[mba1971]

I'm looking to add a new lens to my bag..I am wondering If used is good or If I should go for a new one...Use price is ±60% of the new one....

[Pentaxor]

I'm looking to add a new lens to my bag..I am wondering If used is good or If I should go for a new one...Use price is ±60% of the new one....

depends on the condition. if you see that it is in mint or excellent condition, then a used copy is all worth it.

[imtheguy]

My experience so far has been about the same with both. I buy only from reputable sites (this forum, B&H, Adorama, KEH in that order) and have returned 2 new and 2 used lenses for full refund for having some minor issue. After 20 purchases I feel very comfortable with both but used lenses from this forum's marketplace I feel particularly comfortable. New, I prefer B&H as their return policy does not cost you a penny whereas you pay shipping (and in the case of Adorama, both ways, even if it was FREE shipping to you).

OK, I broke down and bought ONE lens through ebay because I have never seen it for sale elsewhere.

[timo]

I'm looking to add a new lens to my bag..I am wondering If used is good or If I should go for a new one...Use price is ±60% of the new one....

I have bought many second-hand primes with no issues except for one case where I didn't check the lens carefully enough when I met the seller in person. I did buy a second-hand FA24-90 from KEH many years ago, which was a really good decision. Otherwise I have found the quality variations even in new zooms so great, that I wouldn't risk a secondhand zoom that I couldn't easily return. So: used primes yes, used zooms no.

Tim

[SDAfoto]

I just bought a Pentax F 24-50 f4 the other day for about 60USD. It's in good condition and I tested it on my K-7 before paying. All my three lenses are all bought used. The only lens I bought brand new is the DA18-250. Which I just sold a few weeks ago.
It's ok to buy used as long you could test it before buying.

[Steinback]

Most of my lenses are second hand but I tested pretty much all of them in person before buying. Actually, I'm pretty sure the only lens I own that is still in production is the FA 50 f/1.4.

[bdery]

I own two new lenses, and five used lenses. I have owned seven other used lenses over time. As long as you find a reputable seller, owing used lenses is not a problem.

[reeftool]

I haven't had any problems with used lenses and look for something used first.

[KxBlaze]

If you buy the used lens on this forum I would say it is more than safe. I had a pretty bad experience with Ebay where the seller said the glass was completely clean, I have no idea what he was looking at because the glass I received had haze all over it. People on here most of the time post very good and thorough pictures of the lenses before selling. So to answer your question I would look on this forum for whatever particular lens first (be patient, maybe look for a few weeks) then if it does not come up then buy from BH.

[yeatzee]

I don't go to B&H/Adorama anymore for lenses because of their absurd price (IMO). Every lens I own (see signature) except the kit lens and sigma 105mm were bought used I would much rather buy any lens without SDM (Would like a warranty for that ) used over new anyday considering the money I save. On the other hand I will never buy a body used for the same reason I will not buy an SDM lens used (WARRANTY... one of the main reasons I got the K-7 was because of its 3 yr. warranty).

(though I think I might buy the Pentax DA 40mm new considering how people here seem to think they can sell it for ~$10-20 less than the new price despite having it for months )

[tokyoso]

actually ive heard some good experience with used camera bodies. seems that as long as shutter count is relatively low for the comparable camera age, it usually turn into a great buy/keeper. but i think that this excludes weather sealing features if the warranty is not valid on a used purchase. so if i ever bought a k20d at a great used price, i will try not use it in the rain or take it into the jungle.

[yeatzee]

actually ive heard some good experience with used camera bodies. seems that as long as shutter count is relatively low for the comparable camera age, it usually turn into a great buy/keeper. but i think that this excludes weather sealing features if the warranty is not valid on a used purchase. so if i ever bought a k20d at a great used price, i will try not use it in the rain or take it into the jungle.

Well coming from a guy who's K200d broke right after the 1 year warranty ended, Im not so keen on the idea of used bodies :ugh:

[ducdao]

99% of my lenses are bought used and I have over 250 lenses. In fact, I only have two lenses that I bought brand new, the kit lens 18-55mm and 55-200mm. Also note that 95% of my lens collection are MF prime lenses which are really well built and less prone to electronic failures than the zoom and AF.

So far I have no complaint about the used ones. Just make sure you buy from a reputable seller test in person if you can. Granted I also had few lemons where I found the lens is not as described, in those case I got full refund.

[Pentaxor]

there are only two lenses that I bought brand new in my line-up. guess what those two are?

[ducdao]

there are only two lenses that I bought brand new in my line-up. guess what those two are?

Let me guess, DA18-55/3.5-5.6 AL WR. DA55-300/4-5.8?