The Charity Shop Collection

Every camera and lens I've found hunting through Portsmouth's charity shops. Proof you don't need to spend thousands to create great photography.

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£518

Total Spent

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£2230

Retail Value

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£1712

Money Saved

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77%

Discount

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Canon PowerShot SX30 IS

British Heart Foundation, Portsmouth Good Aug 2023

£15

RRP: £350

Saved £335

The one that started it all. First charity shop camera find that made me realize gear doesn't matter.

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Fujifilm X-T2

Age UK, Southsea Excellent Mar 2024

£350

RRP: £1200

Saved £850

Body only but in pristine condition.

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TT Artisan 23mm f/1.4

eBay, Online Excellent Jul 2024

£30

RRP: £80

Saved £50

Manual focus prime lens. Sharp and compact for street work.

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Zuiko 50mm f/1.8

British Heart Foundation, Portsmouth Good May 2024

£8

RRP: £150

Saved £142

Classic lens, perfect for street photography.

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Canon AE-1

Oxfam, Southsea Good Jan 2024

£15

RRP: £200

Saved £185

Film camera with working light meter. A classic.

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Olympus OM-10

eBay, Online Excellent Jun 2024

£100

RRP: £250

Saved £150

Not from a charity shop, but a classic SLR I couldn't pass up.

Charity Shop Hunting Tips

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Best Portsmouth Shops

Age UK Southsea, British Heart Foundation Commercial Road, and Oxfam Albert Road are goldmines.

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When to Hunt

Monday mornings after weekend donations are sorted. Wednesday afternoons work too.

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What to Check

Always test the shutter, check for fungus in lenses, and ensure the battery compartment isn't corroded.

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Pro Tip

Be friendly with the staff. They'll sometimes hold items for you or give you a heads up on new stock.

See what I've captured with this gear

View Photography