So Much For L Lens Values

I got the 35L for $1004 from canon refub with the 15% discount. I hold the 35L over the sigma, had both. Better AF won in the end so I stuck with the 35L.

Everyone and their brother is waiting for Canon to release a 35L mk II. It's a great lens and you paid a fair price for it. Investing in quality glass is a much better investment than investing in quality cameras- the 35L came out in 1998- if you were buying the best digital camera at the time, you would be using one of these. The competitor's product (Sigma) has forced the price down, as well as the constant rumors of a new version.

Are you planning on selling your lens anytime soon? I wouldn't worry about it- if you feel like you paid a good price and you like using it, keep using it. Unfortunately, there will (almost) always be a new version or better version coming out to drive down the prices. The only exception to depreciation is for products that are no longer made.

i saw a 24 105 l, in the middle of the night on ebay go for 330, was about 3 mo ago, so dont end auction at 3am, it was in excellent condition.

burb1972 wrote in post #16588497
i saw a 24 105 l, in the middle of the night on ebay go for 330, was about 3 mo ago, so dont end auction at 3am, it was in excellent condition.

The seller would probably rather take one negative feedback and refund then relist rather than take a $300 hit...

Lenses are lenses, not antiques. Lenses will lose values over time, but much slower than camera bodies. I wouldn't worry about resale values of my lenses when I buy lenses. I buy them for my need.

Does anybody know any lens becomes more valuable over the years?

M_Six wrote in post #16586877
My first L was a the 24-105. It's about 30% cheaper now. I bought the 70-300L and the price dropped. I bought the 24mm TS-E and the price dropped. I bought the 100mm f2.8L macro and the price dropped. Always within a month or two. Sometimes less. It happens. But all those lenses have been providing me with great images. So I'm ok with that.

But watch what I buy then wait a week. It'll be cheaper for you then.

Can you buy a 70-200 2.8L? I really want one and need a Discount... Lol

Steve Campbell wrote in post #16586496
I have noticed lately that the Canon 35L 1.4 has really dropped in price on the used market. I know the new Sigma is getting great reviews, but has it's release really killed the value of the 35L that much? I picked my 35L up a few years ago for $1200 used. Not cheap but it was a fair price and around what they were selling for at the time. That level stayed pretty steady. I just saw one sell here for $850! I have seen many others lately selling for under $1000. It's still a great lens without any focus issues, but values seem to have plummeted since the Sigma came out. So much for this particular lens, which is a very nice lens might I add, holding it's value.

The Canon 24-105 is another victim. I know it's a kit lens, but this was a lens you could sell for $900-$950 not long ago. It sells for way less now. So much so that I do not see the point of selling mine.

Are we seeing a trend? What other lenses will third party makers release which will lead to the Canon equivalent dropping in value?

drive_75 wrote in post #16586528
It's not a trend. Every lens have it's place. Like you, I bought my 35L used two years ago. I watched the used market for a long time and the price was always around $1150-$1250. The price like you said is now around $850-$950. Yes the Sigma 35mm was the reason for the price drop. I don't see the same thing for any other "L" lens. The 24-105mm f/4L is a different story. The market is flooded with that lens and hence the price drop. I don't really buy lens as an investment. I buy them to use and so what if the price drop, it doesn't really matter to me. The only time it matter is when I either sell or buy lens.

Re: Both of you 35L owners...

Is this lens really worth the extra $$ over the Sigma's? Reason I ask, I will always prefer the Canon glass over 3rd party, Not saying I wont ever go 3rd party (Look at my 70-200...)

I have been toying with the Idea to pick up the 35 or even the 50L... I have the Funds, just not sure about pulling said trigger...

The reason that I picked up 35L instead of Sig 35 Art is AF.

Granted, many people have had Sig 35 that are both sharp and no AF issue. Good for them. I do not want a dock or whatsoever.

The price difference between a new Art and used 35L is not that big!

For what's it's worth, I love my 35L and try and use it whenever I can vs my zooms. I'm not really mad it has dropped in value, as I don't plan on selling it. Even if Canon does bring out a new version, it will be expensive.

It's not what the lens is worth in monetary value to you - it should be what its worth to you in terms of usability in your business/life. If you always 'wait' for things to get cheaper or wait for the price to drop, you will be waiting forever. Once you buy something it has already lost value.

I bought my 5d3 last year and got a steal on it for $2799 brand new. Well guess what, its selling for less. Same for my 35L - I bought it 2 years ago for $1050 and thought I stole it. And at the time I did. I could care less that this lens costs that and that lens costs that. That 35L has been my bread and butter and worth every last cent. But that's not the point. The point is I have used them a ton over the year(s) and it has made me a lot of money. That's the point.

Now, we'll have a larger variety of lenses from which to choose at hopefully lower prices. What's wrong with that? Competition is healthy! As others have said, buying gear should be a process that provides you with the tools you need to materialize your vision, not a strategic business investment for reselling and selling >.<

I find this thread a funny example of how ridiculous this forum can be a times (no offence intended to any individuals participating here). We're talking about loss in resale value of a Canon lens, and suddenly everyone is saying resale value doesn't matter.

But when we talk about pros and cons of third party lenses, resale value inevitably comes up as a negative of going third party

Sirrith wrote in post #16592412
I find this thread a funny example of how ridiculous this forum can be a times (no offence intended to any individuals participating here). We're talking about loss in resale value of a Canon lens, and suddenly everyone is saying resale value doesn't matter.

But when we talk about pros and cons of third party lenses, resale value inevitably comes up as a negative of going third party

Indeed.

Some people just can't swallow the fact that their L has dropped significantly due to some excellent 3rd party lenses and pretend that they don't care

I think that people are saying lens depreciation is natural. Lens purchase is a purchase of tools, not an investment.

Sirrith wrote in post #16592412
I find this thread a funny example of how ridiculous this forum can be a times (no offence intended to any individuals participating here). We're talking about loss in resale value of a Canon lens, and suddenly everyone is saying resale value doesn't matter.

But when we talk about pros and cons of third party lenses, resale value inevitably comes up as a negative of going third party

That's what happens when you put a thousand people in a forum: a thousand different opinions!

Steve Campbell wrote in post #16586496
I have noticed lately that the Canon 35L 1.4 has really dropped in price on the used market. I know the new Sigma is getting great reviews, but has it's release really killed the value of the 35L that much? I picked my 35L up a few years ago for $1200 used. Not cheap but it was a fair price and around what they were selling for at the time. That level stayed pretty steady. I just saw one sell here for $850! I have seen many others lately selling for under $1000. It's still a great lens without any focus issues, but values seem to have plummeted since the Sigma came out. So much for this particular lens, which is a very nice lens might I add, holding it's value.

The Canon 24-105 is another victim. I know it's a kit lens, but this was a lens you could sell for $900-$950 not long ago. It sells for way less now. So much so that I do not see the point of selling mine.

Are we seeing a trend? What other lenses will third party makers release which will lead to the Canon equivalent dropping in value?

no. those lenses are exceptions. price of the zoom dropped after it was bundled as a kit lens. 35L dropped because its performance has been eclipsed by another 35mm lens.