——————————————————————————————-

——————————————————————————————

——————————————————————————————-

——————————————————————————————-

Questions to Ask Before Buying Used Camera Equipment

Buying used gear can be a great bargain, IF you are careful. In my over 10 years as a photographer, I have been very successful in buying second hand equipment. I have been burned a time or two though. What I have learned is that asking questions, the right questions, makes a HUGE difference. Here are the top ones to ask and things to consider.

1. What do you need this gear?  

Simple, right, but so often overlooked, especially when you are starting out. I find that new photographers get caught in what I call the “gear trap” buying things because they see others with them or  more is better. Ask yourself why do you NEED that particular piece of equipment? Why this piece over another? What type of images will it help you create or capture?  Do a little research of the function, flexibility and then make a decision.

2. What do I know about the seller?

Now, I am not suggesting that you hire a private investigator, but some research can’t hurt.  Are they a pro?  How long have they been shooting and what do they prefer to shoot?   Who cares?  I wold argue that people that shoot sports and wildlife may handle their gear differently than someone who is mainly a studio/portrait photographer. Don’t even get me started on event photographers.

Also, do they sell often?  Do they have an online presence?  Look for reviews.  `some photos upgrade often so they have a history of selling on third party site or Ebay.

Purchase from a seller that you trust. Money-back guarantees that are enforceable are feet when you can get them too.

3. Do they offer actual pictures of the equipment?

You are buying stock items so why have stock photography images?  `If you can’t see the original gear be prepared for a shock if you go to see the item in person

4.  History of Issues

I bought my 3rd camera used. It was supposed to be an upgrade.  It would have been but there was one little problem.  It had a history of history of issues and a week after buying it I had issues IN THE MIDDLE OF A Gig! Yeah, not the ideal time to learn there were known issues with the camera.

Do they have receipts of purchase or for service? If they have had repairs or how often the item has been serviced. It shows you that one one there have been issues and equally important if the maintained the equipment.

5.  When possible try before you buy

Does the lens have any blemishes on the glass, fungus, scratches, haze, or problems with the focusing ring?  One test I like for lens is to hold it upright and gently shake it. If you hear any knocking walk away.  It likely has issues with the vacuum seal and that could lead to fungus/mold. Are there any dents or dings on the body that show it may have been dropped or banged?  That could affect the operation and shorten the life you’ll get out if the equipment. Try before you buy, but look up any recall or reviews on the item first. If you are meeting a seller in person ask if they can bring everything you need to operate the item OR bring your own. You’d be surprise that some may forget batteries or a spare lens if it is a body you want to purchase.

6. Meet in a safe location to do the exchange

Safety first.  I met a a seller in an alley, ok it was a laneway between buildings, but that wasn’t much better.  That could have gone really bad, but luckily it didn’t,  Local police stations have designated places to meet inside or in the parking lot. Use them.

Hope this list helps you in your future purchases of used gear. There are deals to be had out there just do your research and be prepared.

Please leave a comment if this information helped you or if you have any other questions.

——————————————————————————————-

——————————————————————————————-

What​ ​to​ ​wear​ ​for Portrait​ ​Sessions

• Keep​ ​clothing​ ​simple​ ​&​ ​consistent.​ ​Try​ ​to​ ​choose​ ​solid​ ​colors​ ​for​ ​your​ ​photo
• choose​ ​1-3​ ​colours​ ​for​ ​your​ ​group​ ​portrait,​ ​ones​ ​with​ ​similar​ ​tones​ ​that​ ​go​ ​nicely
  together​ ​&​ ​have​ ​everyone​ ​work​ ​within​ ​that​ ​colour​ ​palette.​ ​For​ ​example:​ ​dark green,​ ​navy,​ ​&​ ​burgundy​ ​–​ ​all​ ​dark​ ​jewel​ ​tones.​ ​​​OR​ ​tan,​ ​a​ ​lighter​ ​olive​ ​green,​ ​& denims​ ​–​ ​all​ ​lighter,​ ​softer​ ​tones.​ ​​​So​ ​that​ ​we​ ​see​ ​the​ ​people​ ​first​ ​&​ ​your​ ​portrait looks​ ​stunning.​ ​Wedding​ ​group​ ​photos​ ​look​ ​so​ ​good​ ​because​ ​they’re​ ​all​ ​wearing the​ ​same​ ​colours​ ​&​ ​the​ ​people​ ​stand​ ​out!
• choose​ ​similar​ ​tones​ ​for​ ​your​ ​top​ ​&​ ​bottom​ ​(both​ ​dark​ ​or​ ​both​ ​light)​ ​so​ ​that​ ​one doesn’t​ ​look​ ​bigger​ ​than​ ​the​ ​other.​ ​​​White​ ​top,​ ​dark​ ​pants​ ​will​ ​make​ ​your​ ​top​ ​look bigger.​ ​​​White​ ​pant,​ ​dark​ ​top​ ​will​ ​make​ ​your​ ​bottom​ ​look​ ​bigger.
• Darker​ ​clothing​ ​slims.​ ​​Bright​ ​colours​ ​project​ ​(especially​ ​reds,​ ​oranges,​ ​& yellows),​ ​which​ ​also​ ​can​ ​make​ ​you​ ​look​ ​larger.
• For​ ​a​ ​more​ ​formal​ ​look​ ​wear​ ​dark​ ​on​ ​dark.​ ​Dark​ ​clothing​ ​creates​ ​a​ ​more​ ​formal mood​ ​and​ ​looks​ ​better​ ​on​ ​a​ ​dark​ ​background
• Dress​ ​everyone​ ​in​ ​the​ ​same​ ​style.
• choose​ ​a​ ​top​ ​with​ ​sleeves​ ​at​ ​least​ ​to​ ​the​ ​elbow​ ​your​ ​arms​ ​take​ ​up​ ​more​ ​skin​ ​area
  than​ ​your​ ​face​ ​&​ ​will​ ​draw​ ​attention​ ​&​ ​it​ ​may​ ​also​ ​make​ ​your​ ​arms​ ​look​ ​larger
• choose​ ​long​ ​pants​ ​for​ ​men/ladies​ ​or​ ​a​ ​skirt​ ​below​ ​the​ ​knee​ ​for​ ​ladies​ ​so​ ​that​ ​your
  legs​ ​don’t​ ​take​ ​attention​ ​from​ ​your​ ​faces,​ ​&​ ​you​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​sit​ ​&​ ​bend​ ​without
  showing​ ​too​ ​much​ ​leg
• Scoops​ ​or​ ​v-necks​ ​flatter​ ​shorter​ ​necks​ ​&​ ​full​ ​faces.​ ​Turtlenecks​ ​or​ ​high-necked
  garments​ ​flatter​ ​longer​ ​necks​ ​&​ ​slender​ ​faces.
• Show​ ​your​ ​style​ ​in​ ​small​ ​accents.​ ​Save​ ​stronger​ ​colors​ ​&​ ​patterns​ ​for
  accessories​ ​like​ ​scarves​ ​&​ ​neckties.
• keep​ ​jewellery​ ​simple​ ​&​ ​minimalistic​ ​too​ ​much​ ​draws​ ​attention​ ​from​ ​your​ ​face

●  Be​ ​mindful​ ​that​ ​your​ ​socks​ ​may​ ​be​ ​visible​ ​(.i.e.​ ​When​ ​seated)​ ​and​ ​choose
colours/patterns​ ​accordingly

——————————————————————————————-

——————————————————————————————-