Buying a new lens white box ?

If I buy the 24-105 from b and h photo is it worth saving the $50 now for the white box ? Or will it make resale value much less ? I know it's the same lens just taken from a kit

You buy lenses worrying about the resale value? I've got top dollar for glass sans box in good condition.

Some people are anal about boxes, I am not one of them.

I've paid the going rate for used glass without boxes or manuals, and my 17-40 didn't even come with the bag.

Take care of the lens, save the 50 bucks now. It won't affect resale to 95% of the buying population.

Virto wrote in post #13766919
Some people are anal about boxes, I am not one of them.

I still have the original box from a Bronica EC and lens I bought back in 1976 from Cambridge Camera Exchange. I still also have the camera.

Edit: Just found the receipt for that purchase in my files. Camera body and 75mm f/2.8 Nikkor lens $423.
So not only do I have the original box, I also have the original receipt for the purchase. I'll do better on the resale of this kit than most.

I personally don't care about boxes. I might hurt the resale a couple bucks at most. Whats $5 out of $800 right?

thanks, just did not want to find out that $50 saved now somehow drastically affects resale. I dont anticipate ever selling this lens but you never know what will come out in a few years.

I have sold many, many things on both Ebay and Craigslist. The items i have listed on both selling sites with pictures of boxes, manuals and everything that originally came with lens when i purchased it, usually sells much faster and at times for more than a picture of just a lens.

I know it doesnt mean much to some but to others it gives a reassurance that the lens was kept in really good shape or barely used.

it's the same lens mate, doubt it will affect the price if and when you sell it as a second hand lens

It might disqualify a certain group of buyers. I've had potential buyers who wouldn't consider a purchase because I didnt have the original warranty card and my reciept even though I told them I had purchased the lens used from an individual. Some people are just plain picky. But it shouldn't matter much as its common knowledge that lens was originally bundled with the 5D and 5DII.

chomish wrote in post #13767446
I know it doesnt mean much to some but to others it gives a reassurance that the lens was kept in really good shape or barely used.

I don't see how someone keeping a box in their closet reassures anyone the lens is in good shape. Do you store your glass in their boxes?

cepaw wrote in post #13767372
thanks, just did not want to find out that $50 saved now somehow drastically affects resale. I dont anticipate ever selling this lens but you never know what will come out in a few years.

it's a fair question. take a look at what rolex boxes sell for on ebay. the reason there is such a lucrative market for rolex boxes -- and many of them are fakes -- is because not having the box detracts from resale value.

ed rader

sure, $50 is worth it. you don't take photos with the box, and if you feel the need for a brightly colored box you can pick one up on Fleabay for about $20

yeah, but those same people would want the lens to be relatively new as well - I'm guessing the OP will be buying the lens to USE and get many years of joy out of it

That and the resale value of the box won't that be that big of a difference.... In fact even if you got the lens WITH the box and sold it it wouldn't make up for that $50 it cost just to get it. Just save the $50 and get a CPL or something

let's put it this way. i'd sell my box for $50. i'll even give you two for $75 !

ed rader