Selling Your Gear

[shreds]

Simple rule…….think very carefully before you buy anything! Do you really need it?

There are photography sites out there that allow selling between members after they have been members for a specified time and contributed knowledge and commitment to the site. Even can 'ask' what everyone thinks an item might be worth before listing it. Good thing is they don't charge any fees, so stuff that ends up unsold and goes to e.bay ironically tends to be higher priced to cover the additional costs or owner inflated value view.

I see eBay are changing their terms to give more free listings for private sellers suggesting that the mighty auction house is at last beginning to become eclipsed and feeling the pinch of competition?

I really find eBay unreliable these days and don't use it at all.

Too many scammers and sellers of duff/damaged equipment prevail and eBay generally not interested in resolving disputes. Same with other internet revolutionaries such as Kickstarter and Paypal that I avoid like the plague. All down to the lack of interest in the consumer; read their terms - self interest!

As is said, whatever goes around comes around.

[ShawnD]

There are very few things that hold their value like white colored lenses with red rings and the Nikon equivalent. If I can purchase a used lens for $1,500 from a private party that sells new for $1,900 for instance, this is good deal for both parties. I the buyer am not paying sales tax which might be about $160 on top of the $1,900, and the lens is likely in great shape. The seller is doing well because had they rented the lens they would have spent more than $500 for the time they had the lens.

[rpcrowe]

One of the instructors at a University of California Real Estate Broker's Course, stated the price you ask for a house depends on whether you want to sell it or if you are happy just listing it...

When I sell used items, I tend to charge the minimum acceptable (to me) price so that I can move the item quickly!

On the other hand, my son-in-law, who is a top corporate salesman, regards every sale as a challenge to see just how much he can get for any item he sells.

The difference I guess, is that he enjoys selling while I consider it a burden and want to get it over as soon as possible...

[Neil 0000]

This just about sums it up perfectly. I have bought most of my photographic equipment on ebay and have seen the most popular or desirable lenses like the 70-200 f2.8 mark 11 go for almost the new price. Its up to the buyer what he/she pays, but a good guide for a good used lens is just over half the new price.

[William W]

I often wonder why people want to sell their gear, especially those who sell new items within months of its release?

Some people get more fun from buying and selling (maybe because they need to have the latest, newest and the greatest edition; perhaps they like complaining about the quality of their "copy", etc), than actually making photos.

Same with all hobbies, pastimes and businesses: there are those who are actually into the hobby, pastime or business and others who are more into the paraphernalia, hype and peripherals.

WW

[William W]

There are very few things that hold their value like white colored lenses with red rings and the Nikon equivalent. . .

I've been most interested in that word, ('value'), especially as I've spent a lot of my time buying lenses only for business purposes.

I think that when asked, most people will equate 'value' of a lens as the price that they would get when they sell the item.

I usually don't do that, for me that's the "selling price".

The "value" of a lens (for me) was measured (in simple terms) as how much the lens could turnover ($), in a period of time, relative to its purchase cost.

So, for example, probably the least "valuable" lens I have is a Canon TS-E 17mm, but (as it is in mint condition and I bought it from a Real Estate Photographer whose business folded), I could probably sell it, for more than I paid for it.

WW

[Tronhard]

I totally see Bill's point from a professional point of view. So from a now non-professional viewpoint, to me value more about what use I will make of the equipment. I think, particularly for bodies that would be a component for professional as well. No-one that I know of has actually bought a modern camera hoping that it will increase in price for example.

That is probably why I have sold so little of my gear... these items still hold value to me above what I would monetize from them by resale. My value is not able to be defined in dollar terms, although that is a component. It's about the opportunities to engage in photography, the sense of occasion in taking an image and I am a sucker for supporting the underdog, or in this case the not latest tech to see if I can still render something good (by today's standards) with it. I grew up in that austere period after WWII when we were still under rationing, and if you had something you valued you cherished it and kept it "for good" - i.e. a special occasion. Now NOT using your gear is not too smart but under the principle of "look after your gear and it will look after you" (something I had drummed into me by my father and later in the forces), my gear is still in pristine condition and will hopefully serve me for some time yet.

[Shadowman]

Some people get more fun from buying and selling (maybe because they need to have the latest, newest and the greatest edition; perhaps they like complaining about the quality of their "copy", etc), than actually making photos.

Same with all hobbies, pastimes and businesses: there are those who are actually into the hobby, pastime or business and others who are more into the paraphernalia, hype and peripherals.

WW

I also think a bit of disenchantment plays a part in the buy/sell scenario as well, unhappy with the output and thinking the next best thing will improve the next shot. I was following your comments but value in post 26 and I seem to have an affection for the Nikon 70-300mm AF-S 4.5-5.6G lens whereas other users seem quick to replace it. While I am looking for longer glass I don't think I'll ever stop using the 70-300 until it starts to fall apart.

[William W]

John,

Yes to both points, I agree.

Trev and John,

On the meaning of 'value' - it doesn't have to be for a business purpose, that was just my example from my major experience: one can measure 'value' by pleasure, or usefulness or sentiment... and many other parameters.

The main point is, I like to differentiate 'value' from 'what I can sell it for'.

WW

[Tronhard]

Bill I am TOTALLY with you there. The closest I could come to a $ only reference would be "market value".

[rpcrowe]

Speaking about selling... Many years ago, when I was shooting with the Canon 10D, I purchased a used Canon EF Mount Sigma 28mm f/1.8 lens. I knew that it could not be used on any Canon DSLR later than the 10D but, I got this lens for a very good price and shot with it for several years until I traded in the 10D on a 7D Mark One through the Canon Owner's Loyalty program. I ended up with a lens that I couldn't use and I couldn't sell. I didn't want to throw it away but, I also didn't want to give it to Goodwill because someone with very little money might buy it thinking he could use it on a more modern DSLR.

Well, I was playing with a Metabones IV, Canon to Sony adapter which I recently purchased at a garage sale. I found that some of my lenses worked just great with the Metabones and other Canon lenses didn't seem to work at all. What was crazy is that the old Sigma lens auto focuses fast and accurately (albeit a bit on the noisy side) with the Metabones on my Sony A6500

I am not going to use the lens because I have a 30mm f/1.4 lens with Sony E-mount that is a great piece of glass. However, I can now honestly sell my original Sigma lens for a few bucks to someone who has a Metabones adapter and who would like an accurate but noisy 28mm f/1.8 lens.

Am I going to keep the Metabones - probably not! I like the way Sony mount lenses focus far better than the Canon mount lenses on my A6500...