Does anyone actually know of any legit sites for refurbished camera gear that wont rip me off? Im honestly so fed up with trying to find a decent body for my landscape photography hobby. I spent two weeks browsing marketplace listings and every single person I messaged turned out to be a scammer or had gear that looked like it had been dragged through gravel. Im in the UK and my budget is strictly around 600 quid since I need to save for a new lens too. I tried one of the big auction sites but honestly the bidding wars are just exhausting and I cant deal with the anxiety of not knowing if the sensor is clean or if the shutter count is totally lied about. Ive seen a few names pop up in search results but the reviews are so split that I dont trust them. Has anyone used these places or should I just stick to the official manufacturer refurb stores even if they are a bit pricier? Really just want something that works out of the box so I can finally get out and shoot this spring...
Like someone mentioned, stick to legit retailers. Be careful with shutter counts! I would suggest looking at:
Marketplace is a minefield, honestly. I totally get the anxiety with used gear. If you are in the UK, skip the sketchy sites and look at MPB or Wex. I grabbed a Sony Alpha a7 II Full Frame Mirrorless from MPB last year and it was basically flawless. Here is why I trust them:
- MPB gives you a warranty which is a lifesaver. You dont have to worry about hidden sensor damage because their grading system is brutal in a good way.
- Wex has a dedicated used department that is super reliable. If something goes wrong, you are actually dealing with a real shop, not a random person who will ghost you. Just be careful with auction sites. I learned the hard way that a low price usually means a blown shutter. Stick to the specialized retailers for peace of mind.
Totally agree about MPB, but sometimes they run dry on specific sensors. Had a look around and honestly, I've had issues with random sellers before too. If you want something rock solid for landscapes, check these out:
- Canon EOS 80D 24.2MP APS-C DSLR - honestly such a workhorse for the price.
- Fujifilm X-T2 24.3MP Mirrorless - love the color science, really sharp for landscape work. Just stick to these reputable dealers, dont risk the scams.
