How Tariffs Could Boost the Value of Your Used Camera Gear—and Why Listing Now Is the Move

We’ve spent years watching the photography and filmmaking world shift—new sensors, sharper lenses, tighter budgets—and I’ll admit, we don’t have all the answers. But right now, something’s brewing that’s bigger than any technology upgrade: tariffs. The Trump administration’s 2025 trade policies are rolling out, and they’re set to reshape the gear landscape—not just for Hollywood pros, but for every shooter with a kit. At GearFocus, we’re digging into this as a team, learning alongside our community, because we believe partnerships make us stronger. If you’ve got gear sitting idle—a Canon R5, a Sony FX6, a trusty Nikon lens—this could be your moment. Used gear values are poised to climb, and listing now might be the smartest play you’ll make all year.

Let’s break it down. The U.S. Trade Representative kicked off April with a 10% tariff on all imports, piling 24% extra on Japan and 34% on China—where most camera gear, from bodies to batteries, comes from. China didn’t flinch; by April 4, they hit back with a 34% tariff on U.S. goods, plus export controls on rare earths like samarium, key for sensors (Reuters, April 4). These aren’t rumors—tariffs landed April 5, with China’s response live by April 10. For new gear, that’s a price jolt: a Sony FX6 from Japan jumps from $6,000 to $7,440; a DJI Ronin from China climbs $238 to $938. Used gear? That’s where it gets interesting—I’m no economist, but history and logic suggest a shift we can’t ignore.

When new gear costs more, buyers pivot. We’ve seen it before—2018 tariffs pushed Canon lens prices up 15-20%, and eBay listings for used EF glass spiked 25% in value within months. Tony Northrup’s crunching the same numbers: 25-50% hikes on new cameras and lenses this time around. A Nikon Z6 II, $1,500 new pre-tariff, could hit $1,875-$2,250. Our used listings—say, a Z6 II at $1,200—might edge to $1,500-$1,800 as demand surges. Why? Photographers—wedding pros, indie filmmakers, students—won’t stomach $4,500 for a new Canon R5 when a pre-owned one at $3,200 (up from $2,800) still shoots like a dream. Scarcity’s the kicker—China’s rare earth curbs could slow sensor production, tightening new stock. Fewer cameras in stores mean more eyes on GearFocus.

I’m not pretending we’ve got this all figured out—tariffs are complex, and we’re learning as we go. But here’s what I’m seeing: demand for used gear spikes when new prices soar. Studios might bulk-buy new rigs despite the hit, but indies—say, a DP cutting a short on a $10,000 budget—will hunt pre-owned. That $10,000 kit could jump to $12,500 new; used, it’s still $8,500-$10,000, value rising as buyers flood in. GearFocus data backs this—listings have spiked since March as pros sensed the shift. It’s not a crystal ball, but it’s a pattern: scarcity plus demand equals higher prices for your gear, whether it’s a lens, body, or gimbal.

So why list now? I’ll be straight—I don’t know the exact peak, and waiting might seem tempting. But I’ve learned timing beats perfection. List early, and you’re ahead of the wave. Buyers are active—our 100+ daily listings draw pros and hobbyists daily, and they’re watching tariff news like hawks. A clean Sony A7 IV at $1,900 today could fetch $2,300 in June as new prices settle at $2,500. Wait too long, and more sellers jump in—supply rises, and your edge slips. GearFocus is free to list—no fees up front, just a low cut when it sells—so there’s no risk. You’re in front of buyers who trust us, and that trust moves gear fast. 

What gear’s hot? Lenses top the list—EF, RF, E-mount, Z-mount—optics face steep tariffs, and new prices (e.g., $1,000 to $1,340) drive buyers to used options at $800-$1,000, up from $650. Mirrorless bodies—Sony A1s, Canon R6s, Nikon Z6s—new hikes from $2,000 to $2,500-$3,000 push used values from $1,600 to $2,000-$2,400. Cinema kits—Blackmagic Pocket 6Ks, RED Komodos—new at $6,000-$7,440 mean used jumps from $4,800 to $5,500-$6,000. Accessories like gimbals, drones, and filters? Same deal—$200 new becomes $268; used $150 climbs to $180-$200. I’m guessing here, but the trend’s clear: tariffed imports lift all boats in the used market.

GearFocus isn’t just a platform—it’s our community, and we lean on it every day. We verify sellers, so buyers know they’re getting the real deal—actual gear photos, no stock fluff. That trust? It’s why we see sales close fast. Fees? We keep them low—way below the 10%+ other sites take—so you keep more. We love that part; it’s us partnering with you, not nickel-and-diming. Our 48-hour verification and, in some cases, 14-day returns give buyers confidence—more sales for you, less hassle. I don’t run this alone—our team and users make it work, and that’s the magic: 1+1 equaling 3.

Listing’s simple—I’m no tech wizard, and you don’t need to be either. Dig out that gear you haven’t touched in months—my old Nikon D850 sat for a year before I listed it. Snap clear photos, note the condition (scratches and all), bundle if you can—kits sell faster. Upload it on GearFocus—no cost, no catch. Buyers are there, waiting, especially now—tariff whispers are already nudging demand up. I’ve seen it: a Canon 50mm f/1.8 listed last month at $100 moved in a day; the same lens now asks $120-$130.

Here’s the honest bit—I don’t know how this will play our. Tariffs could spike gear 50% or stall at 25% or go away entirely; China’s rare earth play might clog supply for months or ease up fast. But markets move quick. Wait for the peak, and you might miss it—buyers snap up deals early, sellers flood in late, prices settle. List now, and you’re riding the front edge—demand’s climbing, supply’s still tight. GearFocus data’s showing it: sales velocity’s up 10% since April 1. That’s not a promise—just what we're seeing, and we're learning alongside you.

Spring 2025’s a wild card—trade-ins could surge as pros ditch gear pre-hike, flooding us with options. That’s our strength—used gear stays cheaper, and we’re here to keep it flowing. But act now, and you’re ahead. I’m no guru—just a gear lover who’s watched this game shift. Partnerships—our sellers, our buyers—keep us steady, and I’d rather figure this out with you than pretend I’ve got it solved.

List Your Gear on GearFocus Today
Don’t let your gear sit—list it on GearFocus now, where filmmakers and photographers are hunting deals before tariffs bite harder. It’s free to list, low fees when it sells, and a community that trusts us to deliver. Go to GearFocus.com, upload your gear, and cash in while demand’s hot. We’re in this together—let’s make it work.