Would You Buy a Used Lens?

<p>More wonderful things to think about!!! I'll have to print this page out... or copy and paste it to my Google Docs.</p>

<p>I am looking at some used stuff. Some are less than new but some others are only $20 difference or even more expensive. Nothing so far is exactly what I need right now.</p>

<p>I'll keep looking so I can save a few bucks here and there. The more I save the more things I can buy with my budget :)</p>

<p>I've been eye-balling some vintage dual lens cameras from the Bay. These things I'm not worries about buying used :)</p>

<p>Savitri,<br>

See if you can get the optional 150mm for the Rolleiflex TLR. That and the 2.8 80....nice.</p>

<p>If you buy from ebay or Craig's list, it's buyer beware. There are good deals though. It takes some research, knowledge, and common sense to avoid the obvious pitfalls and often there isn't much recourse if it goes wrong. That said, I've bought a couple of lenses off of ebay and it worked out great. But I bought more used camera's/lenses from KEH and I've had nothing but good experience. They rate very conservatively and stand by their product. I can't speak for Adorama or B & H as far as used equipment, though I've had no problems with them for new stuff.<br>

Another guy is Tony at Pop.Flash photo. Really stands up for what he sells, nothing but good things to say about his business.</p>

<p>I'm not connected to any of these people BTW</p>

<p>I refuse to buy lenses new. I think it's a waste of money when I can get used lenses for great prices from places like KEH and Adorama, and in my case I can get last generation pro lenses for the same price as new consumer lenses.</p>

<p>Once upon a time with fleabay I had great results buying cameras, except for one from Canada that came misrepresented, a N90x, and complained loudly to the seller and suggested very negative feedback, and got a check to 'settle' things in return (he had seen an attorney).<br>

But with lenses, fleabay is a poor place to go looking for a used lens, as there is really no way to evaluate, and unless the seller has a HUGE number of positive feedbacks and a 'return' policy, then you're stuck. Many purchasers there say 'I just sell it to someone else' which compounds the problem.<br>

So, in the past I bought camera bodies.<br>

In the more recent past, I advertised all over, and bought equipment from people who didn't use it and got wonderful results - often multiple copies of a number of lenses and also met people who were camera/lens users and some even gave me their equipment (they wanted a 'good home' or sold it to me at far less than Fair Market Value because they say my work.<br>

So, I ended up with a huge number of good lenses and bodies, etc., (many were stolen)<br>

Now that I have (deliberately tardy) insurance proceeds, I've once again been buying, but find that 'refurbs' where I buy the (not everywhere) often are priced below or even well below used prices. So, I buy them whenever I can and have to call daily to 'see what's available or 'just arrived' as I am sure I pay among the lowest prices of anybody for them, being a volume purchaser (and for cash, taking nothing back)<br>

An advantage (despite paying sales tax) is that I can test 'on the spot and with great experience now, I almost always can spot a bad one right away. If so, I just pass, then wait for another. Also, if a bad one, I have built up a great friendship with Nikon's tech department in El Segundo and idolize their good treatment of me (and am EVER so thankful to them for wonderful, out of the ordinary, great treatment, so if there is an issue, I just make a call (especially if warranty's expiring) to 'hold' my warranty (90-days on refurbs).<br>

They always do it right.<br>

It's really pretty simple, but finding low-cost refurbs is the tricky part, and I ain't sharing my source currently (maybe later).<br>

John (Crosley)</p>

<p>The whole "bad copy" thing is a bit overrated. A bigger risk with buying used is that you get a genuinely problematic lens, e.g. a cheap lens that needs a complete relube or some dust in the lens, or some big dent. Basically it works so that when buying used, the price should be the new price minus the risk aspect of not buying new (say 10-20%, basically new has manufacturer warranty and is tested right out of the factory), minus the age and wear of the item (made last year 0%, heavy use over 30 years 80%...you get my drift) and minus the risk factor of buying from a non-authorized dealer (e.g. KEH no or minimum risk, some guy on eBay minimum to high risk depending on feedback and general impression).<br>

Following these guidelines, you will get statistically the right prices since losses can be amortized over severall bys. However, if you're purchasing just one or tow non rare items, then it's best to stick to fairly new stuff from reputed dealers. There always be someone on eBay with a "buy it now" button and a 25%-75% premium and those can be safely ignored in favor of more reliable sellers.<br>

Now why do I buy used? Because a lot of the stuff isn't even available new, at least where I live.</p>

 

<p>Savitri, don't listen to all this gargle, these novices are giving out.<br>

DON'T BUY USED, BECAUSE:<br>

-there's no warranty<br>

-you don't know if the lens are scratched, dented, defective image etc<br>

-BECAUSE THEY ARE NEARLY EXPENSIVE AS THE NEW ONES.</p>

<p>Just check out Ebay for instance:<br>

This guy is selling his 70-200 IS for $1700, has 11 bids, and 20 odd hours to go.<br>

That's just bullcrap, by the end of the auction, those lens will reach 2500 when you can buy them brand new for 2100.<br>

I can't afford to spend thousands of dollars on something, "saving" a few bucks.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>People this thread who have deep pockets please keep buying new lenses so there are more available used and there is less demand.<br>

Thanks.</p>

<p>My two best lenses are a 135mm takumar that I purchased at ebay for $20 (including shipping) and a Vivitar series 1 90mm/2.5 macro that I got from B&H for $130. Very sharp & extremely well built lenses. Both are manual focus and m42 mount, which I like because they can be used in both of my canon 5d and pentax k20d and cameras that I might buy in the future (who knows, perhaps a Nikon). If you feel confortable using this kind of manual gear then it is an alternative that may offer excelent image quality at low cost. For newer lenses, however, the savings that you get from buying used might not be worthed. My rule of thumb is that if the price of the used lens is more than about 70% of the price of the new lens, I will purchase new. </p>

<p>I've gotten 5 lenses used. There's no way I could have bought them new, and even if I had the money I never did have enough interest to pay full prices. I wanted a Canon 70-300mm IS lens, new ones locally would have cost me with local tax over $900.00 and that was not going to happen. Found an earlier 75-300mm version on eBay, won it for $405.00 and it included the hood. I didn't mind it being the earlier version, and it was like new. <br>

I've had luck with the free local online site Kijiji (its owned by eBay, and we do not have Craigs List locally). A fellow was offering Tamron 11-18mm and an 18-200mm lenses, both new in the box for $700.00. He was also going to include a Canon 75-300mm (non IS) used lens in the deal. I got them all for $600.00, sold the Canon for $135.00, so the two Tamrons cost me $465.00, less than half the new price locally. The guy said he had just bought the Tamrons and broke his Canon camera body so decided to switch to Nikon. The lenses were still in the plastic wrap in the boxes, with no fingerprints or other signs of use.</p>

<p>Later I got a Sigma 17-70mm lens from a person saying they just did not use the lens. Cost me $200.00. I wasn't actually looking for the lens, but it was such a nice looking one and I bought it again at less than half its new price. </p>

<p>I'd been checking out 500mm mirror lenses, but again wasn't really interested in what they are going for new. Just last week I got one off the same Kijiji list for $50.00, which suited my interest just fine. Nice and clean, original box and lens cap, and even came with a Canon T mount adapter.</p>

<p>So buying used has been great for me, but would probably not be interested in a used camera body.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>I have a used Nikon 24-85 f/3.5-4.5 from the auction site which is very nice, and more recently a used 85mm f/1.8D from Aperture UK in London, which is incredible. <br>

Just today I have received a Tokina 80-200 f/2.8 AT-X PRO from an italian seller on the auction site, which is in beautiful condition. Whether it is optically a great lens is another matter still for research, but I think secondhand is a fairly good risk.</p>

<p>I've sold Nikon film and DSLR bodies on eBay and have sold Leica M and Contax SLR bodies on eBay. I purchased a 50mm Summicron on eBay in 1998 and use it all the time. I've had none of the gear I've sold come back to me and I've been very pleased with the 50mm Summicron.<br>

After about six months of use I learned that a Rollei 3.5 that I bought on eBay was in need of significant repairs. I sold it to the repair shop for $100. Buyer beware!</p>

<p><em>"...I came upon a lot of talks about returning a copy or even two to finally get a good one (or get a different brand/model all together). "</em><br>

That is the problem. Those who are not satisfied with their first or 2nd copy, is purely based on subjective criteria while making the decision. I have not yet seen some one producing scientific tests to reject the 1st copy. Though, there is a possibility, but very remote.</p>

<p>As you can see in the post that overwhelming majority have bought used lenses and they are very happy, including me.</p>

<p>You get what you pay for. I shoot old Minolta cameras, the only lens` I can buy are used. I only buy Minolta lens' now. I have never has an issue with a Minolta lens. Different story with all the second party lens'. I suppose they were good for the time they were made but are not the quality as a prime lens.<br>

Only exception is a Sigma 600mm mirror lens, which is a good lens but very hard too use.<br>

When I buy a digital slr I am only going to buy prime lens'. --Joe</p>

<p>There are actually quite a few problems with a lot of new lenses, though obviously you increase your (negative) odds a bit by buying used.</p>

<p>I mostly buy used lenses and I'm very happy. I highly recommend KEH in that regards.</p>

<p>You don't increase your negative odds by buying used.</p>

<p>Just like vintage furniture, you can easily end up with crap if you don't know what you're looking at/bidding on/buying.</p>

<p>You can end up with a crap lens buying new just as easily as buying used. You increase your negative odds by buying from shady dealers and retailers, or by taking a chance on eBay.</p>

<p>KEH is excellent, never had a problem, and have purchased plenty of used gear (bodies, lenses, and accessories) from them over the years.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>90% of my equipment is used or a very old generation model.</p>

<ul>

<li>My Rebel XT was bought new in May of this year for $200</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li>I own a $150 ball head I only paid $45 for and all it was missing was 1" length of comfort rubber.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li> I picked up two quick release plate setups for that ball head for $35 total when both combined new would have been over $80.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li> I bought a tamron 28-75mm + multi-coating Omega close-up filters for $250 total and it works great. New It's about $375-$495 depending on who you buy from, and then you don't even get the close-up filters.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li> I have a tamron 60-300mm adaptall-2 sp lens that I only paid $10 for. I then bought a 2x teleconverter to go along with it for $35, and a adaptall-to-eos w/ af confirm chip for $40 so now I have an equivalent 120-600mm lens with good image quality (albeit a slow lens) for less than $100.</li>

</ul>

<ul>

<li> And my last bargain is my tripod which came with an attached ball leveler I paid $75 for which brand new sold for $300+. The bubble levels have evaporated and part of the twist handle to raise the geared column snapped off, but two bubble levels are $15 total and I'm handy enough to DIY myself a durable handle later for less than $10.</li>

</ul>

<p>So in the end, I'm a huge fan of buying used when I only spent $515 for close to $1000 in equipment (doesn't include cost of the new XT).</p>

<p>Another for "YES" to used, including eBay.</p>

<p>I have 6 primes and 3 of them were bought used.</p>

<p>As many have mentioned above, there are many levels of 'used' as well. In one case my purchase was from a private guy but he was really cool, answered questions, and gave me a good 30 mins of inspection time including shooting numerous images through the lens before the deal was done. Also it was for a 24/2.8 prime so not heaps of $$.</p>

<p>The other 2 used lenses were both more costly (135/2DC andd 180/2.8) - however both were bought from an eBay dealer in Japan with whom I'd already had good dealings, and both lenses were as-new including full packaging, paperwork, accessories etc and little if any use at all. In fact the 180 was still in its original plastic with stickers never opened.</p>

<p>The one thing I'd advocate is patience. While I've had the good experiences above, I've had to wait weeks or months for the right item and the right level of comfort to occur. But it has been worth it in terms of savings, and also in terms of getting some trusted relationships (eg the guy in Japan knows what I want next and emails me whenever something comes in that suits - which is awesome).</p>

<p>I have purchased three used lenses, from Nikon Cafe members and the last from Murphy Camera in Kentucky which a Nikon Cafe member alerted me to on one of the threads. All have worked perfectly and all saved me quite a bit of cash...the last one (200 f2) I saved over a thousand on that lens alone! So it can be a very big help for acquiring camra gear and saving a little money also. Between the three I have saved over $2200 by buying used instead of new. There is no distinguishing these lenses from brand new...literally not one single scratch or cosmetic imperfection whatsoever. Well worth looking for good used equipment. So many people get a lens to try and don't like it and then sell it. Bargains are sometimes out there!</p>

<p>Wow, Keith, $2200 savings is amazing!!!</p>

<p>Based on some recommendation from this board I am looking at getting a 105mm 2.5 manual AI(S). Adorama and KEH has them (E- and Ex) with slightly different prices. I guess go with the cheapest?</p>

<p>Thanks for sharing your experiences and purchases. It's really nice to know. Gives me more confidence in buying used -- which I prefer for anything if possible. It does take patience since the one I really want isn't available anywhere but so far I'm still happy with just having a 50mm, I can wait!</p>

<p>If you can talk to them, see if the cheaper lens is the older version with the smaller rear lens element (Sonnar type) or the newer version with the larger lens element (Gauss type). The one with the larger rear lens element is the better version, I believe, and is the one I've got. Price differences may be based on that. The large rear element is unmistakable and distinctive, and they'll know precisely what you're talking about if they have the lens in hand. KEH can get a lens out of the warehouse and check. Don't know if Adorama will or not, but if the lens isn't described as either Sonnar or Gauss, you'll want to find out. Sonnars aren't bad, though, just that the Gauss is considered to be better at closer focusing (not terribly close compared to the 50mm lens or the 24mm lens I suggested to you, but better at its closest focus distance than the Sonnar.<br>

I can post a picture of the back of my Gauss when I get home if you can't find pictures on line and want to see what I'm talking about.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Google images didn't have anything showing, so here's a shot of the back element. It focuses down to a meter, but will show a 17-80 lens at half height of a portrait frame at that distance. </p><div></div>

<p>Awesome! Thanks so much for this bit of info!</p>

<p>I have been a lousy Ebay bidder. There was this 17-50mm and I emailed the owner and got great responses. I felt confident and that night the auction ended I fell asleep. My almost 5-mo-old have been sick and I just passed out while tucking the oldest one to bed. Her bed time story put me to sleep!</p>

<p>Today there was another one - same deal, I emailed the owner in advance and got good answers. I got ready, 17-minutes it said. Twenty minutes later I remembered. I got into grading and totally forgot about the lens. AURGH!!!!!</p>

<p>Of my collection of lenses, 13 were bought new, 5 were bought second-hand from a dealer, face to face, and 3 were bought sight unseen from reputable dealers (KEH, Grays of Westminster, and Leica Shop - Vienna).</p>

<p>The only lens that I bought privately sight unseen, was one that I had advertised "wanted". It was subsequently sent to SK Grimes for modification, and they provided a very comprehensive report on the condition of it. Considering what I paid for it, postage to and from SK Grimes, and their fee for their modification work; I consider that I got a bargain for something that only one camera manufacturer has ever made, in small quantities, for a very high (original) price.</p>

<p>The camera collection comprises 4 new cameras, 7 second hand cameras bought from dealers face to face, and 3 second hand cameras bought sight unseen from reputable dealers (KEH, Leica Shop - Vienna and Aperture Photographic - London).</p>

<p>So for I have not been disapointed with any of the second hand purchases of lenses or cameras.</p>

<p>My one and only experience with Ebay and Pay Pal turned out to be a disaster.</p>

<p>Only if it was a Nikkor?</p>