Pixiq

The cameras that I currently own and use for glamour photography are Canon EOS models although that was not the original brand of SLRs I used when starting my career. My first SLR was a film-based Minolta, which has now morphed into the Sony family. Next, I used Nikon SLRs for most of my early professional career but later switched to Contax because I wanted to be able to shoot with the same kind of Carl Zeiss lenses I was using with my medium format Hasselblads. When digital SLRs came along I settled on Canon EOS and currently have five Canon EOS bodies: A 1D Mark IIN, 5D, 50D and a Rebel Xt and Xti that were converted to infrared-only capture. Most of my lenses are Canon EF but I have a Tamron SP 11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di II LD Aspherical that I love. I am telling you just as a point of information only. If you are a happy Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, or Sony, user it is not my intention to convince you to switch systems. If it works for you and you’re happy, keep on truckin’.

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on equipment to make high quality glamour photographs. Consider purchasing a used camera. Of the five camera bodies that I use regularly only two, the EOS 50 and Rebel Xti, were purchased new. All the rest fall into the general category of “used” cameras and buying used equipment is a great source of digital SLR bargains. When a new digital SLR comes out, lots of photographers who want to be the first kid on their block” with the new camera trade their old cameras in for the latest model. This is the best time to buy the previously latest model and let the other person take the big hit on depreciation.

There are subsets of used cameras called “demo” and "factory refurbs.” My EOS 1D Mark II N was a demo unit that was used to show the camera to prospective buyers. It was never sold before and so has the warranty card but it has been handled, the box has been opened, and somebody—maybe lots of somebodys—have played with the camera. It was also purchased after the EOS 1D Mark III was announced so it was an “old” model that made the price oh-so-attractive and most affordable. Big camera stores offer demo gear from time to time so it pays to have a sales person that you work on a regular basis so they keep you informed of these bargains. Refurbs are similar but somebody may have previously owned it and there may or may not be a camera warranty in the package.

Used cameras are available from many sources. For more than twenty-five years, I have purchased used equipment from KEH Camera  Brokers (www.camera.com) and they remain a trusted source of used gear for me. Many local camera stores, maybe even yours if there’s any left in your town, have a selection of used digital SLR and some camera clubs or organizations sponsor camera shows at local hotels where you can actually see, hold, and feel some used gear that’s available at favorable prices. Lastly don’t forget that your friends are a good sourced of used cameras to purchase. It’s a win-win for both of you.

And lest we forget, there’s eBay. I have sold many cameras and lenses on eBay but have never made a major photographic purchase so I can’t speak from personal experience but I know many happy eBay buyers of photo equipment. And while the bargains that abounded in eBay’s early years have pretty much disappeared, it remains a great place to locate and purchase those hard-to-find items.

So here’s my take on buying used, demo, or refurbished gear for glamour photography: I take care of my photo equipment and have rarely, almost never, needed a warranty repair on a camera. It happened once with a used film camera I purchased from KEH Camera Brokers and because they also offer a warranty on their used gear, it was repaired at no cost. The final point is that I don’t care if they’re used; I’m going to use them anyway. It’s like getting a door ding in a new car, the first one is painful but you get over it. With used equipment—cars or cameras—I don’t mind that they already come with that “first dent,” now I can just use it happily shooting and making photographs.

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