When it comes to spending your hard-earned cash on the perfect camera, it makes sense to shop around and get the best deal. After all, neither photography nor videography are cheap hobbies or professions! So where should you go when you want to Buy Photography Gear Without Breaking the Bank? If you’re on a budget, we’d recommend checking out the following 5 Best Websites to Buy Photography Gear Online. With options for New & Used Photography Gear, you’re sure to find a fantastic deal on the camera, lens or accessory you’ve been saving for!
USED PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
KEH CAMERA
Used Photography Camera & Equipment
- Free 180-day warranty
- Free ground shopping within the US on orders over $49 US
- Repair your gear with KEH Photo
- Informative ranking system for Used Photography Gear, including cameras and lenses
Whether you’re in the market for a specific piece of equipment or in the mood to try something new, KEH Camera is a fantastic option. KEH Camera boasts the world’s biggest selection of Used Photography Gear including cameras, lenses and other photography equipment. With many different ways to browse the store, it’s the perfect place to find great equipment within your budget. From best sellers and newly arrived gear, to new lower prices and featured products, KEH Camera is where to Buy Photography Gear Without Breaking the Bank. The KEH biggest markdowns section is especially useful.
KEH Photo is especially useful for photographers interested in old analogue cameras or their counterpart lenses and accessories. The incredible range of Used Photography Gear comes down to their team of dedicated buyers who travel the USA buying equipment. KEH Photo even holds special events specifically for buying and selling their photographer gear. If you want to sell your old gear, but can’t make it to an event, you can also arrange a quote via their website.
While their range of equipment is just one of the reasons KEH Photo is one of our favourite Websites to Buy Photography Gear, their professionalism and customer service is optimum as well. KEH has a great rating system, similar to those of B&H Photo and Adorama, so that you can understand the condition of what you’re purchasing.
For those based in the USA, KEH also offers a ‘Repair My Gear’ service, with flat rates available on their website. If you want to buy new photography gear because your current equipment is broken, this could be an even better way to stay within budget!
NEW & USED PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
ADORAMA
More Than A Camera Store
- Informative ranking system for Used Photography Gear, including cameras and lenses
- Ships to over 200 countries worldwide
Based in New York, Adorama is a photography-focussed store selling both new & Used Photography Gear. They also sell videography gear, pro-audio equipment and consumer electronics.
For photographers who want to buy photography gear without breaking the bank, Adorama is one of the best websites to buy photography gear. It has a special section just for open box products, meaning products that have been opened but not used. If you’re on a budget, these will be some of the best as-new deals you’ll find. Some customers recommend calling Adorama directly, as they occasionally have open box specials that haven’t been listed on the website. There are also pages devoted to items available for clearance sales and used photography gear.
If you’re interested in purchasing Used Photography Gear, Adorama’s rating system ranges from New to Parts Only. Their ratings guide is clearly written for Cameras and Lenses, including details on defects from dings and scrapes to lens glass with fungus or specific malfunctions. If the item you’re looking for is available under the Adorama Used Photography Gear section, buying here instead of brand new could be the perfect way to stay in budget. There are also sell and trade options if you have old gear you no longer use or need!
As with B&H Photo, Adorama offers a 30-day return policy, as well as a 30-day money back guarantee. This is extended to 60-days for customers who sign up for their VIP360 program, which also includes 2-day delivery and 1-year “drop & spills” coverage.
SRS MICROSYSTEMS
Experts in Photography
- Trade-In Program allows customers to sell or trade Used Photography Gear
- Ships to the UK and Europe-wide
Established in 1981 as a brick and mortar store, SRS Microsystems have since expanded to include an ecommerce store. While their services might seem limited compared to industry stalwarts such as B&H Photo and Adorama, they make up for it in customer service. SRS Microsystems still operates out of their store in Watford, UK, and their staff are exceptionally knowledgeable and willing to help.
SRS Microsystems stocks a full range of brands, including Sigma, Panasonic, Sony, Ricoh and Olympus. It is especially ideal for photographers who shoot using the Pentax system and who might have difficulty finding the correct equipment. They also offer a range of Open Box, Refurbished and Used Photography gear on their website, making it ideal for those looking to buy Photography Gear Without Breaking the Bank.
With shipping available EU-wide, SRS Microsystems is a great choice for European photographers who are looking to buy locally and stay within budget.
B&H PHOTO VIDEO
Photo Video Pro Audio
- Informative ranking system for Used Photography Gear, including cameras and lenses
- Educational discount program
- Competitive returns policy and free shipping
Another popular New York-based website to buy photography gear, B&H Photo is perhaps one of the most well-known websites for buying photography gear online. With a wide range of New & Used Photography Gear, with competitive prices, it comes in at number one on our list of the 5 Best Websites to Buy Photography Gear. It helps as well that B&H Photo ships worldwide, making it particularly useful for International Photographers and Videographers.
One of B&H Photo’s most notable features is the ability to search only for Used Photography Gear, with a clear rating system for the condition of the equipment. There are understandably plenty of doubts when buying used equipment, but the B&H rating system takes away all of that anxiety. With 11 different rankings starting from Brand New (N) to Usable but with considerable imperfections (6), buyers can be sure of the condition their camera or lens will arrive in. This means you will be able to make an educated decision about buying Used Photography Gear. This is especially important for photographers on a Budget who are looking to Buy Photography Gear Without Breaking the Bank.
B&H Customers also have the option of returning purchases within 30 days and free standard shipping within the USA is included with most items. In addition, free expedited shipping to the contiguous USA is available for orders over $49 US.
Equipment aside, B&H also offers a Rewards Program that’s ideal for regular purchasers, for example film photographers who need film stock or developing chemicals often. Points can be earned on all purchases which can then be redeemed for discounts, although they will expire after 6-months. The B&H blog, Explora, is regularly updated, and features blogs, videos and recommended podcasts.
Finally, for students for whom it will be especially important to Buy Photography Gear Without Breaking the Bank, B&H has a great educational discount program. It’s worth looking into, as well as the wide range of B&H-sponsored courses and conferences, which often include access to this discount.
NEW PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR
E-INFINITY
- Offers free shipping to most countries
- Competitive pricing
- Limited range
While E-Infinity customers often express concerns prior to purchasing, the end reviews are overwhelmingly positive. This European-based website is 100% focussed on cameras and the photography gear it aims to sell. While E-Infinity lacks a blog and other additional features of sites like B&H and Adorama, this pure focus on camera equipment is what makes it one of our top choices for Best Websites to Buy Photography Gear without breaking the bank.
E-Infinity only sells brand new equipment, at budget-friendly prices and with fast, free delivery. The only downfall is that they currently stock limited brands, including Canon, Nikon and Panasonic for cameras.
A NOTE ON BUYING PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR ONLINE
You probably noticed we decided not to mention sites like Amazon, eBay, Gumtree or Craigslist. While customers can find some great budget-friendly new & used photography gear on these sites, they aren’t necessarily reliable and tend to lack in customer service. The bargain deals found online are often a result of ‘gray market products’. An example of a gray market product might be a German camera sold in the USA. This seems fine, but these cameras will have different power plugs and a foreign language manual! There might also be issues with the equipment’s warranty.
With this in mind, you might not notice huge price differences between our choices for 5 Best Websites to Buy Photography Gear. This is because most of these retailers will have agreed to a Minimum Advertised Price, set by the manufacturer. While these stores likely won’t be the place to find bargain deals, you know you’ll get what you paid for. Retailers who commit to the Minimum Advertised Price gain priority shipments and first access to new gear in return. For photography enthusiasts, even those looking to buy photography gear without breaking the bank, this can be an important difference.
Now, why don’t you try one of our fun photo ideas with your new gear?!
Are you a photographer who prefers to buy equipment online? What’s your favourite website to buy photography gear without breaking the bank? Let us know in the comments below!
