Digital Camera Repair Blog

28 December 2011 ~ 1 Comment

Top 20 Checklist for Buying a Used Camera or Lens on Craigslist

Yes it’s OK to buy used equipment online, including Craigslist, but be careful when making a big purchase. Thankfully on some sites like eBay you have some protection if you aren’t happy with your purchase. On Amazon for example you can return anything for any reason and get refunded directly from Amazon.

Craigslist is the last online place I would look for a big camera purchase, but if you like using Craigs and want to buy something take a look at this list first. Yes it’s going to take some time to try and do all these things, but if the seller is being honest with you then it won’t be a problem.

Does the camera power up? Obviously this is the most important thing on the list.
GENTLY (so as to not upset the seller) squeeze the camera body. Does it sound “crunchy” or is there very little or no noise? Crunching sounds coming from the camera means massive liquid exposure, even if the camera seems to be working.
Any problems with the battery door or corrosion inside the battery compartment? If there is corrosion just walk away.
Use your own memory card if it’s the correct format and make sure it works in the camera.
Check all the terminals (USB, Video etc) and look for bent pins or damage.
Check the camera’s lens mount (look for brassing or scratches) and be sure that the mirror box looks clean (no actual dirt or water spots).
Use you own lens, does the camera recognize it?
Does the shutter work and sound OK. If the camera can do multiple frames per second, test it and make sure it will.
Does changing the aperture and shutter speed actually change the exposure?
Check that all the modes on the dial work as they are supposed to.
Does the LCD Screen work?
If the camera has live view or video, be sure that they work as well.
Do all the buttons and dials work?
Test the hotshoe (they can get burn out and not function).
If the camera has a pop up flash, check that as well. If the camera can do remote IR flash, check that as well if possible.
Be sure the viewfinder looks good (clean) and that when using spot metering, the meter actually changes based on the scene.
Take one completely black (underexposed) and one white (overexposed) frame. View them on the LCD and look for dead pixels on the LCD and on the sensor.
Compose a picture, select a focus point and AF on it and capture it. Play back the images and check that your focus point is in fact, in focus. Be sure to do this with a lens you already trust.
If the camera has a diopter control wheel, be sure that it works. Set it up correctly for your eyes, select a focus point and take a manually focused capture. Check playback to confirm your focus point is in focus.
Last but not least, be sure the battery charger works, even though you can’t be 100% sure it’s working until the battery has been on the charger for several hours.