Buying used

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Cameras and lenses are built to last, and many photographers upgrade often. That makes the used market one of the best ways to afford good gear. A body that's one or two generations old is often most of the camera for a fraction of the price.

Where to buy

• Specialist dealers with a returns window and a warranty are the safest: they test and grade what they sell. You pay a little more than buying privately.
• Private sales and marketplaces are cheaper, but you carry the risk. Meet in person if you can, and test before paying.
• Be wary of prices far below the market, sellers who won't let you test, and payment methods without buyer protection.

Checking a camera body

• Shutter count. Shutters wear out eventually. Ask for the count, or read it from a test photo's metadata with an online tool where the brand supports it, and compare with the rated life for that model.
• The sensor. Take a photo of a plain sky at f/16 and look for dark spots (dust is fixable; scratches are not).
• Ports, buttons and dials. Try every button, the card slot, the battery door, the screen hinge and the viewfinder.
• The lens mount. Heavy wear or loose play hints at a hard life.
• Signs of a drop or water: dents, cracks, corrosion on contacts.

Checking a lens

• Shine a torch through it. Look for fungus (thread-like webs), haze (a milky fog), and separation. Fungus spreads and is costly to clean. A few specks of dust are normal and harmless.
• Scratches on the front element matter less than they look; scratches on the rear element matter more.
• Autofocus and zoom. They should be smooth and quiet, without grinding or sticking.
• Sharpness across the frame. Photograph a flat detailed wall or a newspaper. If one side is clearly softer than the other, the lens may be decentred.
• Stabilisation, if it has it: it should engage without rattling.

What holds its value

Good lenses hold their value far better than bodies. Buying lenses used and selling them later can make trying a focal length almost free, and it's the easiest way into the long lenses for wildlife and sport.

Batteries

Old batteries lose capacity. Budget for a new genuine battery with any used body.