24-70 New or Used?

I usually don't have an issue with buying used, but I have read several stories with this particular lens having a few issues....I understand it's a phenomenal lens, and I believe it's just what I am looking for, but is spending the extra $200 for a new one worth the piece of mind of being able to resolve any issues with a new lens versus the gamble on a used one???

If you buy from an honest seller, you'll know if the lens is good or not before you buy it. You can't say that with a new lens. If you're willing to wait for a while, keep your eye out for one that's still within the warranty period. Then you get the used discount AND the piece of mind of a warranted lens.

FYI, mine is phenominal, but I ain't sellin'.

I am an average, poor, hard working, white, male, that can't really afford to be buying lenses to start with, but I have decided, after one full year of learning and reading, and thinking , and reading, that I am going to be buying through a licensed USA retailer.
I just ordered my very first premium lens ever from B&H this last Thurs (70-200L 2.8 IS) for 1699.00 and two more lenses will soon follow. I will tell you why I choose new over used.

1: Money IS a real issue for me but sound of mind is a BIGGER one. If on the off chance you get a lens that is not up to par whether it be IQ, weird sounds, slow AF, foggy, scratchy, or dusty, glass or it just plain smells bad, YOUR FU CKED. There is nothing you can do except send it off and have it repaired, try to trade it, try to pawn it off some where or on some one or use it and be unhappy!

2: Premium used glass just simple isn't that much cheaper then new and you get no warranty or guaranty and you're still taking a chance on the before mentioned issues.

3:In fact people with glass known to have great BQ and IQ often want at or above new prices for them, (as I have found out since I have been on this board lol).

3: If there is anything you do not like about a new lens, return it knowing either a new replacement is on its way or your will be fixed for little to no charge what-so-ever or get a refund.

4:EXTENDED warranties available when you buy new.

5: Resale, what lens would you buy used first with all things being equal, a one time owner or a second, third, fourth time owner? See where I am going with this one right?

6:This doesn't really apply to me personally but a there is a certain amount of prestige that comes with buying brand "new" premium glass.

7:Having someone there you can talk to and deal with if things go sour. No one ever wants to admit they sold something that may not have been on the up and up, but you just simple don't have to worry about that if you buy new from a reputable licensed retailer.

I just personally think if someone is sinking 1k or more on something that (in my mind) is as delicate as a GLASS camera lens with built in IC chips and drive motors is, that cutting corners on cost isn't priority.
I know this post is getting a bit winded but like I said I am a poor boy from a poor family and it has took a lot for me to turn loose more money for a damn camera lens then I did my daily driver. So you see why I need the piece of mind that I will end up with a good lens regardless by going with a reputable licensed retailer. I would just simple cry if I got burned on a lens deal that I couldn't recover my losses, I don't have the money or stress to spare.

Or on the other hand you can try and save 10-15 percent and in doing so gamble IT ALL!

ive bought the majority of my lenses used and have been more than pleased with the results. there is nothing wrong with buying used lenses as long as you research both the product and the seller and if you want more piece of mind try to find a local seller. take pictures with the lens and see for yourself. im actually in the market for a 24-70 myself. always check for the date code and remember a blank warranty card helps a lot too

Definately USED. But find out why the seller is selling it

All of my lenses (and cameras, for that matter) are used. That said, whenever I can afford a 24-70, I will buy new.

I would buy new when it comes to this particular lens.

Buy it from a local camera shop. Do some quick sharpness tests in the store and then when you bring the lens home do extensive testing for front and back focus and sharpness test wideopen. Most shops have a 2 week trial period so this gives you the opportunity to find an excellent copy.

I bought my 24-70L new and wish I tested it thoroughly within that two week period. My copy is acceptably sharp widoepen but I normally shoot f/3.2 to f/3.5 which then becomes a huge differnce from wideopen resolution. After borrowing my brothers copy of the same lens his lens is very sharp wideopen compared to my copy.

When you start talking about sending the lens to a canon repair center you must realize that if your lens is within spec Canon will kick it out the door. Send all the sample photos and the Canon tech will spend little time to make the lens as sharp as possible. His/her job is to make it within spec.

If you going to keep this lens in the long run I would justify spending more for new.

I definately agree with all of you. I have bought plenty of stuff on this site and online used, and had zero to little issues with the stuff I got....However, something about this lens and it's price tag tells me to get it new, unless I can find a copy locally and give it a full run through....So, since I am going to have to save a little more, I am going to hang onto my 28-135mm a little longer......thanks

jakeg1999 wrote in post #7522054
I definately agree with all of you. I have bought plenty of stuff on this site and online used, and had zero to little issues with the stuff I got....However, something about this lens and it's price tag tells me to get it new, unless I can find a copy locally and give it a full run through....So, since I am going to have to save a little more, I am going to hang onto my 28-135mm a little longer......thanks

After I shipped my 24-70L back to Canon I got it back cleaned and untouched. I asked my friend at the camera store if its worth sending back and he mentioned he's seen things comeback again "not" adjusted just because its within spec. I am assuming marginally within spec is still a "PASS"

They told me it was within spec so they do not adjust. I mentioned to them that my brothers copy was stunningly sharper at f/2.8. I sent them ALOT of photos on CD. That didn't help any. I also hear others having no success sending back to canon. Mind you I'm sending it to the lame Calgary Canada Canon depot.

Just remember that your work order number #1234nobody
and if they see the lens within spec they wont calibrate.

This is where buying new will allow you to sift through copies of any lens. My next body will have micro adjust so I will do a very minor tweek to get the sharpness I want at f/2.8.

I bought it new (just about 24 hours old... actually) because the local store provides brilliant service and has 3 copies for me to choose from. Although the soft issue of 24-70L seems over-stated, the warranty coverage & good service was worth the extra....

I bought my first L this year (70-200 2.8IS) and couldn't be happier. It is sharp throughout the entire focal range wide open. It actually exceeded my expectations.

I am now debating buying either the 24-70 or the 24-105. I borrowed a friends 24-70 yesterday and have taken around 100 shots thus far and have concluded that he has a soft copy. He raves about his 70-200 but has never said much about this particular lens. Now I know why.

Anyway, I don't have a problem buying used as long as I know that the seller is reputable and that he has a good copy of the particular lens I'm looking for. I actually tried to buy a copy of the 24-70 on these forums but I was just a fraction too late. Since I missed out on that lens I am planning on buying the 24-70 or 24-105 new through Amazon/B&H/J&R etc. just to have the full warranty and ability to return it if I am not satisfied with the quality. Plus, if I buy through Microsofts LIVE search I will be able to get it for less than full retail. Thats what I did on my 70-200 and wound up getting it for around $1200.

If you really want a good deal on this lens you can wait until someone accidentally dings up the lens body and puts a few cosmetic scratches on the front element, then sells it at 60% of the original cost/value because they can't stand what they did.

i bought my 24-70L used almost three years ago from a forum regular for $925 and have no regrets.

"used" around here can mean like-new condition at a 20% discount from internet prices. those are the deals i look for.

i only buy new when i can't find a good deal on a mint copy or i'm in a hurry. e.g, i bought my 70-200L f4 IS new and also my 16-35L II because both were new releases and used copies were scarce.

ed rader

I will buy new only when I can't find any of the same lens used for at least 20% off the original value, e.g. 85L, 35L. The 85L sells for $1750 new (with live.com cashback), the lowest I ever see it used is $1550. That's not enough of a difference for such an expensive item.

form wrote in post #7522256
I will buy new only when I can't find any of the same lens used for at least 20% off the original value, e.g. 85L, 35L. The 85L sells for $1750 new (with live.com cashback), the lowest I ever see it used is $1550. That's not enough of a difference for such an expensive item.

+1 Me too. I buy used whenever I can, and with iffy lenses, I'm even MORE inclined to buy used - and the more used the lens is, the better, because then I can know if it's a good copy or not.

Case and point - my 50L. I got it for CAD$1100 (USD$866), and it was previously owned by two well-known and respected members of this forum. Both had raved about this particular copy in their past posts, so I was more confident that this was a good one. Tried it out, bought it on the spot, and I am absolutely loving this lens.

When I bought my 1D Mark III too, I refused to get one with fewer than 10,000 actuations because I wanted the owner to know how it performed. Ended up getting one with close to 20,000 clicks in box for about USD$2100, and it's a real beauty of a camera. Bodies in particular I only buy used because new bodies are complete ripoffs IMO, especially current models.

Huge savings, guaranteed good copies if you're smart about how you shop - what's there to lose?