Sample images of lenses for sale

When you are looking at a lens for sale, and request sample images, what kind of samples are you looking for? I'm primarily asking about subject matter. Interested for wide, normal, and tele focal lengths. Is there something in particular that you are wanting to see? Again, subject of the image is primarily what I'm wondering about, but also what is it you are hoping to discover about the lens with a sample image?

I'd want to be sure it's photos of the actual lens. I'd like to see the front element, backside, 3 or 4 sideviews. If it's a zoom that extends I'd like to see the same for short and fully extended. And a picture of the serial number if there is one.

While I suspect folks are attempting to get a representative sample of the results that the seller is achieving with the lens; but, given lens/body variations, I don't know that the results really tell one anything useful.

I'd guess at "subject" being something that that lens is 'normally' used for. I.E for a 35mm lens, some sort of portrait shot, for a macro something <buggy>, for long telephoto something sport/action/wildlife, etc.

I think its samples from the lens, not of the lens.

I don't think the samples matter all that much, too much can be done it post but I suppose if you ask for a raw file with exif intact, then you can determine some things like aperture used, camera settings, whether it was manually focused or using live view and the raw file will eliminate any tricks that could have been used to hide some flaws like shooting only in the lenses sweet spot, post processing saturation/contrast adjustments and sharpening.

gjl711 wrote in post #16725263
I think its samples from the lens, not of the lens.

Correct.

Obviously if the lens has issues with front or back focusing. Usually, if the lens has problems, the seller won't have kept the lens for long. So, see how long he or she has the lens. Second, google to see if certain lens has issues. Some lenses just don't have issues like the 500L or 70-200 f2.8 IS markII. Sample shots are redundant but again, if the lens is fine, you should expect the seller to have taken thousands of shots with it.

Although I have only purchased lenses locally where I was able to test the lens, I would not ask for sample images if I were to buy used online because it would do nothing for me. The image could be manipulated etc and would not tell me anything. I don't know what they did with the image, so I would not be interested in any photos personally.

To answer your question, I think they want a sample image to get the warm and fuzzy feeling about purchasing the lens; it's that confirmation needed to make them hit the buy button.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16725243
When you are looking at a lens for sale, and request sample images, what kind of samples are you looking for? I'm primarily asking about subject matter. Interested for wide, normal, and tele focal lengths. Is there something in particular that you are wanting to see? Again, subject of the image is primarily what I'm wondering about, but also what is it you are hoping to discover about the lens with a sample image?

This is one instance where I'd just want to see mundane photos of newspaper at various apertures, if I were to ask for samples at all. I don't recall doing so in the last 8 years.

Methodical wrote in post #16730557
Although I have only purchased lenses locally where I was able to test the lens, I would not ask for sample images if I were to buy used online because it would do nothing for me. The image could be manipulated etc and would not tell me anything. I don't know what they did with the image, so I would not be interested in any photos personally.

To answer your question, I think they want a sample image to get the warm and fuzzy feeling about purchasing the lens; it's that confirmation needed to make them hit the buy button.

That's how I always felt about sample images. My reason for asking is when I sell a lens, some folks ask for samples from it, but I'm always like 'what the heck do I take a picture of to make this guy happy?'.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16731255
That's how I always felt about sample images. My reason for asking is when I sell a lens, some folks ask for samples from it, but I'm always like 'what the heck do I take a picture of to make this guy happy?'.

That I don't know, maybe take a picture of a camera or another lens.

Well, last week I was selling an old Sigma 400mm that throws the error codes. I could still takes pics with it, but would have to restart after each shot. I went down to my local park, and took some shots with it for use as samples for the ebay listing. Was hoping to get about $200-225 for it, ended up selling for the BIN ($275). I do think the samples helped. Here's the listing if anyone is interested: http://www.ebay.com …enses&hash=item​20e0bf572a

If it is a rare lens, then I think samples would be useful. But there are eleventy-thousand samples from common lenses on the web, so your own samples may even make things worse if they aren't superb.

At most I'd do like a focus chart if the lens was prone to calibration errors (like say my Sigma 30mm)

sorry, misread that. For a zoom I'd like to see samples at both ends of the range, wide open and closed. A good subject might be landscape with trees or other fine elements (thin branches, grass, etc). I'm not sure if they would help much, but if it's a lens that sometimes has known issues it coudl be helpful.