What to Look for in a New Camera
Make sure the camera is in good shape. Is the box intact and undamaged (insist on this) and is everything included in the box (manual, etc.)? This is especially important to nail down before exchanging money over the phone.

Make sure the camera is priced right. Shop around. Call, browse, or email as many stores as you can. At the same time, keep your shopping around in perspective; most local camera stores just cannot compete with mail order so decide how much you value local support and your local economy when you compare these shops to the mail order prices. Also, check out this online survey of mail-order resellers.

Make sure the camera is functioning perfectly. Ask if you can take it out for a test drive (it never hurts to ask). Even if you must remain in the store, test all the knobs and buttons to see how it all works. Look for loose connections and anything that feels uncertain. If you are unsure of what to look for, either have a photographer friend come in with you or have the salesperson demonstrate the operation of the camera on the particular unit you would be purchasing. They will usually be willing to show you how the camera works on a demo unit; they can often be persuaded to recap on the actual unit you will be buying. If they are unwilling, you can keep your money in your pocket.

Make sure you receive the appropriate warranty card and that the box been not been opened or tampered with. Having a US Warranty if you reside in the States is essential. Do not underestimate its value. Having a clearly unopened box is always nice. On occasion, however, a saleperson has to open a box for various, worthy reasons. Just be extra careful to get everything you are paying for and everything in pristine condition. Refuse to take a bad unit off a salesperson's counter just because he wants to get it out of his store.



What to Look for in a Used Camera
Make sure the camera is not too banged up. Does the shutter release, aperture controls, and other knobs and dials operate smoothly. Ask for a test drive - many good camera stores will let you run a roll of film through it to see how well it operates. If the camera comes with a lens, look for scratches and mold. Old lenses with mold growing on the inside of the lens are worthless paperweights.

Make sure you get some kind of warranty just to make sure the camera is in good working order. Regardless of what promises are made, a camera store never has enough time to fully test every used camera that comes in. For this reason, demand a written statement that your money will be returned to you within a reasonable amount of time (a few weeks to a few months) if you find problems with the cameras operation.

Make sure you are not supporting a shady operation. Although you will never see any flashing neon signs that say "This camera was swiped from a poor church-going widow," listen to your gut feeling and if you suspect that the camera may have been stolen, do not buy it.

Make sure you are getting the right used camera for you. If you are looking in particular for a camera for your first photo class, ask your teacher exactly what they require. For example, manual override is a feature that most teachers demand. A few particular models that have good names for this application are the Pentax ME Super, the Canon AE-1, the Pentax K1000, and the Minolta X-700.

Make sure you are getting a good deal. Always offer to buy the camera for 10 to 15% less than the asking price. Used items are usually the most highly marked up of anything in the camera store. There is nothing really wrong with this - new equipment is usually so lightly marked up that the used department is one area that the camera stores can capitalize upon to stay in business. Still, that doen't mean you cannot try to get a better deal. If the salesperson will not go lower, ask for free fresh batteries, film, case, etc. In the end, do not allow anyone to pressure you into purchase - say no to aggresive sales and have fun getting the best deal you can.