase a full frame sensor if you have no idea what advantages it provides. A significant difference is usually determined by key parameters, so it is worth paying attention to them. Many cool features will actually be useless. If you’re buying a video camera, don’t focus on photo features, and vice versa.
If you want the coolest camera, this is also a question, because the indicators can be different. In short, don’t fall for the gimmicks, because in the end many of them are nothing more than publicity stunts that won’t work.
6. Don’t focus on the little things
The camera is a complex structure, and a lot is based on small elements and details. For a professional user, this can be a serious problem if he knows exactly what he needs from the camera. But for a beginner or an amateur, as for many serious users, these little things may not matter at all.
Please note that if you are buying a DSLR or mirrorless camera for amateur photography, many parameters will not be fundamental. Kit kit with lens can cover most requirements of beginner and hobbyist. In this case, just do not get carried away with the details, this is a complex and lengthy process that is not always needed. In this case, of course, we must not forget about the study.
Remember that there are many different ways to compare cameras, and every photographer evaluates devices according to their own standards.
Source: music4india.in
7. No need to be distracted by discounts and promotions
A discount or special offer can greatly distract the buyer. A camera promotion can lead to a very good price, but you should never be distracted and rush to make a purchase solely because a good offer is in effect.
The camera that is eligible for the promotion is not necessarily the one that suits you. If you are in no hurry to buy, then the best option is to wait for the best price on the camera you have chosen, regardless of the available discounts.
You should not buy, for example, a travel camera if you plan to shoot portraits or do not travel much. The main thing is that the camera suits your lifestyle and shooting, otherwise, if you encounter disadvantages or inconveniences, you will either return the camera or not use it. The saying “the miser pays twice” is more relevant here than ever. Therefore, decide in advance on a price range that is comfortable for you and, if you come across a successful promotion or discount on the selected camera, use it, otherwise you should not deviate from the original plan.
8. Don’t buy a camera without a purpose
So, the first rule of any purchase is to know exactly why you need a camera. This is the basis of any purchase and it applies to any technique. Based on the goal, you choose the model. Therefore, never make a purchase without having a certain understanding of your own tasks. This is the easiest way to buy what doesn’t suit you.
But we do not always know exactly what we plan to shoot, for example, beginners often experiment. Fortunately, in such cases, too, there is a way out. Some pros recommend focusing on lifestyle rather than possible potential plans if you’re undecided on the genre. If you are interested in different types of photography, then the best option is an interchangeable lens camera. Thus, you can choose a portrait, wide-angle or telephoto lens, depending on specific tasks. As for the characteristics, try to choose universal ones. Again, don’t chase price, it’s not an indication of opportunity.
Source: Digital Camera World
9.
Don’t listen to random advice
If you’re buying a camera, be sure to do your research. But what you should not do is listen to the advice of everyone in a row. Even if your friend or relative takes pictures, this does not necessarily mean that they understand the subject. Therefore, even if you listened to their advice, do not take them for granted. Check the information, compare the received “testimony” with those that you get from more reliable sources.
And, as with online reviews, try to weed taste preferences from technical indicators. Another case is if there is a professional photographer among your acquaintances. He can not only give useful recommendations that will help in the selection and further shooting, but also allow you to test your own technique. The latter option is the most preferable, since it is always better to try out what you plan to purchase in practice before buying. This is the best way to find out if the camera is right for you.