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buying a used lens
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Oct 16, 2017 14:23:09   #
drmjp429 Loc: CT
 
I would appreciate advise on purchasing a pre-owned but excellent condition lens .I shoot in RAW with a Nikon D300s.
My need is to improve the sharpness of my photos , notably those at distance. I'm thinking of a zoom 70-200 mm for that longer distance. I think I need a continuous f/2.8 instead of the typical variable f range that is not so good at the top of the range. I'm also thinking of ED glass but what other key features should be on my list?
Also, should i be buying an FX lens instead of DX so if i decide to upgrade to an FX body I assure best compatibility?? I'm assuming DX will work but not as well on the FX model bodies.
Any other tips on which are good sources of used lenses to assure a safe purchase with pre-owned lens would be appreciated.
Thanks much for guidance
drmjp429

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Oct 16, 2017 14:27:21   #
AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK
 
An FX lens will work best on both FX and DX bodies . . . But for what you're looking for, it will be pretty pricey . . .

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Oct 16, 2017 14:32:38   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
drmjp429 wrote:
I would appreciate advise on purchasing a pre-owned but excellent condition lens .I shoot in RAW with a Nikon D300s.
My need is to improve the sharpness of my photos , notably those at distance. I'm thinking of a zoom 70-200 mm for that longer distance. I think I need a continuous f/2.8 instead of the typical variable f range that is not so good at the top of the range. I'm also thinking of ED glass but what other key features should be on my list?
Also, should i be buying an FX lens instead of DX so if i decide to upgrade to an FX body I assure best compatibility?? I'm assuming DX will work but not as well on the FX model bodies.
Any other tips on which are good sources of used lenses to assure a safe purchase with pre-owned lens would be appreciated.
Thanks much for guidance
drmjp429
I would appreciate advise on purchasing a pre-owne... (show quote)


Distance photos mean magnification. Magnification needs stabilization and proper shutter speed - especially if hand holding.

Nikon and Sigma both make excellent 70-200 f4's. F4's will be much easier to manage than 2.8's . ( cheaper too !) The 70-200's are full frame.

Sigma made an EXCELLENT 50-150mm f2.8 DX lens which can only be gotten used now and is somewhat scarce.

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Oct 16, 2017 14:34:34   #
twowindsbear
 
What lens(es) do you have now and why are not pleased with the sharpness you're getting with the lenses you have now?

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Oct 16, 2017 15:00:45   #
Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga
 
What distance are you looking at?. 200mm may not be long enough. Small birds & wildlife really need 300-400MM plus. Primes are better than most inexpensive zooms although zooms are improving but at a financial cost. We need to know what subject matter you are looking to capture, at what distances & what budget constraints you may have.

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Oct 16, 2017 15:05:16   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
twowindsbear wrote:
What lens(es) do you have now and why are not pleased with the sharpness you're getting with the lenses you have now?

You have good, reasonable questions about the general process of purchasing a lens. But, if you've having problems with your current equipment, you should be answering these questions before sending money on any f/2.8 lenses ...

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Oct 16, 2017 15:32:12   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
drmjp429 wrote:
I would appreciate advise on purchasing a pre-owned but excellent condition lens .I shoot in RAW with a Nikon D300s.
My need is to improve the sharpness of my photos , notably those at distance. I'm thinking of a zoom 70-200 mm for that longer distance. I think I need a continuous f/2.8 instead of the typical variable f range that is not so good at the top of the range. I'm also thinking of ED glass but what other key features should be on my list?
Also, should i be buying an FX lens instead of DX so if i decide to upgrade to an FX body I assure best compatibility?? I'm assuming DX will work but not as well on the FX model bodies.
Any other tips on which are good sources of used lenses to assure a safe purchase with pre-owned lens would be appreciated.
Thanks much for guidance
drmjp429
I would appreciate advise on purchasing a pre-owne... (show quote)


You seem to have your mind set on Nikon lenses only. You mentioned FX/DX. There are some good third party 70-200mm f2.8 lenses you can buy used. Such as Tamron first generation, or Tokina. I have heard good remarks about the Tokina 70-200mm, but it doesn't come with a tripod collar. You have to purchase that separately. That's a requirement for me. A 70-200mm lens should always come with a tripod mount/collar, IMO. I would suggest that you contact KEH Photo, or check eBay. KEH generally has a good selection of used lenses with some type of a warranty. Good Luck.

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Oct 16, 2017 16:48:01   #
SueScott Loc: Hammondsville, Ohio
 
mas24 wrote:
I would suggest that you contact KEH Photo, or check eBay. KEH generally has a good selection of used lenses with some type of a warranty. Good Luck.



Is eBay a safe source for such items?

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Oct 16, 2017 17:04:39   #
cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast
 
I share the position that FX lenses will serve you better in the long run in case you upgrade to a FF body.
On a personal note, I will share that I suffered through a number of less expensive alternatives until I finally "Bit the Bullet" and bought what I should have in the beginning. I have learned that you can in the long run, spend more money, and get unsatisfactory results when if you went big in the beginning, you would have had better results sooner. There will always be GAS attacks and there will always be Marketing claims to resist but I know I would have had a greater library of more satisfactory images if I had "gone with the gold" early. Just sayin'.

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Oct 16, 2017 17:05:55   #
drmjp429 Loc: CT
 
I've been using a Nikon DX SWM VR ED IF Aspherical 18-200mm 3.5-5.6

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Oct 16, 2017 17:08:14   #
twowindsbear
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
You have good, reasonable questions about the general process of purchasing a lens. But, if you've having problems with your current equipment, you should be answering these questions before sending money on any f/2.8 lenses ...



Why are you commenting on a question that I directed to drmjp429, the OP? I'm not the one asking for help buying a new lens.

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Oct 16, 2017 17:21:55   #
drmjp429 Loc: CT
 
I'm not totally fixed on Nikon lenses exclusively but my impression its that they are the best glass. i would gladly be persuaded that other makers are going to deliver as well given that price is a consideration--hence the need to get used equipment.
I do mostly landscape and wildlife and agree that a better upper range such as 400mm would better but the price for those is pretty steep even used. And certainly a tripod would be necessary.
I've managed to get birds and other subjects with a 135-400mm thats 4.5-5.6 and printing at full frame with size has not really given me particularly sharp results--not worth the trouble unless its sharper.
Perhaps a noon-variable f 4 would be better but i question if that would be good enough at full zoom and the cost would surely be up there.

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Oct 16, 2017 17:30:14   #
drmjp429 Loc: CT
 
RE the nikon or Sigma 70-200s ,I'm not sure I understand why f4 would be easier to manage than f2.8 --are you speaking of price ?

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Oct 16, 2017 17:32:56   #
drmjp429 Loc: CT
 
My camera is not full frame so how does a full frame lens give me a boost in sharpness?

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Oct 16, 2017 17:43:18   #
twowindsbear
 
drmjp429 wrote:
My camera is not full frame so how does a full frame lens give me a boost in sharpness?


You'd be using the center area of the FF lens. Lenses, in general, are sharper in the center than at the edge. And, FF lenses seem to be sharper than lenses for crop sensor camera. (Some will probably argue this point, and I could be totally wrong about this statement, too.)

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