Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
used lenses vs new ones
Page 1 of 4 next> last>>
Sep 25, 2020 03:43:55   #
fchretdet
 
I've been looking (for some time now) at the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens and the Nikon 200-500mm lens for my D7200. I still haven't been able to decide which one; although I've received several courteous and thoughtful suggestions from other UHH members-so it's my hesitation to buy, not a lack of input. My question tonight-or this AM-is whether it's worth the extra to get a new one (of which ever model/brand) or go for a used one with the accompanying B&H, Adorama, KEH, etc. warranty; or one from the UHH Sale site. Opinions will be studied and appreciated.

Reply
Sep 25, 2020 05:43:25   #
zenagain Loc: Pueblo CO
 
When i bought my G2 the 6 yr warranty was a deciding factor in my purchase. So if going for the Tamron i would defenitly go new.
But if i where to go with the Nikon used would have been my choice.
That 6yr warranty is a real boost.

Reply
Sep 25, 2020 06:06:56   #
RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA
 
fchretdet wrote:
I've been looking (for some time now) at the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens and the Nikon 200-500mm lens for my D7200. I still haven't been able to decide which one; although I've received several courteous and thoughtful suggestions from other UHH members-so it's my hesitation to buy, not a lack of input. My question tonight-or this AM-is whether it's worth the extra to get a new one (of which ever model/brand) or go for a used one with the accompanying B&H, Adorama, KEH, etc. warranty; or one from the UHH Sale site. Opinions will be studied and appreciated.
I've been looking (for some time now) at the Tamro... (show quote)

Electronics are guaranteed to fail, I would not buy a second hand autofocus or VR lens from anyone - I don’t care to pay for someone else’s troubles. The lenses you reference are about equal as far as I know. My personal recommendation would be to either buy new or manufacturer refurbished,

Reply
 
 
Sep 25, 2020 06:23:39   #
srodday Loc: Mass
 
I have bought new and used from well known places. I couldn’t tell the difference. Include LensAuthority in the list, too. Since they rent out and repair, the used lenses I have from them have been great.

Reply
Sep 25, 2020 06:27:28   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
fchretdet wrote:
I've been looking (for some time now) at the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens and the Nikon 200-500mm lens for my D7200. I still haven't been able to decide which one; although I've received several courteous and thoughtful suggestions from other UHH members-so it's my hesitation to buy, not a lack of input. My question tonight-or this AM-is whether it's worth the extra to get a new one (of which ever model/brand) or go for a used one with the accompanying B&H, Adorama, KEH, etc. warranty; or one from the UHH Sale site. Opinions will be studied and appreciated.
I've been looking (for some time now) at the Tamro... (show quote)


I purchased my Sigma Sport 150-600 used for $1100 in 2016 and have taken almost 11,000 pictures with it - no issues whatsoever - and I saved $900. In fact, I have only purchased 6 new lenses - one with my first dslr in 2006 - and the other in a trade for an older lens. the others were large format lenses for 4x5 cameras, and a couple for a Contax RTS II. Otherwise, the remaining 20 some-odd lenses I have purchased since 2007 have all been used. I've had a few minor hiccups - a 600mm F4 that had an awful squeaking noise when focused manually, and a 10-20mm F4-5.6 Sigma that had some optical element centering issues. On one occasion I purchased an 85mm PC-E lens that was promoted as US copy that was not. In each situation the seller did what was necessary to fix the problem - the sellers of the 600 and the 85 each accepted a return and issued a complete refund, including all shipping costs, and the seller of the Sigma sent the lens to Sigma in Ronkonkoma for warranty exchange. I did buy a refurbished D800 once that arrived with a shutter count of 9 but had a severe focus problem. Nikon took care of that one, at no charge.

This is real, hands on experience, not conjecture or theory. In my career as a photographer, starting in 1967, I can count on one hand the times I purchased a new camera or lens (well, maybe two hands). In the meantime I have saved tens of thousands of $$$ through careful buying. I have purchased off eBay, Craigslist and my favorite, https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/10.

Buying used is not without risks - and you definitely need to know what to look for in a seller and in the product - but the benefits are immense.

As to your question - the answer is "it depends . . ." It's worked out well for me.

Reply
Sep 25, 2020 06:42:53   #
LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY
 
I have never bought a used camera or lens, so, I can't speak from personal experience. Regardless, if the only way I could get what I want was to buy used I would not hesitate. It's always going to be a bit of a gamble, but, who you buy from is usually much more of a factor. Reputable dealers, such as B&H, Adorama, KEH, and so forth, are your best bet. They have years of experience at assessing the quality of a used item and rate them quite accurately according to UHH members who have bought from them. Quite a few members buy and sell here on UHH and I have never heard a complaint. I would hesitate if the seller were a new member or someone who hasn't been active here.
I have sold cameras and lenses here on UHH and to B&H. I have never sold anything because I had problems with it. When I made the switch to a Canon R I sold off a 5DIV and several EF L lenses. All were in perfect condition. I would never buy from some anonomous seller on the internet, but, the idea that you are buying 'someone else's troubles' may have some validity but is rarely the case with reliable dealers and individuals.
A six year warranty may seem like a good idea to spend more for a new lens, but, the reason that long of a warranty exists is because it is rarely needed.

Reply
Sep 25, 2020 10:04:01   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
fchretdet have you consider Refurbished!
I have purchased all my "Pro" bodies as refurbs from Nikon USA...
They all have many thousands "clicks" and never an issue...

Same with my "Pro" Nikon glass... nearly all from Nikon USA...

That said I have purchased Used Tokina and Sigma glass which has been stellar also.
If you are buying used I would recommend B&H, KEH or Roberts in as I've had excellent "luck" with each of these long established dealers. That said I've had excellent results from Japanese eBay dealers (seems that Japanese photographers take superb care of their kit). However unless you know how to research dealers on eBay your experience may be different...

Hope this helps fchretdet
Please stay safe and all the best on your epic journey...

Reply
 
 
Sep 25, 2020 10:16:58   #
Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx
 
I have bought a few used lenses from keh.com and have not been disappointed. I find their rating system to be more than fair, they have a 14 day return policy and you can pick up a 2 year warranty at a reasonable price.

Reply
Sep 25, 2020 11:57:31   #
BebuLamar
 
RWR wrote:
Electronics are guaranteed to fail, I would not buy a second hand autofocus or VR lens from anyone - I don’t care to pay for someone else’s troubles. The lenses you reference are about equal as far as I know. My personal recommendation would be to either buy new or manufacturer refurbished,


For me everything is guaranteed to fail but electronics are not any more prone to fail. Things with moving parts are more likely to fail. For a typical DSLR the dials are most likely to fail (the ones that you can turn forever with no hard stop).

Reply
Sep 25, 2020 12:02:07   #
Fiddlingbill Loc: Mass.
 
Nikon is pretty dependable. I was using older Nikon lenses. If you can save a buck and still get what you want it is worth it. Plus it is a native lens so you should be all set. I would go Nikon though. Tamron and Sigma are nice. But down the road i believe you'll be better off.

Reply
Sep 26, 2020 06:01:05   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
I have no issue with buying used, but for expensive items, especially Nikon, i ionly buy USA models, to ensure that the product can be serviced by Nikon US if necessary.

Reply
 
 
Sep 26, 2020 07:11:33   #
Ollieboy
 
fchretdet wrote:
I've been looking (for some time now) at the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens and the Nikon 200-500mm lens for my D7200. I still haven't been able to decide which one; although I've received several courteous and thoughtful suggestions from other UHH members-so it's my hesitation to buy, not a lack of input. My question tonight-or this AM-is whether it's worth the extra to get a new one (of which ever model/brand) or go for a used one with the accompanying B&H, Adorama, KEH, etc. warranty; or one from the UHH Sale site. Opinions will be studied and appreciated.
I've been looking (for some time now) at the Tamro... (show quote)


I have bought both used bodies and lenses from BH, KEH, and Adorama over the years without any problems. One time BH sent me an older version of a lens by mistake. They remedied the problem telling me keep the wrong lens and sent me the right lens. Just make sure they are well known and reputable. I wouldn't risk Craigslist due to no warranty or just plain fraud.

Reply
Sep 26, 2020 07:44:18   #
nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL
 
Just a suggestion, you can rent a lens from lensrentals.com and try it out. Then if you decide to keep it you can purchase it from them. I did that with the Tamron 150-600 when it first came out about 5 years ago, and they took the rental fee off the purchase price.

Reply
Sep 26, 2020 08:16:29   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
fchretdet wrote:
I've been looking (for some time now) at the Tamron 150-600mm G2 lens and the Nikon 200-500mm lens for my D7200. I still haven't been able to decide which one; although I've received several courteous and thoughtful suggestions from other UHH members-so it's my hesitation to buy, not a lack of input. My question tonight-or this AM-is whether it's worth the extra to get a new one (of which ever model/brand) or go for a used one with the accompanying B&H, Adorama, KEH, etc. warranty; or one from the UHH Sale site. Opinions will be studied and appreciated.
I've been looking (for some time now) at the Tamro... (show quote)

Get new, Nikon has a 5 year warranty, vs. 6 years (big deal) on the tamron.
If you get a used Nikon the warranty is non-transferrable.
OK, now, which one, the Nikon is about twice as sharp at 500 as the Tamron is at 600. At trade in time or selling time the Nikon will be worth about 40% more than the Tamron. So, you save a little at the beginning with the Tamron but you loose it all and more at trade in time. What does that tell you? Don't spit into the wind, don't tug on Superman's cape and don't mess around with Tamron.

Reply
Sep 26, 2020 08:21:29   #
Mainiac65 Loc: Maine
 
Buy a refurbished lens. I bought a refurbished Tamron 150-600mmm lens through Amazon from Beach Camera. Saved quite a bit money. Same 6 year warranty.

Reply
Page 1 of 4 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.