Used camera shopping tips and tricks

I've used digital cameras for more than 25 years, and even though I get to try all of the latest and greatest gear for my job here at PCMag

I get a real kick out of using older film and digital cameras, and especially love lenses from the 60s and 70s

I've got some gray hairs, but some of my favorites, like this Leica CL camera and 40mm Simicron, were made before I was born

I've been shopping for vintage camera gear for nearly as long as I've been interested in photography

and I can still remember how nervous I was about buying second-hand equipment when I was just starting out

But by now, I'd consider myself an expert on buying old cameras, and I really want to share some tips about what kind of cameras to target, where to shop, and the huge red flags that you should avoid

Let's go camera hunting on today's episode of How to Do It All. So, what kind of used camera do you want

The easiest type to shop for is a mirrorless or DSLR that's a few years out of date

You can get a great deal on a Sony A7 III, Canon EOS R6, Nikon Z6 mirrorless, or a late model SLR like the Canon 6D, Nikon D750, or Nikon D810

While you might be missing out on some of the latest video and autofocus features found in modern-day cameras

anything made past 2012 will provide great picture quality, especially for beginners

Going back further in time is doable too but it more of a choice to use vintage tech and it can come with some unexpected hurdles DSLRs from the 2000s and early 2010s don have the creature comforts like touchscreens and many use CCD sensors

which don't offer the same high ISO capability and dynamic range as newer chips. That said

older SLRs are often very inexpensive, and younger photographers may want to see what life was like

in the early days of digital, while old fogies like me may want to pick out a specific model

just out of nostalgia. For instance, I picked up a used Pentax K10D last year for around $100

It was my first serious SLR. I had to hook it up to a computer with old software to calibrate the

autofocus system. If you're looking for a weekend project to tinker with, getting an SLR from the

2000s is certainly viable. But if you just want to get an old camera to save money and have it

up and running, no problem, get something from the 2010s or newer. You can take the same advice

when shopping for a digital compact. If you're getting one from the early 2000s, you're gonna have to track down an old memory cart

and batteries to get it to work. If you get one from the 2010s onwards, your life's gonna be a lot simpler

The tech is simply more like a modern day camera. I think it's worth it to target prosumer models

regardless of error. Look for a compact in the Canon PowerShot G, Nikon Coolpix P, or Sony RX series

You can also check out something like the Ricoh GR from 2013 onwards with an APS-C sensor

It's one that really holds up today and I still use it often. What about film cameras There are far too many styles and errors to discuss in this video but let me know if that something you like to see us do a separate video on in the comments My best advice is to decide if you want a compact rangefinder SLR or medium format camera first

and then do a Google search to see if there are any common problems with a specific model you're

interested in. Trust me, if there's a pernicious issue with an old camera, it's been discussed to

death on the internet. With any film camera, you should set aside some extra funds for maintenance

Old mechanical cameras like this Leica M3 will work forever with occasional maintenance

and many vintage cameras with electronics, like this Pentax LX, can be repaired too

If you notice that shutter speeds are slow or see light leaks on your pictures

it's a good idea to send the camera out for a clean lube adjust service

commonly called a CLA among camera nerds. Using old lenses is a great way to make photos with a vintage look and feel

Classic manual focus glass works seamlessly on mirrorless cameras with a simple mechanical adapter

and if you get a DSLR, you can use compatible lenses dating back to the 70s for Pentax and Nikon

and to the 80s for Canon. Now that you know what to look for in buying used, you should know where to go

The best place to shop is a camera store, either online or in person. The two biggest New York City stores, Adorama and B&H

both sell used equipment in-store and online. If you have a local camera shop, chances are it does too

KEH and MPB are two online shops that specialize in used equipment while Lens Rentals offers a rent program for a good portion of its catalog I look at one of these sites as your first step because they check and repair gear before they ship it out and they have a return policy just in case you get a lemon

And of course, we can't forget about the internet's largest flea market, eBay. The auction site has a

huge rotating inventory, but you're taking a gamble when shopping and are often getting something

listed as, as is, without a return policy. Still, eBay is the best online shop for deal hunters

Avoid cameras listed for parts or with obvious signs of problems like corroded battery compartments or cracked screens

Give priority to listings that show a camera powered on and working. That same advice applies to private sales as well

You can also check out camera forums, Facebook user groups, and sites like Nextdoor and Craigslist

They're all worth checking out when you're on the hunt for a used camera. And finally, don't forget about Goodwill, Salvation Army, estate sales, and garage sales

They're all worth checking out if you're up for a scavenger hunt. Now that you know what to look for and where to buy used camera gear, it's time to get started shopping

Feel free to drop me an email or comment below if you have any questions or simply want to give me an excuse to ramble on about some of my favorite classics

especially my desert island camera, the 1980s vintage Pentax LX. For more on both new and old cameras, be sure to check out my articles on PCMag.com

Good luck with your camera search and thanks for joining me in today's episode of How to Do It All