Who here has bought used lenses?

[GoingUp]

I'm debating maybe picking up an extra lens or two but was just wondering if anyone has bought used lenses, what they think of them and what to look for / watch out for.

Thanks 🙂

 

[jpeyton]

I've only bought 2 new lenses; one being on sale (Sigma 50mm Macro) and the other being hard to find used (Sigma 50mm f/1.4).

The rest have been used (I can't even remember how many total, but easily over a dozen).

First inspect the front and rear elements for scratches, haze, fungus. Then with the aperture wide open, look through the lens at a light source, to check the internal lens elements for the same.

Either through the aperture ring (if there is one), an aperture tab, or by mounting and adjusting the aperture with a camera, inspect the aperture blades. Look for oil or any other residue, and make sure the blades can open/close easily.

Play with the focus/zoom rings, making sure they both operate correctly without being too difficult to turn (although they should have enough resistance to hold their setting).

Mount it on a camera and take some test shots, testing focus accuracy and performance at different apertures. If it performs to your expectations, and is priced accordingly to its condition, buy it.

 

[996GT2]

Most of my lenses have been bought used. In fact I've only purchased 3 or 4 new lenses.

Here's a partial list of all the lenses I've bought used:

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D, Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 EX (non macro), Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5, Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX Macro, Canon 135mm f/2 L, Canon 50mm f/2.5 Compact Macro, Canon 70-210mm f/3.5-4.5 USM, Canon 50mm f/1.8, Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM, Canon 18-55mm kit lens, Canon 28-135mm IS USM....and the list goes on

You get the idea. Every single one of the lenses in the above list were in perfect working condition, with the exception of one of the Sigmas which had a severe front focus issue (it probably came from the factory like that though). There's no reason to worry when buying used; like jpeyton said, just make sure you inspect the elements carefully, test the autofocus accuracy, and closely inspect the mechanicals (oil on aperture blades, loose zoom rings, etc).

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

The only lens I've ever bought new was the Canon 50mm f/1.4 and Tamron 17-50mm. Functioned just like my used lenses.

I would definitely buy used.

I use FredMiranda's Buy/Sell forums for my purchases because they're a bunch of photographers and usually take immaculate care of their equipment. Those that don't always state upfront what's going on.

 

[soydios]

jpeyton gives good advice.

I bought three of my five lenses used. FYI though, a tiny scratch on the front element won't affect image quality, but might enable you to get a decent discount over a pristine lens. That's how I got my AF 80-200mm f/2.8 for $341 shipped. It works like a champ.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: soydios
jpeyton gives good advice.

I bought three of my five lenses used. FYI though, a tiny scratch on the front element won't affect image quality, but might enable you to get a decent discount over a pristine lens. That's how I got my AF 80-200mm f/2.8 for $341 shipped. It works like a champ.

Front element scratches rarely affect image quality. However, scratches on the rear element of a tele lens may slightly affect IQ.

See this

 

[ghostman]

jpeyton basically covered it all. Most of my lenses were purchased used. These include the Canon 18-55mm kit lens, Canon 70-200mm f/4 L, Canon 10-22mm, Peleng 8mm fisheye, and a S-M-C Takumar 50mm f/1.4. The lenses I purchased new were the Tamron 28-75 and 50mm f/1.8.

When it's a third-party lens (Tamron, Sigma), I tend to want to buy it new in case I get a bad copy and need to return it. With all used purchases, I always pixel-peep to make sure the lens is adequately sharp. I have been able to sell off the used lenses without losing much/any money, so I basically rented the lenses for several months for free or for a few bucks.

 

[shocksyde]

Originally posted by: ghostman
jpeyton basically covered it all. Most of my lenses were purchased used. These include the Canon 18-55mm kit lens, Canon 70-200mm f/4 L, Canon 10-22mm, Peleng 8mm fisheye, and a S-M-C Takumar 50mm f/1.4. The lenses I purchased new were the Tamron 28-75 and 50mm f/1.8.

When it's a third-party lens (Tamron, Sigma), I tend to want to buy it new in case I get a bad copy and need to return it. With all used purchases, I always pixel-peep to make sure the lens is adequately sharp. I have been able to sell off the used lenses without losing much/any money, so I basically rented the lenses for several months for free or for a few bucks.

My thinking on the bolded portion is the exact opposite. I try to buy a used version that is proven to work flawlessly. I recently purchased a Sigma 30mm 1.4 and wish I had bought a used one b/c it's gone back to the retailer twice for replacement.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
I'm debating maybe picking up an extra lens or two but was just wondering if anyone has bought used lenses, what they think of them and what to look for / watch out for.

It's the lens, not whether it's new or used which matters. The majority of used lenses that I see around are "budget" lenses, which are apparently what the majority of consumers bought, and found they didn't like well enough to keep. In other words, my suggestion is to look for a good lens which you'd like and use, and to not simply enlarge the collection with a greater number of cheaper lenses.

 

[randomlinh]

oddly, most of what I have is new. Only my sigma 30/1.4 and 50/1.8 are used. Got my 50-135 new because it was just out. 17-50 in a bind (literally the morning of an event, running through the rain, ha). 85/1.8 ... actually, this one may be used. but i bought it new from dell, sold it, eventually regretted it, bought it again, heh.

I've had a 28-135 that was used, 70-2004L used, 18-50/2.8 sigma used, 50/1.8 MKII used... all great, just didn't fit me at the time or I didn't like.

My 300D was used, my 20D was used, 40D new on ebay.

now in search for either a sigma 50/1.4 or 135L. probably will go w/ the 50/1.4, but it's not even in stock these days it seems. and i never see it for sale (or keep missing it).

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: Madwand1

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
I'm debating maybe picking up an extra lens or two but was just wondering if anyone has bought used lenses, what they think of them and what to look for / watch out for.

It's the lens, not whether it's new or used which matters. The majority of used lenses that I see around are "budget" lenses, which are apparently what the majority of consumers bought, and found they didn't like well enough to keep. In other words, my suggestion is to look for a good lens which you'd like and use, and to not simply enlarge the collection with a greater number of cheaper lenses.

I was looking at the 16-35mm L and the F1.4 50mm. I don't like cheap lenses 🙂

 

[jpeyton]

Unfortunately it's a seller's market right now for lenses since about February of this year. The stronger Yen has force Nikon and Canon to raise their lens prices across the board, and used prices have shot up as well.

Early last year, I bought a used 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS and a 16-35mm f/2.8 L Mk1 for $1900 total. Compare that to prices now.

I still see a good deal occasionally (by someone who doesn't know better). If you browse eBay, only look at BIN auctions. Clueless sellers often list their lenses noticeably below market value, and they get snatched up quickly.

 

[Madwand1]

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
I was looking at the 16-35mm L and the F1.4 50mm. I don't like cheap lenses 🙂

There's a Zeiss in the queue you might want to wait for then 😉

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: Madwand1

Originally posted by: Gobadgrs
I'm debating maybe picking up an extra lens or two but was just wondering if anyone has bought used lenses, what they think of them and what to look for / watch out for.

It's the lens, not whether it's new or used which matters. The majority of used lenses that I see around are "budget" lenses, which are apparently what the majority of consumers bought, and found they didn't like well enough to keep. In other words, my suggestion is to look for a good lens which you'd like and use, and to not simply enlarge the collection with a greater number of cheaper lenses.

I disagree with this blanket statement you are making. What you said is perhaps true on eBay, but on a large photography forum like POTN or FredMiranda this is definitely not the case.

Example, I'm looking at the top page of the POTN "sell" forum, and here is a list of all the lenses for sale:

Canon 10-22, Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 EX HSM, Another Canon 10-22, Canon 50 f/1.4, Canon 24mm f/1.4L, Canon TS-E 45mm, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L II, Canon 135mm f/2L, another 24mm f/1.4L, Canon 70-300mm IS, Canon 300mm f/4 IS, SIgma 500mm f/4.5 APO, SIgma 15mm f/2.8 EX Fisheye, Canon 400mm f/2.8 IS, Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, Canon 24-105L, Canon 70-200mm IS...and so on


Not a single one of those lenses is what I would call "cheap." In fact, a majority of those lenses cost well over $500, with some costing well over $2000, even used...

 

[twistedlogic]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
I disagree with this blanket statement you are making. What you said is perhaps true on eBay, but on a large photography forum like POTN or FredMiranda this is definitely not the case.

Yeah from what I've seen, the "budget" lenses rarely pop up on FM. And when they do, they don't sell very quickly.

 

[Maximus96]

Originally posted by: shocksyde

Originally posted by: ghostman
jpeyton basically covered it all. Most of my lenses were purchased used. These include the Canon 18-55mm kit lens, Canon 70-200mm f/4 L, Canon 10-22mm, Peleng 8mm fisheye, and a S-M-C Takumar 50mm f/1.4. The lenses I purchased new were the Tamron 28-75 and 50mm f/1.8.

When it's a third-party lens (Tamron, Sigma), I tend to want to buy it new in case I get a bad copy and need to return it. With all used purchases, I always pixel-peep to make sure the lens is adequately sharp. I have been able to sell off the used lenses without losing much/any money, so I basically rented the lenses for several months for free or for a few bucks.

My thinking on the bolded portion is the exact opposite. I try to buy a used version that is proven to work flawlessly. I recently purchased a Sigma 30mm 1.4 and wish I had bought a used one b/c it's gone back to the retailer twice for replacement.

haha, i had the same experience with the sigma 30mm. took 3 tries to get it right. but the 3rd one is sweet. focus is spot on, and sharp as hell.

 

[jpeyton]

There would be a lot less headache with third party lenses if manufacturers put lens micro-adjustment in EVERY body, not just the professional ones.

My Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is spot on with my D40, but needed a little back-focus micro-adjustment with my D700. Or if I'm shooting a still subject, I can bypass camera/lens related phase detection AF issues by using live view contrast detection AF, which is pin-sharp every time.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
There would be a lot less headache with third party lenses if manufacturers put lens micro-adjustment in EVERY body, not just the professional ones.

My Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is spot on with my D40, but needed a little back-focus micro-adjustment with my D700. Or if I'm shooting a still subject, I can bypass camera/lens related phase detection AF issues by using live view contrast detection AF, which is pin-sharp every time.

Here here! And lens micro-adjustments with NO LIMITS. The D300 has a range from like +10 to -10 or something, and my 17-55mm f/2.8 needs adjustment to +10. What if it needed to be adjusted to +20? The camera can't go that high, so I'd be screwed.

This lens micro adjustment feature is part of why I love the D300 so much.

 

[corkyg]

Lots of really good experiences here in this thread. I only have one lens I bought "lightly used" on E-Bay no less. It is the Canon EOS 16-35mm f/2.8 L lens. Today it luists on B&H for $1450. I got it for #900, and it has become one of my very favorite lenses for social events work. To be honest, I really sweated out the transaction, but it was done smoothly using PayPal.