Ive been shooting with my trusty Canon 5D Mark III for years now and honestly it has served me well, but the shutter count is getting ridiculously high and I had a sensor cleaning go totally wrong last week so Im finally ready to upgrade to a mirrorless system. The problem is these prices are just insane right now. I was looking at the R6 Mark II but even that is pushing my 2k budget way too hard for a hobbyist setup.
I tried browsing some of the random listings on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist but after one guy tried to sell me a bricked body that clearly had water damage I am totally done with local meetups. Im based in Chicago and need something reliable because I have a wedding shoot coming up in late October so I dont have time to play games with scammers. Are there any actual reputable sites for refurbished gear that wont leave me hanging? Everyone keeps mentioning MPB or KEH but are they still solid or is there somewhere else I should be checking for better discounts?
Have you considered the Canon EOS R8 Full Frame Mirrorless instead? It shares the same sensor tech as the R6, but stays way under your budget. Are you dead set on IBIS?
Honestly, stay away from Marketplace for gear that expensive. Getting burned on a scammer is the worst feeling, especially with a wedding looming. I have been shooting for over a decade and honestly, sticking to the big guys is the only way to sleep at night. I have used both MPB and KEH extensively over the years and they are still the gold standard for a reason. They actually test their gear, unlike the random folks on Craigslist. If you want that Canon EOS R6 Mark II Mirrorless Camera Body without draining your savings, keep an eye on the official Canon refurbished store. They drop prices pretty often and the gear comes with a full factory warranty, which is basically peace of mind for a pro-sumer setup. MPB is usually my go-to for lenses because their grading system is incredibly strict, so even their bargain rated stuff is usually cleaner than expected. Since you are coming from a 5D, the jump to mirrorless is gonna feel like a massive upgrade. Don't stress too much about the budget, just grab a solid body and maybe pick up an Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens if you can find one used. It is worth the investment for the reliability alone when you are shooting paid gigs. Stick to the reputable platforms and you will be fine.
Coming back to this, I definitely feel your pain with the local classifieds. I had a nightmare scenario a few years back where I bought a body that looked pristine but the internal stabilization was completely shot, which cost me a fortune to fix. It's just not worth the risk when you have a wedding deadline hanging over your head. Instead of chasing the lowest price, check the official manufacturer factory outlet stores. I know sometimes they feel pricey, but getting that full factory warranty and knowing it went through the proper calibration process gives you real peace of mind for paid gigs. I have been using their outlet for years and have been super satisfied with the quality. Just be careful to avoid those third-party sites that claim to sell grey market gear at huge discounts, as those usually wont qualify for repairs later.
