24-70l new or used?

Sorry if this is in the wrong place.
I'm in the market for this lens but after researching it seems that there's a good chance of getting a dud. So my question is what's my best option here? Are these lenses really that notorious for bad unsnarp copies? The current used market seems to be at 1150 or so and new at 1299. Should I just spend te extra cash? I've never had bad lick buying used but I'm afraid this lens might be the one to break that streak.

If the spread is that close, I buy new....the warrantee is worth it.

I buy them new, the small savings on a used one isn't worth the risk.

Speaking for myself.....I'd pay the extra for new.

If it's that close buy new.

I have had 2 copies of this lens and both were great. Refurb is another good option if you can find one. 90 day warranty and both of my refurb lenses are tack sharp. I think maybe because they calibrate them during the refurb.

It depends who you buy from. If that is on craigslist or someone you know just go there and test the lens. It is even better than buying new. But I would not buy from ebay even for a half price.

For an high value lens always new, the cost difference is tiny.

yea. i mean right now ive gotten offers for 1150 1175 plus either shipping plus paypal or just paypal. new its 1,414.29 taxes included. i wouldnt mind saving a few bucks but ive heard so many stories about this specific glass

Both my 24-70 and 70-200 f4is were a hunderd quid different new to used. No brainer for me as I baby my gear...... a few years down the line I'd loose a hundred quid - now that is no probs.... new lenses all the way.

1-2 years ago...this was a 1100-1200 dollar lens new, to sell it today for the same is a great opportunity! It happened to the 70-200 mark 1....it was selling for 1300-1400 new...went to 1700 and used went to 1300-1400! Canon L glass holds value pretty well so far.

I just bought a new one for 1302$ with overnight shipping. I am seeing used in the 1100$ that have no warranty on them. These are holding resale value so well.

When Canon released the 24-105mm f/4L IS lens, many photographers jumped on the band-wagon and dumped their trusty 24-70L lenses in favor of the new kid on the block.

This caused a momentary, but significant, dip in the price of used 24-70L lenses due to supply and demand economics. I purchased my 24-70L at that time on eBay from a professional photographer who offered a two week trial. The purchase price at that time was less than $850 (U.S. Dollars) which was pretty much the going price of the lens at that time. I think new ones were selling for a bit over a thousand bucks.

My 24-70L lens functions perfectly and I absolutely love it. Although I had no warranty, I never needed to send it in for service and got my lens at an exceptionally good price. In fact, I could make money on it now if I desired to sell it.

OTOH - I purchased a used 17-40L which was slightly off focus. It was really not evident at first and the seller may not have noticed it, but I did! Unfortunately, not until I had owned it for a while. Since it was not covered under warranty, the trip to the Service Center cost about $250 (I don't remember the exact price). That put my bottom-line price of that lens above what it was selling for used. But, since the "L" glass has been going up in price, I could break even selling it now!

I guess that the moral of this tale is that if you get a good lens, you have saved a few bucks but, it you need to send a non-warranty covered lens in for service; the cost of that service will make the purchase a bad deal!

If you can find a CANON REFURBISHED 24-70L, that would be the way to go. However, I have looked at both the Canon site and Adorama (which often sells Canon refurbished gear) and there were no refurb 24-70L lenses available.

RPCrowe wrote in post #11936099
This caused a momentary, but significant, dip in the price of used 24-70L lenses due to supply and demand economics. I purchased my 24-70L at that time on eBay from a professional photographer who offered a two week trial. The purchase price at that time was less than $850 (U.S. Dollars) which was pretty much the going price of the lens at that time. ..

Interesting, I bought mine brand new with warratnty for $800 two years ago. With the generous help from Microsoft though. The warranty came handy when harassing Canon with the lens calibration.