Advantages and Risks of Buying Used Lens - Travel Guide (original) (raw)

Many new photographers buy secondhand lens to get into photography or save money. Buying used lenses has several advantages but it’s not without risks. Especially when you buy from sellers you don’t know.

Always check a lens thoroughly when you meet a seller in person. This is especially important if the sale involves trading items such as camera bodies and lenses without the benefit of store refunds or warranties.

It’s cheaper

New lenses can be expensive, which is why many photographers opt to buy secondhand lenses. Buying used gear is an option that can save you up to 50% of the price of a lens, making it more affordable for new and casual shooters.테크노마트카메라

Purchasing lenses from reputable camera stores and dealers is the best way to guarantee a quality product. These shops will thoroughly inspect the lenses they sell to ensure that they function properly. In addition, they will generally offer a return policy, which will give you peace of mind in case the lens doesn’t work as expected.중고렌즈

When buying a lens from private sellers on websites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, it is important to carefully examine the condition of the lens before handing over any cash. Be sure to look for damage and other issues such as cross-threaded filter threads (these can be extremely hard to fix). Also, ask the seller if you can mount the lens on your camera before purchase, and test it thoroughly with familiar subjects.

It’s easier to find

A new photographer who is just getting started can often find a used lens for less than it would cost to buy one brand-new. This can be especially important for those who are considering switching camera systems – they may be able to buy lenses that work with the new system for the price of selling their old ones.

In general, buying lenses from photography stores and reputable online retailers will give you the best chance of finding a good used lens in excellent condition. Obviously, buying from private sellers (especially those on classified sites like Craigslist) is going to be more of a gamble.

If you do end up buying a lens from a private seller, be sure to inspect it thoroughly before handing over the money. A few small scratches on the front element of the lens shouldn’t be an issue, but serious dents or marks on the filter ring are a problem and can indicate improper storage.

It’s more flexible

As a general rule, used lenses have fewer issues than new ones. This is largely due to the fact that they’re often handled more carefully. However, it also depends on the lens’s history. Scratches, for example, are usually superficial and don’t affect the optical quality of a lens. Dents, on the other hand, require more thorough examination. They may suggest that the lens was dropped or affected by a forceful impact.

Another thing to look for is if the zoom and focus rings turn smoothly. They should have a bit of tension, but not so much that you can’t easily grip them. Also, listen for any scratchy noises inside the lens – these might be caused by sand or dust.

When buying a used lens from an online seller, it’s very important to test it out before finalizing the deal. This way, you’ll have the opportunity to return it within the shortest time frame if it turns out to be defective.

It’s safer

While buying lenses is always a risk, especially from private sellers online, it’s much less of a risk if you buy them from large camera retailers or used camera dealers. These are places that can thoroughly inspect a lens for you and usually have a good return policy in case you’re not happy with it.

When buying a used lens, always shine a bright light through it to check for dust, scratches and fungus. Small scratches and dust specs should be fine – but any damage to the rear element or coating should be avoided, as it will significantly affect image quality.

Dents are more serious and should be inspected more carefully, since they suggest that the lens was dropped with some force. If you see any dents, ask the seller about it and find out whether it affects optical quality or not. Also, make sure to check the filter threads – they are often damaged by not mounting filters properly and can be hard to repair.