Buying lenses: New v. used

KmH · Jun 14, 2014

Over the years I probably bought 90% of my camera gear used.

I kept my eyes open for 'distressed' sales - people that needed to sell fast - which usually meant rock bottom prices.
Gear from a distressed sale I didn't want/need got resold for a profit because I wasn't a distressed seller.

I was usually able to sell the used gear I did use but was replacing, for close to what I had originally paid for it.

So overall I spent a fraction of what most people spend on camera gear.

tirediron · Jun 14, 2014

The vast majority of my gear is bought used. In fact, the only two lenses I've bought new were my 24-70 and 16-35.

Derrel · Jun 14, 2014

I've bought the majority of my lenses used, but have bought some brand new lenses as well.

JustJazzie · Jun 14, 2014

My first slr (in 2004 ish) was bought used at a pawn shop for photo class at school. Other than that, I have always bought new. I HATE dealing with craigslist. The prices I see on ebay I think are over priced considering they don't come with a manufacturer's warranty. I'd rather pay an extra $50-$75 and get a brand new lens with a warranty, than deal with a transaction that may or may not go well.... If I could find a GREAT deal on a used lens that I could inspect and test first, I would do it. I'm not just good at finding those deals, and since I live in a small town the nearest "craigslist" city is an hours drive from me. Much easier to Buy new on amazon and have it shipped.

petrochemist · Jun 14, 2014

I think only 5 of my lenses were new, which puts it around 15% at a guess.
Only had two real disappointments in used lenses, I of them subsequently refunded in full (wrongly described mount).
The other would have cost about as much to return as it cost to buy, so I just shelved it..

sscarmack · Jun 14, 2014

70-300 4-5.6 New (Sold)
60 2.8 New (Sold)
85 1.8 New (Sold)
70-200 2.8 vr New (Sold)
14-24 2.8 New (Sold)
24-70 2.8 New (Broke, Sold)
24 1.4 Used (Sold)
50 1.4 New
70-200 2.8 vrii New
24-70 2.8 Used
2x Convertor New

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greybeard · Jun 17, 2014

All of mine were bought new but I would buy used if the right deal came along.

CAP · Jun 17, 2014

I think it depends on who you buy used from.

All ways go to name stores like B&H or Adorama for used equipment.

I don't have any used equipment but i barrow my buddies 800mm canon all the time and he bought it used and it looks like new still and is worth about the same as when he bought it used 2 years ago.

Ok....

Scuba · Jun 22, 2014

My first 2 lenses I bought new, however that was when Circuit City went out of business so I got them significantly discounted. This have been sold at this point. The 3 lenses I currently have 2 were bought used one eBay and one on here. The third lens I bought refurbished from Canon when they had a sale. Picked it up for cheaper then I had seen it used. I have saved a bunch of money buying used.

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Dao · Jun 22, 2014

Most of my lens I bought were new. Except the Tamron 70-300VC (just came out at that time), 85mm f/1.8 (I got a great deal at that time and my cost was only $308 from Adorama store @ebay. Few used version cost about the same at that time) and the 10-20mm Sigma (new cost close to the used on due to promotion)

So all the reset of the lenses were bought used. All my flashes were bought used as well.