What to look for in a second hand DSLR/Lens?

26-02-2010 12:42AM #1

Hey all,

Will be purchasing a second hand camera/lens from a guy on adverts soon hopefully.

He says it's in great nick, and I genuinely do believe him. However, it brings up a question that I've always kind of wondered about... What do you look for when looking at a second hand camera body or lens to try ad ensure it's all up to scratch?

Cheers

melekalikimaka · 26-02-2010 01:11AM

take a photo of a white wall
checking for sensor dirt or damage
check the shutter actuations, theres a recent post on how
more stuff im sure but its a start

FoxT · 26-02-2010 11:14AM

Lens checks
- will filter screw on to the front OK (ie threads not damaged)
- will lens hood fit easily - snug fit with no wobbles
- If a zoom lens, does it creep? Many do, and it is not a problem - but does it creep excessively/feel sloppy?
- shake it - does it rattle? Not necessarily a dealbreaker as some lenses do rattle a little.
- hold it up to the light check for scratches on front & rear elements.
(generally, scratches on front element may not be a dealbreaker - unless it is a macro - but walk away if there are scratches on rear element)
- any dirt/dust/small furry animals trapped inside the lens?
- smooth operation of focus & zoom rings
- If it has an internal focus distance indicator - check it moves smoothly, no wobbles.
- check lens mount for chips/scratches/deformities/cracks
-fit lens to camera. Make sure it fits easily & locks firmly into position
-If the camera has a DOF preview, set aperture to fully closed, press & release the DOF preview button, look in the front of the lens & ensure aperture closes & opens quickly & smoothly.
- press DOF preview & slowly adjust aperture at the same time, it should move quickly from stop to stop with no hesitation.
- check lens AF operation - it should AF quickly & smoothly .
- take a few shots & determine that they are in focus. Check frame centre & corners. You wont be able to do this with a great degree of precision - but should be able to spot any gross problems.
- take a series of shots at say 1/1000 f/2, 1/250 f/4, 1/60 f/8 etc. up to min aperture, Check exposure/histogram - all should be nearly identical, otherwise aperture isn't doing what it is supposed to.
- If lens has IS/VR - turn it on & check that it is working. Take some photos with IS/VR enabled

That'd be a reasonable start. Camera checkpoints later if I have time

Cheers,

FoxT

FoxT · 27-04-2010 11:38PM

Thanks to all of the people who have thanked me! How do you do that?
I mean, If I want to thank somebody, how is it done? (& I do have some people to thank...) I love boards but the whole user interface is confusing.....for example, I dont know how many times I have tried to embed a pic in a post & it just doesnt work....and yes, I have read the instructions, 3 times!

Just looked at my user CP & found I have been thanked 59 times in 37 posts. Now I know I have made more than 37 posts, and to be fair some posts I made, I was just venting, and/or just back from the pub ( so I don't expect or deserve thanks for those!) but where do these stats come from?

Thanks!

- FoxT

Thecageyone · 27-04-2010 11:42PM

The thumbs up icon, lower right of any post

coolmoose · 27-04-2010 11:44PM

thumbs up icon in the bottom right of posts is the thanks button.

stats means 37 of your 146 posts have been thanked by 59 users.

FoxT · 27-04-2010 11:48PM

to Coolmoose & the cageyone.... Duhhh! looks so obvious now!

- FoxT

Thecageyone · 27-04-2010 11:54PM

No probs. I rarely pay attention to anything way over other side of a post either

What to look for in a second hand DSLR/Lens?

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