Should You Buy USED or NEW Gear?

An age old question, should you buy new or used gear? I've bought both new and used gear and here is how I go about deciding if I should buy used or new. I go through shutter counts for camera bodies, bargain hunting on used lenses, and provide a helpful flow chart to help make your decision easier. This will help you save money and avoid getting bad gear. See where I buy my used camera equipment.
0:00 - Intro
0:25 - Buying Used Gear
0:45 - Gear Buying Flow Chart
0:50 - Why to buy new gear
1:25 - Buying a Lens
3:20 - Buying Camera Body
3:40 - Shutter Count
5:10 - Where to Buy Used Gear
6:05 - Selling Old Gear
Follow along on Instagram @paulrutherford_
Check out my images at www.paulrutherfordphotography.com
As always, leave any questions in the comments!

[@Twobarpsi]

Great advice!!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Glad you think so!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Does anyone else get scared to hit the purchase button when buying gear?!

[@johnkofi-theultimatelife1315]

My advice for buying used equipment : choose your most busy period when buying. I bought an used lens from a photography store, used it three times before it broke, but since I bought it just before winter and didn't use it again before summer, the 6 months warranty was out. :/

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Good advice!

[@KCMaynes]

Just wanted to say I love your videos. Straight to the point, great production value without feeling "produced" and fake, and I learn something new every time. Very glad you're back to making videos after the months off!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Really appreciate the kind words and thanks for watching! Nice to hear the message is getting through.

[@erik5024]

I'd love to have extra money to buy new. But, this is just a hobby for me, so cost is by far the number one factor. So far, almost all my gear is used, and mostly from craigslist. All face-to-face, cash transactions after thoroughly checking the gear out. I've bought from other hobbyists like me, and a few professionals that are either getting out of the game or upgrading to new technology. Current gear: 1Dx, 1Dx-II, 70-200 2.8-II, 400 2.8 IS, 300 2.8 IS, 24-70 2.8-II, 50 1.4, backpack, cf and cfast cards, tripod, monopod and various accessories (camera batteries, rain covers, white card, microfiber cloths....). All used except for one battery, the monopod, small accessories and some Peak Design strap stuff. If I had the cash I've spent on my entire setup, I'd have enough for a new R3 with new RF 70-200 2.8, a new backpack and a few cf express cards with reader. If I were to sell it all right now, I'd probably get 60-70% of what I paid, so realistically if I sold, I might not have enough for that new R3 and lens. If I were to replicate my current gear with new mirrorless equivalents, it would be over $30k. If I wanted new technology, the used market is pretty lean and the savings aren't that much.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

It's wild how much everything can cost for a job that doesn't pay that well in most cases. Which is why I don't just switch everything all at once. I'll upgrade here and there. It also helps to have a wife that is a wedding photographer, so she gets the nice primes and I have the zooms then we share!

[@ianfeldmann7380]

Buying a used 300 2.8 was the best deal for dollar-for-performance!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

A great all around lens!

[@Kiywii]

Love your videos man! Some constructive criticism.. I don’t think you need the second side angle on these talking head videos.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! Do you think they take away from the video? Honestly I do it because it makes it easier cutting up moments when I mess up and I can just film straight through.

[@NKolakovic]

Gear buying tip: don't buy from me, I heard that guy likes swimming with his gear

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha, at least you have underwater housing!