Buying camera gear for travel content is expensive, and it’s easy to feel like “new” is the only safe option. It isn’t. Used gear from a proper, inspected source can get you the same footage for meaningfully less money. You just need to know when it’s the right call and when it isn’t.
Why used gear gets an unfair reputation
Most people’s hesitation about buying used comes from bad experiences on general marketplaces: no real inspection, vague condition descriptions, no recourse if something’s wrong. That reputation doesn’t really apply to a dedicated used-gear platform like MPB, which is built specifically around camera and video equipment rather than being a general secondhand marketplace.
Every item is individually photographed, so the exact unit you see in the listing is the one you receive, not a stock photo. Gear is graded across five condition levels, from Like New down to Heavily Used, plus a Spares & Repairs category for parts. Cameras also show a shutter count where relevant, which works a bit like mileage on a car: it tells you roughly how much life a camera body has left before the shutter mechanism reaches the end of its rated lifespan. Every used camera body or lens comes with a six-month warranty, so you’re not buying blind.
Whichever route you take, it’s worth having a proper camera cleaning kit on hand to check sensors and lenses over before you commit to a used purchase.
When buying used genuinely makes sense
If you want to see exactly how grading works before buying, MPB’s own condition grading guide breaks down each rating in detail.
You’re testing a category before committing. Thinking about picking up a drone-adjacent camera body, a specific lens, or a rig setup you’ve never used before? Buying it used means a much smaller loss if it turns out not to suit your workflow.
You want a previous-generation body or lens. Camera tech moves fast, but sensors and glass age slowly. A one-or-two-generation-old body in Excellent condition can shoot footage that’s indistinguishable from new for a fraction of the price, and the savings compound especially fast on lenses, which barring damage don’t really “wear out” functionally.
You’re building a second or backup kit. If you already own your primary gear and want a backup body or a specialised lens you’ll only use occasionally, paying full retail rarely makes sense.
When new is still the better call
You need the absolute latest sensor or video specs. If your content depends on a brand-new feature (the newest autofocus system, the latest video codec, a just-released stabilisation mode), used won’t get you there, because that gear simply hasn’t hit the secondhand market yet.
You’re not confident inspecting condition yourself. Even with detailed grading and photos, buying used still means trusting someone else’s assessment of wear. If that makes you uneasy, the warranty helps, but it’s not the same as unboxing something factory-fresh.
You need it for a trip in the next few days. Used gear can work brilliantly for travel, but only if you buy early enough to receive it, test it properly, and sort out any issues before you fly. A last-minute purchase leaves no room to deal with a missing accessory or a warranty claim before departure.
A sensible middle-ground approach
A lot of travel creators end up mixing both: buying core gear (camera body, primary lens) new for reliability and the latest specs, then filling out the kit with used secondary lenses, backup bodies, and specialised accessories, where the savings are largest and the risk is lowest.
If you’re just starting to build a travel content kit, this is honestly the approach I’d recommend. Spend where the newest tech genuinely changes your results, save where it doesn’t.
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