Do You Buy New?

[Spleenrippa]

I was looking over at my camera display case across the room a minute ago and could only see a single thing in it (out of a few dozen cams and lenses) that I bought new- that would be a Canon 70-200 F4L.
Most of the gear that I (and I'm guessing most RFF'ers) use hasn't been made for 10-100 years but I know that personally I've done very little to support the existing/surviving manufacturers.
How about you guys?

 

[thegman]

I own 3 cameras, 2 bought new, but the main one, the Zeiss Ikon was bought used and probably funded some guy's DSLR. I plan for my next camera to be new, as like you, I do note that those of us shooting film may support film companies, but not the makers of the cameras themselves.

 

[Thardy]

More recently I've purchased used. A leica + Nikon lens and some old film cameras. Most of my other gear was bought new.

 

[coelacanth]

There is no bought-new item in my current gear list because no one makes them anymore. I would consider buying new if I could.

 

[gm13]

Of the 11 cameras I've purchased the only new one was a Canon G10 for my wife. As for lenses 3 have been new, all EF: 17-40, 70-200, 50/1.8

 

[t.s.k.]

Not yet at least....but there's always tomorrow.

 

[FrankHarries]

Non of mine is bought new and I guess that I will not buy something new the next years if I stick to film.

 

[Ronald M]

I buy new if I want a new produst, used if I want an older one because they don`t make a 111F model or visoflex lenses any more.

Brass film cassettes don`t fit in M7 or MP, so I will never buy one, used or new.

 

[brainwood]

All of my photography gear has been bought used. The only exception is a Voigtlander 21/4 with viewfinder which I couldn't locate secondhand. It's a great lens though and well worth the extra cost. In pure function over cost it's second hand every time for me.

 

[DNG]

Hummm
I buy new and used..
Depends on how far I want my hard earned money to go.
My M5..used...no longer made.
3 out 4 lenses..New.. from Camera Quest. the 1 used one is longer made.

My DSLR... Used
3 out of 4 lenses and grip... New from B&H New York.
1 used lens... no longer made.

I buy new when I can. But Used gear is OK too.

 

[Morca007]

Gear I've bought new, hmmm... Just my Bessa R, and Nikkor 50 1.8 AF-D, both things I bought when I was starting out. Don't see myself buying brand new any time soon.

So out of 8 cameras, 1 was bought new.

 

[Spleenrippa]

I figured most would be in the same boat as me.
My total 'new' inventory consists of:
Sony A350 DSLR (sold)
A few toy cams such as the Holga and Diana mini
Canon 70-200 F4L
the new Canon T2i... For the manual video controls 🙂

I'd love to add a 50/1.1 Nokton sometime this year, and I would gladly buy a bunch of new CV viewfinders if they didn't cost a fortune...

 

[MatthewThompson]

I bought a new battery grip and lens once. Everything else has been lightly used.

 

[Ducky]

New digi, used film. I've often wondered about our (RFF) recycling not doing the industry much good.

 

[BillBingham2]

I bought two Leica cameras and three Leica lenses new back in the '80s. Bought new CV glass and lots of cameras from Stephen over the past ten years. Bought two new Ricoh GRDs (I then a III) from Tony Rose.

Only way I would buy new Leica glass now is if I owned a M9, even then I'm not sure.

I purchased a new Rapid Winder from Tom A directly. I really believe in supporting small world class companies and T&T are one of the best. I would strongly recommend that everyone with a film M get one from him.

B2 (;->

 

[jarski]

4 film (2 Leicas and 2 Nikons) and 1 Canon p&s digi. All used. Out of ~15 lenses to these cameras, 3 were bought new (CV's and Sigma). After the lottery win, am planning to spend some to new Leica gear 🙂

 

[newspaperguy]

In recent years, only my 2 Bessa's and some lenses from Stephen have been new. Just about everything else has been used.. for the usual reason.
There ain't no new ones.

 

[thegman]

I think lots of companies are still making new, good film cameras, just look at the Fujifilm/Bessa MF folder, Fujifilm also makes nice film compacts. Film rangefinders are well catered for new, from inexpensive to expensive. If you think about it, there are many more *new* film range finders than digital.

I think the problem is that there is so much great gear available second hand which if you put a roll of good film in, performs as well as the new stuff.

I'll do my very best to make my next film camera a brand new one.

 

[Neare]

Sometimes the price difference between a new item for the same thing second hand is so minimal it's not worth it. When I was buying my nokton for example, I got it new for $945, it was selling second hand for $919...
However, if I can save a few hundred on something basically near the same condition as something new, then it's all good.

And then there are things that are just better when they are second hand. Nothing like a good piece of history.

 

[Merkin]

The closest I come to buying new cameras is buying factory refurb. All of my lenses are bought used these days. It is just as easy to buy used gear cheap from keh that I know is going to be in fantastic shape as it is to buy new gear elsewhere.