Ensuring your second hand lens purchase is good to go

[Noobinitup]

So just curious about this. I bought a secondhand canon 75-300 lens on eBay for 90 bucks including shipping. Seller has over 80K in transactions with a 99.5% ratng so I felt good. However I read thte descriptio and it worried me a bit, not a lot but a bit:This auction is for a Canon EOS AF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM Lens! This lens is in GOOD condition. The lens glass has a few light specks of dust in the elements, as well as a light cleaning mark on the rear element, but this should not affect image quality. The barrel has some scratches and discoloration on its rubber grips. The mount has some scratches as well.This fantastic lens features a large telephoto focal range, Ultrasonic Motor for quiet focusing, and more! There is NO RESERVE! http://www.usedcamerabuyer.com/Yggd...de/168583_18762_94408_May_26_2011_740x480.jpgNumber: 13500697I'm nt saying it's nt gonna be perfect and work perfect, but is there anyway for someone to inspect it and make sure it's good to go? They have an honorable return policy and window so i would like to make sure its all good. Thank you very much.

 

[Postman158]

I'm thinking your best bet now would be to test it out for a little bit, and check your images. Also note the focusing time since the mount has some scratches, which I'm not sure if that could affect the focusing.

 

[bogeyguy]

If your really concerned, you can buy this lens new for under $200.

 

[tirediron]

I would shy away from anything with damage to the rear element. Minor scratches and marks on the front element will not nomrally affect the image, but the rear could be another story.

 

[Noobinitup]

I would shy away from anything with damage to the rear element. Minor scratches and marks on the front element will not nomrally affect the image, but the rear could be another story.

Anyway a noob such as myself can verify the lens works correctly when shooting? What to look for? Take it to a local shop for inspection?I know it's under 200 new but it looked fine basically and saves me a little cash in long run, of course how ever it mint cause me more problems.Looking for ways to inspect and ensure the lens is ok based on the information provided and received from great members

 

[Noobinitup]

I thought about what yall said and im just gonna return it in the return window as i believe the markings on the rear will affect it.

Target has a crazy good deal on a new EFS 55-250 lens which I am going to pick up instead.


I also just bought a nifty 50 lens. I went from just going and starting with my kit lens to owning three lens'

So i dont have to start a new thread:

I bought a 3 pack of filters for my 18-55 kit lens

What filters would be best for the other two, gonna use the nifty for portaits mainly

Assuming gonna use 55-250 for landscape/wildlife, what filter? 3 pack for this as well? i need a 58MM correct?

Thanks again

 

[djacobox372]

dust in a lens is normal--in fact a used lens without dust is a red flag--it has likely been taken apart and repaired recently.

scratches/cleaning marks are nut normally a big deal--as long as theyre scratches and not a hazing or separation of the coating.

i have someold lenses where the rear element looks horrible, but they perform perfectly. judge the photos not the cosemetics of the lens.

issues like these typically affect the value of a lens far more then the performance, and since the seller is disclosing these issues, you should get a very good price

 

[Noobinitup]

dust in a lens is normal--in fact a used lens without dust is a red flag--it has likely been taken apart and repaired recently.scratches/cleaning marks are nut normally a big deal--as long as theyre scratches and not a hazing or separation of the coating.i have someold lenses where the rear element looks horrible, but they perform perfectly. judge the photos not the cosemetics of the lens.issues like these typically affect the value of a lens far more then the performance, and since the seller is disclosing these issues, you should get a very good price

Thanks djaco- that makes sense. How can I tell if the images are affected by the lens? I will prob hook it up as soon as I get it and take some test shots, I mean if it affects the picture will it be easy for even a newb to recognize?Of course if th is good I now have a 75-300 and my newly purchased 55-250, don't they kind a serve the same purpose?