Anything wrong with buying used lenses?

Assuming you buy from a reputable person or used camera gear store, aside from no warranty is there anything wrong with buying used lenses?  I'm getting ready to buy a 35mm lens and hope to be able to move on a 85mm by the holidays.   I was going to look on Craigslist.  Last night at our Night Photography meetup group that I attend, another photographer was telling me I shouldn't buy any camera gear used, especially lenses.  

Where you stand on this rule? 

Did this person bother explaining why one should not buy used lenses?

Because my initial response is, "don't listen to idiots."

All of my lenses are used, except for my LensBaby Velvet 85 (because you can't find them used). Consider the source, if local (craigslist) meet and try it out first before completing the deal. Yes, there is some risk, but you can tell a lot about how a lens has been treated by its physical condition. Yes, things go awry, but be wise and thoughtful, and you should be okay.

I did ask and his response was something like "It's a golden rule the pro's never cross.  You just don't buy used gear, you never know it's history, you have no warranty".

Is there anything photography gear related that you won't buy used?

I have bought most of mine used as well.  If you want a warranty, then buy your lenses from either www.mpb.com or  www.natcam.com or www.keh.com  

All of those companies offer 6 month warranty on their used gear. 

Well, I still think that's bad advice. No, you don't know it's history, but again: the external appearance can tell you a lot about care. No, there's no warranty, but if a lens works, and looks good, the likelihood of it continuing to work is pretty high.

All of this is about trade-offs. But declaring that "pros don't buy used" tells me the guy doesn't know much. IMHO.

As added above, buy from KEH or Amazon, or some other outfit that provides a warranty. All I know is that by being smart, and observant, one can save a lot of money.

Let me emphasize: this is just my opinion, based on my limited experience and knowledge.

Here is a better rule for you.  Don't buy used lenses from pro photographers.  They are usually problematic because they are for sale.  You can find pristine, nearly new lenses used by amateurs all over the place.  Just be sure you can return it if you don't like it.  I buy pristine lenses used by amateurs whenever I can.  I have bought perhaps 200 lenses over the years. I can only think of one that was problematic except for a few that I bought to refurbish.

I wouldn't buy anything through craigs list, but from a reputable seller like KEH, or Adorama, etc I wouldn't hesitate to purchase used. I require need at least a thirty day window for a return, unless a killer deal via ebay maybe, (others will feel differently)...Then if priced right, roll the dice.

fmw wrote: Here is a better rule for you.  Don't buy used lenses from pro photographers.  They are usually problematic because they are for sale.  You can find pristine, nearly new lenses used by amateurs all over the place.  Just be sure you can return it if you don't like it.  I buy pristine lenses used by amateurs whenever I can.  I have bought perhaps 200 lenses over the years. I can only think of one that was problematic except for a few that I bought to refurbish.

I'll take partial issue with that. Many pros get off systems much faster than amateurs. I know of one that went Canon system to Nikon, back to Canon, then Nikon again and then Sony....within four years!!!
Yes, they can get lots of use, but pro lenses are built for the long haul....You need to be wary no matter where you buy used....

effron wrote:

fmw wrote: Here is a better rule for you.  Don't buy used lenses from pro photographers.  They are usually problematic because they are for sale.  You can find pristine, nearly new lenses used by amateurs all over the place.  Just be sure you can return it if you don't like it.  I buy pristine lenses used by amateurs whenever I can.  I have bought perhaps 200 lenses over the years. I can only think of one that was problematic except for a few that I bought to refurbish.

I'll take partial issue with that. Many pros get off systems much faster than amateurs. I know of one that went Canon system to Nikon, back to Canon, then Nikon again and then Sony....within four years!!!
Yes, they can get lots of use, but pro lenses are built for the long haul....You need to be wary no matter where you buy used....

I went back and forth on Nikon Canon for a year or two.  Settled on Nikon.

Some gear you can only find used.  Depends on the situation I guess?

Scotty wrote:

effron wrote:

fmw wrote: Here is a better rule for you.  Don't buy used lenses from pro photographers.  They are usually problematic because they are for sale.  You can find pristine, nearly new lenses used by amateurs all over the place.  Just be sure you can return it if you don't like it.  I buy pristine lenses used by amateurs whenever I can.  I have bought perhaps 200 lenses over the years. I can only think of one that was problematic except for a few that I bought to refurbish.

I'll take partial issue with that. Many pros get off systems much faster than amateurs. I know of one that went Canon system to Nikon, back to Canon, then Nikon again and then Sony....within four years!!!
Yes, they can get lots of use, but pro lenses are built for the long haul....You need to be wary no matter where you buy used....

I went back and forth on Nikon Canon for a year or two.  Settled on Nikon.

Some gear you can only find used.  Depends on the situation I guess?

DAM#!!!!!  Look who has surfaced for air...   How you been Scotty?!  

OP- You did the right thing.   Question the bad advice and it is.  All my glass  that I have was purchased used.  With the exception of a couple lenses that I bought from private sellers on Craigslist.  Everything else was purchased from used camera store.  I've had zero issues.  From my personal used lens buying experiences,  off the top of my head I have saved anywhere from 30-40% off new price.  No warranty issues, no problems.  

I have glass I have purchased from  www.natcam.com/ which has great pricing, and their condition scoring is credible.  Last 70-200mm I picked up from them was sold as 'Mint', and honestly it was like new IMO. 

Then there is www.mpb.com who is a client of PhotographyTalk.  Now I have not bought anything from them yet, I have borrowed some of their inventory in the past and they ship fast and the gear was in credible condition!

Last is www.keh.com .  I have some glass from 6-10 years ago from these guys.  

All of the above have a 6 month warranty on their used lenses.  

G'day mate

In years gone by - I have found many lenses for 2nd-hand sale are in very near pristine condition, having been held in lens cases and used carefully - by their keen amateur owner. Pros I have seen tend to he a lot harsher with their equipment - knowing that it will be replaced sometime soon (and as a tax expense too)

One thing I remember from years ago when I also was buying lenses for my SLR -
Hold the lens 6-inches [15cm] away from your eye - look from the rear of the lens thru to the front - focus onto the surface of the front element. If the lens has been 'over-cleaned' by whizzing a tissue / handkerchief etc., you will see heaps of tiny swirl lines around the glass. If you see marks like that - you can take a guess as to the treatment of the lens over its previous life

Hope this helps
Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

Alex wrote: OP- You did the right thing.   Question the bad advice and it is.  All my glass  that I have was purchased used.  With the exception of a couple lenses that I bought from private sellers on Craigslist.  Everything else was purchased from used camera store.  I've had zero issues.  From my personal used lens buying experiences,  off the top of my head I have saved anywhere from 30-40% off new price.  No warranty issues, no problems.  

I have glass I have purchased from  www.natcam.com/ which has great pricing, and their condition scoring is credible.  Last 70-200mm I picked up from them was sold as 'Mint', and honestly it was like new IMO. 

Then there is www.mpb.com who is a client of PhotographyTalk.  Now I have not bought anything from them yet, I have borrowed some of their inventory in the past and they ship fast and the gear was in credible condition!

Last is www.keh.com .  I have some glass from 6-10 years ago from these guys.  

All of the above have a 6 month warranty on their used lenses.  

KEH is great.

Super bad advice was given to you.  Buying used is smart buying if you ask me.  

Absolutely not!  A good 50% of my lenses were purchased used.