Buying and selling secondhand camera gear in New Zealand

This was a popular thread on the old Hellophoto forum, and we’ve rewritten it from scratch as a practical guide.

Secondhand camera gear used to change hands through newspaper classifieds, club noticeboards and word of mouth. Now it’s mostly online, which makes bargains easier to find and also makes it easier to get burned.

Buying a used camera body

Before you meet

Ask for the shutter count if the camera can report it, plus a few sample photos taken with that body.
Ask why it’s being sold and what comes with it: battery, charger, strap, caps, manuals.
Check the serial number matches between the listing photos and the camera when you see it.

When you’ve got it in your hands

Look at the overall wear. Brassing on the edges is cosmetic, but dents and cracks suggest a drop.
Check the lens mount for scratches or loose screws.
Open the battery door and card door. Look for corrosion, sand or bent pins.
Take photos at a range of settings. Fire a burst. Use the flash.
Shoot a plain wall or sky at f/16 and zoom in to look for sensor spots.
Test every button, dial and the screen. If it has a viewfinder, check it’s clean and clear.

Buying a used lens

Lenses can last for decades if they’ve been looked after, which makes them great value secondhand.

Shine a torch through the lens from the back and look for haze, fungus (fine web-like threads) and big scratches. A little dust is normal and rarely shows in photos.
Check the focus and zoom rings turn smoothly, without grinding or loose spots.
Mount it and test autofocus near and far. Listen for clicks or hesitation.
If it has stabilisation, check it works by shooting at a slow-ish shutter speed.
Look at the aperture blades. They should be dry, with no oil, and snap closed cleanly.

Spotting scams

Most sellers are genuine photographers moving on gear they don’t use. A few are not. Warning signs include:

A price far below what the same item usually sells for.
A seller who won’t meet in person, insists on bank transfer or gift cards, or wants to move the conversation off the platform quickly.
Stock photos instead of photos of the actual item.
Pressure to pay now because “someone else is interested”.

If you can’t see and test the item before paying, use the platform’s payment and buyer protection options where they exist, and don’t send money to someone you can’t verify. If it feels off, walk away. There’ll be another lens.

Meeting safely

Meet somewhere public and busy, in daylight. A café or shopping centre works well.
Bring a friend if you can, and tell someone where you’re going.
Bring your own memory card and a charged battery, plus a lens or body to test with.
Count cash discreetly or use a traceable payment method.
Sellers: don’t invite strangers home to look at expensive gear, and don’t hand it over until payment is confirmed.

Your rights when buying used

Here’s where people often get caught out. In New Zealand, the Consumer Guarantees Act generally covers goods you buy from a business, including secondhand goods from a dealer. It doesn’t apply to private sales between individuals. So if you buy a camera from another person’s listing, you can’t rely on the Act’s guarantees if it turns out to be faulty.

You aren’t completely without options. A seller who misleads you about the item, or doesn’t have the right to sell it, can still be held to account under general law. But the practical answer is to check everything yourself before you pay. Consumer NZ has good guidance on buying secondhand goods and on when your consumer rights do and don’t apply.

Buying from a camera shop that sells used gear usually gives you more protection, and often a short warranty too. You’ll typically pay a bit more for that peace of mind.

Selling your old gear

Clean it, gently. Wipe the body, blow off the sensor area if you know how, and clean the lens elements carefully.
Take honest, well-lit photos of the actual item, including any marks.
Describe faults clearly. A buyer who finds an undisclosed problem is a buyer who wants their money back.
Include the shutter count if you can find it, and list everything that comes with it.
Reset the camera menus to clear personal settings, and price against completed sales, not hopeful listings.

Where to start

If you’re buying your first camera secondhand, an older DSLR with a kit lens is often the cheapest way into proper photography. We looked at two classic options in our Sony a550 vs Olympus E-620 guide. Camera clubs are also a great place to find well-cared-for gear and honest advice; the Photographic Society of New Zealand lists clubs around the country.