Buying a used 24-105, anything to look at?

I've bought quite a few lenses used before, but value-wise, the 50-135 was the most expensive. I usually even shipped them.

Now I'm picking up a 24-105 tomorrow night. The deal is done and a price is set, but I just have to doublecheck everything is in working order.
I plan to test the following:

- Inspect the outside (supposed to be new / mint condition).
- Inspect the focus and zoom rings.
- Lightly shake / wiggle the lens, see if anything is loose.
- Take off caps and inspect front and back elements.
- Screw it on my 5D and see if aperture works with the stop down preview (check for sticky blades)
- Test the zoom and focus, take some shots wide open at the extremes.
- See if the IS does anything.

And then check taken shots, pay the man and go shoot my newest addition.

Am I missing anything?

Most important item I'd add is to check the IS. Also, check the switches. If you have a 77mm filter, bring it to check the threads.

frankk wrote in post #13169929
Most important item I'd add is to check the IS. Also, check the switches. If you have a 77mm filter, bring it to check the threads.

Hmmm, I meant to add a step to check the IS, but somehow failed to... Good point though, definitely will be checking the IS.
And a 77mm filter is also a great suggestion!

*bumps*

Anyone else? Any serial number ranges to look out for? I seem to recall some flare problem that has since long been solved, but just something to look out for I guess...
This lens should be pretty new, coming out of a 5D2 kit and only being used a handful of times since the original buyer had a 24-70, but I just wanna make sure.

Looks to me that you've got it covered.

Test the zoom and focus NOT just wide open but ALL apertures. Also take a close look at contact pins.

Any possibility of getting a copy of the sales receipt if the 5D2/24-105 kit was less than a year old?

TweakMDS wrote in post #13169899
And then check taken shots, pay the man and go shoot my newest addition.

Fair to assume you mean check taken shots on a laptop?

I'd also check for zoom creep with the hood on and lens facing down. This is one of a few L lenses that can exhibit that. Not that it's a deal-breaker, but it might impact how much you'd want to pay for it.

auto-clicker wrote in post #13176124
Test the zoom and focus NOT just wide open but ALL apertures. Also take a close look at contact pins.

Contact pins - check, I think I'll cover that in inspection of the rear element also.

marcosv wrote in post #13176282
Any possibility of getting a copy of the sales receipt if the 5D2/24-105 kit was less than a year old?

The seller said he'd make me a copy of the receipt. We briefly discussed any warranty issues, and he said that in case of any possible trouble later on (within warranty), I could just send it in under his name. I don't know how any of that would pan out, but at least it beats not discussing it at all.

mplezia wrote in post #13176333
Fair to assume you mean check taken shots on a laptop?

I'll do that at home, or on his laptop. He sent a few shots from his 5D2 which looked fine. I'm limiting myself to taking only a handful of test shots and after that I'll just use it normally.

munzzzzzzz wrote in post #13176346
I'd also check for zoom creep with the hood on and lens facing down. This is one of a few L lenses that can exhibit that. Not that it's a deal-breaker, but it might impact how much you'd want to pay for it.

Ah right, the zoom creep, should test that - although apparently that's normal on a 24-105... And the price is already set (~200 euros under the lowest store price). It's just a matter of going through with it or wasting a 40 minute drive.

All in all I'm not too worried, I found out that the guy I sold my 50-135 to actually bought his 17-55 from him as well (small world) and he was very positive about it.
I'm thinking this is one of those "too much money - never satisfied with gear"-types.

Check for zoom creep....may not be a deal breaker, but I know it'd annoy me to no end over time.
Edit: sorry just saw it mentioned above ^

Picked up the lens yesterday night
I checked it on every point, although the guy's living room was rather dark. Still, everything looked perfect and the lens really was indistinguishable from new. Didn't detect any zoom creep, mechanics works perfect and the glass was spotless.

Of course... Ducks after tomorrow, I have a 12 hour day at work now ._.

Congrats! I think you will find that you will love it on both of your cameras.

what did you end up paying for the lens? I see canon has them refurb for 919 but i'm waiting for a a15% coupon again to get it for $780~

lkwan wrote in post #13185822
what did you end up paying for the lens? I see canon has them refurb for 919 but i'm waiting for a a15% coupon again to get it for $780~

I can't really give you a comparable price for it since I live in the Netherlands.
The lowest store price is 876 euros now, which is on the low side for this lens.
I bought this one for 675 euros. In the process of this auction I was actually overbid twice, but the first one withdrew his bid and the second one only bid after the seller accepted my bid. (Auction wasn't on ebay but a comparable website - only major difference is it's less automated and not binding).
That does give me some sort of confidence that the price was ok, and lenses are actually selling for ~700 used.