Second hand store find changed my mind on used gear

I always told clients to buy new equipment. Avoid the risk. Then I found a barely used photo light box at Goodwill for $12. Same model sells for $150 new. Cleaned it up, tested it, works perfect. Used it for a jewelry shoot yesterday and the results were solid. Anyone else scoring good gear second hand?

2 comments

2 Comments

gray3146d ago

Oh man, I gotta disagree hard on this one. I've been burned way too many times on used gear to ever recommend it to anyone. Found a "like new" flash unit at a pawn shop once for cheap, took it home, and the sync port was completely shot. Had to spend almost what I paid just to get it fixed. Not to mention the time I bought a used lens with what looked like perfect glass, then realized after a few shoots that the autofocus motor was dying and it would hunt for ages in low light. Even if you test it on the spot, some problems only show up after you've used it for a while. For something as critical as lighting gear, I'd rather just pay the extra upfront and have the warranty.

the_riley6d ago

This is the same trap people fall into with anything used, like buying a car from a guy who swears it "just needs a new battery" when the transmission is grinding. You can get lucky, but the hidden cost of repairs always seems to pop up right when you least expect it.