There are so many ways photo and video storytellers can cash in big at MPB this Holiday season. Here are three of the ways MPB, the largest global platform to buy, sell and trade used photo and video gear, can help make your year-end brighter.

Sell Underused Gear to MPB
MPB is the world’s premier destination for selling, trading and buying used photo and video equipment. The process is easy, fast and secure.

Whether you want to raise holiday cash, finance that winter vacation to a warm climate or simply shed some of the dust collectors in your camera closet, MPB is the place to begin.

MPB uses a sophisticated analysis to ensure that you receive the appropriate market value on your trade in. On average, photo and video storytellers earn about $900 when they sell to MPB. And you know upfront what your gear is worth, so you can make informed decisions.

Selling & Trading is as Easy as 1 – 2 – 3
First, get a free Instant Quote. MPB uses a 5-point Condition Rating System to evaluate your gear when you sell or trade, so everyone is on the same page. Next, MPB provides free insured shipping via FEDEX. They even offer free doorstep pickup if that’s more convenient. And third, MPB makes payment directly to your bank, usually within two working days, after receipt and inspection.

5-Point Condition Rating System
The condition ratings are: • Like New – unboxed, unused or lightly used • Excellent – minimal signs of wear, otherwise pristine • Good – fair amount of use, but well-kept • Well Used – significant use, signs of normal wear and tear • Heavily Used – clear signs of wear and tear, still works.

For a deeper dive into the Rating System, check out this YouTube video and review the complete details by clicking here.

Buy MPB Approved Equipment at Great Savings
MPB has an enormous inventory of used cameras, lenses, drones and other gear. Buyers typically save about 33% vs the retail cost of new. MPB has more than 16,000 pieces of used gear in the US and over 47,000 globally. They add more than 2,000 products every week.

All cameras and lenses come with a 6-month warranty. Every item is carefully inspected by a trained specialist using the same 5-Point Condition Rating System shown above.

Plus, the product you see in the listing is the exact same item you are buying, because MPB photographs every camera and lens individually. And MPB lists every accessory included with the product, so there are no unpleasant surprises.

Save Even More
Save even more by trading the stuff you don’t use for the stuff you want.

Trading is as easy as selling. You always receive the same value from MPB whether you sell or trade. Select the item(s) you wish to purchase and request an Instant Quote on the gear you want to trade. MPB holds your shopping basket to the side until you either accept or decline their trade-in offer.

It’s About Trust, Not Transactions
MPB is rated Five Stars on Trustpilot, based on nearly 43,000 reviews from photo and video storytellers like you. MPB has served 625,000 visual storytellers and recirculates more than 500,000 items a year.

Some Examples of Products People Love

Fujifilm X-T4
Priced from $1,039 to $1,249, depending on condition, the mirrorless Fujifilm X-T4 has been a favorite among photographers — and for some very good reasons. Fitted with Fujifilm’s 4th generation APS-C X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor, X-Processor 4 and a potent in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system, the X-T4 features multiple Film Simulation Modes (including the new Eterna Bleach Bypass and the rich Acros black & white films). It offers 26.1-megapixel resolution, Full HD video, 425 AF points and an articulating touchscreen LCD among other amazing features. It even does one trick the X-T5 cannot do: the LCD monitor can be fully reversed so that the vulnerable surface faces inside, keeping it out of danger when you backpack or bike.

Sony Alpha  A7R III
The full-frame mirrorless Sony Alpha A7R III features a whopping 42.4-megapixel CMOS sensor, 500,000 shot shutter life rating, outstanding high ISO / low light image quality, 4K video, 399 AF focusing points and many other exciting features. Truly a professional-level full-frame camera, the A7R III can take your photography skills to the next level. MPB has several Sony Alpha A7R III models in stock priced from $1,109 to $1,359.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Zoom Lens
Expand the reach of your Canon DSLR system by adding one of the sharpest lenses in the legendary Canon L-Lens series, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM zoom. Ideal for portraiture, wildlife, birding and landscape photography, the 70-200mm range is the go-to zoom for many professionals. MPB has multiple models on hand right now at prices ranging from $269 to $709. Put a smile on the face of the Canon photographer in your life by gifting the premium zoom lens all photographers want to own.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10
For travel, for street shooting, or for exceptional everyday snapshots, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX10 features a large (1-inch) 20.1-megapixel MOS sensor, UHD 4K video, and a 3-inch touchscreen LCD monitor that pivots 180° for selfies and to the benefit of video content creators. The compact design belies the power within. The X10 captures 4K photo and video optically stabilized with Panasonic’s POWER O.I.S. Equipped with a Leica DC Vario-Summilux f/1.4-2.8 lens, it’s the camera you’ll want with your all the time. Prices start at $329 and there are several models available in various conditions.

Learn More About Photography via MPB Resources
If you are into photography or video storytelling, enjoy the plentiful resources in MPB’s Original Content section. Read about Competitions, learn from Equipment Guides and Tips & Tricks, enjoy interviews, and explore MPB EDU.

Sign up for a free, no obligation MPB account for even faster service and more features. You’ll get access to exclusive offers, creative news and original content.

Best wishes for health, happiness and peace this holiday season and every season from MPB.

 

∞ Shutterbug Staff

What if an experienced pro told you that one simple shooting technique can instantly improve every image you capture in the great outdoors? This may sound implausible, at least until you watch the following video from the Gary W YouTube channel.

Gary is an eclectic shooter whose portfolio spans a variety of popular genres, and he doubles down on his enticing claim: “This very simple trick doesn’t require any special camera or lens to perform and can be use with different kinds of subjects from landscape photography to portraiture, street photography, and travel photography.”

So what is this magic formula for “transforming a boring shot into a masterpiece? According to Gary, all that’s necessary is to “add a carefully considered foreground” whenever you compose a scene. This oft-ignore solution is particularly helpful for capturing a viewer’s attention when shooting with wide-angle lenses.

At first glance this strategic advice may sound easier said than done, but it simply involves a change in mindset and how you view the world around you. Gary illustrates his tips with a variety of inspirational examples to help you understand how easy this is to do.

Once you carefully consider the possibilities you’ll discover numerous elements that can be used to boost foreground impact, and Gary’s examples include impressive rock formations, colorful plants, interesting trees, man-made structures, and even people within the scene that help tell a story.

Taking this approach is a great way to add interesting depth and dimension to a photo because of the “layering effect” it creates. You’ll also see how properly placed foreground subjects will add balance to a shot, particularly if it complements the rest of the scene.

In other words, if the photo feels heavy on one side, an intriguing foreground object on the opposite side of the frame will balance out the shot for a much more cohesive effect. Sometimes a strong foreground element will add a sense of scale to what lays beyond, while in other instances it can be used as a framing device to accentuate your main subject.

The foregoing is just a glimpse into what you’ll learn in this context-changing episode, and you’ll find yourself taking advantage of Gary’s suggestions whenever you’re shooting in the field. Gary’s instructional YouTube channel is well worth a visit for anyone who makes images outdoors.

We also suggest watching a tutorial we featured recently with another successful pro who explains why it’s “essential” to choose the most appropriate ISO setting for every photograph you shoot. Put simply: ISO is not a set-it-and-forget-it proposition.

Shooting great outdoor photographs in perfect light is often quite simple, enabling us to capture impressive images that require a minimum of post processing. Unfortunately, things get far more challenging under less favorable conditions as you’ll see in this quick tutorial from the Photography with Rich YouTube channel.

Rich is an experienced pro, specializing in practical no-nonsense nature and wildlife photography videos describing straightforward techniques that photographers of skill levels can use to capture enchanting images that really grab attention.

This episode is all about dealing with low light, whether that means shooting on overcast days, in the shade, or when the sun is about to drop below the horizon. Rich puts it like this: “I believe that great low light photography comes down to one single factor, and that is getting the correct shutter speed.”

In less than five minutes Rich explains the settings he recommends for different situations, as well as a few pro techniques for making the task far less difficult when light just isn’t right. He demonstrates his approach in the context of wildlife imagery, but the tricks you’ll learn will prove equally valuable for all types of outdoor photography in in dim situations.

Most of you know that a fast shutter speed is important for freezing action, like birds in flight or a twitchy squirrel in the example Rich provides. But as the shutter speed increases, the amount of light entering your camera decreases accordingly. In short, the challenge is this: “How fast a shutter speed can we get away with while correctly exposing a shot­.”

Another key consideration is that image noise rears its ugly head if we bump up ISO beyond reasonable limits to offset the fast shutter speed we choose based upon the aperture setting employed.

Rich runs you through all of the parameters beginning with the behavior of your subject; namely, are you photographing a static scene like a bird resting on a branch or is your subject in motion? Whether you’re shooting hand-held or with the camera atop a tripod also factors into the equation.

If you follow Rich’s advice you’ll understand everything necessary to “easily to nail the shot every time.” The Photography with Rich YouTube channel is a valuable resource for anyone who shoots in the field. So be sure to pay a visit and explore everything that’s available.

And on a related note, don’t miss the tutorial we featured recently with another accomplished pro who provides a straightforward primer that explains everything you need to know for jumping into the enhancing world of low key photography with simple gear.

Along with the a1 II announced earlier today, Sony also released a new FE 28-70mm f/2 GM lens! Although there are already a few 28-70mm lenses for Sony E mount, such as the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary, this will be the first with a very bright f/2 constant aperture. It follows in the footsteps of Canon who already has the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM, although it improves the concept in a few ways. Being a Sony GM lens, we can expect the highest quality from this new optic. What does this lens have to offer?