As to lenses, here's a load of tips on what to look out for.

Http://forums.dpreview.com/...forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=23821294.

All my lenses except the kit lens I've bought used..

Buying a used camera. Depends. I'd only buy one if I could pick it up and check it out thoroughly. Do all the things you'd normally do and make sure there's a computer to check your results.Don't wait for the Nikon D-whatever, have fun now!http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_wijnands/..

Like anything, there are terrific deals and some duds. If you aren't sure, by all means have someone trusted inspect it, or buy new or refurbished with a warranty..

KEH is very reputable for buying (or selling) used equipment of all kinds.

Http://www.keh.com..

I have bought two used DSLR cameras and three used lenses as well as three new DSLR cameras and a lens. A couple of thoughts..

It is difficult to get started with both a used lens and a body from separate sources as you have no reference point to determine any fault..

If you buy a used body lens combo from a retail source you can return it because some part of your purchase is faulty (unless advertised as such) but doing that via Ebay can be more tricky but you should have recourse against any online trader whether on Ebay or elsewhere..

If buying via Ebay from a private individual look for a) someone with good feedback who is unlikely to want to risk it on one duff transaction b) a full and reasonable description c) avoid like the plague anyone who is not prompt and helpful in answering emailed questions d) I tried to purchase form someone local and to pay cash and collect so I could inspect before I handed money over. Even if I did not intend to do that because the purchaser lived too far away I found it a useful test (But I can see how a woman might be nervous about me coming to her home to collect. So it is not a cast iron rule) e) remember that alongside decent owners selling their used equipment there will be stolen property - If the camera is sold without battery charger, manuals and software I would require a very convincing explanation before I would buy (I took an interest in one 80-200 f2.8 AF-S that did not even have lens caps. The seller said that he had got a pile of camera equpiment in part payment for some work he had done. I think he meant he had seized it when his debtor did not pay!).

I think there are more dangers in buying a used body than a lens (but both are fairly robust). In the end, with my most recent purchase, I got a Nikon recond body from an online retailer. But I have bought 3 used lenses off Ebay with no problems. Only one of them did I pay cash and collect. That was the most expensive (My 80-200mm)..

You do not get much of a discount with a reconditioned body but you save yourself a few and I have never had problems with such a purchase whether a camera or anything else. a recond body or body lesn combination could be agood way to startChris Elliott.

*Nikon* D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile.

Http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/..

It is always a gamble buying seconhand cameras, and a lot of luck, I bought a second and Olympus for 80 on Ebay, it was fine ,no probs, I used it for about a year, thenwith a little bit of seruptishious marketing , sold it for 140 on Ebay, still in good working condition.You have just got to have faith, and a lot of luck'.

Mike Rudge..

Lanky wrote:.

Hi,I was wondering, what is the second hand camera market like? Is itsafe to buy a camera second hand. Are there allot of things that cango wrong with a camera after purchase. Also would an isnspection by acamera shop be a good enough way to check that all is in order andthe camera will last or would I be much better of spending the extracash on a new body. Also are lenses safe to buy second hand aboutlenses..

My second Pentax *istD body was bought used, from Keh. It was sold as LN- and came through looking very, very close to mint..

I bought a lot of film SLRs used, with no problems..

I buy lenses used when they're available..

There's no secret: make sure any company has a good, or stellar, reputation and an excellent return policy on used gear. Make sure you know where any non-commercial seller lives. I tend to prefer using companies that have actual brick and mortar presences..

Charlie Selfhttp://www.charlieselfonline.com..

Here's one way to think about it; you are not buying a used caemra, you are buying a used, and out of date, electronic device full of circuit packs and microchips..

And remember that most of the time, when a new highly electronic digital camera comes out it is better than the one it repleaces, and costs less, the same, or just a bit more..

All too often we see used cameras priced at a discount from new, but still very close in price to a brand new, and better, replacement model..

Plus... which camera.?.

For instance, a new Canon XTi is a better camera in many ways than a used Canon 20D, which cost a lot more when new, and now, used, may be pretty close in price to the XTi..

As for lenses... I'm in Toronto and there are very few good used digital camera lenses available. As soon as one is traded in, it gets snapped up. I was very lucky on the day I bought my camera there were two 24-135mm lenses for sales, used, at reasonable prices, and I bought one. I've been very happy..

Both my camera (A Canon Rebel XT) and my flash (a Canon 580EX) were brand new, and both stopped working completely during the warranty period..

Some people believe that electronics will break fairly soon after purchase, or not at all. Since I've had two car radios stop working years after they were purchased, I do not follow this belief..

BAK..

I if you want to buy used cameras & lenses I highly recommend KEH.com. their rating system is very conservative and if they say something is in excellent condition you can pretty much expect it to look brand new..

They are a very reputable company.

Steve..