Lucky photographer thrifts $1,200 worth of gear for $20

A Reddit user has struck gold at a thrift store, finding a camera bag filled with cameras and lenses for a fraction of the retail price. To be precise – he scored around $1,200 worth of gear for a mere $20!

The lucky photographer shared their incredible find on the subreddit r/ThriftStoreHauls, leaving fellow photographers happy for him… But also a bit envious. I mean, who wouldn’t be? Inside the seemingly ordinary camera bag, there was a treasure trove of cameras and lenses: a Nikon D5100 and an 18-55mm lens (around $220 used on Amazon), Canon EOS 20D (around $180 used on Amazon), a Canon EF-S 10-18mm (around $300 on Amazon), and a Canon 85mm ultrasonic lens (around $500 on Amazon).

The Reddit user couldn’t hide their excitement. I have some more Canon lenses from a camera that was stolen a few years ago, so I am happy to start playing with photography again,” they wrote in the comments. I guess this is good karma (and I hope the gear he thrifted wasn’t stolen from someone else but rather donated).

“I picked up a Polaroid autofocus 660 and a Polaroid Sun 600 yesterday at the thrift for $5 a piece, and I thought I got a good deal,” another user wrote. This is way better.” Yet another remarked that they can’t even buy a lens cap for $20, and this person got an entire bag full of gear!

This story reminds us that sometimes the best finds are waiting for us in the most unexpected places. A few years ago, a photographer found a Leica M2 in mint condition for $5. Another accidentally discovered a master photographer’s work in an old box of negatives. After all, that’s how the story of Vivian Maier began. So, next time you’re at a thrift store, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for hidden gems like this one.

[via The Cooldown]

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