linda lagace

Tks for this very useful info. Need a lens for my new sony and now will consider used lenses and save some$$$

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Google “bathtub curve” to understand why used is sometimes better than new.

dustychow

MPB

So far, I have only dealt with MPB. I have no complaints with MPB. Although I purchased my Canon E0S 90D from B&H, I bought all my 3 of my current lenses from MPB. I always order the "Like New" option and they look like brand new. I did have 1 issue with them. I bought a Tc from the. When the item arrived, it was missing the 1 of the caps. I contacted them they said they would ship it out. waited no package contacted them again by email - nothing. next email was more stern - another last email was almost threatening. we got the item shortly afterwards. Maybe they were too busy I don't know. All previous purchases were excellent. I don't want to bad mouth them. I shall DEFINITELY buy from them again. I could use a back-up camera so when that time presents itself, I'll buy it from MPB. btw I told them I need just the one cap for the teleconverter they sent me both caps

David
Colorado Springs

stevefrankel

Another winner is www.gorfmai.com which sells on eBay. I just bought a Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR lens for about $100 less than the usual price for this lens in Excellent condition. It arrived three days ahead of time, and I couldn't tell it from a new lens. I've since used it for test shots and it's terrific. It turns out the owner has several clients with GAS who buy and sell barely used cameras and lenses through him. I'm happy to say I will become one of them.

MDI Mainer

I've bought, sold and traded with MPB quite a few times -- all went exceptionally well. I will say that I've found their prices selling high-end gear very fair, and the price on run-of-the-mill gear often a "steal."

linda lagace

Googled it. Interesting!
I am a former engineer (among other things) and never heard this expression but I was chem / bio chem eng and so the concept is maybe not quite as pertinent as in other types of engineering

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Please, use the "Quote Reply" button instead of "Quick Reply". That way, we'll all know to whom you're directing your comments.

I'm assuming you're referring to my remark about "bathtub curve" of product failure rates. It's basically relevant to anyone who buys new things. Cars, appliances, electronics, cameras, audio, and other similar items are particularly subject to the bathtub curve phenomenon.

Most products are mass-produced. They all experience some level of failure during the early part of their life cycle that is a lot more frequent than for the vast majority of the time they are in use. Then, after a long time and perhaps hard use with scheduled maintenance, they finally start to fail in large numbers.

Manufacturers know this, and set warranty length to cover the likely period of product failure. Beyond that, failure is rare until the item reaches the "design life" of the product. So typically, the risk of buying gently used gear is very low. If it made it past the 90-day or one year guarantee, it's probably going to last a lot longer.

I always liked Tamron's six year lens warranty. Their lenses typically last a decade, even with hard use in the school portrait industry (my former employer had about 430 of them in the field). We had maybe three or four of them actually FAIL, requiring replacement under warranty. That's pretty good!

Y'all change your oil every 5000 miles if the interval is 10,000, okay? That 10,000 is gonna get you to the end of the warranty, but not a lot farther! They want your engine to fail, so you buy a new car every 100K or so... At 5K interval oil changes, most engines last 200K or more.

linda lagace

tks I keep on forgetting

topcat Loc: Alameda, CA

I have purchased severs items from Robert's, they all have been great. I have never had a problem with them.

Piraterich

MPB has always been great to me also sold about 5 k worth of equipment to Robert’s and I thought they were more than fair so we have the same feelings about both! Glad your happy it’s nice to hear praise instead of complaints