Second-hand super-savers

Buying a new camera or lens is always exciting as it opens up a wealth of novel shooting opportunities, but the kit doesn’t have to be brand-new to get that special thrill. A second-hand acquisition can work just as well, even if it means you don’t get the kick of breaking the seal on the box. It’s the new-to-youness that really creates the buzz and sets the creative wheels in motion as you explore the fresh opportunities that your latest purchase enables.

One of the key reasons for buying kit second-hand is that it can save you a fortune. Just like a car depreciates as it leaves the dealership forecourt for the first time, a camera or lens devalues once it’s been taken out of the box and used. Of course, that doesn’t diminish its functionality or usefulness, it just isn’t worth quite as much.

Buying second-hand also means that you get more for your money so you might be able to afford a more advanced camera or lens than you would if you bought new – especially if you’re prepared to accept the odd bit of cosmetic damage.

Another bonus of buying second-hand is that, because much of the depreciation has happened, if you sell the item at a later date you’ll get much of your money back – provided that you’ve looked after it of course.

With all of this in mind, we’ve selected our favourite second-hand kit for landscape, portrait, macro and sport or wildlife photographs. In some cases the kit is