Buying second-hand gear safely

Used gear can save money, if you choose the right things and check them.

Usually fine used

• Tripods and stands (check legs and locks).
• Reflectors and backdrops.
• Lights (check the switch and the brightness steps).
• Headphones (check both sides and the cable).

Riskier used

• Batteries and power banks: they wear out and can be unsafe.
• Memory cards and drives: they can fail without warning.
• Gimbals: motors wear out.
• Anything that has been in water.

Check in person

1. Meet in a public place in daylight.
2. Switch it on and use it for a few minutes.
3. Ask for the original box and the invoice.
4. Check that the serial number matches and the item is not reported stolen, if there is a way to check.
5. Do not pay in advance to a stranger.

See also the buying checklist.

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