For what I paid for the camera I chose, I could have bought a brand new digital Rebel like the one shown in Figure A.

FIGURE A

The Canon EOS Digital Rebel, one of the first digital single lens reflex cameras. Click picture for a larger image.

But frankly, I'm just not that confident I'll get the same quality I do with film. When you consider the image sensor on the digital Rebel is the same size as a 35mm frame, or if I recall, just slightly smaller, it would actually be like a step backwards. Digital medium format cameras are available, but run in the same neighborhood as a good used car, which was out of my range.

In the end, I chose a used Mamiya 645 Pro, one model back from the current retail 645 Pro TL. For comparison, the brand new Mamiya 645 Pro TL, with all of the accessories I purchased, retails for $3000. I paid $1200 for my used, in-new-condition, 645 Pro shown in Figure B.

FIGURE B

For the same price as a lesser new model, you get a lot more used. Click picture for a larger image.

The only real difference between the Pro and the Pro TL is, the Pro TL is TTL (Through The Lens) enabled for metering through the lens with TTL capable flash units. Since none of the flash units I use are TTL enabled, I didn't see the point in spending the extra money for the Pro TL.

Where to look
So let's get on to the point, where to find all this great used equipment. There's a wealth of resources available for quality used photo equipment. One of the first places to check would be your local photography store, and I don't mean someplace like Ritz. I mean a store that caters to the professional photographer. These stores often have used equipment for sale that has been traded in when a photographer upgrades, or sometimes they have equipment that's for sale on consignment.

There is, of course, your local classified ads, or the classified ads in many of the photo trade magazines. There's eBay of course, where great deals on many things can be found. I myself have sold several of my old cameras on eBay when I've upgraded. But there are actually retailers that specialize in used equipment; this is where the real gold is.

One of the retailers I've done a great deal of business with is KEH. They run a print catalog, but also maintain a Web presence. Over the years I've bought a flash meter, flash, various manuals, covers, and my last camera from KEH. They specialize primarily in used equipment, but also carry new. Whether you're looking for digital, film, studio equipment, or darkroom equipment, you can pretty much find it at KEH.

KEH uses a grading system ranging from New to Ugly, so you'll have an idea of the quality of the item you're getting. I've never bought anything that was rated below Excellent, but I can honestly say that every product I've bought from KEH was like brand new.

There's one little glitch with KEH. None of the products come with manuals; you have to buy them separately. And they won't always have a manual for the product you want. I would expect to find a manual with any brand new product you bought from them, but unless otherwise stated, use products don't come with manuals.