(b) — Categories · 02 Cameras
A used camera, checked over video by an expert.
Body or lens, a camera expert has you operate it, looks through the elements and records its real condition in a sealed report.
(a) — What the expert checks
The checklist points.
Each point is recorded as compliant, with reservation or not checked. A point that cannot be observed is never presumed compliant. The Basic format covers the essential points; Expert and Premium, the full checklist.
The detailed checklist is shown in the order summary.
(b) — What we often find
The defects that matter to a buyer.
- Fungus, haze or separation between lens elements.
- Dust or marks on the sensor, visible on a plain sky.
- Oily aperture blades, slow closing.
- High shutter count relative to the rated lifespan.
- Scratched rear screen, peeling grip, play at the mount.
(c) — Preparing the session
What to have at hand.
- Charged battery, memory card and the lens(es) concerned.
- A torch, to look through the lens.
- A photo of a plain sky at f/16, taken with the body before the session.
- The box, caps, invoice and supplied accessories.
(d) — What the report does not say
Written limits, not promises.
- The body is not taken apart and the sensor is not cleaned during the session.
- The shutter count is only recorded if it can be read reliably.
- Image quality is judged from shots taken during the session, not on a test bench.
(e) — Frequent questions
Cameras
How does the expert detect fungus in a lens?+
By having you light the lens with a torch, from the front and against the light: spider-web filaments or haze show up on camera.
Is the shutter count included in the report?+
Yes if it can be read reliably (camera menu or a recent photo’s metadata). Otherwise the point is recorded as “not checked”.
Can a lens be checked on its own?+
Yes. Ideally mounted on a compatible body, to check autofocus, aperture and stabilisation.
Other categories
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