Buying Second-Hand Lenses
Buying a second-hand lens can be a great way to expand your photography toolkit without breaking the bank. However, there are some things to bear in mind when purchasing a used lens to ensure that you aren’t getting ripped off or duped into paying for a defective piece of glass.
The good news is that there are plenty of honest people selling their lenses who outnumber the tricksters by a significant margin. In fact, it’s often the case that individuals selling their gear are doing so because they want to switch systems or simply have found that they’re not using a particular lens much in the first place.
That being said, you’ll still need to do your homework when shopping for a used lens and be aware that you’re not always going to be able to test the item in person before making a purchase (unless you live next door to the seller). The good thing is that there are a lot of trusted online retailers who stock second-hand lenses and offer excellent warranties and return policies if the item turns out to be faulty.
Amazon, for example, has a great range of used lenses for many camera models, as does Wex Photo Video in the UK. In addition, specialist camera stores will usually carry a good selection of second-hand lenses and are often a safer bet for buyers as you’ll be able to test the lens in person before making a purchase.중고카메라
As with all camera equipment, when buying a used lens, it’s important to do your research beforehand. It’s not just important to check that the lens you are looking at will work with your camera, but also that the manual focus and zoom rings move smoothly and functions like vibration reduction are working properly. If you’re buying a modern lens, take a look at the contact points on the backside of the lens. These are what allow the electronic information to pass from the camera to the lens for autofocus and aperture control. They’re typically gold and should be free of scratches, dirt, and grime.
The rubber pieces that hold a lens together should be firm and free of cracks and stretch marks. If the seller claims that they have a professional technician that has fixed the lens, ask them to provide a receipt. In some cases, this is a legitimate claim but in other cases it could be an attempt to hide a defect or a poor repair job.중고렌즈
Finally, when purchasing a second-hand lens, always ask the seller why they’re selling it. This can be a very revealing question and can often give you an idea of the care a lens has been treated with, or the abuse it may have suffered.
Regardless of whether you’re buying a used lens from an online retailer or in a physical camera store, be sure to make a small deposit via a service like Paypal so that you’re covered should something go wrong with the lens upon delivery. If you’re not able to test the lens before you buy, be sure to request that the seller lets you do so and ask them to show you some reference shots with the lens mounted.