Top 3 Best Places to Buy Used Camera Gear in 2022

Ever wondered where the best place to buy used camera gear is? I bought a package from each of the three big named in the user camera gear market right now and compared the experience for you. UsedPhotoPro vs MPB vs KEH. Each has their own pros and cons and I have those all for you in this video!

Use coupon code "snappiness" for 10% off

0:00 UsedPhotoPro vs KEH vs MPB
1:10 UsedPhotoPro
3:55 KEH
6:40 MPB
9:40 Who's the winner?

This is where you should be buying used camera gear (to get great prices)

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[snappiness]

I'm hearing reports of maybe some inspection issues with MPB. Looks like everyone can return easily and get their money back, so that's good, but still a pain if you have to go through it. Something to keep in mind. My experiences have been good so far 👍

Also I promise I am getting a new microphone next. 2 years into this now, probably about time to move on from my $20 knock-off shotgun mic ;)

[nedkelly]

One thing about MPB and the 7 day return policy: I used to work in a camera store, and I can fully understand it. We started with a 2 week return policy, but basically got people using it as a free rental service. Mostly people buying gear, using it for vacation, then returning it. But also some pros buying and returning equipment they only needed for a specific application on one shoot. We finally cut ours back to 5 days which eliminated all of the vacationers. With the pros who were not as bad on this, we just had to tell some that there would be a restocking fee in the future if they kept doing it.

[kevincompston]

Big fan of UsedPhotoPro. Like the fact they show shutter count and pic of actual item.

[malstanding]

I use MPB as I'm in the UK. They have a place in my home city on the south coast and I love the fact that if I underestimate some gear when I am part exchanging, they will give me an honest appraisal and up the estimate accordingly. I just wish they had a shop front as I could get to their place within minutes and not have to wait for delivery.

[mrbobu]

My experience with KEH is the items I have purchased were always in better condition than their descriptions would lead me to believe.

[TooLooseLeTrek]

I am not new to photography by any means, having shot film a long time ago and I picked up on the digital revolution in 2004 and have been shooting ever since. This past year I decided to get back to shooting film, bought a few used 35mm cameras. I bought TWO light meters and two cameras and a Pentax lens from KEH. They sponsor a number of channels I watch.

Pentax K1000
Minolta X700
Pentax 135mm lens
Minolta Auto Meter III
Minolta XD-11
Soligor Spot Sensor-II Light Meter.

Of those three cameras only the Pentax light meter works. ALL items except the Minolta light meter were purchased as EXCELLENT. As for the Minolta light meter, the lit up the first time but that was the last time. I bought it as BARGAIN but confirmed with their policy beforehand that it was covered by warranty. They refused and I did a back and forth a few times and eventually they issued a refund. Yesterday I got the Soligor Spot Sensor ii meter and it doesn't work. I verified that the battery was good and it registers battery check fine but the needle is as limp as, well - it's not working. I think I still have time to return one of those Minoltas (inaccurate light meter) and hopefully will get that working - or preferably a refund. I'm having a rough time with this company!!!

[adude]

I've done a fair amount of business with KEH, MPB, and UPP. While I've never had any particular problems with any of them, my preference is to use UPP. I find that 1) they're incredibly responsive; the gentleman there who I've been working with usually responds to emails within minutes; and 2) the prices they've offered me for various pieces of gear have been slightly better than what KEH and MPB quoted. In fact, I've been so appreciative of UPP that I've taken to buying my new gear from Roberts Photo rather than from B&H, even though I have a long history with the latter. For example, just this past week I sold my Canon 100-400mm EF lens to UPP and in a very short amount of time was given a store credit gift card for the purchase price (which was actually higher than the quote as they included the sales tax amount based on my home state). I then logged into Roberts and used that card to take a substantial chunk out of the price of a new Canon 100-500 RF, which was delivered to me within 48 hours, even though I didn't request expedited shipping. Very satisfactory transactions, for sure.

Just ordered and received a Canon 50D from MPB and my experience with them was much better than expected . My orders were shipped within 24hrs of making them and they even sent Fedex to my door to pick up a return free of charge . The return was a mistake in ordering that I made and they had no problems with that and Fedex was there the next day to get it . Customer service was prompt and my Canon 50D arrived in near mint condition despite being advertised as only "good " - I might have lucked out here ! Anyhow two thumbs up for the MPB experience so far .

[dominicwroblewski]

UPP ROCKS ! Ok I'm retired and have nothing better to do than photography. I order at least once a week from UPP and check the web site about 10 + times a day because they have clients like me who will pounce on a great deal instantly. They start updating the web site around 9AM Eastern until 5PM. To make sure that during the day the site is fresh it is best to hit the refresh button on your browser every time you go to check and verify by looking at the number of items in stock. I have been tempted to try MPB. Your review makes me more likely to. Thanks for the video.

[AdrianW.Photography]

I had not heard of UsedPhotoPro. Will certainly look at their offerings. As for MPB, while a good site I have seen numerous complaints from USA customers about long shipping times, 20-25 days. The European division on the other hand, ships within a few days. Nice to find your video and a comparison of someone who actually uses the sites.

[rayspencer]

I have bought a lot of stuff from KEH over the last 20 years. They have made it possible to get lenses I never thought I would own because of price or availability ( like my "Sigmonster" 300-800mm). I only once had an issue when a lens came that I was not happy with (a 150-500mm eoth dust inside). I sent it back and they made it right immediately. I got the lens back in a couple weeks, clean as a whistle.

[bettahalfofme]

I've bought 2 Canon lenses from MPB, they were excellent condition. I bought a EOS film camera, except for it's over 30 years old it works and looks like new. I'll use them both again.

[joespag]

Ive sold and bought gear from MPB over the years and they always gave the fairest Quotes and selling prices ! They gave more than the original quotes a couple of times !

[thorgrimb]

Used MPB here in the UK so yes they dk have a UK branch and yes you pay for postage so often worth if buying small cost items to buy quite a few to offset the postage.

UK has a 6 month warranty prices are quite good not always the best but I wpuld say they are overall competative.
Return in my exeprience has been superb, I have only used it once for a faulty item when I bought two SDHC Ii cards one worked perfectly other was dead on arrival. Contacted them they arranged pickup and even put another card on one side for me which upon return of the first they sent out with free postage. Only other time I bought a NokinJ1 body it was in excellent chondition but though listed with a charger non was included, they included a strap messaged them they said keep the strap and sent a charger out and postgae again free and vetpry quick. Things with the best intentions can and will go wrong, it is how they deal with them taht counts and MPB where superb with the only two issues I have had.

Will also add MPB UK use images of actual item those I have looked at had at least 3 but almost all had four images. And items are graded as well.

[jondonahue]

I’ve used KEH over the years... for Pentax lenses. 100% recommendation. Many times, surprised that the lens quality was a little higher than advertised. Also sold some stuff through KEH ... again, no problem at all. Good company!

[PaulWilkinson]

I like MPB. We have them in the UK and I've found them to be, by far, the best priced. So much so, I've hardly bought from eBay in the last year, all my camera and lens purchases have been from MPB or Ffordes in Inverness. Shipping is always quick in the UK too, I've never waited more than 2 days. I've no complaints about them at all and often recommend both companies.

[photomaker]

I stopped shopping at KEH. It's as though they stopped "quality check." The last item I bought from them (Canon PowerShot S90) there were noticeable dusts, about 30% percent covering the sensor. I've bought crappy lenses from them too. They're crappy because they didn't focus at all or focused at a certain focal length then go dark. I enjoy buying from MPB. I haven't tried UsedPhotoPro.

[chuckmoser]

I have sold to and bought from all three. No problems what so ever. Used Photo Pro also has a new gear division and I have sold gear to them in order to buy new.

[braddahjerry]

Bought my first used lens from KEH - a canon 24-105mm L lens. And priced way lower from what I’ve seen on other online stores (other than the two you mentioned) even though the zoom was loose - which I expect from a MK I lens was better than I assumed. Definitely gonna checkout the other shops

[OneMonthTwoCameras]

A great overview! I love how MPB has stepped up their packaging game with the sustainable paper wrap and boxes but they take to ship. I've also had to return quite a few items as they shipped defective units to me, the last very sadly being a Pentax K10D that had irreparable focus alignment issues and a 31mm limited that couldn't focus to infinity due to a jam on the focus ring. I was very sad to return them. I feel like the quality checks are higher at KEH but the prices also go with that. I have only used UsedPhotoPro a few times so I'll have to check them more often.