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

By: Norman Norris

Norman Norris — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:27:22 +0000

I bought a Canon 24-70mm f2.8 USM lens from a chap on Gumtree, I arranged to meet up with him and gave the lens a thoroughly good look over, and testing it with my own camera. After parting with the agreed amount I walked await with a brilliant lens. The only thing I would suggest is if anyone is parting with cash is to arrange meetings in a public place, I think less likely someone will try to rip you off? I continually looked around to see if anyone else was watching us.
I agree with the tips when buying a used lens, more information for us togs the better we are prepared.

By: Camera House

Camera House — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 05:09:08 +0000

Is there anyone facing similar rss feed issue Anybody who can assist kindly respond.Don’t know why Fail to subscribe to it.

By: Crimson

Crimson — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 23:02:38 +0000

I hadn’t seen this until after I bought a second hand lens. Really it’s just about using common sense and doing your research.

I asked the seller of a lens I was looking at questions about it (sceptical about the condition because of the price), and looked at the images posted carefully, and in the end got a lens worth about £250-£300 for £137, plus a skylight filter thrown in. And it works flawlessly.

By: Don bosco

Don bosco — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 22:19:33 +0000

check lens by rotating under inside and outside light for dirt on inside glass. Check lens for zoom creep by using zoom while facing up or down

By: Vidi

Vidi — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:19:41 +0000

Hi,

I’m just about to get my first dSLR. I am confused whether to go in for a used camera & invest more on brand new lenses or whether to buy a brand new camera & buy used lenses.

Thanks,
Vidi

By: Kevin Y

Kevin Y — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:48:42 +0000

This has been very helpful as I have been skeptical of buying used when there aren’t many local sellers available.

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: LightStalking

LightStalking — 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