Used lens opinion

I am new to DSLR and recently looking to purchase additional lens. I look at ebay for the used lens and the price seems to be 80-85% compared to brand new from larger online store, so I ended up buying the brand new from the online factory dealer so I can have the good warranty.
I want to see how and where everyone else purchase their lens.

I only buy used lenses from the local market (craiglist, kijiji), so I can thoroughly inspect it and test on my camera before buying. My most expensive used lens purchase was 135L, for 880$. From ebay, I only bought cheap old MF lenses.

I bought my 100-400L new. Every other lens I have (had) was either a Canon refurb or from the CL or E-bay. For e-bay, I won't buy from someone who doesn't regularly sell DLSR components AND has at least 100 sales with a 100% rating. For your added comfort, E-bay HUGELY favors the buyer in disputes. I quit selling with them because I got toasted by an unscrupulous buyer. That said, I agree with e-bays bias toward the buyer. There are lots of potential sellers out there. If they were to hack-off theirs buyers, they don't have a business model.

For CL, I tell the seller that I will be showing up with a lens/body and a laptop to test their lens/body. I request they be able to spend 30 minutes at the transaction site. I have never had a 'serious' seller balk at those requests. I've never been burned. Craigslist has no dispute system. Once you accept an item, it is yours.

I've purchased some expensive equipment this way. 135L, 200 2.8L, 10-22, 70-200 2.8, 5D. I'm happy with all of it.

All my lenses I bought new, or came with the camera at the time of purchase. B&H Photo, Amazon, ect...If I were to buy used it would either be through this forum or local Craigslist

I am happy to buy used, but rarely from Ebay. Usually I am buying on forums,.. here and at Fred Miranda. Usually from peo[ple I feel I "know" even if we've never met. I've bought and sold a number of multi-thousand dollar lenses at FM ad here.

I do buy new of course, but most of my big lens purchases have in fact been used. At SUBSTANTIAL Savings over new.

I did do one BIG lens purchase from Ebay however, it was a SIGMA 300-800mm f/5.6 EX HSM
I won't mention the price I got, 'cause it will make you all cry, but it was Brand new unopened stock, when the newer "DG" version had come out, so it was considered clearance, and the vendor had somehow ended up with 7 of this "old" version. I got the 7th one at the lowest price.

The sale was a perfect transaction, amazing price, and the lens was indeed in a factory unopened box.

There are a number of real vendors selling on Ebay whom I would trust, and if you look hard the deals do come up, but they are far and few IMHO. It takes real time to find the good and safe deals.

Another good source of used is KEH, B&H, and Adorama and Henry's in Canada to name a few. (many also have Ebay stores)
Here the prices aren't a steal, but you are dealing with a vendor that will take a return if you are unsatisfied.

I'm in a difficult situation with buying used.

I live in a non EU area (No VAT) so ordering new from the mainland UK gets me 20% off what those in the UK would pay, living on an island 9 mile by 5 there is rarely decent used lenses for sale so need to look at the mainland ,where often they are close to the price I can get them new.

If i could get 20% off used UK prices ...I'd have no problem buying..

Someone around these forums said something along the lines of when an item is being sold 2nd hand at two-thirds its original retail price, then the item is really really worth getting.

Right now someone is selling an 85mm f1.8 for $410 CDN in my area when the lens normally retails for $570. I find that price to be really tempting but my mind keeps jumping back and forth between continuing to save for Canon 24-70mm f2.8L version I or get that prime NOW and get the zoom much later (due to having to save up extra funds again).

Thus far, I haven't purchased any used items but if I do, I do intend to go with a friend and test the item in person before paying up.

Don't know the current exchange rate, but B&H has a used one for sale @ $299.00 US

Thanks and great to know about Craigslist buyer procedures.

You can get 85mm f1.8 new with warranty for 435$ all in, in Canada:

http://www.photoprice.​ca …-85mm-f1.8-USM-price.html

pulsar123 wrote in post #15770177
You can get 85mm f1.8 new with warranty for 435$ all in, in Canada:

http://www.photoprice.​ca …-85mm-f1.8-USM-price.html

I just tried the Amazon link and it said they could not ship to Canada. B&H has the same price and ships to Canada with Purolator.

Buying used can be good too but right now it seems many people in Canada are asking too much for used lenses when you can buy new from B&H for the same price.

I buy mostly used lenses. Usually I skip searching forums and ebay for what I want and head straight to KEH.com because I'm lazy that way.

Look at the Canon 85mm f1.8 at local craigslist most asking around $300-$350 used while i can pick 1 up at buydig for $359 free shipping and warranty.

I've bought new and used from pretty much every source.

Brick and mortar, and Craigslist(or similar) are great because you can get you hands on the gear before hand.

Big online stores and ebay offer great buyer protection. Due to the buyer protection I wouldn't not buy from someone just because it's their first sale(everyone seller has to start sometime) but yeah I'd feel better that I'm getting what's advertised(especially when it comes to used) from someone with a lot of selling history and 100% feedback(some bad feed back also doesn't always mean a bad seller, first there's just as many bad buyers as sellers, so that bad feed back could just be from some scammer or someone who didn't let the seller make things right first).

I've also bought and sold a lot of things on forums(not this one but on the the Aprilia forum) where you feel like you know them(sometimes you actually do) or know other members that actually know them. If member was selling something I wanted that didn't normally participate on the forum or was know by another member that does I wouldn't buy unless I could do a local pick up.

Usually buy used if the price is really good for the condition(this also factors in loss of warranty) or it's all I can/want to budget for the item at the time, I also try to only buy items new if they are sale even if I can afford full price unless I have an immediate use(no point spending more than you have to).

TSchrief wrote in post #15769982
I bought my 100-400L new. Every other lens I have (had) was either a Canon refurb or from the CL or E-bay. For e-bay, I won't buy from someone who doesn't regularly sell DLSR components AND has at least 100 sales with a 100% rating. For your added comfort, E-bay HUGELY favors the buyer in disputes. I quit selling with them because I got toasted by an unscrupulous buyer. That said, I agree with e-bays bias toward the buyer. There are lots of potential sellers out there. If they were to hack-off theirs buyers, they don't have a business model.

For CL, I tell the seller that I will be showing up with a lens/body and a laptop to test their lens/body. I request they be able to spend 30 minutes at the transaction site. I have never had a 'serious' seller balk at those requests. I've never been burned. Craigslist has no dispute system. Once you accept an item, it is yours.

I've purchased some expensive equipment this way. 135L, 200 2.8L, 10-22, 70-200 2.8, 5D. I'm happy with all of it.

This! I do buy used, but typically only if I can thoroughly test it out.