Trying to buy a used lens - need advice to avoid being scammed

[mrng_31]

Hello

So I found a used canon 70-200 f4 non is on craigslist for $420. I made an appointment to see the lens this saturday. I have never bought a used lens before and was wondering if anyone could tell me what to look out for, how to test the lens, etc. Maybe it's just me but at $420 it seems like it might be too good to be true. Anyone else know what the used market value is? Thanks for the help.

[cphoniball]

I picked up a used one (in good condition) from cameta for 450, so that doesn't seem too good to be true. Still a very good price though, and if you can check it I would.. although other people will have to give you advice on that, I'm not too sure about that process.

[pikchaser]

Are you meeting in a place thats safe enough to bring your camera and try it on the camera? You would have to have access to a computer to check for focusing issues. Got a laptop?

[dcclark]

The fact that you're meeting in person to actually see the lens will help you avoid the single biggest scam: no lens actually existing! I recommend pubic parks or coffee shops as good general meeting places. Definitely bring your camera to test it out. If you can, bring a laptop, take some photos, download them, and look at them in detail.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by dcclark

I recommend pubic parks or coffee shops

That's a little personal for a first meeting, no?

[mrng_31]

We havent specified a place yet but I'll be sure to meet in a public place. Which apertures should I take shots with to check sharpness and focus? Checking all of them seems unnecessary. and yes I do have a laptop, so I'm guessing looking at the 100% crop would be best?

[AlphaBjerke]

I use this checklist because I was very nervous about buying used too. Don't be afraid to walk away or adjust the price if any of the things don't check out.

http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.a...tno=194&pgno=7

[candleman]

the biggest thing is fungus.... and the aperture blades actually working.
check it zooms smoothly
depending on the lens theres different ways to look for fungus.
if its a "G" lens,
you'll find a small slider on the mount.. as you slide it the aperture blades wil open.
do that wile looking through it at a lightdource. you'll see tiny specks dust too.. but thats not an issue as it seldom shows in the pictures anyway.

fungus loks like title snowflakes.. if t has fungus and yto ut it in your camera bag. theres rist you'll infect all your other lenses with it thanks to spores.

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i only learned all that in the last week when buying my first used lens.

i also reccomend cecking the lens actually meters, and use the DOF preview button to check the blades move at different apertures.
the idea of uploading and checking the image is a good one.

[GEli]

I've bought and sold a lot of stuff locally and never had an incident. Always meet in a public place, as already said, and make sure the accepted methods of payment are well known beforehand. Cash is great, but if you're a bit nervous about carrying it around (and this is more of an issue when you start dealing in the $1000s) most people will accept bank drafts as well, as they're about as difficult to forge as bills are.

When the deal is really good, ask for an original receipt. If they don't have it, consider walking away - the last thing you need is to buy a hot item that later becomes evidence.

Don't be afraid to check the item out. Give its externals a close look, twist every nob, press every button, extend every barrel - you never know when there's a hidden flaw in the construction. Fire off a bunch of test shots and, if you can, bring along a focus test chart and check for front/back focus issues (though this might be difficult to do in a smaller coffee shop). Bring along a small flashlight and side light the front/rear elements to expose any flaws in the glass. Flaws on the front element aren't a big deal, but make excellent bargaining points. Flaws on the rear element are a huge deal and, in my case, a deal-breaker, as they'll appear rather clearly when the lens is stopped down. If this lens lacks an aperture ring, use your DOF preview function with the lens on the camera and stopped down to its minimum aperture to make sure there's no oil on the aperture blades.

Lastly, haggle! Most sellers are chuffed as chips that they've got a buyer with cash on hand to finally respond, and are more than willing to knock the price down even if their ad said "PRICE FIRM!" in big, red caps if you can put the money in their hand that very moment. Note that this won't make you any friends, but you don't want friends - you want their lens at the best price possible. Don't agree to any price beforehand, but instead say you'll make an offer based on the condition of the item. Now, if they were 100% truthful in their ad as to the condition of the item you might have a harder time offering less (unless they have clearly asked for too much knowing that they'll be bargained down - "obo"). If there's a discrepancy between the ad and the item, though, go on the offensive. Small, otherwise inconsequential flaws become a big deal when they weren't shown or, heaven forbid, edited out of the photos of the product in the ad.

Hope this helps!

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

That's a little personal for a first meeting, no?

Whoops!

... also, if you happen to know where a pubic park IS, I'd be very curious ...

Seriously, just to second some of the things said here -- definitely don't be afraid to haggle. I have bought and sold equipment before, and haggling is always there -- you can almost certainly get a better price by offering a fair (but lower) price.