Americans are holding onto $650 billion worth of unused devices. That’s according to a recent survey from MPB, the world’s largest platform for used photo and video gear. US adults ages 18 to 34, on average, own $3,691 worth of tech they don’t use. With these figures in mind, MPB makes it easy for photographers to sell their old gear and upgrade to something new. 

MPB first caught our attention because of their circular business model and commitment to environmental sustainability, but just as significant is the fact that they’re helping to make the industry more accessible, inclusive, and affordable to all. 

Consider this: The New York Times’ Wirecutter recently chose the Fujifilm X-T4 as their top pick of mirrorless cameras for serious photographers. A new Fujifilm X-T4 will set you back more than $2,000, but you can grab one for a little over $1,000 at MPB. 

MPB recirculates an estimated 400,000 used items annually. In 2022, the most frequent cameras sold by photographers to MPB included the Sony a6000 and a7 III; the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Mark IV, and Mark II; the Nikon D750; the Canon 80D and Canon EOS R; and the Fujifilm X-T3 and T4. On average, people who sell their gear to MPB earn $900 every time they do so.

MPB makes selling your gear exceedingly simple. You enter the item you want to sell—say, a Canon 5D Mark IV DSLR in excellent condition—and they’ll give you a free estimate in seconds, delivered straight to your email. I found myself using that quote tool over and over again and was surprised by just how much you can earn on the platform. 

If you sell that Mark IV to MPB, for example, you’ll get $840. Add in a Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM lens for another $530. You can keep that $1,370, or you can put it toward buying a Canon R6 mirrorless camera (or anything else you want) on MPB. When you trade your gear, you get free shipping as well. 

MPB is built for photographers who want to upgrade their camera gear without the hassle of selling items themselves. It’s important to make a distinction between MPB and a traditional online “marketplace”: unlike on a marketplace, you’re not selling your gear to random people. You’re selling it to the pros at MPB, who will then list it for sale on their site. 

All you have to do is book a time for free, contactless doorstep pickup, and they’ll take it from there. Their streamlined quoting process means you never have to deal with lowball offers or sell your equipment for less than it’s worth. 

Everything is handled safely and securely, with MPB photographing your gear and shipping it to its new owner. If you need any help throughout the process, MPB’s customer service team is very responsive.

Right now, we’re in the midst of a second-hand “gold rush”: the apparel resale market, for instance, is expected to grow 16 times faster than the non-resale market over the next four years. As we ditch fast fashion in favor of more sustainable and affordable options, brands like MPB are also inspiring us to reevaluate how we buy and sell camera gear. 

While MPB is home to all of the most popular digital gear of 2023—at price points for everyone—it’s also a treasure trove of unique and special items. For example, right this moment, they have a Leica M10-P Ghost Edition (each of these cameras is engraved and individually numbered); an 800mm f/5.6 lens from Nikon, available for less than half the price of a new one; and an f/0.95 lens capable of producing spectacular bokeh. 

A little while back, I was delighted to see the famous “Green Giant”—the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 lens—pass through MPB’s hands. It’s the only 500mm f/2.8 lens in existence. What a find!

Get started selling, trading, and upgrading your camera gear with MPB today.

This article was sponsored by MPB.

To learn more about how MPB protects you when selling your used camera gear online, check out our article on how to avoid scammers.

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