Real-world MPB reviews seem difficult to come by, especially if you’re looking for something more than short-form Google reviews. As someone who is all in on used gear, I’ve used MPB multiple times to purchase both cameras and lenses. With that, I thought I’d share my experience using the popular used photography gear company.
I made my first purchase through MPB back in 2021. Since then, I’ve bought three lenses and two cameras. I’ve dealt with several aspects of their departments, including the presales team, customer service, and the returns team.
In this MPB review, I’ll cover the things people care about most: quality, packaging, reliability, customer service, and cost.
About MPB
MPB was founded in Brighton, UK, and now operates across most of Europe, United States and other parts of the world. Along with selling used gear, the company also buys it. I’ve never sold to them before, so this review will focus solely on my experience as a buyer.
MPB Reviews: Packaging
When the doorbell rang, it felt like Christmas— it was only March. The postman handed me a tightly packed box containing my new (used) Fujifilm X-T3. I opened it with the same level of care MPB’s team had used to pack it.
A gentle shake of the box revealed no movement, which is always a good sign. Once I removed the outer box, I found some marketing materials, which I quickly moved aside to get to the main event.
Inside were layers of protective packaging, including another inner box and fishnet-style padding. I’m unsure of the science behind it, but it clearly worked. After peeling away some final layers, I finally reached my camera.
The item was exactly as described and the packaging clearly did its job. This careful attention was consistent across every order I placed with MPB.
I made this reel so you can see what to expect if you order from MPB.
MPB Reviews: Quality
MPB uses five condition categories for its gear:
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Like New — Box opened, minimal use, looks brand new, with all original accessories.
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Excellent — Almost new condition, possibly missing some accessories.
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Good — Noticeable cosmetic wear like light scuffs or minor paint loss.
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Well Used — Heavy wear and tear with clear signs of use.
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Heavily Used — Significant damage or wear, but still functional.
Personally, I’ve only ever purchased items in Good and Excellent condition. The camera I bought in Excellent condition felt pristine. I could barely find any marks on it, though some accessories were missing, such as the camera strap and Fujifilm’s stock flash.
My most recent purchase, the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 (read my review), was listed as Good. It had a very tiny scuff on the lens hood (which was listed) and has since become one of my go-to lenses for street photography. Honestly, if you don’t need perfect, the Good rating is superb, and cheaper.
Everything I’ve bought from MPB has held up well over time. I did experience an issue with one of the X-T3s. It would occasionally reset the menu settings when switched on and off. I later learned this was a common issue with the X-T3 model, so I returned it.
MPB Reviews: Customer Service
That return gave me a firsthand look at MPB’s customer service. While on a trip in Turkey, my X-T3 became faulty. Returning it from Istanbul wasn’t feasible, and by the time I got back to the UK, the camera would have been out of warranty.
MPB’s support team made everything easy. They agreed to the return once I got home and handled the process quickly and without resistance. Their responses came the same day or the following day.
Customer service was accessible via email and their website chat, meaning I didn’t have to worry about costly international calls.
MPB Reviews: Price
One of the main reasons I keep going back to MPB is the value. Compared to brand-new gear, you can often save 20–40%, sometimes even more. My Fujifilm X-T3 in Excellent condition cost me around £650, whereas a new one (back when available) was over £1,100. That’s a huge saving for a camera that was almost indistinguishable from new. MPB also includes a 6-month warranty as standard.
Verdict: Is MPB Worth It?
After years of shopping with MPB, I can confidently say they’re one of the most trustworthy options for buying used gear. The items are accurately graded, packaging is excellent, and customer support is responsive. Pricing is competitive and often more affordable than other used marketplaces, especially when you factor in the included warranty and easy returns.
If you’re a photographer looking to save money without compromising on quality, MPB is a solid bet. I’ll continue using them for years to come.
Check out MPB now and shop used cameras and lenses with confidence.
What has your experience been like with MPB? I’d love to know. Let me know in the comments below.
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I’ve used MPB for 3 cameras now, as well as a variety of lenses, and have had excellent service from them in that regard, with fair pricing. Items came exactly as described and photographed. That’s the one feature I really like about them: they photograph the actual item you’re buying, it’s not just some generic post for a particular model.
I’ve also returned one camera in exchange for another: again a seamless experience. And I’ve sold equipment to them as well. I definitely got less than I would have if I’d sold the stuff myself, but selling expensive camera equipment privately is super high friction, IMO, and the completely seamless and fair pricing I got from MPB was worth taking slightly less for it. In one case they even upgraded a rating on an item and paid me more for it than had expected to get!
Happy customer. Highly recommend them.
Hey Konrad,
Thanks for stopping by. Really glad you had a positive experience as we MPB as well.
In a time where cameras/lenses are getting more and more expensive, the used market can really thrive and make sure photography remains accessible. My XT3 is a more than capable, works perfectly. it would be sad if good functioning cameras went to waste.
I’ve only sold one thing through MPB and can mirror your perspective, but it was quite a few years ago.
I’ve read in a photography group of someone not having a great experience; they sold a working camera but when it was flagged as faulty and when they got it back it wasn’t working. Not sure what happened there but it’s making me a bit cautious. Probably worth documenting everything before sending.
Hey Adam,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience. I fully agree, no matter which company you sell your gear to, always make a record of the condition.
Personally, I always like to follow the trend and not exception, as it’s the best way to learn if a company is doing the right thing. I mainly hear positive feedback in regards to folks selling to MPB.
However, when selling gear you must be fully confident you’re selling to the right organization, so I do understand why you’re hesitant.