Buying used lens

[joey]

There’s a second hand 17-35mm lens for sale for a good price. The plastic piece over the meter on this lens is cracked. I have a suspicion this lens may have been dropped. The seller claims the lens is fully functional and is in excellent conditions.
My question is: assuming that this lens has been dropped and it is a heavy lens, could it be fully functional and yet capture low quality images because of this drop?

[radar]

Joey,

if it is at a good price, there usually is a reason. The fact that there is the crack is a bit suspicious, as you say, it was possibly dropped.

For something like this, I would only buy it if I could get to try it out first and inspect it. If you can't actually handle it/try it, buyer beware IMHO.

If it is still too good of a price to pass up, get him/her to send you some photos taken today with it, at various apertures and focal length and using AF and some manual. Make sure you get the full exif. Note that exif data can be modified if one has the tools.

You don't want to end up with a nice Nikon paperweigth

Good luck,

André

[losfp]

The seller's not Wendell is it?

(sorry wendell, couldn't resist!)

As Andre says, check it out and take some photos. If it handles smoothly, focuses accurately and produces sharp photos, it's probably okay, and you can bargain down a few bucks because of the cracked window.

If the buyer doesn't let you test it yourself and view the photos at 100%, then walk away.

[Matt. K]

Lenses are tougher than they appear. I have seen award-winning professional newspaper photographers using lenses that have been bashed, bent, scratched and mauled. They throw them into the backseat of their car! As long as the rear elements are unmarked...the front element only slightly marked and the lens does not rattle....then it's probably OK. Wide angle lenses should have elements that are totally free from scratches, marks or fungus. Telephoto lenses are more forgiving. If you can test the lens then that is the safest way to purchase. I have never purchased a new Nikon lens (apart from the D70 kit lens)....only secondhand ones. The only lens I was never completely satisfied with was the new kit lens! It was sharp enough but......the bokeh was awful! If I was only allowed to have one lens then that would be the 50mm F1.4. I could live with it and it alone.

[joey]

It’s a business company that buys used gear and re-sells it. The company offers 1 week trial for all items it sells. My concern here is that this company is based in US. Shipping the lens back and forth could cost me.

[joey]

Lenses are tougher than they appear. I have seen award-winning professional newspaper photographers using lenses that have been bashed, bent, scratched and mauled. They throw them into the backseat of their car! As long as the rear elements are unmarked...the front element only slightly marked and the lens does not rattle....then it's probably OK. Wide angle lenses should have elements that are totally free from scratches, marks or fungus. Telephoto lenses are more forgiving. If you can test the lens then that is the safest way to purchase. I have never purchased a new Nikon lens (apart from the D70 kit lens)....only secondhand ones. The only lens I was never completely satisfied with was the new kit lens! It was sharp enough but......the bokeh was awful! If I was only allowed to have one lens then that would be the 50mm F1.4. I could live with it and it alone.

17-35mm, as they say, is built like a tank. I am still concerned that elements within the lens might be misaligned because of the drop. If the lens was dropped.

[joey]

Thanks everyone!

I’ve decided not to risk and pass on this lens.
It could have been a good buy or it could've been a waste of money and time.

[Onyx]

Joey - if you don't mind me asking, what was the lens offerred at?

I picked up my 17-35 from a local buyer for $650, all it had was a non functional AF motor. Takes beautiful images.

I'm a tight arse so I'm always willing to take risks with bargains.

[joey]

Joey - if you don't mind me asking, what was the lens offerred at?

I picked up my 17-35 from a local buyer for $650, all it had was a non functional AF motor. Takes beautiful images.

I'm a tight arse so I'm always willing to take risks with bargains.

It was sold on eBay for $630US. I was quoted $33 for the cost of shipping.

[Matt. K]

Chi
That was a damn good price! You are the master!

[joey]

Has anyone used or know anything about this lens:
20-40mm F2.8 EX DG ASPHERICAL
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses ... avigator=1

I could not find reviews on this lens from credible sources.

Thanks!

[fozzie]

joey - here is a link to Fred Miranda, re review of lens in question:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/show ... =37&page=1

Suggest you add Fred Miranda (Home Page) to your favourites for future reference:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/

Has anyone used or know anything about this lens:
20-40mm F2.8 EX DG ASPHERICAL
http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses ... avigator=1

I could not find reviews on this lens from credible sources.

Thanks!

fozzie

[seeto.centric]

Thanks everyone!

I’ve decided not to risk and pass on this lens.
It could have been a good buy or it could've been a waste of money and time.

could've got a knowledgeable and reliable mate in the US to try it for you and report back? (although that person may have snapped it up )

oh well, sometimes its best not to risk.

-julz

[joey]

oh well, sometimes its best not to risk.

-julz

I decided not to risk. I will seek for more information and talk to people before I spend my money on an expensive lens.

I was going to buy a lens as Christmas present for myself. Instead, I purchased Speedlight SB-800.
The lens - perhaps in 3-4 weeks time. There maybe a price drop for Nikkor 17-35mm but I doubt that. A lens of this quality is wanted by everyone. If that is the case I may buy myself a cheaper lens. Perhaps, Sigma 20-40mm.

[joey]

joey - here is a link to Fred Miranda, re review of lens in question:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/show ... =37&page=1

Suggest you add Fred Miranda (Home Page) to your favourites for future reference:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/

An interesting website.

Thanks!