The short version
- Typical range: £15 – £70
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Cameras & Photography
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used tripod is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for tripods, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £70 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £59 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £45 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £31 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £17 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a tripod
- Carbon fibre legs, which are light and stiff
- Quality ball or fluid heads included
- Leg locks that grip firmly with no slip
- Recognised support brands
What lowers it
- Slipping leg locks, the usual failure
- Missing quick-release plates, which are head-specific
- Seized or gritty centre columns
- Flimsy kit tripods, worth very little
How to work out what yours is worth
- Extend every leg section and check the locks hold
- Confirm the quick-release plate is present
- Note whether the head is included and its type
Once you have those three answers you can place your own tripod on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
Do tripods hold their value?
Good ones do, for decades. The head is often worth more than the legs, so state which head is included.
What is a quick-release plate?
The small plate that attaches the camera to the head. It is head-specific, and a tripod without one is much less useful.
Are carbon tripods worth the premium?
Second hand, yes. They are lighter and stiffer than aluminium and hold value noticeably better.
More value guides: cameras & photography guides · all value guides · browse live cameras & photography listings.