When buying a used Nikon F5, condition and testing matter most. Check the body for obvious heavy wear: excessive brassing, loose parts, damage around the lens mount, or unusual rattles. Cosmetic wear on grips can be normal, but if it looks heavily used or tatty, it’s safer to pass.

Test the camera if possible. Verify that the meter gives reasonable readings, ideally against a known-good meter or camera. Fire the shutter at different speeds, including a long exposure with the lens cap on, and try continuous advance. Check that the film transport/winder works smoothly. Also inspect the mirror and test aperture operation at different f-stops.

A common age-related issue on older film cameras is deteriorated back-door light seals, which can cause light leaks, so inspect those carefully.

Since the F5 is an older model, expect to replace batteries. If the seller allows it, the best test is to run a roll of film through the camera.

If available, shutter count can be useful, especially if the camera may have seen professional use. Finally, compare prices across listings—some sellers overvalue older pro film bodies because they were expensive when new.