When it comes to photography, there are a few things you need to be aware of. One is that there are a lot of different types of photography gear out there, and it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Another thing to keep in mind is that not all photography gear is created equal. Some items are better suited for certain types of photography than others. To help you out, here are some tips on how to shop for photography gear online safely:

  1. research the different types of gear available before making a purchase. There are a lot of different brands and models available, so it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Make sure to read reviews and compare prices before making your purchase.
  2. take into account your budget when shopping for photography gear. Not all items are worth the same price, so make sure to consider what you need before making your decision. You may find some great deals on high-quality equipment if you do your research!
  3. be careful with what you buy online. There have been cases where people have been scammed by sellers who claim they have the best equipment or deals available but don’t actually offer anything useful or safe in return. Be sure not to fall victim to this type of scam!
  4. always use caution when traveling with any type of equipment or traveling outside the country where it may be used without permission or regulation (e.g., in China). Make sure not to bring any dangerous or unauthorized items with you when traveling, and always check with your local police department before leaving if there is any concern about potential danger while using such equipment!

How Common Is Counterfeit Camera Gear?

Counterfeit camera gear is, if not common, definitely out there. What way it’s counterfeit depends on what exactly it is.

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Similarly, Canon has had trouble with counterfeiters manufacturing knockoffs of their flash units, and there have been fake Nikon battery grips. These kind of accessories are a gold mine for fakers because the products work and most people won’t be able to tell the difference. If photos write to the memory card in your camera, why would you question its authenticity? It’s only when the cheap chip inside fails that you might realize you’ve been had.

For larger items like cameras and lenses, the problems are a little more subtle. Cameras are expensive and technically difficult to manufacture, so they’re much harder to clone. Instead, scammers will buy a cheaper camera and change the badges, so it looks like the more expensive model. For example, the Nikon D7100 is similar enough to the significantly more expensive D610 that scammers can cheaply change a body panel and flog the 7100 on for a tidy profit.

You also have to be careful with gray market imports. In the best cases, the seller buys the camera cheaper overseas, somewhat dubiously imports it, and then sells it for a profit at a price that’s still lower than the RRP. You won’t get a warranty, and the camera manufacturer may look at you askance if they need to fix it at any stage, but you will get a brand new camera at a knockdown rate.

In other cases, you’ll end up with a camera that’s been stolen. The sellers will normally change or cover up the serial number on the body so you can’t easily check and, until something goes wrong, you won’t notice.

RELATED: How to Check the Serial Number On Your Camera Gear

What to Watch Out For

There are lots of red flags that can tip you off to a fake or otherwise dodgy listing. Some of the major ones are:

Buy Local or From a Reputable Store

Check What You Buy

Even if you’re certain you bought from a reputable seller—and especially if you aren’t—it’s worth giving any camera gear you buy online a quick once over when it arrives. Google “how to spot a fake [whatever you bought]” and check that yours is genuine. For example, real SanDisk cards have a gray switch and a serial number on the back; some of the fake cards have a yellow switch and no serial number.

RELATED: How to Make Sure a Camera or Lens Works Properly Before You Buy

You should also check that any holograms are real and where they should be, that labels are secure, aligned, and properly printed, and that everything that should be in the box—like the manual and warranty card—is.

For cameras, it’s also worth checking the shutter count. It should be zero (or almost zero) for a brand new camera; if it’s higher, then something is up.

If you’re ever in doubt, contact the seller and the manufacturer.

The photography market is worth so much money that it’s an easy target for scammers. They only have to take the smallest fraction of the smallest fraction of 1% of the business to turn a serious profit. This means that you, the consumer, have to be extra vigilant.