Second Hand Cameras & Camcorders | Second Hand Electrical Appliances

CAMERAS

Buying a camera can be a challenge as there are many types with a multitude of features. It�s important to decide on the features you want before you make a final choice. There are two basic types of cameras - the "point-and-shoot," with a built-in lens and automatic operation, and the SLR (single lens reflex) with interchangeable lenses and more sophisticated manual features.

There are many compact cameras that have automatic exposure controls and automatic focusing. Light enters the viewfinder directly so that the photographer can compose the picture. Photographs are taken through the main lens, but the views from the lens and the viewfinder are very slightly different, with the potential difference referred to as parallax error.

Some cameras have a zoom lens and zoom viewfinders that mimic the lens. Parallax error increases as the subject gets nearer to the camera, so some viewfinders have 'close up' frames marked on the viewing screen to help the photographer reframe the subject.

Single Lens Reflex Cameras (SLRs)
The mirror in a single lens reflex (SLR) camera reflects the image up through a pentaprism for viewing. The pentaprism inverts the image to be the right way up. When a picture is taken, a mirror briefly flips up allowing light to hit the film. The key advantage of an SLR is that the image through the main lens and viewfinder is identical to the one on the film.

Twin Lens Reflex Cameras
A twin lens reflex camera has separate view and photograph lenses, one over the other. Light enters the top lens and is reflected up by a mirror onto a viewing screen. The image appears reversed there is still some exposure to parallax errors.

View Cameras
With a view camera, light comes directly through the main lens and is viewed on a focusing screen at the back of the camera. The lens reverses the image so that it appears upside down. Before the picture is taken, the viewing screen is replaced by a film holder.

Digital Cameras
Digital cameras use electronics to capture and store images. Their sizes and shapes vary greatly. Small digital cameras can be taken anywhere. Digital cameras usually have LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) viewing screens that display the image through the lens. This uses a lot of power and the refresh rate is relatively slow, so a direct viewfinder is often included.

35 mm SLR Cameras
This is a "professional" camera. The 35mm SLR is used by photo journalists, fashion photographers, etc. Serious amateurs should purchase a 35mm SLR with a range of lenses and accessories. You will be able to change lenses, the flash system, and accessories to accommodate just about any picture taking opportunities.

Practical Advice when Buying a Camera
There are several factors to consider before deciding which camera will suit your needs. It�s important to know what you want. The first choice is between manual and automatic. The second choice is between a compact camera and an SLR. If you have limited experience in photography, buy an automatic compact camera. If you want to control the camera in depth, then a manual camera will be the best choice.

SLRs have a bare minimum of options, most with no auto focus and no auto exposure. However, basic SLR models are cost effective and most are designed to be rugged. The user is in control at all times, but this may prove to be a drawback for beginners who may opt for additional automatic functions. Not many limitations exist on a good SLR. With the right equipment and knowledge, you can photograph almost anything.

Automatic cameras include compact cameras and SLRs. Automatic cameras will focus and set the exposure for you. Most will also advance the film, as well as rewind it. Some will activate the flash and almost all will automatically set the correct exposure for the flash.

Compact cameras are small and easy to use. They travel well and can fit in your pocket. Many have just one or two buttons.

Buying Second-hand Cameras
Buying a used cameras is can be a little risky because you can't always be sure what you�re getting or how it has been treated. This doesn't mean you should ignore second-hand. It could be a great opportunity to pick up a bargain. Here at classifieds we have a huge selection of second-hand cameras at bargain prices.

Second-hand digital cameras can be in near perfect condition, or may never have been used: perhaps an unwanted Christmas or birthday present. On more expensive models it is worth asking for a demonstration. This is of course easier with modern digital cameras where the captured image is immediately displayed. You will need to make a judgement with film cameras: few sellers will be prepared to wait while you get the film developed! You get what you pay for, so don't expect a second-hand Nikon at �10 to be as good as one that costs �100. You may not get all the latest features in a second-hand camera, but you can still get a good deal.

Ask the seller what you'll get, i.e. manuals, power packs, AC adaptors, and ask if the item is damaged. The seller should tell you about any damage the camera has and any faults. Check it for faults yourself, although this might not be possible if the camera is being sold on-line. In that case, try to get a warranty.

What to Look For
LCD monitor - Is it cracked? Does it have dead (black) or hot (pure white) pixels? Are there areas of strange colours (indicates the inside of the LCD unit is damaged).

Optical Viewfinders - The image should be clear with no distortion. Make sure the dioptre adjustment works to adjust to your eyesight and focal range. Electronic viewfinders can have the same faults as LCD monitors.

Zoom lenses - Does the lens stop partway; does it shudder when moving? Either one of these means the motor is faulty or the mechanism is excessively worn.

Battery compartment - Check that it closes and locks and there is no damage from leaking batteries or power packs.

Memory card compartment - Does the card go in easily? Insert a couple of memory cards and see if the camera can read both of them. If it can�t, its input/output interface may be damaged and it is not a good buy.

Lens system and CCD - Take a couple of test shots and look at them on a computer if possible. Don't rely on the image on the LCD monitor. Make sure there are no distortions, that they are in focus, and there are only a few tiny areas of black or white pixels, if any. Film formats - Different cameras have different film formats. Advanced Photo System Cameras (APS cameras) use APS film which is easy to use but very expensive to buy and develop. APS cameras are cheaper to buy, but film and development will catch up with the cheaper prices very fast. Standard 35mm film is both cheaper and produces higher resolution photos.

Flashes - It is important to know if your camera has a flash or not, as flash is very important to minimise shadows or darkness when you are taking pictures. Some modern cameras also use the flash as part of the anti-'red eye' function (flashing it briefly just prior to the photo to close the subjects' retinas which reduces red eye). This makes it even more important. If you are buying a flash separately, an automatic flash is the best. Most have three or four automatic ranges allowing different f-stops and distances. They can also be used in manual mode. Make sure the flash you buy is compatible with your camera.

Auto focus - This is really important to ensure a sharp image in automatic cameras. In most cameras, auto focus is one of a group of automatic features that work together including:-

Automatic film advance
Automatic flash
Automatic exposure

Perhaps the biggest advantage to buying a camera second hand is that they're plentiful and cheap so if the worst happens, it shouldn't break your budget. As with any technology, digital cameras are continuing to evolve which means that the prices on last season's models fall quite substantially. The choice is wide. Consider what you want your camera to do, be realistic about your own photogrfaphic abilities and experience and choose accordingly.

CAMCORDERS

Everybody needs a camcorder to film trips, family events, parties and of course to document children�s growth and milestones.

Types of Camcorders
Digital camcorders and traditional film camcorders are as different as digital cameras and traditional film (analogue) cameras. When buying camcorders you choose between analogue camcorders with formats such as 8mm and VHS and digital camcorders with formats such as MiniDV, DVD and Digital8.

Analogue Camcorders
There are many VHS camcorders and other traditional types that record onto spools of tape, such as 8mm and Hi-8:-

VHS is the same format used in a typical home video recorder. You can make videos using a VHS camcorder and normal VHS tapes and play them on your VCR. But the ease of use comes at the expense of quality. All video resolution is measured in lines and VHS has a maximum of 270 lines, compared with the much sharper 480-500 lines of digital video. VHS camcorders and tapes also take up a lot of space.
VHS-C is similar to VHS, but smaller. You can record only about 30 minutes on a tape. It has the same low price, low resolution, and 1/2-inch tape width as VHS, but you need an adapter to play VHS-C tapes on a standard VCR.
S-VHS. Super-VHS tapes look the same as standard VHS tapes, but have 400 lines of resolution and better audio. Unfortunately, only a few standard VCRs can play S-VHS tapes. S-VHS camcorders are big, expensive, and used mainly by professionals.
VHS Editing. To edit VHS tapes, you must transfer the video onto your computer. To do it inexpensively, use a video capture card. But this is difficult and takes quite a bit of time. A better way is to invest in VHS transfer software such as Pinnacle Studio Movie box USB, which converts analogue video into digital format. Then you can edit it on your computer.
8mm. This format has 270 lines of resolution, but the tape is much smaller and has a longer recording time -- 120 minutes at standard speed. 8mm tapes won't play in a VCR, but you can connect your camcorder directly to a television.
Hi8 is a more expensive and advanced version of 8mm. It has 400 lines of resolution and the advantages of a small format.

Digital Video Camcorders
Digital video (DV) camcorders record on tapes that are saved in digital files: digital video tapes or large digital memory cards. For example, a 200MB card will hold 50 high-resolution, digital photos but only 60 seconds of digital video.

DV offers better colour, picture, and sound than traditional camcorders. Most create excellent video with 500 lines of resolution and good-quality still photos. With DV you can make digital copies without loss of quality.

There are many formats to choose from in DV:-

Digital8: This DV format of 500 lines is recorded on 8mm or Hi8 tape. Its major benefit is that it will play old 8mm and Hi8 tapes, so it's great if you want to upgrade from Hi8 or 8mm.
MiniDV: is the most popular DV format. MiniDV tapes are smaller than 8mm tapes and can record about 60 minutes of pictures and sound. MiniDV uses sophisticated lenses and better effects than Digital8.
MicroMV: These very compact camcorders are comparable to standard MiniDV camcorders, but are smaller in size and more expensive. They come in interesting designs and have terrific picture quality, powerful features, and are easy to use.
DVD: If you have a DVD player, you can use a DVD camcorder to record directly to DVD-R or DVD-RW discs. DVD camcorders have similar features to average MiniDV camcorders, but are a bit bigger and cost more.
Hard Disk: Hard disk (HDD) camcorders save files onto disks just like hard disks in a computer or MP3 player. These files are easy to delete or transfer onto a computer for editing.
DVCam and DVCPRO: These are high end formats used in professional cameras.

Buying Used Camcorders
Since used equipment is so much cheaper than new, you might decide to purchase a used camcorder. Occasionally, you can find current models for sale which may or may not have been used, but didn�t fit the needs of the owner. These are sometimes good deals, but there is one thing to be careful about. If someone is selling a relatively new item and taking a financial loss, there has to be a reason. Find out what it is and, remember, the seller may not be telling the truth. When buying camcorders, it is very easy to purchase one with a tiny defect, such as a blemished pixel in the CCD. This can go unnoticed at first. Then the owner notices the blemish and realises the camera is defective. If you buy used equipment, examine several pictures closely to make sure there are no bad pixels. Also, check mechanical parts to make sure they work. Check out user reviews, ratings, and prices for any current models on popular review websites too.

What to Look For in a Camcorder
Digital Video Editing
Digital video editing on a computer is simpler than editing analogue video. DV camcorders are equipped with FireWire, a fast connection, or USB which connect your camcorder to a computer.

Digital video is non-linear, which means you can jump to any point instantly. Video editing software automatically creates a series of scenes from your film, making it easy to find editing points. Then you can rearrange scenes, add titles, delete scenes, or add special effects.

CCD Sensors and Resolution
The quality of digital video depends on the camcorder's CCD (charged-coupled device). The CCD senses images and changes light into pixels to produce images. The signal is converted to a camcorder's digital video format, and the image and sound are recorded onto tape. The more pixels, the higher the resolution you will get and, the better the resolution, the higher the overall quality of the film.

Viewfinders and LCD Screens
A viewfinder is the most important feature on a camcorder, because it shows what is being recorded. Most will also show special effects. Most camcorders have built-in LCD screens, usually two to four inches in size. An LCD screen shows the same shot that you see through the viewfinder. An LCD screen will also let you access the camcorder's menu.

Lenses and Lighting
When evaluating a DV camcorder, compare optics by looking at lux ratings, optical zoom, and manual settings:-

Lux Ratings: Lux (lumens per square metre) measures low-light sensitivity. Lux ratings determine how much light a camcorder needs to record a good image. A camcorder should have a lux/low-light sensitivity rating of seven or less, because lower ratings offer better performance.
Zoom: most camcorders include a zoom lens so that you can get closer to a subject. Camcorders have two types of zoom: optical and digital. Optical zoom physically lengthens the lens and has very good image quality. Digital zoom enlarges part of the image digitally with some loss of quality. Many offer both zoom options in combination.

Essential Manual Settings
If you are a more serious videographer requiring detailed control over the camcorder's settings, make sure your camcorder has the following:-

Manual focus
Shutter speed
Aperture
White balance
Image stabilisation

Microphones and Sound Quality
All DV camcorders have built-in microphones for fair sound quality. For better sound, buy a camcorder with a connection port for an external microphone. If your camcorder has an accessory shoe, you can use that to attach a microphone. The best camcorders can use high-quality XLR microphones.

Inputs and Outputs
When choosing a camcorder, you must determine if it will connect to your computer, television, video recorder, or standard camcorder. Here are the most popular types of DV camcorder connections:-

FireWire (IEEE 1394): almost all DV camcorders have a FireWire port so that you can transfer video at high speeds from your camcorder to a computer.
USB 2.0: some DVD camcorders transfer video to a computer via a high-speed USB 2.0 instead of FireWire.
A/V: A/V connects your camcorder to a TV or VCR with standard RCA connectors.
S-video: these connect your camcorder to a TV or VCR using an S-video cable.

Conclusion
Follow these suggestions and tips when buying new or used camcorders and you should be able to find a camcorder that meets your needs, works well and falls within your budget.