Used Broadcast Equipment Buying Guide

Let’s be honest. Nothing can compare with ‘that feeling’ when opening the box of the brand new camera and putting your hands on this latest technology’s beauty with the greatest excitement.

But sometimes out of different reasons you will reach for used one instead. And you won’t regret it. First you will save a lot of money. Yeah its all good and well when you have the latest camera to work with, but there are so many ‘old’ cameras that can do the same trick. And why stop on a camera? Lenses, tripods, monitors, bags, lights, mics, filters and so much more second hand broadcast equipment is still in a pretty good shape and still can do its job although it was used. 

If you are shooting animals (with your camera or camcorder, of course ) and you have to crawl through mud and swamps, you certanly won’t take your brand new shiny tripod to get it all scratched and dirty. And you can brake it.

There are several stages of second hand broadcast equipment:

Ex display broadcast equipment

These type of products are actually the best. You basically get the new item with a discount. Item was probably on the  display in the showroom, with all its original packaging still there. If you are buying a gift for someone, it can be a very good deal, as if you know someone who would be delighted with a new tripod for his birthday.

Ex demo broadcast equipment

This type of products are also a very good buy as they were only used for demonstrative purpouses. So if you want to buy yourself a Sony PXW-FS7 and you come across ex-demo one, you will save hundreds. If in the same time your camera has low hours, you have hit the piñata. 

Mint equipment

You are very keen on buying that used lightning kit, but still scared to invest. It is mint condition? Go for it. That can only say that a person who previously had it probably invested a lot of money, was very protective on his kit, and actually cared about things he bought in the today’s world of consumerism when we throw out everything that is old and replace with new.

Very good condition

This is still very good deal where you get the best out of your drone for example, as drones are very tricky little flyers. If you are new at the new drone mania no matter how many PS games you played, it might take a time for you to get used to operate this thing. What if you crash it? Oh no! Your investment is gone. So if you are a beginner – buy second hand drone. Later when you get the skills, you can show off with the new one.

Depending on a budget, time, the market and whatever other reasons you will come across preowned broadcast equipment.

There is a risk when buying second hand camera or a lens, but if you buy it from the appropriate seller you trust (you don’t want to buy stolen equipment), examinate the product and make sure it works, you will save a lot of money which can be invested on other projects.

Everything is worth a try?