Buying A Second-Hand DSLR Camera. Is It Worth The Shot?

From my observation and personal experience, the answer is YES! Go get one!

This is me taking a picture in front of the elevator's mirror

All the images used in "Hey Mint! What's up?" are taken by this camera.

I bought it 2 years ago from a university student who was about my age. She charged me $365 just for the body, a tripod and some cleaning tools without any warranty. Still, I always thought it was the best deed I have ever carried out.

1. More economical

Photography is never a frugal hobby to take on. This down-to-earth fact makes even the most voracious hobbyist think twice before starting. Is endeavoring to minimize the cost while still having an enriching experience with photography possible? Well, purchasing a second-hand is your best option. Not only you can spare some money on upgrades and accessories, but also save you circumstances where you grow out of the hobby struggling to pass over expensive equipment you bought.

2. Long life-spans

It is common sense that DSLRs' life expectancy are measured by a thing called: Shutter Count. Shutter Count is a running total of how many shots have been taken by the camera. For instance, when you snap a picture, the shutter completes an actuation. It is almost like losing a life. The second the shutter count reaches a specific number, you'd have other no choice of replacing your camera because it has turned worthless. Fortunately, the majority of DSLR cameras are produced with an insane limit of shots.

Entry-level DSLRs typically last at least 50,000 shots.
Mid-level DSLRs typically last at least 100,000 shots.
Professional DSLRs typically last at least 200,000 shots.(Source)

Therefore, regardless of buying a used one, there's a good chance it'll survive. Checking the shutter count is necessary to put into consideration when purchasing nonetheless. Make sure yours still have many lives left.

3. Avoid being a lab rat

Well, it's common sense that if you play the role of a pioneer, you don't have anyone to get advice from. Whenever problems come up, you can't expect to rely on the power of the Internet either, can you? Conversely, by purchasing a good-old camera, you circumvent the pitfalls of being an early adopter and can benefit from year long experiences of previous users who are likely to share their tips, advice and reviews on the Internet.