
buying used underwater equimpment
#1
Posted 14 June 2012 - 03:34 PM
#2
Posted 14 June 2012 - 04:17 PM
Cheers,
Marli
www.marliwakeling.com
Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together. ~Carl Zwanzig
#3
Posted 14 June 2012 - 04:58 PM
S&S YS110's & YS27's
#4
Posted 14 June 2012 - 04:58 PM
Steve
www.kenstone.net
www.lafcpug.org
Steve Douglas
steve-sharksdelight@cox.net
I have worked as an unpaid reviewer for the editing websites since 2002. Most all hardware and software is sent to me free of charge, however, in no way am I obligated to provide either positive or negative evaluations. Any suggestions I make regarding products are a result of my own, completely, personal opinions and experiences with said products.
#5
Posted 15 June 2012 - 12:16 PM
I've had one transaction go south only, but as it was funding thru PayPal via credit card I was able to dispute the charge and was out no money, just a little irritation. By no means do I consider that single incident a reason not to continue to do business with this great community. Should I upgrade again (hopefully not too soon, bank account can't take it) I would certainly plan on giving people here first dibs on anything I was obsoleting. And I'm still continuously watching the classifieds for a few additional items I wouldn't mind like a macro port (5505.58), maybe a good 45 deg viewfinder, etc.
Use all the same cautions you would buying used from anywhere e.g. eBay like looking for good descriptions of the items in question, pictures of actual items in question (not just stock), a username with some history (or if new, perhaps willing to identify himself with a correlating eBay ID that has some history), etc. etc. Consider the terms of the purchase offered and use a monetary transaction medium and timetable you are both comfortable with, and request shipping with tracking and insurance if at all possible, even if that does add to the shipping costs.
Strobes, in particular the 'smaller' ones like Ikelite DS50/51's or Inon 2000's, tend to be very good purchases used. There are a lot of people who let them go because they've gone bigger, not because anything was wrong with them, and/or they've switched systems (e.g. leaving Ikelite for higher end Nauticam, etc). But going used can save you quite a pretty penny and get you in the water with a good starter system much faster.
Best of luck, and welcome to the madness....
Edited by rtrski, 15 June 2012 - 12:19 PM.
Current rig: Sony SLT-alpha55 in Ikelite housing, Sigma 105mm f2.8 DC Macro w/ Ike 5505.58 flat port or Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM behind UWCamStuff custom 5" mini-dome. Dual INON z240 Type IVs triggered with DS51 for TTL mimicry, or DS51 alone with home-made ringflash assy for macro.
Topside, unhoused: Sony SLT-alpha99, Sigma 150-500mm + 1.4TC (Saving for Sony 70-400 G2), Sigma 15mm diagonal fish, Sony 24-70mm f2.8 CZ, Tamron 180mm f2.8 Macro...all the gear and nary a clue...
#6
Posted 04 August 2012 - 07:47 AM
#7
Posted 04 August 2012 - 10:21 AM
Paul Kay,Canon EOS5DII SEACAM c/w S45, 8-15, 24L,35L, 60/2.8 (+Ext12II) & 100/2.8 Macros - Sony A7II SEACAM 28/2 & 50/2.8 Macro - UK/Ireland Seacam Sales -see marinewildlife
#8
Posted 04 August 2012 - 12:34 PM
If possible purchase a system as complete as possible. When someone upgrades, Typically everything is new except the tray, arms, strobes and lenses. If one upgrades into the same housing family, then the ports are reusable. However ther of lots of little items thrown in when one sells a housing/camera combination and usually even more when purchasing a complete setup. That this into consideration when evaluating new versus used.
Your first rig won't be your last. If you start with Nikon and Aquatica you will usually stay in that family because ports and lenses work with the new camera. if you are considering a dSLR picking the family you want to be in is importent. Nikon, Canon. The Olympus E series is deadended but very good deals can be had on complete Olympus E-620 rigs.
Probably the coming thing is mirrorless cameras. Olympus and Panasonic are the leaders camera/housing combined cost is much less than SLR but the rest of the rig (strobe, tray, arm etc.) is not.
Lastly, plastic rigs from Ikelite work just fine but many prefer metal housings. Be advised that an Ikelite housed SLR is a good place to start but you may not choose to continue with Ikelite.
#9
Posted 05 August 2012 - 04:42 AM
... Wetpixel (and Digigreen in the UK) are pretty good, as most people are genuine enthusiasts and happy to see their old pride and joy go to a new home.
Tim
- goose likes this
#10
Guest_patrickwilson86_*
Posted 23 August 2012 - 12:34 AM
#11
Posted 27 August 2012 - 11:53 PM
All of the above..and...
ask yourself how much can you realistically spend........decide first wheither you want to go compact or slr....research the cameras available ....what they can and can't do....research availability of housing and strobe choice......you have a bit of thinking to do first!
Def. consider second hand- the classifieds section here is superb- and alot of wetpixellers will sell you top notch second hand gear.
All my slr stuff was bought second hand here.
Good luck, and you can always ask more questions....everyone here is so generous and encouraging with their knowledge...
I just wish I knew of wetpixel before I started out!!
D
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