![Buying Second-Hand Photo Equipment](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/142/462563/5ed9d51c54c1f/Photography.jpg)
One way to counter this issue is to rent or buy second-hand gear. In this write-up, I shall endeavour to explain the nitty-gritty of buying second-hand gear so that you are better informed.
The best way to check out secondhand photo equipment is to take several pictures with it in different lighting conditions. This way you can be assured that what you are about to buy is in good working condition. The problem is, not many owners will let you take the equipment out for a test since they are not sure about your ability to use the item without causing any damage to it. Hence it is necessary to investigate further.
It would be nice to know who the second-hand equipment belongs to. That way you have a fair idea of how carefully (or not) the equipment could have been handled. It would not be unfair to assume that the equipment must have gone through rough handling if it belonged to a professional, as for the professional photographer, his first commitment is to get the photos no matter how difficult the shooting conditions are. A non-professional may back out, worrying about his life and limb (and his equipment), but professionals are made of different stuff. They don’t worry about scratches and dents as long as they get the photos they set out to get.
Of course, not every time would such information be revealed to you. There will be times, when you – the purchaser – will have to inspect the equipment yourself before deciding. So, let’s see what one should check before making the commitment.
Check the general condition of the item you wish to buy. Are there scratches, dents, paint peel-off, dust in every nook and corner? If yes, the owner was not careful.
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Smart Photography.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2020 edition of Smart Photography.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Tamron 17-50mm F4 Di III VXD ₹66,500 - Nifty zoom!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/uAteVFLE_1723803607099/TAMRON-1750MM-F4-DI-III-VXD-66500-NIFTY-ZOOM.jpg)
Tamron 17-50mm F4 Di III VXD ₹66,500 - Nifty zoom!
When this new Tamron lens landed on our test bench, it was assumed that this was an APS-C lens.
![Nikon Z 6111 ₹12,47,990/(Body only) - The much-awaited winner from Nikon!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/kxe9C3G8g1723803207817/NIKON-Z-6111-1247990BODY-ONLY-THE-MUCHAWAITED-WINNER-FROM-NIKON.jpg)
Nikon Z 6111 ₹12,47,990/(Body only) - The much-awaited winner from Nikon!
Nikon introduced their first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Z 6 and its twin the Z 7 in the second half of 2018.
![MEMORY CARDS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/sEJPofFpp1723802795358/MEMORY-CARDS.jpg)
MEMORY CARDS
Last month's article on the same subject, gave you a brief overview of the operation of a digital camera, the need for memory cards, and various types (SD, CFexpress, etc.) that are now available in the market.
![Crafting a Father's Legacy in Print](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/Mw3oBi87b1723802462811/CRAFTING-A-FATHERS-LEGACY-IN-PRINT.jpg)
Crafting a Father's Legacy in Print
Discover the journey of creating a custom-made photobook to commemorate fifty years of cherished memories and celebrate a milestone birthday.
![Life Along the River](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/ij3aYb7BX1723802320269/LIFE-ALONG-THE-RIVER.jpg)
Life Along the River
Today, I find myself reflecting on my journey as a photographer and the incredible moments I have experienced along the banks of the Hooghly River in Kolkata.
![SUNIL CHHETRI INDIA'S FOOTBALL ICON](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/aJWl-aALv1723802084351/SUNIL-CHHETRI-INDIAS-FOOTBALL-ICON.jpg)
SUNIL CHHETRI INDIA'S FOOTBALL ICON
Sunil Chhetri is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a 'forward'.
![REMEMBERING WILDLIFE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/foyuDM6KH1723801758373/REMEMBERING-WILDLIFE.jpg)
REMEMBERING WILDLIFE
It was an early morning encounter with a young elephant in northern Kenya in 2014, which had been needlessly poached, that changed the life of Margot Raggett MBE - setting her on a path to combine her love of wildlife photography with conservation efforts to fight for the future of endangered animals.
![Panasonic’s 60x super-zoom Lumix FZ80D camera](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/KqccrRy9n1723801576422/PANASONICS-60X-SUPERZOOM-LUMIX-FZ80D-CAMERA.jpg)
Panasonic’s 60x super-zoom Lumix FZ80D camera
Panasonic has released the Lumix FZ80D, a new camera boasting a remarkable 60x superzoom capability.
![Venus Optics' Laowa Shift ZOOM lens is here](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/Ks783klE51723801503720/VENUS-OPTICS-LAOWA-SHIFT-ZOOM-LENS-IS-HERE.jpg)
Venus Optics' Laowa Shift ZOOM lens is here
On July 8, Venus Optics introduced a unique Shift-ZOOM lens, the Laowa 12-24mm f/5.6, designed for mirrorless cameras.
![FUJIFILM launches GFX100S II](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/142/1799254/L6fzR7k841723801361137/FUJIFILM-LAUNCHES-GFX100S-II.jpg)
FUJIFILM launches GFX100S II
On 22nd July, FUJIFILM India unveiled the FUJIFILM GFX100S II, the newest addition to its GFX series of mirrorless digital cameras.