Should You Consider Refurbished Gear?

Fujifilm X-T1, 55-200mm f/3.5-4.8 lens; 1/60th @ f/4.8; ISO 400 (click to enlarge)
Black and white conversion a combination of Silver Efex 2 and Lightroom

I was always one to never even consider refurbished gear, especially anything that has 
electronics or circuit boards inside.  However, I've changed my mind.

Many times in the past, when cameras and lenses were fully manual, I didn't hesitate to purchase a "used" but in excellent condition camera body or lenses.  I was never disappointed and was never "burned."

However, when cameras and lenses started incorporating a large number of electronic features into them, I thought it may no longer be a good idea to purchased used gear. Electronics introduce mystery and the unknown into the equation as I would have no way to check as to in how good condition the electronics, buried deep within a camera body or lens, may be.  So, I basically stopped for many years.  Lately, however, I've started considering used gear once more. Even gear with electronics.

However, I made it a rule to only buy "factory refurbished" gear and not gear refurbished by a third party.  My logic was that if a piece of gear, that either is used for demonstration, a trade show, was returned as undeliverable or even returned within 30 days by a buyer, the factory would go over that piece of gear extremely carefully, completely calibrating lenses to ensure light collimated exactly as designed and all electronic and mechanical features of camera bodies would be fully checked out and the gear wouldn't go out unless it met design standards.  I thought it may be getting a better and more complete "go over" than brand new gear that is packaged and shipped by the tens of thousands.  Additionally, there is always a warranty period they honor.  So far, I have not had anything but positive experiences.

In the past few years, I have purchased a factory refurbished Nikon D5000 and kit lens from Band H.  From Olympus itself, I have purchased an Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO lens, an Olympus FL-600R flash and an Olympus 17mm f/1.8 lens, again, all refurbished. The prices were excellent and I found the camera and lenses to literally be just as if they were brand new.  I'm a real stickler for image quality and these lenses seem to be excellent examples of their model types.

In non photo gear, I have purchase several other pieces of electronic equipment reconditioned or refurbished from the factory and have always been very pleased.  I've never had one of those electronics fail.

I have also purchased a number of used lenses from KEH Camera Brokers in Georgia, USA. I have been dealing with them for over 20 years and my experience is that I always get a better lens or other product than expected.  They have always surprised me with better than expected gear.  I no longer order gear in "LN" condition as I have found "E" condition looks brand new!  I don't know how it could be any better.  I have found KEH to be trustworthy, customer focused and have never had an issue with them.  Additionally, I have sold several pieces of gear to them for a fair price.  They, too, offer a warranty of the gear you buy from them.  I can highly recommend them.

There are downsides to buying refurbished gear, especially with electronics involved.  You might not be as fortunate as I have been and get something that doesn't function well or malfunctions in a short period of time.  Just as one doesn't know why a previous owner trades in a relatively new automobile, you don't really know the history of the refurbished gear.  It is a gamble.  So far, I've won.

If you haven't thought about factory refurbished gear, you should do some research and potentially consider it.  I have hit home runs every time and will continue to buy directly from Olympus and others.

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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