Lense purchase on eBay? Hi photo friends. I so enjoy my UHH over morning coffee. Thanks to all. My question today is whether or not many of you have purchased camera equipment...

LindaChaplin Loc: South Dakota

Hi photo friends. I so enjoy my UHH over morning coffee. Thanks to all. My question today is whether or not many of you have purchased camera equipment, specifically lenses on eBay? I'm interested in purchasing a Canon 85mm 1.8...I can't afford the L series, but have heard good things about the lower priced model, too. Thanks for your thoughts.

NiagaraJim Loc: Niagara Falls, ON

Most of the people on here say to use caution when purchasing camera equipment on EBay. It may be what is called GREY market items (knock offs) with no warranty or possibility of repair by Canon. Check Adorama and B&H, they have lenses <$400 of the type you are looking for.

safetyhat

Grey market are not "knock offs", they are imported by some other means than the official importer/distributor and should be eligible for a manufacturers warranty.
I have bought and sold 000's of items on ebay (not in the US), are you looking to buy new or s/h? My avatar was taken with a secondhand 85mm f1.8 2 days ago, at f2.2, I owned one of these way back when I shot on film and sold it, now replaced. What camera body do you have?

richnash46 Loc: Texas

LindaChaplin wrote:

Hi photo friends. I so enjoy my UHH over morning coffee. Thanks to all. My question today is whether or not many of you have purchased camera equipment, specifically lenses on eBay? I'm interested in purchasing a Canon 85mm 1.8...I can't afford the L series, but have heard good things about the lower priced model, too. Thanks for your thoughts.

I have purchased a couple of lenses through eBay within the last year and it was all good, the lenses and the transaction experience!

LindaChaplin Loc: South Dakota

I own a 7D...purchased this summer. I purchased a 50 mm 1.2 a year or so ago with portraiture in mind...like the lens, but came to realize that on a cropped sensor...it was not actually 50 mm. Still love the lense, but am thinking maybe another prime such as the 85 would be a good purchase.

LindaChaplin Loc: South Dakota

Thank you, Rich. I value the input...you just never know.

safetyhat

LindaChaplin wrote:

I own a 7D...purchased this summer. I purchased a 50 mm 1.2 a year or so ago with portraiture in mind...like the lens, but came to realize that on a cropped sensor...it was not actually 50 mm. Still love the lense, but am thinking maybe another prime such as the 85 would be a good purchase.

If you want 50mm on a crop then you will need to go the other way, inwhich case 17-55 IS might be a good choice. 85mm will give you 135mm on a 7D at the upper extreme for most portrait folk, good for me personally as it gives you a greater camera to subject distance. 85 F1.8 and 100 F2.0 are both fine lenses, you can always buy secondhand from a dealer if you don't want to take a risk with a private purchase.
Is selling the 50mm F1.2 an option? If so, you can choose what you like.
Pic attached shot on an FD 135mm at F2 (struggle to focus on moving target), small crop, even closer than an 85mm, you could look at the 135 F2L

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

LindaChaplin wrote:

Hi photo friends. I so enjoy my UHH over morning coffee. Thanks to all. My question today is whether or not many of you have purchased camera equipment, specifically lenses on eBay? I'm interested in purchasing a Canon 85mm 1.8...I can't afford the L series, but have heard good things about the lower priced model, too. Thanks for your thoughts.

I have bought cameras and lenses on ebay, from both private sellers and dealers. No problem. Just read the description, look at the pictures, and ask questions - if necessary.

LindaChaplin Loc: South Dakota

Thanks so much...what a darling little one, by the way. Good photo. I see what you are saying about the 85 maybe not being what I need for portraits. More pondering ahead. Thanks again. Linda

Fran Loc: Northeast, United States

safetyhat wrote:

quote=LindaChaplin I own a 7D...purchased this su... (show quote)

Great eyes!!! So darn cute!!!

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

no problems here on Ebay. Just know what you are buying and what it's worth. Select reliable buyers with good track records.

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

Grey market products do NOT have a USA warranty.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

I have bought several lenses on ebay with no problems. I have only bought used as I think if I wanted new I go to B&H to ensure no warranty issues. The last lens I bought was a Canon L Lens used and it was over $450.00 lower than new. It is perfect in nearly every way. Have fun and keep shootin'. Mike

Phg Loc: Canada

I've never had a problem with ebay...Do your search, check the retail price, check out the seller feedback and I think you can buy with confidence...i just bought a Sigma 50-500 mm and I'm very pleased:)

Spindrift62 Loc: Dorset, England. U.K.

LindaChaplin wrote:

I own a 7D...purchased this summer. I purchased a 50 mm 1.2 a year or so ago with portraiture in mind...like the lens, but came to realize that on a cropped sensor...it was not actually 50 mm. Still love the lense, but am thinking maybe another prime such as the 85 would be a good purchase.

It has long been accepted that the optical preference for portraiture is in the 80-100mm range. Your 50mm is bang on 80mm on your Canon 7D. The 85mm will in fact give you an equivalant of 135mm. I would stick with the 50 1.2, you wont get better results than using this lens. To get the 35mm equivalent of any lens just multiply the lens size by 1.6 and this will tell you what size it comes out to using the cropped sensor on any canon camera with the exception of the 5D. Just in passing it's 1.5 for those horrible Nikon thingies.