What is a broken lens worth

Ok. Sold 2 lenses now on ebay. Both had the AF go out

One was a macro lens, sigma old style 105. AF broke, MF and glass fully functional. I forget the exact amount it sold for but it was more or less what I paid for it here with the AF working. It had several bids, and I got more than I expected. Now I can see this going ok b/c many macro users prefer MF anyway. That was months ago.

Just sold my 50 mm 1.4. Was very clear in title and description the AF was going out sooner rather than later, and it was broken. Glass was clear, and showed pictures. I figured it'd be worth nothing much so I sold it for like $67 or something buy it now. It sold in 2 minutes.

So seriously, how much is a broken lens worth? They seem to sell quick and for more than I'd anticipate!

I would try selling it like any other lens or a little under current prozings. People who use MF anyway might jump in because its cheaper than a lens with AF which they dont use. I guess for the 50 you have gotten more but dont mind, youve get maybe around 150 or so

parts are often quite expensive (or unavailable) so for anyone in the repair game, it's well worth picking up lenses that have specific problems if the issue can be easily fixed, or if the other parts can contribute to the repair of another lens.

It doesn't at all surprise me that the 50mm f/1.4 went in seconds at that price!

davidfarina wrote in post #16389320
I would try selling it like any other lens or a little under current prozings. People who use MF anyway might jump in because its cheaper than a lens with AF which they dont use.

Something I have always wondered...does a lens with broken autofocus work manually if swithed to manual focus, and does a lens with broken IS work without it, when IS is switched off? Or do these problems generate an error code that will prevent you from using the lens at all.

Roqdawg

roqdawg wrote in post #16389731
Something I have always wondered...does a lens with broken autofocus work manually if swithed to manual focus, and does a lens with broken IS work without it, when IS is switched off? Or do these problems generate an error code that will prevent you from using the lens at all.

Roqdawg

Honestly I didnt mess with the recent 50 1.4 much in MF but the sigma yes for sure the MF worked. I even put pictures I took of a bee with it on the ebay auction, taken that same day after AF was fully shot. That one was worse than the 50. It just made horrible noises and wouldnt attempt to focus at all in AF. I want to say the sigma the focus points may have even lit up in MF but dont quote me on that part. Either way the pics in MF were quite fantastic, just as good as the AF. I dont have the patience for that, and b/c of the age there was no way to repair it. I bought all my lenses used from here. I said when they are shot, I will buy new ones. I sold it to fund the 100L

Thank you for the replies everyone. Well It appears I could have gotten more but it's no sweat. I'm happy to have sold it as it was sitting around. However I will consider this next time.

Can anyone else verify if broken IS of AF on other lens affects MF?

i think it depends on many factors...but yeah, if you want to know the true value an auction will tell you...with the 50mm f1.4, something that is known to have AF issues, so there are tutorials available if the person is feeling handy...and can also be fixed at canon for $100 or so $67 seems a bit low...that person will basically have a fully functioning good as new lens for $170

or even cheaper if they decide to attempt to fix it themselves...i recently bought a rokinon 8mm fisheye that was listed as broken/parts repair....spent a few hours taking it apart, and it works good as new now

Actually you could make a simple math. Actual market price – repair cost = worth of the lens

Actually it would be:

Market price minus repair cost minus risk/hassle discount

davidfarina wrote in post #16392205
Actually you could make a simple math. Actual market price – repair cost = worth of the lens

90c4 wrote in post #16392363
Actually it would be:

Market price minus repair cost minus risk/hassle discount

Selling via auctions is always a hassle and risk, so selling it with discount for it would make not make much difference. Maybe substract visual shortcommings on the lens like broken parts and if hood/original box etc is included.

I agree on the cost minus repair argument, but one thing: I am not a tech so I can't be sure that's all or completely whats wrong. I described it as AF going out, but who knows if theres anything else. I didn't send it for an appraisal, and I don't want someone coming back saying I lied either. This was the main reason I started on the cheap end. and I did state no guarantees, etc.

It did come with a hood and a generic end cap. had a few scuffs, nothing major, clean glass.

This is why it's a good idea to send it in for an estimate