Second Hand Lenses

aido182

Hi all,

Im thinking of buying a second hand lens (budget is limited). I hope to buy it in a reputable shop (Conns or Gunns). Is there anything I should look out for? The lens I'm thinking about is a Sigma 70-300mm APO lens. Im a beginner to SLR photography so Im not looking to join the ranks of photographer of the year so perfection is not required

Cheers,
Adrian

Ostrom

Have had good experience with Conns, bought a few sigma sa lens a few years back and had no bother. Bermingham's also do used for Nikon and Canon. There isnt much you can tell by appearance about the internal elements, so get a look at it through a body if you can, especially if you're going to be spending a bit.

Make sure the front element is clean, and give the focus barrel a twist in manual to make sure its ok. Check it out at all lengths too, and if you want autofocus, check the body and lens for compatibility, though this shouldnt be a problem if they're both fairly new

kgiller

aido182 wrote: »

Hi all,

Im thinking of buying a second hand lens (budget is limited). I hope to buy it in a reputable shop (Conns or Gunns). Is there anything I should look out for? The lens I'm thinking about is a Sigma 70-300mm APO lens. Im a beginner to SLR photography so Im not looking to join the ranks of photographer of the year so perfection is not required

Cheers,
Adrian

Seen these lenses in Cork for sale second hand for about €150, im guessing they will be the same or more in Dublin. You can actually get the same lens new from Digital Rev (eBay shop) for €144 delivered.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/New-Sigma-70-300-mm-70-300mm-F4-5-6-DG-APO-Macro-f-0112_W0QQitemZ180263448890QQihZ008QQcategoryZ100739QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Or other eBay shope like Kea Photo or Dzone2

fguihen

check for slipage also. where your at full zoom and looking vertical, and the zoom slips slowly back. ive only viewed this on very old lens's.

magicbastarder

i don't know if gunns carry much secondhand stock?
anyway, they don't carry sigma as new stock, so may not have much as secondhand.

sunny2004

fguihen wrote: »

check for slipage also. where your at full zoom and looking vertical, and the zoom slips slowly back. ive only viewed this on very old lens's.

Is that not called creeping ? Its a good point, but keep in mind some brand new Zooms have it out of the box.

Kintarō Hattori

OP I bought that exact lens about two weeks ago in Conns for €200 new. I thought it was a reasonable price.

magicbastarder

yeah, i bought it for a friend - it comes in two different versions for nikon mount, one for D40/D60 and one for bodies with motors.