Buying Old, Inexpensive Lenses?

[yurik]

In my town (New Brunswick, NJ), there's a small camera shop that sells some old, inexpensive lenses. For example, they have like 28mm wide-angle manual-focus only lens for $20-$50 dollars.

I'm a poor college student, so I'm always looking to get things for cheap. My question is, is it worth buying something like this? I'd like to buy a lens or two inexpensively just so I can get a good idea of what I might want to buy in the future.

What do you think?

[deathbyevilspoon]

I'd say its ok...Just look up reviews and stuff on the particular lenses your are thinking of buying online to see if they are really worth your money. I would also closely inspect the lens itself before buying to be sure there aren't visible scratches on the lens or not. Maybe you could take your camera body to the store and try the lens out there, and see the results at home.
Just a few suggestions

[mikeboy]

I agree, I that same thing, I bought a used camera with a pair of used lenses, I tried them all and inspected everything to make sure it was 100% operational.

Used does not mean bad....

[NaturesPixel]

Used is not bad... i have a 10 year old Sigma 50mm 1:1 macro in near mint condition i paid $150 i think for it... beats paying over 300 ... this lens will do me till i can afford a better one :)

all i did was write to sigma and ask them if it was compatible for the d50 i had at the time.. since i could only find info on the newer sigma 50mm EX 1:1 .. :)