From fake buyers swindling photographers out of their cameras to shady sellers hawking counterfeit camera batteries, we’ve heard dozens of horror stories about bad actors on untrustworthy online marketplaces. Fortunately, there’s a better—and safer!—way to buy and sell used gear in 2024. 

MPB is not a marketplace. Every item sold through this trusted platform—including the 485,000 items they recirculated last year—is individually inspected by a product specialist and checked for performance, scratches, mildew, and more. When you buy an MPB-approved camera, you know that you’re getting exactly what you ordered, as each item is photographed—from every angle—before it’s listed (no misleading stock photos, ever).

MPB protects photographers who sell their gear too: instead of listing your item and dealing with a buyer you don’t know, MPB buys your camera from you directly. Their product specialists are experts at what they do, and they’ll let you know if your camera is in better or worse condition than you described it (if it’s better, they’ll pay you more than your original quote). No listing fees, and no hidden costs. 

With a stellar Trustpilot score of 4.87 in the US and UK, MPB knows that when shopping online, trust means everything. Every camera and lens is rated according to condition so you can find the right gear for your budget and needs, and each item comes with a free six-month warranty for your peace of mind. Plus, the packaging is 100% plastic-free—just as it should be. 

Within the photography community, MPB has become a leader for its sustainability commitments, which go well beyond keeping hundreds of thousands of cameras and lenses out of landfills. MPB’s cloud-based platform already uses renewable energy, and the company is on track to hit its goal of using 100% renewable electricity across all its buildings by 2025. 

According to data from MPB, nearly half of photographers are concerned about the environmental impact of their craft—and seven in 10 of those under 35 agree that buying used is the best way to reduce that footprint. The used market also makes photography as a whole more accessible, with 69% of photographers agreeing that selling or trading gear means that more people can get involved in the industry. 

MPB makes it easy to be circular. The average savings for “Like New” models on MPB versus brand-new is 30%, making buying used a no-brainer for photographers. Even if you want the latest releases, you’re better off choosing MPB, as it only takes an average of three months for a newly launched item to make its way over to the platform. 

Those who sell their gear earn an average of $900 every time, and they have the option of trading in or upgrading (shipping is free both ways). You can get a free instant quote online—the pricing engine is driven by real-time data, so it’s always accurate. 

Camera bodies are in high demand right now. According to MPB, the fastest-rising camera models of 2023 were the Fujifilm X-T5 and X-H2, the Sony A7R V, and the Canon EOS R10 and R6 Mark II. Additionally, the company expects strong sales numbers for the Canon EOS R5 and EOS R50, the Panasonic S5 II, and the Nikon Z8—so if you have one of those, now might be the perfect time to sell. 

These days, there’s simply no reason to buy brand-new gear: Research from MPB indicates that Americans are collectively sitting on $650 billion worth of unused tech. The average adult in the US has at least one camera they don’t use anymore. With MPB, you can sell that camera and put the money you earn directly toward buying a new one. 

More than 625,000 visual storytellers have already bought and sold used gear through MPB, so here’s a New Year’s Resolution anyone can keep: Stop buying brand-new and shop more sustainably in 2024. Whether you’re searching for the perfect lens, looking to sell your camera body, or upgrading to something better, their product specialists have you covered. With 3,000 new products added every week, chances are they’ve got what you want—at a price you’ll love.