The world of photography is a beautiful realm, but also an expensive one. Fortunately, many camera and lens models are built to last and can often have more than one owner in their lifetime. This guide will help you get your bearings in the second-hand world with our advice on the best used camera shops you can find in Spain!
Many times we happen to drool behind the latest camera model equipped with the latest electronic technologies, forgetting that the tool is only part of the creative process and that we often need much less to meet our needs. Furthermore the money saved by buying used material can be invested in travel or photo books that can open your mind more than any technological gimmick.
Some vintage Canon lenses
Before starting with the list of shops, it seems appropriate to provide some introductory information. If you are not interested you can jump straight to the list of the best used camera shops!
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): why buy a used one
In addition to the aforementioned monetary savings, which allows you to invest in something that is not equipment, but which still becomes part of the creative process, there are really excellent cameras that do not have much to envy to the most recent ones. You may have to make some compromises with higher noise at high ISO sensitivities or with a less dense sensor. However, in most cases the specifications will be more than satisfactory, let's not forget that a few years ago we were amazed by the characteristics of those cameras that today might seem outdated. The electronics run very fast, but fortunately no one forces us to keep up with them.
Older technology does not guarantee high ISO performance, however within certain limits and with good post-production it is still possible to achieve great results
For optics the concept is doubly true: in fact, glass ages much slower than silicon. Nowadays it is not even necessary to give up the automatisms with autofocus and exposure metering, most of the optics used are perfectly compatible with the most recent camera bodies. Obviously no one forbids some particularly nostalgic characters to go to manual focus optics, your wallet could be even happier in this case.
To give some examples one Sony A7 II used you can find it for a third of the price of the new A7 III. A Canon EF 24-70mm f2.8L USM is easily found used for less than half the list price. And if we really want to say it all, with just over 500 euros, you can take one home with you Nikon D700 used: Used by a flood of professionals in its day, it can offer you the quality of a Full Frame sensor and a bombproof body at the same price as an entry level APS-C.
Nikon D700: a milestone in photography, but still a reliable companion today
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): the guarantee of the shops
The market for used cameras and optics has taken off among private individuals thanks to the web that allows you to meet a large number of people through specialized sites or forums. By buying from private individuals, you can certainly save a little more, while assuming all the risks involved. Nobody can give you a real guarantee - that's why we have created a guide to help you avoid unpleasant situations.
A shop, on the other hand, is obliged to provide a legal guarantee. There is a law that requires the seller to provide assistance in the event that the product does not conform to what is stated in the deed of sale. In the event that it is not possible to repair or replace the piece, compensation must be made. There legal guarantee provided for by the Consumer Code applies for a period of 24 months and the buyer has 2 months to notify the damage after he detected it. In practice, in the 26 months following the purchase you can at any time brandish your receipt and ask for justice. The seller is obliged to provide assistance - not the parent company or any other out-of-body entity - if he does not, contact a consumer association.
The 24 months warranty is the standard of the Spanish legislation
In some cases, as very often happens in the case of used vehicles, the warranty can be reduced up to a minimum of 12 months. Always claim at least 12 months warranty because it is your legal right. In any case, in the absence of specific indications, the guarantee has a duration of 24 months.
As the stores have to provide the guarantee they are also incentivized to check and refurbish items for sale, always specifying in the case of second-hand any imperfections that may compromise the correct functioning of the device. When you buy any second-hand item in Spain, know that there is this series of protections provided by law for the benefit of consumers.
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): shop selection
To select the shops to be included in the guide we used the following criteria:
- We first tried to ensure good geographical coverage choosing the stores: it is important that all readers can take advantage of this guide and, in the case of physical stores, also view the material before purchasing.
- The second criterion is the evaluation of the website, of the ease with which you can find the articles and methods offered to customers to contact the staff. Any additional online services were also considered.
- The third criterion is based on the user feedback which is always an indication of the seriousness of any service.
- Finally, the quantity and quality of the products offered.
I would say that the premise is over and it is time to start with thelist of the best used camera shops. This is not a ranking, although basically in the first positions of the list you will find the shops with the best features and the most useful services and then to progressively climb. Before moving on to the detailed descriptions, we also present a summary list of the complete list:
- RCE photo
- Reflexmania
- THE PHOTOGRAPHER
- Photo Specialist
- Photo Dotti
- Cavour optical photo
- Sabatini Photography
- Newoldcamera
- Orlando photo studio
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): new release notes
In this paragraph of text we will add, if necessary, information about the latest news that will be included in this guide from time to time! Nothing to report for this month, but keep following us to stay updated!
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): RCE photos
RCE foto is a chain of 10 specialty stores present in Venetian for over 50 years and with over 30 partner stores in different regions of Spain. They deal with the sale of new items, assistance and obviously also the sale of used items.
One of the 10 RCE stores, Padua
Their used warehouse boasts cameras and lenses from all the most famous brands, with more than 3000 refurbished pieces and available to buyers. All products before being put on sale are checked by the staff and obviously the warranty up to 2 years. The cards of each device are complete and well equipped with all information, including any aesthetic defects.
Example of product sheet from the RCE foto website
The site is very pleasant to navigate and user friendly: the products are classified by brand and category in order to facilitate the search. Online services are among the best in the business. RCE offers the possibility of buy from anywhere in Spain with insured BRT shipping. Even for those who want to sell their used goods quickly, RCE provides for the collection by courier throughout the peninsula and the telematic evaluation of your photographic material, after completing the form. it is also possible exchange its own material with both new and used. All the procedures are simple and the costs are transparent, for more information we refer you to the official website. You can contact the individual stores by email or by phone, and RCE foto is also present on social networks to answer your questions.
La spearhead is in the service "Notify me if it arrives". Even if it is well supplied, it is not possible that the used catalog contains the object of your wishes. Little, you don't have to despair and spend hours on the Internet looking for another reliable offer: just fill out a simple online form and you will be contacted by the staff as soon as the product you are interested in is made available. You can then go and try it or buy it immediately. Convenient isn't it?
The staff of the RCE store in Verona
If you want to visit one of the many physical locations you will find a trained and passionate staff, willing to talk and let you try the products you want to buy. It will be like chatting with a passionate friend. The chain enjoys an excellent reputation among customers and many positive reviews testify to this. What more can we say? If you try RCE foto you won't be able to do without it!
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): Reflexmania
Reflexmania is a shop that deals almost exclusively with the online trade of used photographic material. It is widespread throughout Europe and can count on the partnership of e-commerce giants such as Amazon and eBay.
Their catalog is the more stocked: For the most common camera and lens models you will always find 5-6 pieces available. You will also have little time to decide why the platform is really huge and it may be that someone gets there before you. There quality and transparency are essential on Reflexmania: every piece that arrives is subjected to at least 12 checks (clearly shown on the dedicated page) including general inspection and cleaning, mirror inspection, AF motors and optics lenses control. All suited to providing a full guarantee for 2 years. The product sheets are very complete and detailed.
Example of a product sheet from the Reflexmania website
Of course it is also possible sell or exchange your objects: just fill in the form and you will be contacted. All collections are free and made by courier. In case of purchase, shipments have a variable cost depending on the type.
In place the search is very simple: just type the name of the desired object in the search bar or let yourself be guided by the various menus that group the products on sale. At the bottom of the page you will find the links that lead to all information on the methods of sale, payments, shipments and so on. Everything is presented clearly and without complicated words. The platform offers numerous contact methods from emails to the chat incorporated in the site, up to social channels. A telephone or Whatsapp contact is also possible.
Exists a single physical location in Ancona for those who wish to talk to the staff and view the products. But don't worry too much: the site offers a right of withdrawal within 14 days of purchase. So if you are dissatisfied you can return the item and get your money back. All the details on the conditions of sale you can find them here.
The physical headquarters of Reflexmania in Ancona
Il user feedback is great, almost all are completely satisfied with the experience. Thanks to its huge user base and experience in online commerce, Reflexmania often manages to offer something more than smaller companies. As soon as you take a look at the home page you will immediately find something interesting!
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): IL FOTOAMATORE
The chain of stores IL FOTOAMATORE counts 8 physical locations scattered around various Spanish cities, the most important are Rome, Milan, Bologna and Florence. Its second-hand store can count on more than 1500 items including optics, cameras and accessories.
The products used are cataloged in 4 categories which can direct the buyer:
- New in Clearance: new product in liquidation or indistinguishable from new
- Ottimo: showcase product, little used in excellent condition
- Discount: little used product with minimal signs of use
- discreet: product used on average, with signs and scratches even evident
However, the product sheet is rather poor, it compensates for the fact that it is possible view the products in physical locations of the chain. The guarantee provided on used vehicles is 1 year.
Example of product sheet from IL FOTOAMATORE website
Partial exchange services are offered with the new one (maximum 50% of the value of the new one) and sale with cash payment. The procedure can be activated by going to one of the offices or directly from the site with free collection at home, for more information, please refer to the dedicated page.
Il site is well organized albeit a bit spartan. At the top there is a search bar which, however, does not return used products. Need select the appropriate tab from the site menu and you are sent back to the “Used“ Guaranteed ”section where you can apply filters to search for what you want. The shipping cost varies according to the option chosen and the payment method. All the details on the sale and conditions are shown on a convenient page. THE contact can be done by phone, email and through the chat incorporated in the site.
Headquarters of IL FOTOAMATORE, Rome
A good geographical coverage given by the physical locations and online services make IL FOTOAMATORE an excellent portal for the trade of photographic used goods. The user feedback is good and the staff know their stuff in terms of technical preparation and kindness. Just out of curiosity, take a look at the site!
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): Photo Specialist
Photo Specialist is an online store dedicated to the world of photography active throughout Europe; you will find a lot of offers on new products, repairs and of course for used! In the catalog you will find hundreds of interesting offers on mirrorless, reflex cameras, lenses and accessories. Each product is described in detail by one technical which summarizes its main features and it state of wear, all accompanied by photos of the article. As for the presentation of the product itself it is really complete and exhaustive, however if you have any doubts, a complete is active customer care (accessible via email, telephone or social network) who will be willing to answer all your doubts and concerns from Monday to Saturday.
Example of a product sheet from the Photo Specialist site
On used products the basic warranty is one year, with the possibility of extending it for another 12 months by paying a slight surcharge. The cost of shippingi varies from 10,95 to 49,00 euros depending on the weight and characteristics of the products. However, if you find defects or the products do not meet your expectations you can return them to the sender: once the return has been confirmed, it will be possible to change the item or receive a full refund of the expense, including shipping costs.
Il website is very functional: the desired products are easily found both through the search bar and through the advanced filters. Really comfortable. The menus are simple and organized in eloquent categories, so as to allow quick and sure-fire navigation. There are no official physical locations in Spain of the chain, but some exist affiliated physical stores where you can possibly go for a direct contact.
Homepage del sito Photo Specialist
Il user feedback it's very good and you shouldn't have any trouble getting some good deals on Photo Specialist. Take a look at the website to check out their offers. If you have any doubts about how things work in this shop we recommend this page, which collects all the useful information.
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): Foto Dotti
Since it was founded in the 50s, Foto Dotti has tried to renew itself in the name of quality. The shop has physical office in Modena, but can ship throughout Spain.
The second-hand catalog is not well stocked, however the products appear to be of good quality. Furthermore, Foto Dotti pays particular attention to the sale of medium and large format photographic equipment, both analog and digital. There product sheet is quite concise, but functional.
Example of product sheet from the Foto Dotti website
Il site is very elegant and very pleasant to navigate. The research tools are very advanced and allow you to isolate items based on brand, price range, product type. The cost of shipping depends on the size of the package, as Foto Dotti is not specialized in the sector. It is possible at any time to withdraw from the purchase, in the manner indicated on the dedicated page. Contacting the staff is simple and can be done by email, by phone or via social media channels.
Interior of the Foto Dotti store
Il user feedback is great and reveals great professionalism both in the physical location and in online commerce. Since Foto Dotti has a lot of high-end equipment in its catalog, professionalism and reliability is a great surplus. In any case, already visiting the beautiful site you can sense that they are professionals with a lot of experience.
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): Cavour photo optics
Photo Optical Cavour has its physical headquarters in Milan and boasts a great experience in the sector. Moreover, it carries out shipments throughout Spain.
The used catalog is well stocked with hundreds of pieces between cameras, lenses and accessories. In product sheet the state of the object and some characteristics is briefly reported, even if a few more words would not have hurt. It is however possible to view the material in the physical location of the store and also return the goods that does not meet expectations, within 30 days of purchase. If you are a Leica fan you will find some great deals!
Example of a product sheet from the Cavour photo optic site
Il site is well designed and interesting from an aesthetic point of view. The research tools advanced allow you to easily unravel the price list, filtering by brand, price range and product characteristics. At the bottom of the pages of the site we find all the more technical information, from contacts - telephone, email and social networks - to detailed information on sales methods. You can also have your used item evaluated quickly and without obligation through the dedicated form.
Physical headquarters of Photo Optical Cavour, Milan
Finally, the customers seem very satisfied with the treatment received. If you want to take a look at the material on sale, visit the Cavour photo optic site.
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): Sabatini Fotografia
Another shop with decades of experience is Sabatini Photography, a Roma. Merchandise, both new and used, can be shipped throughout Spain for free for orders over 250 euros.
Il list is not very extensive, however we wanted to mark it so that you can keep an eye on it as very interesting offers often pass by. There description in the product sheet it is very concise, however it is possible to request additional information or view the item directly in the shop. The right returned is guaranteed within a maximum period of 14 days, without particular prescriptions. Of course it is possible exchange your own equipment or sell it directly, after careful evaluation by the Sabatini Fotografia team.
Example of a product sheet from the Sabatini Fotografia website
Il site is beautiful to visit, but also functional. With the advanced search you won't struggle to find something interesting. THE contact they are possible through various forms scattered in the different sections of the site, by sending an email, by calling the store or through the social channels. All information on how to purchase and pay is shown in the dedicated section of the site.
Interior of the Sabatini Fotografia store
Also in this case we find excellent feedbak from customers, who underline the kindness of the staff and the wide availability of attractive offers. You too can visit the website to get an idea!
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): Newoldcamera
Let's go back to Milan instead to present another important piece for the second-hand market: Newoldcamera. The site collected excellent offers and shipments take place throughout Spain. It is also possible to have old cameras refurbished.
The catalog contains a good number of products, maniacally labeled and described in the technical data sheet. In addition to the sale of excellent material, Newoldcamera offers two services worthy of praise. The first is the account sales, that is the possibility of leaving your material in the shop windows waiting for a buyer without having to worry firsthand. The second is a very interesting service for those looking for used material and can avoid many troubles; it is a collection of reports of stolen material, useful to avoid buying stolen items and then resold.
Example of product sheet from the Newoldcamera website
Il site is a bit lackluster, however, the top and side menus allow you to navigate fairly easily between the items on the list. At the top you will find the banners where you can click to get to the shop's social networks and contact information. You will also be able to access information on payments, shipments and returns. Perhaps this part could be made a little more explicit and easier to find given its importance.
Entrance of the Newoldcamera store, Milan
The very positive feedback reveals all the professionalism and experience, also if you have the opportunity to visit the shop do it because it is really well looked after. Otherwise you have the website available: less elegant, but still functional.
Best used camera shops (best used lens shops): Orlando Photo Studio
This small shop located in the province of Reggio Emilia has a lot to offer. His online shop is well stocked and ships to Spain.
The Orlando Photo Studio has a well-stocked price list of lenses and cameras of many well-known brands. There product sheet it is quite poor in information, however it contains a description of the state of wear of the object, which in the end is the most important part when buying used.
Example of a product sheet from the Orlando Photographic Studio website
Il site offers very little information. The items for sale are classified according to brands only. You will have to work a little if you are looking for something in particular, also because the catalog is really rich. If you want additional information - and surely you will need it - you will have to call or send an email, the contacts are on the right in all the pages of the site. However, the staff is very helpful, both electronically and live in the shop.
Interior of the Orlando Photographic Studio store
We have not encountered any complaints on the part of buyers, indeed many have claimed to have found excellent offers. Visit the site to find out from you!
Keep following us!
These are the stores we have selected for you. If you have direct experiences to report, reports or simple suggestions do not hesitate to leave a comment! We at {marca_origen} are always available to listen to your opinions.
If you want to throw yourself into new material, but don't know where to start, we recommend the guides in the photography section! Also if you liked this guide to the Best used camera shops (best used lens shops) keep following us on {marca_origen}.com for many other news: you will also find buying guides for the best mirrorless or the best optics.
