Used Camera-Buying Tips

[Ryanrhinkle]

Hey. I'm looking to buy either a used Canon XF100 or HXA1. What kinds of things should I be careful to look for when making the purchase (specifically with the camera itself, i understand general internet marketplace warnings)?

Loose fittings for zoom barrel? Anything to do with the sensor? I've heard some people talk about sensors on a DSLR wearing out. does that apply to digital video cameras as well?

[petereit]

These suggestions obviously require you to be in possession of the camera.

Plug in headphones, plug in a mic or other XLR sound source to ONE channel. Confirm that you can hear in one ear and adjust levels. Switch to the other input channel and repeat.

Place the lens cap on, close the iris all the way. Shoot 10 seconds of video. Transfer the video to your computer, zoom up to 200% and pan around the image and look for dead pixels. If you find some, see if the camera has a built-in maintenance program that can identify and compensate (typically by pixel-shifting or averaging.)

[tedanderson]

One tip would be to ask why the seller is selling it. Their answer can tell you a lot about whether or not you should even bother.

In many situations, these prosumer cameras are sold after their useable life cycle is over. Which is why many seemingly fully functional cameras are sold as-is for parts.