Buying Used Lenses

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donkey_kong

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I've been thinking about getting the 17-55 2.8 Nikkor lens to replace my kit lens however seen as it is over £1,000 new I was thinking of getting it for around £500 2nd hand off e-bay. I am wanting to buy a lens which is in mint condition with no defects.

Seen as this is going to be my first big purchase for a seocnd hand item, I have a few basic questions about buying second hand lenses:

- What should I look out for?
- There are a few listings for this lens for around £850 new but it is shipping from Taiwan - i'm assuming these are grey imports. Should I get a new lens from abroad or a used lens from an e-bay seller. I guess there is no guarantee that the used lens won't be a grey import either.
- If a lens is well used but well looked after with no aparent defects can I expect this lens to last for years to come? I'm just worried that if I buy a lens which was 10 years old that it won't last much longer.
- A lot of the descriptions I've seen says 'no fungus in the lens'. When would a lens get fungus?

Any other advice would be much appreciated.
 
I bought my 17-55 used from ebay ... it was as described too, basically near mint, and boxed with everything ... always check out the sellers feredback and examine the pics carefully - if the mount shows brassing then it has been heavily used, if the rubber on the zoom/focus ring is starting to grey then it may also be well used.

Lenses get fungus when they have been kept in a damp environment or exposed to water and not looked after overly well imo/e. I think it is to do with the grease they use but I could be wrong.

Have a look on MPB, there are two on there just now, one is well used and one looks lightly used - the pics show what I was trying to explain above.

It is also worth considering buying from places like MPB & Mifsuds etc ... as they offer various length warranties, I think Gray's offer a full year on used gear.

btw, I loved the 17-55, superb lens imo.
 
Have you considered buying from the classifieds on here? You'd hope to get a better class of seller than eBay. :lol:
 
Paul, thanks for the advice. I will have a look through those companies as well and see what they offer. I am quite wary of buying such an expensive purchase through ebay so perhaps those other companies are better options. I'll have a think.

Mick, I have been on the classifed forum checking it daily but have not seen a 17-55 Nikon. I think there are a couple of 17-50 Tamrons but I'm after the Nikon lens. It seems to be quite an elusive lens!
 
I picked up a Sigma 150-500mm off Ebay. It was exactly as descriped. It was in perfect condition, only used twice, boxed, original invoice and less than half the current retail price. Absolute bargain! :D Not all Ebay sellers are dodgy. Also when I got the Sigma I found someone local (ish), contacted him direct and arranged collection so I could test it before I took it away. Also when someone says on the phone "if you can find one mark on it I will let you have it for free" it kind of gives a peace of mind it will be in good condition.
 
donkey_kong said:
Mick, I have been on the classified forum checking it daily but have not seen a 17-55 Nikon. I think there are a couple of 17-50 Tamrons but I'm after the Nikon lens. It seems to be quite an elusive lens!
Click to expand...

Maybe a wanted thread might tempt someone into parting? :)
 
I sincerely doubt you'll find one in mint condition for half price... MPB Photographic have one with heavy use for +£500 while one in mint is £630.

Grays of Westminster wants closer to £800 for mint or near new...


Happy Hunting!
 
These are both business sellers though so they will sell at a markup. The Sigma 150-500mm I picked up (The sales invoice brand new was almost 1k from Jessops) for £450 from a private seller on Ebay so less than half price. It really was 100% mint condition. It had been used twice and stored in the case it came with. Bargains are there, its just a case of being patient and waiting for the right one to come along. If you can just search at someone within travelling distance to test it before buying.
 
I've bought several lenses on Ebay (and lots of other stuff) and never had any problems. But I am very careful, i.e. all the basic recommendations, I don't buy from sellers with poor or low feedback, I don't buy if the pictures don't show me enough for me to make a reasonable judgement, and there's been a couple of times where the seller gives me a second chance offer when I don't win which I just ignore (but I'm suspicious like that).
 
I purchased a sigma 10-20mm from the classifieds section on this website for approximately half price and it had only been used twice for studio shoots. Highly recommend keeping an eye on this site. Also, if you live close to the person you can always check it before handing over the money. I met the guy at Waterloo, which was half way between us.
 
I bought a 17-55 off eBay for about 550 a couple of years ago. It was mint condition and I just resold it on eBay for the same price. Amazing lens and a must have if you have a Nikon dx body and require this focal length. I have bought loads of lenses and camera bodies off eBay. You just have to know what to look for like has been mentioned. I think it's also good to be suspicious. If it don't feel right don't buy it, plenty of better ones will come along if you are patient.
 
I too am looking for s/hand lens, have looked on eBay but am only considering ones where I can collect & inspect.
 
Zarch said:
Maybe a wanted thread might tempt someone into parting? :)
Click to expand...

+1 go for a wanted thread.

All my second hand gear has been through TP. I find you can get a lot more direct information about the gear your buying.

I know you can on ebay too, but it's just much easier here.
 
I bought a Nikon 24-70 f2.8 via the TP classifieds and would highly recommend that route. It did turn out that the guy who I was buying from lived local and I was able to meet in person, inspect and even test the lens. I did find however that the transaction was quick, easy with very clear info. I made the offer on the Friday evening at 9pm and had the lens 11am the next morning so things can move quickly.

If you have any doubts however then MPB or aperture websites may be the way to go. There's a premium attached but all their second hand gear comes with a 6 months guarantee so you have a bit of a safety net when buying.
 
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