jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Consider buying a refurbished lens directly from the manufacturer. You can always save money that way and you'll get a brand new lens with a warranty. Refurbs are usually lenses that have not passed muster for some reason and they are hand reworked to meet the manufacturers specs. Many might be previously purchased and then returned to the store, but can't be sold as new any longer. So they go through rigorous inspections and cleaning and repackaging before going to the refurb sales. Many won't come in a retail box or might not have a manual. The discount is worth it. I have 2 lenses by Canon that came that way and I have not had a lick of trouble with them.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've never had a problem with eBay. Just be sure there are lots of clear pictures, and ask questions.

KEH is excellent, as are Adorama and B&H. Returning an item on eBay could be iffy.

rfmaude41 Loc: Lancaster, Texas (DFW area)

Also usedphotopro.com (Robert's Camera) and Cameta.

dandev Loc: Enumclaw, WA

I have purchased from Canon refurbed and been happy. Just got a 100-400 v2 and a 1.4X from them. If you see it, and you want it - buy it. The good lenses on there don't last long.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

hillary

Thank you, have bought refurbished cameras from Canon and have been pleased; so why not a lens!!

zzzynick Loc: Colorado

Amazon and ebay are good places to find deals on camera gear.
You can return items if they are broken or not what you bought.
I bought a lens from ebay, it wasn't the one I had paid for. I got my money back without a problem.
I have bought a used Canon 300 mm L. A new Tamron G2 45 mm and used G2 90mm macro from ebay.
All of them were in perfectly good working order.
I bought my Bogen Monrotto 3046 tripod and a Monfrotto 393 gimbal, for $200.00 from ebay. The 393 head new, is around 200.
I found a Canon f/2.8 70-200 mm L, on amazon for 700.
I have bought and sold lenses on craigs list.
I have no problems buying used.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

KEH is a long-standing company located in the Atlanta area. I am not sure how long they have been business, but King Grant and his wife (the owners) operated a retail store in Dallas, Texas for several years as a branch of the main business. I did quite a bit of walk-in business with them in the early 1990s. King and his wife were usually here several days each week. I found them to be very honest folks who as a bonus were very personable and knowledgeable. Not sure how active they remain in the business today, though.

I just ordered a Nikon SB-400 Speedlight from KEH yesterday to use with a D850. It is described as being in Excellent condition, and the price was very fair, even if about $8 higher than from some other less known sources. I'll put a report here once it arrives.

I know that they operate a well-recognized repair center and that they often buy stocks of repair parts from stores or other operations that may be closing. This means that they have the ability to do quality repairs on a lot of (sometimes obscure) equipment that they bring in. (They do reserve the bulk of their parts stock for making repairs to equipment that they purchase or to support warranty repairs that might be necessary, so they aren't necessarily the best choice for walk-in repair needs.)

zzzynick Loc: Colorado

I just checked out Canons refurbished site.
Wow, they think highly of their stuff.
I could find two L lenses elsewhere for the price of one there

Selene03

I have had good luck with both Canon Refurbished and KEH. I also bought a used tripod from BandH which was in excellent condition

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

And those two lenses were refurbished and inspected completely and had a full warranty? Or were they used items on eBay?

bassplayer59

I learned about this site right here on uglyhedgehog.

https://usedphotopro.com/

In my opinion, they have the best used prices and give a good description of the equipment's condition.

Also most used gear comes with a 6 month warranty.

Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

I agree. I’ve also bought several used lenses on eBay and have been very happy with them.

RickTaylor

YM Camera Youngstown Ohio. Check there website as they have all used equipment listed online. https://www.ymcamera.com/. Nice Family owned business great people to deal with. 1/2 hour away from me and I love dealing with them.

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

I suggest to you a new Canon 50mm f/1.8 prime lens for around $100! The light is very good with this lens; I know because I have a Canon T1i/500D camera and use this lens very often-then later on you can expand to other lenses. If you are short of money there is always the used lenses on EBay! Just join PayPal.com in order to buy online - something you probably know by now. This is the best advice I can give you at this time-----