Please Help - question on lenses age...

Hello, I am in the process of buying a lens. When I first spoke to the seller she stated the lens was about 2 years old. She sent me pictures , and according to the date code (UJ) it's actually about / almost 14 years old.
Would you buy a lens this old? I would only be saving about $50 from what other people sell it for used? How long does a lens usually hold up?
Thanks!

If she lied about the age, what else has she lied about ?

That was my worry. When I questioned the age she said she got it about 2 years ago as a gift that she never did research on it, she thought thats how old it was.
I try to see the good in people , maybe she's just an amature amd really didn't know. She certainly didn't know about the date code.
There is some scuffing on the lens and she has shown me pictures... but she said there is absolutely no dust inside or scratching on the glass.
She also replied to my question if it had ever been repair or dropped and she stated no... but she is obviously not the original owner and can't say what happened to it before she had it.
She did say she would give me a week to try it out and return it if I am not happy.
Do you think I should pass and spend the extra $50 or so bucks and get a newer copy?

bohdank wrote in post #7232357
If she lied about the age, what else has she lied about ?

yes, pass and get one you know a little more about. if it were 4-5 years vs. 2-3 years, i would say, save the $50 but 14 years... what lens is it?

70-200mm F/2.8L

I'm kind of peeved because I passed up a couple of lenses on the word it was only 2 years old.

She stated she is going to look into it and offer me a better deal.

How much do you think I should buy it for, if I should at all? She is giving me a week to test it out and return it if I am not happy.

iqbal624 wrote in post #7232461
yes, pass and get one you know a little more about. if it were 4-5 years vs. 2-3 years, i would say, save the $50 but 14 years... what lens is it?

caroleigh wrote in post #7232503
70-200mm F/2.8L

I'm kind of peeved because I passed up a couple of lenses on the word it was only 2 years old.

She stated she is going to look into it and offer me a better deal.

How much do you think I should buy it for, if I should at all? She is giving me a week to test it out and return it if I am not happy.

Skip it. Saving $50 on a lens that isn't what it was said to be once already, then trusting that she'll still be available for some kind of return (on which I'm sure you'd have to pay shipping/insurance) isn't worth it.

It's a ~$1200 lens. Saving $50 is roughly 4% off. If someone said "hey, they're having a lens sale...used lenses with undocumented histories for 4% off!", I doubt many people would jump for their credit cards.

But maybe she was told it was that old when she bought it used and is not familiar with date codes. Still, I might pass.

For $50? I'd definitely pass. Now if it were like $300 less I'd consider it.

I'm definately not buying it at the $50 less ... but she is coming up with a 'better offer'. I was just wondering at what offer would one pay, if at all?
I'm not sure the life on a lens ... I plan to use it often so I dont want to spit out money, even if she gives me a killer deal for it to konk out on me within a year.

Brett Michael wrote in post #7232553
Skip it. Saving $50 on a lens that isn't what it was said to be once already, then trusting that she'll still be available for some kind of return (on which I'm sure you'd have to pay shipping/insurance) isn't worth it.

It's a ~$1200 lens. Saving $50 is roughly 4% off. If someone said "hey, they're having a lens sale...used lenses with undocumented histories for 4% off!", I doubt many people would jump for their credit cards.

caroleigh wrote in post #7232335
Hello, I am in the process of buying a lens. When I first spoke to the seller she stated the lens was about 2 years old. She sent me pictures , and according to the date code (UJ) it's actually about / almost 14 years old.
Would you buy a lens this old? I would only be saving about $50 from what other people sell it for used? How long does a lens usually hold up?
Thanks!

that doesn't tell us much. $50 off of a $150 lens is a pretty hefty discount. i'll buy just about anything is the price is right.

ed rader

caroleigh wrote in post #7232503
70-200mm F/2.8L

I'm kind of peeved because I passed up a couple of lenses on the word it was only 2 years old.

She stated she is going to look into it and offer me a better deal.

How much do you think I should buy it for, if I should at all? She is giving me a week to test it out and return it if I am not happy.

The person you're dealing with is either stupid or a liar.

Personally, that's a deal-breaker right there.

I'd recc. that you buy from a reputable used source or new.

That's what I'm talking. Originally she was selling it to me for $850, shipped.
When I questioned the date she stated she had no idea it was that old, and she was going to research and come up with a better price if I was still interested.

My question is, at what price would one buy a Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 that is almost 14 years old? No scratching on the glass... some scuffs on the body in which she has shown me pictures of (most of the scuffing is on the tripod ring, the other marks look like some black marks I could get out with a magic eraser.

If its offered at a nice price, it's tempting.... but sometimes temptations can bite you in the butt

picturecrazy wrote in post #7232601
For $50? I'd definitely pass. Now if it were like $300 less I'd consider it.

caroleigh wrote in post #7232661
That's what I'm talking. Originally she was selling it to me for $850, shipped.
When I questioned the date she stated she had no idea it was that old, and she was going to research and come up with a better price if I was still interested.

My question is, at what price would one buy a Canon 70-200mm F/2.8 that is almost 14 years old? No scratching on the glass... some scuffs on the body in which she has shown me pictures of (most of the scuffing is on the tripod ring, the other marks look like some black marks I could get out with a magic eraser.

If its offered at a nice price, it's tempting.... but sometimes temptations can bite you in the butt

i'd give maybe $600 for that lens if it were very clean but if i had any question about the seller's honesty i'd pass...once the story changes i'm usually gone.

you can buy a mint, like-new 70-200L f2.8 on the POTN sales forum for $800-$850 if you are patient.

ed rader

......if the seller lied already, why would you think she'd ever take the lens back if you were not happy?

Worst case, tell her to ship it, you'll either return it or send money after one week.

As for price, tell her is it nearly worthless because it may be too old to be serviced.

Ah, I didnt realized it may not be able to be serviced if anything went wrong. I guess I figured since they still make the lens...

S.Horton wrote in post #7232738
......if the seller lied already, why would you think she'd ever take the lens back if you were not happy?

Worst case, tell her to ship it, you'll either return it or send money after one week.

As for price, tell her is it nearly worthless because it may be too old to be serviced.