Used lens buying

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Hi,

I need a few tips, going to look at a used Sigma 105mm macro, anything I need to check out besides the usual, lens scratches, fungus or body damage?

Many Thanks
 
The seller? rep, trader rating, post count etc.....

warranty
receipt
first time owner
lens caps (front/rear)
original box (not needed but sometimes indicates the level of care etc)

The best thing is to get the seller to post recent images of the lens and with the lens so that you can see what it looks like and what it does.
 
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Thats the catch, no ebay feedback etc. but hes local so willing to go have a look first. Just need to know what to look out for.

I never finished my last before posting it!!! Doh - updated now.

If he is local you have a major advantage. You can get to play with it at various settings and extremes on your camera. Don't be worried about taking your time and taking loads of shots.

.... and unless you know him, I wouldn't turn up in a dark carpark with cash in my pocket.
 
Thats the catch, no ebay feedback etc. but hes local so willing to go have a look first. Just need to know what to look out for.

if he is local but has no feedback then i would say that is good , do the usual sensible things like trade names and addresses / phone numbers and you should be good to go , dont forget though , it is still pretty much buyer beware , if you are not sure then back out :thumbs:
 
He has supplied a full address for collection and mobile phone number so a good start. Also took the time to answer loads of emails. Says its as new optically and body condition.

No box or manual, but thats a luxury more than a necessity. Used lens so no warranty or receipt.

Dont know him but I did say IF I take it I would go to a local cashpoint, so wont have cash on me.

Thanks for all the tips everyone, anything specific to look for regarding the lens?
 
Dont know him but I did say IF I take it I would go to a local cashpoint, so wont have cash on me.

not sure that is a good idea to be honest , especially if he and his mates come to the cashpoint as well :thinking:

you are going to have to part with cash at some point , what i would do is meet somewhere busy , preferably with CCTV to do the deal :thumbs:
 
not sure that is a good idea to be honest , especially if he and his mates come to the cashpoint as well :thinking:

you are going to have to part with cash at some point , what i would do is meet somewhere busy , preferably with CCTV to do the deal :thumbs:

Mmm, good point. Just had a look on Google streetview, neighbourhood doesnt really look rough. May be better off leaving cash in locked car till happy to go through with the deal.

Im sure it'll all be fine but its always better to be cautious.
 
I've seen (Canon fit) Sigma 105mm go for around £250 on Ebay.. but I kicked myself after buying mine when not long afterwards one went for the original lisdting price of £200. Why? because the seller had little or no feedback, but I would have made an offer on that particular item if I hadn't just bought one because the story behind the sale was cohesive (inherited camera kit, not sure of what it all is - looking at the other items for sale and the purchase historyv this all made sense). In the end I followed this one up and the seller received good feedback (which they should have done at that price!) for a lens delivered in excellent condition (to a buyer I'd competed with on the lens I paid £50 more for!).

There's more to Ebay than lots of feedback.. always make sure roughly how much of that feedback is as a buyer and as a seller.. and a good story backed up by purchase/sales history is more important than a thousand positive scores. There's more bargains to be had if you pick carefully among the low feedback sellers.


As above.. do not go to a cashpoint.. have the cash in the car (hidden).
 
I am watching a lens on e-bay at the moment :)
(Item number:260669792728)

All the info is very helpful :thumbs:
 
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