MPB used gear

[Dan Fromm]

UsedPhotoPro (Roberts Camera) is another good option. They sell through their site and on eBay. Roberts Camera is the U.S. distributor for Ilford.

Sometimes. I once bought a Horseman Optical Exposure Computer from Roberts. It was advertised as in perfect order. It failed acceptance testing because, although the battery test and low range worked, the high range didn't. These things can't be repaired, parts no longer available. I returned it for a full refund including shipping, with an explanation of why I was returning it. Roberts refunded, no problem. The wretched thing (same s/n) was on offer two weeks later "in perfect working condition." Give me a break.

 

[lawnerd]

I have had good experiences with MPB both buying and selling. On the selling side they upgraded the condition of a lens compared to my evaluation and paid me more than the original quote. For digital cameras they provide the shutter count, unlike KEH, which I think is essential. I wouldn’t buy a used car without knowing the mileage and I wouldn’t buy a used digital camera without knowing the shutter count.

 

[koraks]

Never spotted this thread before. The question came up on another forum, so I gave it a go and bought a cheap 2nd hand lens from MPB. It arrived within a few days and was exactly as described. Very happy with the purchase. I've not looked into it very deeply, but it seems that they offer a nice selection of 2nd hand stuff and the prices seem reasonable.

@lawnerd thanks for sharing your experience and welcome to active posting!

 

[John Wiegerink]

Koraks,
Good to know you were satisfied with your purchase. I had never heard of MPB for used equipment before reading about it here. I'm currently looking to buy a used Sony 200-600mm zoom for some wildlife photography and MPB is now set in my MacBook's notes section.

 

[Yashica]

In general, i must say (from the homepage - listed bodies) that the quality went down on MPB, simply. Because of this - last year, and years before, gear into "excellent" condition was truly like that - excellent. Nowadays, i see gear listed with that status, and you see optical scratches, etc...which isn't even "good" anymore, but like heavy used. I can speak only for the german MPB website. But it's like that, from the pictures of serveral items, seen online there. Also Nikon, Canon DSLRs, listed as "outstanding", but i wouldn't even name then as "very good", but as used, average...or heavy used, as personal condition rating.

So take this with a grain of salt, when you buy something from MPB. What was true always into my case - there was always a listed shutter count, from a specific body, CaNikon - but when i tested these bodies, i've had bought via MPB, the shutter count wasn't 1 more logically, than only the offer, but serveral (!) hundreds more, at least. I find this way misleading behaviour from MPB, into my opinion. They should be more honest - because otherwise, i can't take them seriously anymore. Nothing against them - i like the gear, which i've had bought! I just wanted to tell you guys about my MPB experience from germany.

 

[koraks]

IDK; I've been peeping at some stuff on MPB in various states of decomposition and going by the photos for that gear, nothing about the labeling struck me as overly optimistic. Then again, these were fairly recent camera models.

 

[Yashica]

IDK; I've been peeping at some stuff on MPB in various states of decomposition and going by the photos for that gear, nothing about the labeling struck me as overly optimistic. Then again, these were fairly recent camera models.

Seen that with older DSLRs, they all had 6-digits on the shutterlife counter, and that was (often) out of Canon, or Nikons granted shutter life,
i'd never buy a DSLR with usually more than >100k actuations, it can work, but it could also fail with every click, literally. That doesn't make sense, if you buy a DSLR say with granted 150k shutter life count, and it's listed with say 180k to >220k online...it's like russian roulette. I wouldn't trust that kind of gear, to shoot important things, say a once in a lifetime wedding, or specific places, you can't simply replicate...therefore, at least with DSLRs, and logically no global (electronic) shutter like a Z9 for example, always learn about the specific shutter lifespan of model xy, before consider to buy it. It's the same, when you buy a enthusiast/standard DSLR, which does have 100k shutter life granted, and it's already at 120k via MPB...for sure, it can work flawlessly, but every click can be your last, technically...so i wouldn't do this - and only into rare cases (very cheap) i've bought a DSLR with 46k actuations, and the shutter life was granted for 150k actuations...go figure. My second hand DSLRs always have had between 10k to 25k clicks, usually.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Most modern digital cameras can shoot video as well as stills. Does anyone know for sure if video frames are included in the shutter count?

Is shutter failure due to wear commonly seen by those of you doing camera repairs?

 

[Chan Tran]

Most modern digital cameras can shoot video as well as stills. Does anyone know for sure if video frames are included in the shutter count?

Is shutter failure due to wear commonly seen by those of you doing camera repairs?

First the shutter isn't used when shooting video. Second I know for sure that the frames are not counted when shooting video. Although I am not sure but I think the frame is counted when you shoot still even if you use electronic shutter mode.

 

[loccdor]

The shutters are tested by the manufacturer's QA department and then given a life rating based on the number of actuations they typically produce before failure.

In the film world a few cameras like the Fuji GW690 also had counters at which point shutter service was recommended. My Fuji's shutter failed when I kept it open for a few minutes on a long exposure. Wear can be one problem with shutters, but another problem is migration of lubricants. That seems to be less related to actuations and more to temperature, lubrication choices, and the physicality of the shutter itself. Much less of an issue with newer cameras.