How visual storytellers can make more money by having a tech spring clean this winter

Here at Creative Boom, we've all about supporting freelancers. And so we often share tips, ideas and advice on boosting your freelance income. But amid a cost-of-living crisis, it's worth looking at the other side of the balance sheet. Could you be spending more on kit than you really need to?

More and more professionals realise that they can save hundreds, even thousands of pounds by buying their cameras, lenses and other equipment used rather than new. With second-hand kit being around a third of the price of new, those are some serious savings! Plus, you can also add to your income by offloading used kit that's gathering dust around your home.

However, you've probably had bad experiences trying to sell gear on Facebook groups, Gumtree and the like. Buyers who say they're coming but never show up. People who try to haggle you down to stupidly low prices. Hours wasted answering dumb, poorly written questions by people who can't be bothered to Google or even read the info you've already posted. And you think: "I just don't have the energy for this."

That's why we like MPB. Rather than forcing you to negotiate with randoms, MPB will buy your kit directly, with an average payout of £650. And if you're looking to buy, it's a great place to go too.

Crucially, every piece of kit is inspected carefully by MPB's product specialists and comes with a six-month warranty to give you peace of mind that buying used doesn't mean sacrificing reliability.

Equipment is sent out very quickly, and in this current period of global supply chain instability, you might even get it faster than buying new. Right now, for instance, it's actually easier to buy a used Canon R5 from MPB than a new one from Canon!

Perhaps most importantly, the people running MPB actually care. Founded by Matt Barker in 2011, the company is totally committed to making kit more accessible and affordable and building a more sustainable future for the profession. It recirculates more than 350,000 items of used kit every year, extending the life and creative potential of photo and video equipment for creators around the world. Good for the planet and your bank balance.

So how do you go about buying and selling on MPB? Read on as we delve into the details.

How to buy with MPB

Buying from MPB makes so much sense. Every piece of equipment is thoroughly checked and individually photographed. And items come with a six-month warranty, as well as a 14-day returns policy. So you won't have any worries about quality or reliability.

MPB's team of product specialists detail exactly what condition each product is in, so you know exactly what you're getting. Once you've decided on a purchase, just proceed to checkout, enter your address details and pick a delivery option.

You'll receive a courier tracking number, and you should expect orders placed before 4pm, Monday to Friday, to arrive within one business day. That's certainly a lot faster and more reliable than you normally get on generic second-hand sites.

To give you an idea of what's on offer, here are three cameras and three lenses that were listed at time of writing (although as they're such bargains, we can't guarantee they're still available).

1. Canon R5: excellent cosmetic condition, £3,769

When it was first announced, the Canon R5 caused shockwaves throughout the profession. Setting new standards in resolution, speed, video and stability, it's still one of the most sought-after cameras by professionals today, particularly because global supply chain issues have made it tricky to get hold of one. This full-frame mirrorless camera features a newly developed 45MP CMOS sensor, 8K raw video recording, 12fps continuous shooting with a mechanical shutter, and five-axis sensor-shift image stabilisation.

2. Nikon D850: excellent cosmetic condition, £2,049

Offering both superlative speed and high resolution, the Nikon D850 is another great choice for pro shooters. Its FX-format sensor uses 45.7MP of effective resolution to deliver richly detailed 45.4MP files, and lets you shoot true full-frame movies at 4K. The back-illuminated CMOS sensor has no optical low-pass filter and incorporates gapless on-chip micro-lenses, as well as an anti-reflective coating. And the 153-point AF system provides the pin-sharp focus and wide coverage you need for ultra-high-res, full-frame images.

3. Fujifilm X-T4: excellent condition, £1,229

Making a camera that's suitable for both photography and videography is no simple task. The X-T4 is one of Fujifilm's most powerful X Series cameras to date, with no compromises for stills or video. Using the 4th generation X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, X-Processor 4, a newly developed compact in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) system, new Film Simulation mode 'ETERNA Bleach Bypass' and various other features that have evolved based on user feedback, this camera delivers image quality that can satisfy the demands of professional photographers and videographers.

4. Canon RF 24-70mm f2.8 L IS USM: good cosmetic condition, £2,099

Getting beautiful, sharp images isn't just about the sensor, it's also about the lens you attach to it. And the RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is a very lovely lens indeed. This RF zoom lens comes with 24-70 mm focal length plus a fast and constant f/2.8 maximum aperture, for exceptional optical quality. With five-stops of image stabilisation it's great in low light, and ideal for a wide range of subjects where speed and versatility are key, such as reportage, portraiture and weddings.

5. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM: excellent cosmetic condition, £84

This very affordable fixed-focal-length lens is great for creative portraits and low-light photos. The EF 50mm f/1.8 STM delivers great image quality with enhanced sharpness, extra contrast, and reduced distortion. Bring your subject into sharp focus with beautiful background blur, while the wide f/1.8 aperture lets in more light, reducing the need to use a flash in low-light conditions.

6. Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS: excellent condition, £159

Looking for a solid, robust, everyday lens for your photography? The SEL2870 combines impressive optical performance with lightweight, compact convenience. Its 28–70mm zoom range makes it suitable for everything from landscapes to portraits, while built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation keeps your pictures sharp and noise-free.

How to sell with MPB

Selling second-hand goods online often isn't worth the work you put into it. But with MPB, it definitely is. They'll buy your photography and video equipment directly from you, so there's no messing about.

And MPB's research suggests that you're highly likely to be sitting on kit you could sell to them. According to their 2022 Unused Tech Survey, more than half (53%) of UK adults have unused cameras in their homes, with 22% having two or more. If that includes you, then why wait around? You can get a free instant quote from MPB here. Simply enter your model name and choose an estimated condition rating. MPB will then generate your quote for you instantly.

If you're happy with the quote, you just have to box up your kit and ask for a courier to collect it; or you can choose to drop off your parcels at a nearby courier point. After MPB has processed your item and paid you, the balance will appear in your bank account within two working days.

In short, if you need photography or videography equipment for your job, buying and selling via MPB can help boost your bank balance by hundreds, even thousands of pounds. So what are you waiting for? Get started with buying and selling with MPB.