Well, I did it. This weekend, I sent off all my Catechism gear – my 5DMII, fifty-fifty my Rebel xti, lenses, flashes, extender tubes, and actress batteries to a used camera store to get a quote. He'south sending me a check tomorrow. A function of me feels empty and a office of me feels excited. After my review of the Fuji X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition, I decided I just could not alive without the mirrorless. The final nail in the coffin was shooting a wedding ceremony last weekend with my typical (boring) Canon gear and really missing that X-T1. So, pulled the trigger. I decided to sell it all and make the switch. Here are some tips if you are considering doing the same.

An Emotional Process

I began my career with a Canon Rebel kit bought from Costco most 8 years ago. Similar most "mommy togs," I bought information technology because I loved taking photos of my favorite subject – my baby girl. Information technology evolved into a career and I was able to pick up my first "pro" lens – the Canon 24-105mm f/iv. After my beginning year, my mom and dad who've e'er supported me in all my crazy notions, decided to buy me the just released Catechism 5D Marker Two and a couple of flashes. Somewhere along the fashion, I also picked up a 50mm f/i.4 and that completed my kit. Simple, zip fancy, merely that kit (along with renting the 70-200mm) took me through hundreds of portrait sessions and weddings. My Canon kit and I have been through a lot and and then giving information technology all upward for something completely foreign to everything I knew and have worked with, well, information technology'south really a very scary and an emotional procedure.

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Me and my trusty Catechism Rebel xti…a loooonnnggg time ago when I didn't know how to use it

I know the Canon make, I know the photographic camera, I know the lenses, I know the accessories. For Fuji, I'm not totally sure what lenses they have, what flash systems work with information technology, the correct battery to use, etc. I'm thankful I have Anthony Thurston, our product review editor (and contempo Fuji convert), who has answered all of my questions thus far. But goodbyes are rough, even when it'southward just an inanimate object and even if you've been bored with that object for a while now. My Canon and I have been through a lot together and packing information technology all up in boxes was actually much tougher than I expected.

Where to Sell Your Used Camera Gear

There are many options when it comes to selling your gear. At that place isn't ane choice that is a 1 size fits all and depending on your needs, one choice might piece of work better for you than some other.

1. A Local Photographic camera Shop

If y'all want the easiest pick with the least amount of stress, selling or trading in your gear at a local camera store is a great bet. They will look at your equipment and offering y'all a price for it. Yous can negotiate or accept their offer and you walk abroad with store credit or a check. You'll about probable go the least amount of money than the other options I'll list hither, but you can avoid the hassle of having to photograph it, list it, collect payment on it and ship it – or encounter someone sketchy from Craigslist.

This is actually the option I went with. I sent all my stuff to a photographic camera shop where my friend works, they paid for shipping and offered me a price that was a bit lower than I'd hope for. I negotiated for a scrap more and we settled on a cost. I got the check in the mail service and it was easy. Could I accept gotten a college cost if I went with another option? Probably, merely for me, the hassle free transaction, being able to go rid of all my equipment at once and having a check in manus so I can turn around and buy my Fuji kit was worth information technology to me.

ii. KEH.com

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This is the online quote I got from KEH. Not bad.

KEH is a solid and reputable option. Many photographers trust them to requite a fair price and you are able to input your equipment for a quote on the spot. You then send your gear in and their staff will inspect your gear, which takes anywhere from 7-ten business concern days and they give y'all a final quote. If you have the quote, they will send you lot a check or money via PayPal. If you don't accept it, they will ship all your gear back to you lot costless of charge.

KEH has a reputation for great customer service. If you're in the market to buy a used lens, I hear they offering warranties and their products are in great condition. Again, you won't get as much for your gear than if you sold it yourself, but you are paying for the hassle free experience.

3. B&H and Adorama

Again, both are very reputable, but both volition offer you lower prices than the residue. Out of all three of the above, B&H gave me the lowest offer using their online quote calculator. Both companies offer costless aircraft to have your gear shipped over and phone quotes every bit well in the event you want to speak to a real person.

4. eBay

You lot can probably get the most for your gear using this option as you lot can set up your price minimum and let people bid to their hearts content. There are a few drawbacks though: y'all will need quality photos of your equipment (your own photos of your gear will instill more confidence for people who are shopping), a high seller rating and then that people know you are legit and you get all the hassle of advert, listing and shipping that comes with selling on eBay. This is why I avoided eBay similar the plague. Likewise much endeavour on my office (I'chiliad lazy).

5. Craigslist

I'm always leery of selling or buying from Craigslist. I hateful information technology has worked for me in the past; I've gotten a practically new vacuum, and take sold bookcases, baby toys and even a car on Craigslist, simply I'm always worried about the people that I meet. At that place are so many stories of people getting robbed or even killed over Craigslist transactions. For me, that's just not worth it, not for camera equipment. I know many people that have had lots of luck buying and selling via CL, but I didn't want to take the risk, plus I didn't want to be responsible for selling information technology all, piece by piece. Who knows how long that would take and I wanted my new camera right away.

My 5DII and I have seen many adventures, weddings and portrait sessions together.
My 5DII and I have seen many adventures, weddings and portrait sessions together.

6. Facebook Groups/Social Media

I've seen many people post about selling their gear in their statuses and as well in groups/communities specifically geared toward selling photography equipment. There are make specific groups, photography clubs, customs college departments, shootout groups and more. Just do a search on Google or blazon in 'used camera gear' in your search bar in Facebook to meet what pops up. The same issues use though – you lot have to go through the hassle of listing and selling and following the rules of that particular Facebook community.

A Few Tips When Selling Your Gear

These are just a few things that helped me when I sold my gear.

one. When you buy new gear, brand sure to keep the boxes, and forth with information technology the manuals, warranty cards and all the straps, cords and discs. I kept everything and and then when it came fourth dimension to package and ship it all out, I went to my storage unit of measurement, collect the boxes and put my gear in. Piece of cake peasy.

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You can't charge me of "Gear Conquering Syndrome"

ii. Make sure y'all remove all the retention cards, added mitt straps, batteries, etc earlier you send/sell

3. Care for your gear nicely. Matthew Saville is notorious for banging up his gear, most recently letting his Nikon DSLR and Sigma lens take a footling swim in the bounding main. Protect your gear equally much as you can. Employ a protector for your screen, brand sure yous send information technology in for servicing, etc. You'll be able to command a better toll.

4. Sell at the right time. When is the 'correct' fourth dimension? Well, I'm hearing of more and more than people jumping the DSLR ship for mirrorless and as companies similar Sony and Fuji continue on their path of ridiculously awesome camera/lens making, information technology's going to become more mutual. If you're looking to upgrade to the next new camera body or lens, listing your equipment every bit early as possible, maybe after the declaration or release engagement, might be a skilful bet. Personally, I decided to sell sooner rather than later since my camera gear wasn't getting any younger and rumors of the Mark IV were getting more frequent.

Conclusion

Selling my entire Canon kit was both easier and more difficult than I thought it would exist. I did not wait that I would get so emotional about departing with it, or then fearful to endeavor an entirely new system. Actually selling it was quite like shooting fish in a barrel since I decided that information technology was more than of import for me to have piece of listen and less stress (I already have plenty stress in my life) than a few hundred dollars. If y'all're thinking of selling your gear, what a process information technology is! I promise some of these tips will help you in your quest.

If you lot're on the opposite terminate and are looking to buy used camera gear, bank check out this article: HOW TO Buy PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK.

Do you have experience selling your gear? Whatever communication you're willing to share? Feel free in the comment section below.