Comments on: How to Buy a Used Camera Lens Without Wasting Your Money

By: Indramning

Indramning — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:54:44 +0000

When I started to take photos back in 2006 I bought a basic kit in a store. Since that I don’t think I’ve bought a new lens even though I’ve had around ten different ones by now.

The good thing is that if you buy a used lens it will more or less keep it’s value. I’ve sold lenses for more than I paid for them more than once even though they were now 2 years older than when I bought them.

If you buy a new lens and want to sell it again you’ll lose at least 20% of its value.

I’ve also bought a used camera house and a few flashes. The most stuff I’ve collected in person but I live in Denmark and the used selection isn’t always great so I’ve also used Ebay a few times with great success.

By: 9 Ways to Beat the High Cost of Photography | Light Stalking

9 Ways to Beat the High Cost of Photography | Light Stalking — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:35:51 +0000

[...] few common sense guidelines you can also get top quality equipment. Check out our guide to buying a used camera lens as well as our post on choosing a tripod which can get you started with what you need to know about [...]

By: admin

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:17:11 +0000

@ben – thanks for the tip – but how do you protect yourself from scammers on craigslist? Or do you just buy from locals?

By: ben bibik

ben bibik — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 04:16:01 +0000

I buy lenses on craigs list. Its one of the cheapest ways to buy.
I stopped buying from ebay since they prices are higher and because currently ebay is losing a lot of customer and seller base so there is very little selection. Ebay has been taken over buy powersellers, rarely do individuals sell anything anymore because of ridiculous prices. Well enough vent. Just buy your lenses through craigs if they are there, if not there are quite many forums out there in which buyers and sellers meet

By: Thomas Morgan

Thomas Morgan — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:37:01 +0000

Good tips. Thanks, everybody.

By: melissa

melissa — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 22:28:43 +0000

This is a great post and very helpful for me since I’ve been thinking about buying a used lens. Good work!

By: austin

austin — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:14:46 +0000

I’ve bought about 10 used lenses over the years. Safer than buying a used camera or flash for sure! Though I agree with just about everything you’ve said, I would say that in most cases you’ll be just fine buying them used :)

Watch out for shady deals outside of reputable sites. IE: don’t paypal someone money through a forum. never use western union.

Great article

By: Allan

Allan — Tue, 12 May 2009 07:04:17 +0000

Allan 64 212373444 Really interesting what your doing. I have an idea if your interested
Skype: fotoaj

By: admin

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:50:02 +0000

Haha, glad to hear it was useful! I love knowing that!

By: Ilan

Ilan — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:34:01 +0000

Unbelievably enough, I needed this guide only a few days after you posted it :)
Thank you! Helped a friend to buy a Nikon 17-55mm using your list!