Second Hand Camera Bargains
Derek Smith • 9 September 2020
With a Budget of £500
Second-hand Camera Bargains
No, this isn’t an article on Sony cameras specifically, but more an article on the piece that Amateur Photographer ran on the 22nd August about buying a second-hand camera for £500 which I found to be very interesting.
Firstly a couple of thoughts on this from my own experience, look at the new camera market in the first instance, many camera manufacturers continue to sell an older version of the latest updated camera, so you may well find a mark II version at a cheaper price than a mark III flagship model, and lots of camera manufacturers run discounted promotions, cashback, £200 pounds off, or free accessories. Also, bundling, where a camera manufacturer offers a two lens and camera body bundle, this can really get you quickly started into photography.
The second point is when buying an interchangeable lens camera is that you will be buying into a camera system, there’s no point in paying £300 for a camera body, then finding that the lenses are twice that price.
Right, so in the order that AP published:
Canon EOS 70D – An APS-C DSLR, 20.2MP sensor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, with phase detect AF in Live View, single SD card slot, the body is dust, and moisture resistant - £370
The lens choice, and prices impressed me with the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM - £209
Fujifilm X-T2 – An APS-C mirrorless 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor, hybrid AF, dual SD card slots, very good ergonomics and analogue setting dials - £459
A good range of lenses are available, but the Fuji lenses do tend to be a little pricier, the Fujifilm XF 18-55 F2.8-4R LM OIS, standard zoom range - £249
Nikon D7200 – An APS-C DSLR, 24.2MP CMOS sensor, dual card slots, long battery life, and Wi-Fi connectivity, large buffer for continuous shooting, autofocus is 51-point phase detect. - £479
Second-hand DX-format lenses are plentiful, and inexpensive, a Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8 G - £109. Nikon AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR - £129
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II – A Micro Four Thirds mirrorless 16MP CMOS sensor, autofocus is 81-point contrast detect, single card SD slot, weather sealed, and 5 axis IBIS. - £319
An interesting choice this one, in choosing the mid-range camera, personally if I could do without the weather sealing, I would choose the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, second-hand price £199, or new, Olympus were recently offering this camera at only £499, with the 14-42mm kit lens. If I could push the budget the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, fully weather sealed, with dual card slots, and the 20.4MP Live MOS phase detect sensor, autofocus is 121-point phase detect. - £679
Lenses are plentiful for the long-established Micro Four Thirds system, prices seem to polarise a little, dubbed the “plastic fantastic” Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4-5.6 R can be obtained new online for £99. For a dedicated prime portrait lens the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 is amazing value at £139. However, if the PRO line-up of lenses takes your fancy, full weather sealing, and metal construction, look to pay £500 - £1000.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 – Another Micro Four Thirds mirrorless system camera, styled as a DSLR, with 16MP CMOS sensor, weather sealed, IBIS working in conjunction with certain Panasonic stabilised lenses Dual IS, 4K video, autofocus is 49-point contrast detect (Depth from Defocus) - £369
If you would prefer a smaller range finder style of camera, then consider the Panasonic DC GX7 16MP sensor, 3 axis IBIS – under £200, or the GX8 / GX9 with the 20.3MP sensor, and improved IBIS. – up to £400
Lens choices, simply spoilt for choice, Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH “pancake” lens - £159. Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4-5.6 II OIS (that’s a full frame reach of 200-600mm weighing 520g) dust, and splashproof with Dual IS stabilisation - £359
Sony Alpha 7 – This was the very first full frame mirrorless camera launched in 2013, 24MP CMOS sensor, autofocus 117-point hybrid, and 25-point contrast detect focus points. - £409
Another interesting choice from AP, this camera is for someone who has to have a full frame camera on a budget, and can live with the cameras many quirks, for the rest of us don’t even think about it, save your money and go for the Sony Alpha 7II, much more polished, with full 5 axis IBIS - £754. Personally, at this price point, I wouldn’t even consider a full frame camera, the hobbyist photographer would be better served by buying a crop sensor mirrorless camera such as the Fujifilm X-T2, or one of the Sony A6000 series APS-C cameras.
So, how about a brand new Sony A6000? Widely available at only £499, with the 16-50mm kit lens. This APS-C camera has a 24MP CMOS sensor, autofocus is 179-point hybrid AF, the camera body is un-stabilised, but Sony lenses for APS-C cameras have built-in Optical Steady Shot (OSS) stabilisation, this option is an excellent beginner camera, with several advanced features, and great image quality.
Sony lenses can be quite expensive to buy, third party lens manufacturers such as Tamron, Sigma, and Samyang produce excellent optics for the Sony system with realistic pricing. A word about the Sony system, both full frame, and APS-C lenses use the same Sony E-mount. Lenses designed for the full frame cameras are designated as FE lenses and can be used on the APS-C cameras without any issues. As an example I used the Samyang AF 24mm F2.8 FE lens on my Sony A7II, and it was an excellent lens providing a 24mm field of view on the full frame camera, and the lens worked extremely well on the Sony APS-C A6300, with the only change being the field of view with a crop factor of 1.5x the 24mm lens becomes a 36mm equivalent lens. Working the other way around the Sony 35mm F1.8 OSS lens performs very well as a 50mm equivalent lens on the A6000 APS-C series cameras, but with the lens mounted on the A7 full frame camera the lens will only illuminate the smaller APS-C part of the full frame sensor, the camera defaults to “crop sensor” mode, and the benefit of the full frame sensor is lost.
Lots of choice then for not very much money, relatively.
Camera choices from Amateur Photographer magazine, with my own thoughts, and observations, photo of the Sony A6000, A6300 APS-C cameras, and lenses.
Derek Smith
No, this isn’t an article on Sony cameras specifically, but more an article on the piece that Amateur Photographer ran on the 22nd August about buying a second-hand camera for £500 which I found to be very interesting.
Firstly a couple of thoughts on this from my own experience, look at the new camera market in the first instance, many camera manufacturers continue to sell an older version of the latest updated camera, so you may well find a mark II version at a cheaper price than a mark III flagship model, and lots of camera manufacturers run discounted promotions, cashback, £200 pounds off, or free accessories. Also, bundling, where a camera manufacturer offers a two lens and camera body bundle, this can really get you quickly started into photography.
The second point is when buying an interchangeable lens camera is that you will be buying into a camera system, there’s no point in paying £300 for a camera body, then finding that the lenses are twice that price.
Right, so in the order that AP published:
Canon EOS 70D – An APS-C DSLR, 20.2MP sensor, Dual Pixel CMOS AF, with phase detect AF in Live View, single SD card slot, the body is dust, and moisture resistant - £370
The lens choice, and prices impressed me with the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM - £209
Fujifilm X-T2 – An APS-C mirrorless 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor, hybrid AF, dual SD card slots, very good ergonomics and analogue setting dials - £459
A good range of lenses are available, but the Fuji lenses do tend to be a little pricier, the Fujifilm XF 18-55 F2.8-4R LM OIS, standard zoom range - £249
Nikon D7200 – An APS-C DSLR, 24.2MP CMOS sensor, dual card slots, long battery life, and Wi-Fi connectivity, large buffer for continuous shooting, autofocus is 51-point phase detect. - £479
Second-hand DX-format lenses are plentiful, and inexpensive, a Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8 G - £109. Nikon AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR - £129
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II – A Micro Four Thirds mirrorless 16MP CMOS sensor, autofocus is 81-point contrast detect, single card SD slot, weather sealed, and 5 axis IBIS. - £319
An interesting choice this one, in choosing the mid-range camera, personally if I could do without the weather sealing, I would choose the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II, second-hand price £199, or new, Olympus were recently offering this camera at only £499, with the 14-42mm kit lens. If I could push the budget the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, fully weather sealed, with dual card slots, and the 20.4MP Live MOS phase detect sensor, autofocus is 121-point phase detect. - £679
Lenses are plentiful for the long-established Micro Four Thirds system, prices seem to polarise a little, dubbed the “plastic fantastic” Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4-5.6 R can be obtained new online for £99. For a dedicated prime portrait lens the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 is amazing value at £139. However, if the PRO line-up of lenses takes your fancy, full weather sealing, and metal construction, look to pay £500 - £1000.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 – Another Micro Four Thirds mirrorless system camera, styled as a DSLR, with 16MP CMOS sensor, weather sealed, IBIS working in conjunction with certain Panasonic stabilised lenses Dual IS, 4K video, autofocus is 49-point contrast detect (Depth from Defocus) - £369
If you would prefer a smaller range finder style of camera, then consider the Panasonic DC GX7 16MP sensor, 3 axis IBIS – under £200, or the GX8 / GX9 with the 20.3MP sensor, and improved IBIS. – up to £400
Lens choices, simply spoilt for choice, Panasonic Lumix G 20mm F1.7 ASPH “pancake” lens - £159. Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm F4-5.6 II OIS (that’s a full frame reach of 200-600mm weighing 520g) dust, and splashproof with Dual IS stabilisation - £359
Sony Alpha 7 – This was the very first full frame mirrorless camera launched in 2013, 24MP CMOS sensor, autofocus 117-point hybrid, and 25-point contrast detect focus points. - £409
Another interesting choice from AP, this camera is for someone who has to have a full frame camera on a budget, and can live with the cameras many quirks, for the rest of us don’t even think about it, save your money and go for the Sony Alpha 7II, much more polished, with full 5 axis IBIS - £754. Personally, at this price point, I wouldn’t even consider a full frame camera, the hobbyist photographer would be better served by buying a crop sensor mirrorless camera such as the Fujifilm X-T2, or one of the Sony A6000 series APS-C cameras.
So, how about a brand new Sony A6000? Widely available at only £499, with the 16-50mm kit lens. This APS-C camera has a 24MP CMOS sensor, autofocus is 179-point hybrid AF, the camera body is un-stabilised, but Sony lenses for APS-C cameras have built-in Optical Steady Shot (OSS) stabilisation, this option is an excellent beginner camera, with several advanced features, and great image quality.
Sony lenses can be quite expensive to buy, third party lens manufacturers such as Tamron, Sigma, and Samyang produce excellent optics for the Sony system with realistic pricing. A word about the Sony system, both full frame, and APS-C lenses use the same Sony E-mount. Lenses designed for the full frame cameras are designated as FE lenses and can be used on the APS-C cameras without any issues. As an example I used the Samyang AF 24mm F2.8 FE lens on my Sony A7II, and it was an excellent lens providing a 24mm field of view on the full frame camera, and the lens worked extremely well on the Sony APS-C A6300, with the only change being the field of view with a crop factor of 1.5x the 24mm lens becomes a 36mm equivalent lens. Working the other way around the Sony 35mm F1.8 OSS lens performs very well as a 50mm equivalent lens on the A6000 APS-C series cameras, but with the lens mounted on the A7 full frame camera the lens will only illuminate the smaller APS-C part of the full frame sensor, the camera defaults to “crop sensor” mode, and the benefit of the full frame sensor is lost.
Lots of choice then for not very much money, relatively.
Camera choices from Amateur Photographer magazine, with my own thoughts, and observations, photo of the Sony A6000, A6300 APS-C cameras, and lenses.
Derek Smith
Louth Photographic Society
Members were shown the 2026 N&EMPF PDI Exhibition video last night with all of the accepted PDI images in the first part, and after the break the awarded PDI images. There were some stunning images on view, and Louth was successful in having 3 PDI images accepted, Graham Harrison with his image of a Stonechat, and Dave Turner with his portrait of Paul Rudd, and his monochrome image of Kings Cross railway station "Going Down". Overall it was a good inspirational evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club members had 15 minutes to show what they had done over the summer. It was a very interesting evening with eight members taking part. There were many locations on show and as usual some excellent photography. There is a full report on our blog. This week, Wednesday 16th September, we will be showing the N&EMPF exhibition, this is part one showing all the PDI's that were accepted. This is the highest standard of photography we as individuals take part in as a club. Members sent around 50 entries but only 3 were accepted. If you are inspired to enter the 2027 Exhibition after seeing the show, I send the clubs entries and I can give you more information. Closing date is the end of September. The Maximum size for N&EMPF is 1600 x 1200 3MB sRGB Harry is still taking entries for the monthly PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry did ask about what can be accepted, and we couldn't really say as long as it's an object in the Air. The best way is to look up the definition of an object first. Harry is also accepting entries for the Local and Open competition in October. Robin is going to judge the Open competition, does anyone fancy judging the "Straight from the camera" category? Regards Graham
The Louth Photographic Society has returned after the summer break. It was an incredible return, with members providing us with some stunning images from over the summer break. A full, and varied smorgasbord of well executed photos, many of us visited Whitby, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and further north images from Staithes, and Sandbanks. Tony showed us his long exposure minimalist calming coastal scenes, from the Lincolnshire coast, and Whitby.. Chris brought us some beautiful photos taken of local churches, many of which many of us have never seen. Now I’ve never really seen the attraction of an expensive Leica camera, but when Mark showed his photos from his visit to the German Leica factory in Wetzlar, I now understand, camera bodies, and lenses milled from solid blocks of aluminium, hand polished, hand finished lens glass, and textured leather applied to the camera body, not a robot in sight, just craftsmen, and women making a superb photographic instrument. Sue brought us “pink” ladies driving tractors to raise money for cancer research. Last but definitely not least Richard showed his monochrome, and infrared images of trees, his compositions, and photographic eye bring these tree studies to life, we appreciate them even if some judges don’t understand. Many thanks to all of those members who contributed.
Good Morning All We spent last week on the Isle of Wight visiting many of the attractions. This week, Wednesday 9th September, we are back at the club with 15-minute PDI shows of what you did during the summer break, I have Derek Smith, Tony Gaskins, Harry Kerman, Chris Birchmore and Richard Hildred on the list, if I have missed you off, please let me know. I should be there but could be late as away playing golf. Harry is taking entries for the September PDI competition, with the categories of "Objects in the Air" and "Open". Harry will miss the October local competition but will sort the entries out for us, The competition categories will be "Local-Not Edited" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so could do with two volunteers to judge. The local competition is a .jpeg photograph taken and straight from the camera, no cropping, or post processing etc, like the old days taken no more than 25 miles from St James church. Regards Graham
On Bank Holiday Monday I visited the Props, and Pistons Event at the East Kirkby Aviation centre. The event was well attended, with a good selection of various vehicles on display. The Avro Lancaster “Just Jane” was on display and did a couple of taxiing runs, so great to hear the Rolls Royce Merlin engines roar into life, also taxiing was the DeHavilland Mosquito aircraft, the “wooden wonder”. The first flypast was from the Hawker Hurricane, and the Supermarine Spitfire, I didn’t manage to capture any acceptable photos of these iconic aircraft, as they were too small and fast for me. Later in the afternoon the second flypast aircraft was the American Martin B26 Marauder, as this was larger, and slower I did manage to take some photos as it flew overhead. The weather was kind, and I had a very enjoyable day out.
Good Morning All I was having my lunchbreak on the Wolds last week and spotted this tree in a field next to me, it does give the impression it's looking at you. I hope you're all enjoying the summer break, time does fly by and it's time to get ready for returning to the club on the 9th of September. We start with mini lecture, 15 minutes on what you have been doing over the summer. If you want to take part, please email me and we will see how many we have. The September PDI competition is coming up as well on the 23 rd of September, Objects in the air and open, Harry will now start taking your entries, three entries in each subject with an (R) after one of them to be removed if there are too many entries. Derek sent the N&EMPF Exhibition entry forms out; I will again act as organiser for our club. The standard is very high so it's one for your best PDI's. We will view some last year's PDI's that made the grade on the 16 th of September. Regards Graham
NELPS organised an outing to the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, there was some confusion with opening times, and a few of us arrived to find the gates closed, we went for a coffee!! Once inside and parked up we were welcomed by the volunteer staff, and began to take some photos around the site. A Grimsby trolleybus was running this morning, this bus had been painstakingly restored from a bare chassis, with great attention to detail, even down to sourcing the original moquette fabric to upholster the seats, it was great to be able to ride in a trolleybus again. Trolleybuses have a particular nostalgic memory for me, I lived in Uxbridge, on the outskirts of London, and the 607 trolleybus route ran past the end of my road, with a usual frequency of 5 minute intervals the buses were a common sight gliding along the main road. The 607 route was one of the longest in the country 11 miles to Shepherds Bush, taking about an hour for the journey. The trolleybus was whisper quiet, comfortable, and pollution free, and I took several trips on these. In comparison the conventional London bus the “RT” was not as quiet for longer journeys. The London trolleybuses, and eventually the London “RT” buses, were replaced with the iconic diesel fuelled Routemaster “RM” bus. I had an enjoyable visit, and many thanks to NELPS for organising the outing.
When we see a photograph what do we actually see? Does the image grab our attention? Does the image tell a story, or do we have to fill in the blanks with our own memories, and experiences? If we see a complete picture, or just a detail, which stirs our emotions most? At a recent competition a print was shown of fishing boats pulled up on the beach at North Landing, Flamborough, it was an excellent print, but the judge remarked “it’s just boats on a beach”. Do we feel the same emotion with a “normal” view, or do we want more, a storm raging, or fishermen launching the boats? Anyway, here are a few of my “abnormal” photos, first up a rusted bolt, you see I ask “who put that there?”, “what did it once hold?” Second, a vehicle excise disc, surely that stirs memories? Thirdly, a stone carved column, who carved the details? Was it shaped according to an architect’s brief, or a stone masons pattern? What emotions were felt by the stone mason? Lastly, a door handle. Where does this lead? How old is it, and how many hands have opened this door? Finally, I think that I’ve got my “mojo” back, I’ve been out more with my camera, and enjoying the experience, and surely that’s what photography is all about, the joy of capturing an image that pleases me.
The Exhibition will be in place from 10th - 29th September 2026
I was scrolling through the archives yesterday, and found these "Still Life" images. Still Life is an interesting photographic genre that requires good lighting, and compositional skills, but the results can be amazing. Here are four images of the genre, "Breakfast" showing cereal falling into a bowl, "Four Candles" (no not the ones from the Two Ronnies sketch), the moody "Decaying Tulip", and the simple but effective monochrome "Opener". Perhaps these images might give you some inspiration.
