Well, I did information technology. This weekend, I sent off all my Canon gear – my 5DMII, even my Rebel xti, lenses, flashes, extender tubes, and extra batteries to a used camera store to get a quote. He's sending me a cheque tomorrow. A part of me feels empty and a part of me feels excited. Afterward my review of the Fuji X-T1 Graphite Silver Edition, I decided I just could non live without the mirrorless. The final boom in the bury was shooting a wedding last weekend with my typical (ho-hum) Canon gear and really missing that X-T1. So, pulled the trigger. I decided to sell information technology all and make the switch. Here are some tips if you are because doing the aforementioned.

An Emotional Process

I began my career with a Canon Rebel kit bought from Costco well-nigh viii years ago. Like most "mommy togs," I bought information technology because I loved taking photos of my favorite bailiwick – my infant girl. It evolved into a career and I was able to pick up my offset "pro" lens – the Canon 24-105mm f/4. Later on my first year, my mom and dad who've always supported me in all my crazy notions, decided to buy me the just released Canon 5D Marker II and a couple of flashes. Somewhere along the way, I likewise picked up a 50mm f/i.four and that completed my kit. Simple, nothing fancy, but that kit (along with renting the 70-200mm) took me through hundreds of portrait sessions and weddings. My Canon kit and I have been through a lot and so giving information technology all up for something completely foreign to everything I knew and have worked with, well, it's actually a very scary and an emotional process.

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Me and my trusty Catechism Insubordinate xti…a loooonnnggg fourth dimension ago when I didn't know how to employ it

I know the Canon make, I know the camera, I know the lenses, I know the accessories. For Fuji, I'm not totally certain what lenses they have, what flash systems piece of work with it, the correct battery to employ, etc. I'm thankful I have Anthony Thurston, our production review editor (and recent Fuji convert), who has answered all of my questions thus far. Only goodbyes are rough, even when it's just an inanimate object and even if you've been bored with that object for a while now. My Canon and I have been through a lot together and packing it all up in boxes was really much tougher than I expected.

Where to Sell Your Used Camera Gear

There are many options when it comes to selling your gear. There isn't ane pick that is a ane size fits all and depending on your needs, one option might work better for you lot than some other.

ane. A Local Photographic camera Shop

If yous desire the easiest option with the least corporeality of stress, selling or trading in your gear at a local camera store is a great bet. They will look at your equipment and offer you a cost for information technology. You can negotiate or take their offer and you walk away with store credit or a bank check. You'll well-nigh likely get the least amount of money than the other options I'll list here, but yous can avoid the hassle of having to photograph it, list it, collect payment on it and ship it – or meet someone sketchy from Craigslist.

This is actually the pick I went with. I sent all my stuff to a camera shop where my friend works, they paid for shipping and offered me a toll that was a bit lower than I'd promise for. I negotiated for a chip more than and we settled on a price. I got the check in the mail and it was easy. Could I have gotten a higher cost if I went with another option? Probably, but for me, the hassle complimentary transaction, being able to get rid of all my equipment at in one case and having a check in manus so I can turn around and buy my Fuji kit was worth information technology to me.

2. KEH.com

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This is the online quote I got from KEH. Smashing.

KEH is a solid and reputable option. Many photographers trust them to requite a fair price and you are able to input your equipment for a quote on the spot. You then send your gear in and their staff will inspect your gear, which takes anywhere from 7-10 business organization days and they requite yous a final quote. If you have the quote, they volition send you a check or money via PayPal. If you lot don't take it, they will send all your gear back to you free of charge.

KEH has a reputation for great customer service. If you're in the market to buy a used lens, I hear they offer warranties and their products are in corking condition. Again, you won't become every bit much for your gear than if you sold information technology yourself, simply you lot are paying for the hassle gratuitous feel.

3. B&H and Adorama

Again, both are very reputable, but both volition offer you lot lower prices than the remainder. Out of all iii of the higher up, B&H gave me the lowest offering using their online quote estimator. Both companies offer free shipping to have your gear shipped over and phone quotes as well in the event you want to speak to a existent person.

4. eBay

Y'all can probably get the almost for your gear using this selection as you tin can set your price minimum and let people bid to their hearts content. There are a few drawbacks though: you volition need quality photos of your equipment (your own photos of your gear will instill more conviction for people who are shopping), a loftier seller rating so that people know you are legit and you go all the hassle of advertising, listing and shipping that comes with selling on eBay. This is why I avoided eBay like the plague. Likewise much effort on my part (I'm lazy).

5. Craigslist

I'm always leery of selling or ownership from Craigslist. I mean it has worked for me in the past; I've gotten a practically new vacuum, and have sold bookcases, baby toys and even a automobile on Craigslist, merely I'thousand e'er worried about the people that I meet. There are so many stories of people getting robbed or fifty-fifty killed over Craigslist transactions. For me, that's just not worth it, not for camera equipment. I know many people that have had lots of luck buying and selling via CL, but I didn't want to have the risk, plus I didn't want to be responsible for selling information technology all, slice by slice. Who knows how long that would take and I wanted my new camera correct away.

My 5DII and I have seen many adventures, weddings and portrait sessions together.
My 5DII and I have seen many adventures, weddings and portrait sessions together.

6. Facebook Groups/Social Media

I've seen many people post about selling their gear in their statuses and too in groups/communities specifically geared toward selling photography equipment. There are brand specific groups, photography clubs, community college departments, shootout groups and more than. Only do a search on Google or blazon in 'used photographic camera gear' in your search bar in Facebook to come across what pops up. The aforementioned issues apply though – you take to go through the hassle of listing and selling and following the rules of that detail Facebook customs.

A Few Tips When Selling Your Gear

These are just a few things that helped me when I sold my gear.

ane. When you buy new gear, make sure to go on the boxes, and along with it the manuals, warranty cards and all the straps, cords and discs. I kept everything and so when it came fourth dimension to package and ship it all out, I went to my storage unit, collect the boxes and put my gear in. Like shooting fish in a barrel peasy.

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You tin't accuse me of "Gear Conquering Syndrome"

two. Brand sure you remove all the retentiveness cards, added hand straps, batteries, etc earlier you send/sell

three. Treat your gear nicely. Matthew Saville is notorious for banging upward his gear, most recently letting his Nikon DSLR and Sigma lens take a little swim in the ocean. Protect your gear as much equally yous can. Use a protector for your screen, brand sure you send information technology in for servicing, etc. You'll exist able to command a improve price.

4. Sell at the right fourth dimension. When is the 'correct' fourth dimension? Well, I'k hearing of more and more people jumping the DSLR transport for mirrorless and as companies similar Sony and Fuji continue on their path of ridiculously crawly camera/lens making, it's going to get more than common. If yous're looking to upgrade to the next new camera body or lens, listing your equipment as early every bit possible, perhaps afterwards the announcement or release date, might be a good bet. Personally, I decided to sell sooner rather than later since my photographic camera gear wasn't getting any younger and rumors of the Marker IV were getting more frequent.

Decision

Selling my entire Canon kit was both easier and more hard than I thought it would be. I did not wait that I would get so emotional nearly parting with information technology, or then fearful to endeavour an entirely new arrangement. Actually selling it was quite easy since I decided that it was more important for me to take piece of listen and less stress (I already have enough stress in my life) than a few hundred dollars. If you're thinking of selling your gear, what a procedure it is! I hope some of these tips will help yous in your quest.

If you're on the opposite cease and are looking to purchase used camera gear, bank check out this article: HOW TO Buy PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR WITHOUT BREAKING THE Banking company.

Do you have experience selling your gear? Whatsoever advice you're willing to share? Feel free in the comment department beneath.