Buying a used Nikon 70-200 f4

I want to pick up the 70-200 f4 before I go on a trip to Seattle in early August. I currently own the 80-200 f2.8d but want something smaller/lighter, and with hopefully even better performance. I've always bought lenses new, primarily from B&H but once a non-USA but new 24-120 on Amazon, which worked out well. But given the high price of the 70-200 ($1400) and no rebates currently, I'm going to have to go the used route for it. I've been looking on Ebay and Amazon, and also found out about a company called KEH that sells used equipment. Does anyone know about KEH and how would they compare vs. buying a used one on Ebay or Amazon? Are there any other places that sell good used lenses that could be exchanged if there is an issue?. I live in a small town from any good camera shops, well any camera shops for that matter. Thanks so much for any suggestions.

KEH has an excellent reputation for used camera equipment, but I have never bought from them myself. Otherwise, the used department in Adorama and B&H should both be good. However, these reputable places will likely cost more than eBay, where you have more risk and potentially a higher reward (in lower prices).

Have bought quite a bit here -- this today,

NIKON NIKKOR AF-S 70-200MM F4 G VR ED N IF LENS 70-200/4 AFS

I have bought from KEH, and they live up to their reputation as the best store in the U.S. for used equipment. B&H and Adorama are also excellent to their customers. LensAuthority is another trusted source, founded by the same people as the highly regarded LensRentals, and most often sells equipment that has been rented previously, but they give you only three days to examine your purchase. That made me nervous when a lens arrived from them at a very busy time for me.

 

I have also bought used equipment locally on Craig's List, cheaper but more risky, but I've had good luck with that as well, in part because of a special situation where I live. We were very close to Brooks Institute of Photography, and many of their students (sadly) sold some or all their photographic equipment on their way out of town.

I recently purchased a 70-200 f4 from KEH in LN- condition - they had a one day flash sale and the price came to $995. It was indistinguishable from brand new.

I've bought a number of Nikon film cameras and lenses from KEH over the years. The "bargain" grade lenses I bought were is great condition. They may have had some paint loss on the outside, but the glass was beautiful. The "excellent" grade lenses I bought were fantastic, IMO.

 

I bought 2 Nikon FE bodies from them, but one's shutter jammed as I was testing the camera w/o film the day it arrived. I sent it back to KEH and they replaced it immediately. However, the replacement was making the same strange noise the defective one was making before it jammed. I didn't want to take a chance on the replacement camera jamming too, so I sent it back for a refund. KEH refunded my money very quickly.

 

I can completely recommend KEH for your used equipment purchases.

Thanks everyone. KEH sounds like a good place then. I don't mind taking a chance on Ebay, but when it's this much money I worry about something could go wrong and I'm out $1,000 or so. If I could get in on a sale that would be great because I just saw that KEH has a couple of the 70-200 lenses for sale now.

I normally don't mind used, and have several used lenses. But the VR mechanism of the VR lenses is a concern. That is an electro-mechanical mechanism, and more apt to have problems than a strictly mechanical lens. That makes me lean towards new, with Nikon warranty.

Have bought quite a bit here -- this today,

NIKON NIKKOR AF-S 70-200MM F4 G VR ED N IF LENS 70-200/4 AFS

 

In addition to KEH, I would trust usedphotopro.com as well. They're the used gear storefront for Roberts Camera, which has 2 brick and mortar stores in Indiana. Also, while I would not hesitate to buy anything new from B&H or Adorama, I would hesitate to buy anything used from either one, unless I were in NYC and can physically inspect the item. Their ratings for used gear have been inconsistent over the years, although they may have gotten more consistent. They do have online ambassadors (Henry Posner and Helen Oster) who are incredibly helpful and both stores have good return policies, but in my experience, I was more likely to return something used to B&H and Adorama than I was to KEH. YMMV...

 

-Keith

Edited July 6, 2017 by photo_galleries

I have been a customer of KEH for several years and several thousand dollars.

 

Their items are always, IMO, better than described. I would not hesitate to buy a "bargain" grade item(they're what many Ebay sellers will call "excellent") and higher grades are even better. Their warranty is great, as is their return policy if you aren't happy with the condition of the item. Probably 10 years ago, I went through three Canon F-1 bodies and kept returning them for small functional defects-they had no issues with me doing that, and were overall great through the whole process. That's the only "bad" item I've ever received from them.

 

I've even chanced "ugly" on a few less expensive items. The last "ugly" I bought was a $100 50mm 1.4 AI lens. The lens was optically perfect but had some paint wear on the barrel. Back in the spring, I bought a Canon 50mm 1.8 in LTM for about $80, and it was a bit hazy. This is a common defect on this and really a lot of 1950s and earlier LTM lenses(due to the lubricants used condensing on the glass) and a service fixed it right up for a total cost less than buying a nicer example.

Thanks everyone. KEH sounds like a good place then. I don't mind taking a chance on Ebay, but when it's this much money I worry about something could go wrong and I'm out $1,000 or so. If I could get in on a sale that would be great because I just saw that KEH has a couple of the 70-200 lenses for sale now.

 

 

I've bought I don't know how many thousands $$$ worth of camera gear from ebay over the years, from all over the world. I've not had a bad experience. This includes multi-thousand dollar historic lenses from the 1840s and 1850s. However, I do look very closely at feedback and patterns of sales from the seller. That said, I've ordered from KEH in the past and consider them no-risk.

 

 

Kent in SD

Used KEH for years. Very reliable & excellent customer service if you should need it.

Good thing is that the lens in question here is new enough in its life cycle to likely be fine from any source if the lens looks to be in good condition. The one I have came in like new from Ebay, and optically and mechanically it is outstanding. I have had good luck with KEH items, also.

 

Whatever the source of lens purchase is, test the lens thoroughly during the trial period. Even a new in box lens can have issues, but often beaters work well.

Even a new in box lens can have issues, but often beaters work well.

 

I have a decent sized collection of older S&W Revolvers, including quite a few pre-WWII era ones.

 

A while back, a friend of mine commented to me that his best shooting guns were often the ones that had been shot a decent amount, while he'd bought 95%+ guns that couldn't hit the broad side of the barn.

 

To me, it begs the question of whether the worn ones shoot better because they've been broken in, or if they've been shot a lot because they were good shooting guns from new. Alternatively, have the lightly used guns just not been "broken in" or have they not been shot much because they were lousy from new?

 

I suspect the condition has something to do with how good they were new-i.e. the good shooting ones just got shot more. Of course, that's not universally true, but it does explain this seeming discrepancy.

 

I think the same can be true of camera gear. I don't buy that much new, but I have stuff that I've only used a few times because it just didn't do a lot for me. It could be because I had a bad example or because I found it to be a poor performer. At the same time, I have other equipment that I bought well worn and I've also used the snot out of it just because I liked it so well.

Thanks again for the feedback and suggestions. I am on KEH newsletter list right now to be alerted of any flash sales they might have, but I'm also eyeing a couple of the lenses on Ebay that look like they're in great shape according to the photos.

I've bought I don't know how many thousands $$$ worth of camera gear from ebay over the years, from all over the world. I've not had a bad experience. This includes multi-thousand dollar historic lenses from the 1840s and 1850s. However, I do look very closely at feedback and patterns of sales from the seller. That said, I've ordered from KEH in the past and consider them no-risk.

 

Ditto. I sell some of the equipment I no longer use on eBay, too. So there are lot of photographers like me selling on eBay. No fear - it's us - not us against them. :)

I'd buy (and did) the 70-210 f4-5.6 AF-D instead. It's not as well built but if you care for your equipment you'll have no issues with it. Once stopped down it is as sharp as the 70-200 f2.8.

I'd buy (and did) the 70-210 f4-5.6 AF-D instead. It's not as well built but if you care for your equipment you'll have no issues with it. Once stopped down it is as sharp as the 70-200 f2.8.

I used to own that lens many years ago, but it doesn't seem like I had it for long. It was fairly well built if I remember correctly.

For a 70-200mm zoom, there is a big difference among f2.8, f4, and f5.6 versions. Obviously the cost and weight are quite different, but also the ability to AF (or manual focus) under dim light is going to be quite different. The 70-200mm/f2.8 is a workhouse lens for weddings, parties, and some indoor sports. For landscape and travel I may prefer the f4. f5.6 is more for casual photography and when weight is a critical concern.

I'd buy (and did) the 70-210 f4-5.6 AF-D instead. It's not as well built but if you care for your equipment you'll have no issues with it. Once stopped down it is as sharp as the 70-200 f2.8.

 

Assuming you're talking about the push-pull version, I have this as well.

 

It's an older lens, but the construction is solid for a "consumer" lens. It's no 70s manual focus lens or an 80-200 2.8, but it's still a lot more solid feeling than your typical 18-55 or other kit lens. Of course, it is screwdriver focusing which is a big issue if you have a new lower end body(it won't autofocus).

 

With that said, it's fairly small when pushed in all the way and is not at all a bad mid-range tele zoom lens.

 

As I said, mine at least is push pull(I don't know if there's a two touch version). I'm not big on push-pulls(albeit my 80-200 2.8 is one) even in manual focus where they make a lot of operation sense, but I'd consider the zoom action just about right on mine. It's damped enough that it doesn't creep(always a potential issue with push-pulls) but doesn't take a huge amount of effort to move or set it where you want.

 

The best part-I think mine was $80 or so from KEH :) . Even now that I have the 2.8, I'm not anxious to get rid of this lens since there's a dramatic difference in size between it and the 2.8. With a 28-85 3.5-4.5, a 50mm 1.8, and this lens I can have a lightweight and inexpensive comprehensive kit with good optics for 35mm or FX digital. I can easily drop even something big and heavy like an F4 with lens mounted lens-down in a smallish bag(like the LowePro Nova 4 that I'm not sure is still made but that is my most used bag). The AF gearing is such that even lower end bodies can focus it fairly fast provided that there's enough light through the small aperture for the AF sensors. With that said, now that I've filled one of my missing "prime" holes, I'd rather carry an 85 f/2, 135 f/2, and 200 f/4(and maybe a 105 2.5), but then not everyone wants to deal with primes or with manual focus.

 

All of that rambling aside, I agree that it's a good lens that won't break the bank.