Having your own DSLR is important if you are serious about going pro. Unfortunately, brand new DSLRs are expensive and may be way out of your budget. Thankfully, there is second hand equipment you can purchase at a much cheaper price.
When buying a second hand DSLR, you would want to make sure that the camera was well treated by its previous owner. This way, you know you’re getting a good buy and the camera will last at least a couple of years before you need to replace it. Keep in mind, however, that a flawless surface is not the only factor you should consider. Here are several things you should look for when choosing a second hand DSLR.
The lens:
DSLRs today have electronic contact points which carry information from the lens to the camera body. It is important that you check these contacts and make sure that they do not show signs of excessive wear and build up of dirt. These contacts are usually gold in color and must be free of marks.
You should also check for your camera’s mirror box and ensure that it is free of dirt and that the mirror is unmarked. While a scratched mirror may not affect image quality, it is a definite sign that the camera has been misused and that there may be other hidden problems that exist.
To check for problems with the lens that comes with the camera, hold it up to the light and check for marks. Some lens may have fungus (due to incorrect storage) while others may have chips or scratches in the surface. All these can affect the quality of your images and must be avoided at all costs.
You should also make sure that the mount if the interchangeable lens isn’t badly worn or this can prevent the light from coming in. Needless to say, this can also affect your images.
Focusing
If the camera you have in mind has a manual focusing ring, slowly rotate it to test different focus settings. Make sure that there are no points where it sticks. If it does, then chances are it will need to be taken apart, cleaned and reassembled.
You should also check if the autofocus feature of the camera is working properly. To test, point the camera at different subjects at varying distances, press the camera shutter and see how it will react.
Body
The camera body is the most important of all components as it determines how good the images you produce are. Most DSLRs have plastic, paint, or leather covered surfaces. If the camera you intend to buy has scuffed surfaces or the covering is coming away from the body, then you had best think twice before buying it. Sometimes, the damage is repairable but you should remember that these surface marks may mean that the camera has not been looked after.
LCD
LCD panels which are scratched do not affect picture quality but it can hugely affect the camera’s resale value. If you are considering of buying a camera that’s 5 or 6 years old, then it is important to check for the status LCD. Make sure that the screen is sharp and that there are no bleeds in the liquid crystal. There should be no light or dark patches on the corners the screen should be evenly illuminated.
To check for the LCD, set the camera to various modes and see if all parts of the LCD works okay.
Batteries
Make sure that the batteries of the camera you intend to buy can be easily removed from the body. Also, it is important to check if there are replacement batteries still being sold. In several cases, manufacture of batteries for older DSLR models have been discontinued. Needless to say, avoid units which have irreplaceable batteries.
Make sure that all contacts in the battery compartment are in good condition. Avoid units which have green, white or brown deposits on the surface. These are signs that the battery as leaked and may cause damage to the body.
Continue on to page 2 to read about the other 5 things you need to consider when buying a second hand camera.