Buying a Used Lens - A Tip: I've bought several used lenses, and one thing I learned is that a 70-200mm, for example, from any brand will have several different versions to choose...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've bought several used lenses, and one thing I learned is that a 70-200mm, for example, from any brand will have several different versions to choose from. Just because it is a 70-200mm (or whatever) doesn't mean it's the lens you want. Read the total description and name of the lens. Just a letter or two difference in the name of the lens can differentiate a new model from an old one that you don't want.

twinhearts Loc: Southwestern Michigan

That's great advice. Especially it you are relatively new to DSLR cameras.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I Hope this wasn't from personal experience, Jerry.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Gitchigumi wrote:

I Hope this wasn't from personal experience, Jerry.

I hope your avatar is not from personal experience.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Good advice Jerry. I use Ken Rockwell most times to check on the lens legacy and which ones you might want.
The letter or code is how Nikon displays it's quality and some legacy lens are gems from the past others not.
Just a note I have the Sony 70-200 pretty light for this lens but still quite big. Not as big as the Nikon
which is a bazooka. I am not using it much. It is a F4 but still worthy of shooting.

I am going to Art Basel in Miami today and was going to take a few lens etc. This morning got up
and decided on the bridge Sony RX10 III. 24 to 600 zeiss all good. Stacked CMOS sensor. Great 4k video if you want it.
Steadyshot. Stills have a good quality. F2.4-4. A 1 inch sensor which Sony has perfected in many cameras.
I shoot soccer with it and it works very well. The camera has flaws. One is the AF for sports can hunt once
in a while. If is heavy but easier to hold like my Nikons.

My apologies for changing the subject. But was making the point that convenience and quality is sometimes the lens
and camera. I use this for events. Found the reach intoxicating. You can shoot in any range carefully hand held.

Online press was criticizing the original price $1500 US. A quality 70 200 with a good aperture is 2-3K

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

jerryc41 wrote:

I've bought several used lenses, and one thing I learned is that a 70-200mm, for example, from any brand will have several different versions to choose from. Just because it is a 70-200mm (or whatever) doesn't mean it's the lens you want. Read the total description and name of the lens. Just a letter or two difference in the name of the lens can differentiate a new model from an old one that you don't want.

Amen to that and pay attention to the reviews as well. I bought a used Canon 28-200 3.5-5.6 USM in excellent condition. The reviews on this lens say it is terrible. I couldn't believe a lens could be that bad but it is. It is so bad I won't sell it to anyone else, I don't want anyone thinking bad about me the rest of my life. :D

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

I've always been very leery about buying used equipment. If i did buy it would have to be from a very reputable dealer.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

jerryc41 wrote:

I've bought several used lenses....

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

"I've always been very leery about buying used equipment. If i did buy it would have to be from a very reputable dealer."

Everything I own was bought used. NEVER an issue with any of my cameras or lenses.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

fourg1b2006 wrote:

I've always been very leery about buying used equipment. If i did buy it would have to be from a very reputable dealer.

Look at KEH in Atlanta. They are giving a 365 day warranty on most of their used equipment ( I think they exclude equipment rated “bargain”).

tomad Loc: North Carolina

Tom Daniels wrote:

Good advice Jerry. I use Ken Rockwell most times t... (show quote)

Trade up for the RX10 IV. You want have that AF hunting problem with it. That is one of the things they fixed.

pendennis

Tom Daniels wrote:

Good advice Jerry. I use Ken Rockwell most times to check on the lens legacy and which ones you might want...

He's an excellent source for a lot of lens data. I don't always agree with his assessments, but his site is a good reference.

Another source of lens history for older Nikons, is this site:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/index.htm

You can also glean a lot of information about Nikkor lenses from this site:

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

jerryc41 wrote:

I've bought several used lenses, and one thing I learned is that a 70-200mm, for example, from any brand will have several different versions to choose from. Just because it is a 70-200mm (or whatever) doesn't mean it's the lens you want. Read the total description and name of the lens. Just a letter or two difference in the name of the lens can differentiate a new model from an old one that you don't want.

Jerry, that is very true!! For example; when buying a used Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II no IS -- the "best" lens has "made in Japan" on front of lens if not, look inside the back of the lens and it will tell you it was made in Tiawan (not as good but not a bad lens). There were three other versions of this lens with the yellow flower icon printed on the lens, (not the word MACRO) which are considered inferior. So be very careful and do a lot of research! I missed the information of "Made in Japan" to be found on the front of the lens but bought the one made in Tiawan…the salesman told me it was "built like a tank". It is a good "walk around" lens. All these lenses are discontinued! So ask to speak to the salesman to make sure you are ordering the lens you want. The price should be below $100! This lens is worth having.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

RKL349 wrote:

Look at KEH in Atlanta. They are giving a 365 day warranty on most of their used equipment ( I think they exclude equipment rated “bargain”).

I just bought a Fuji XF 18-55mm 2.8-4 lens from them. It was rated Excellent+.
When I got it in my hands it looked like it had never been mounted on a camera body. There were no marks or scratches on the mounting flange.
Very happy with them and their fast delivery.

will

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I've been buying used gear, especially lenses since the 60s. I have yet to get stuck with something I didn't want. I don't recall ever buying a new lens in fact. Research is golden, and the best way to ensure you have a good outcome.