Buying Used Lenses: Red Flags to Watch For and My 7-Point Inspection Checklist
🎥 Buying used lenses for photography? Don’t Get Scammed, Use My 7-Point Checklist! and stay confident that you are making the right choice🔍📸
Thinking about buying a used lenses but not sure how to spot a bad deal? In this video, I walk you through everything you need to know before buying a used lens, including red flags to watch out for when buying a used lens and my proven 7-point lens inspection checklist. I will teach you how to buy used camera lens so you can buy with confidence.
After buying over 60 used lenses myself, I’ve seen it all, scratches, haze, fungus, busted autofocus, and sketchy sellers. Whether you’re shopping on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or trusted sites like KEH.com, this video will give you the knowledge to buy used lenses with confidence.
Welcome to this week’s blog post! If you’ve ever thought about buying a used lens but didn’t quite feel 100% confident about it, you’re not alone. I’ve been there myself. Buying a used lens, especially the first few times, can feel a bit nerve-wracking. What if you get stuck with a dud? What if you miss a critical issue?
Over the years, I’ve bought well over 60 lenses used, and in this post, I’m going to share what I’ve learned from those experiences so you can buy used gear with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Where to Buy Used Lenses
Let’s start by looking at the three main types of places you can buy used lenses:
1. Individual Sellers
Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, directly from photographers or even local photography groups can be great places to find deals from individuals. The main advantage is usually a lower price, but the downside is less buyer protection. You’ll need to rely heavily on your own inspection and instincts.
2. Reputable Used Gear Retailers
Websites like KEH.com, B&H Used, Adorama Used, or MPB.com specialize in used gear. They often rate the condition of the gear and offer return policies and warranties, which adds peace of mind, although the prices are generally a bit higher compared to private sales. This is often a great safe safe way to start looking for used lenses if you are new to the whole process.
3. Mixed Marketplaces (eBay)
eBay sits in between the first two. You’ll find both individual sellers and businesses here. Buyer protection is better than with a direct person-to-person sale, especially when using PayPal, but you still need to do your homework. Reputation and reviews matter a lot here. One this to note about eBay is that you have to make sure to read the listing. Sometimes you find a good price on a lens and it’s because it’s for parts only or the aperture doesn’t work. Make sure to thoroughly read the listing before hitting the buy button.
Each option has its pros and cons, and your choice might depend on your budget, risk tolerance, and how urgently you need the lens. Watch the video linked above for more.
My 7-Point Used Lens Inspection Checklist
AS a photographer who’s been in the industry over 20 years I’ve bought a lot of lenses and I would say 85-90% of them were bought used. You can check out the lenses here. To help you confidently inspect a used lens before buying (whether in person or online), here’s my tried-and-true 7-point checklist. This process has saved me from making bad purchases more times than a few times and it comes from a place of expereince.
1. Research the Lens Model
Before even messaging a seller, take time to learn about the specific lens you’re interested in. Check forums, YouTube reviews, and sample images. Understand common issues, such as autofocus failures or known weaknesses in the build. This will help you spot red flags when buying the lens.
2. Ask the Seller Questions
Always ask:
How long have they had the lens?
What condition is it in?
Has it ever been dropped or repaired?
Do all functions work properly?
Are there any scratches, fungus, or haze?
Why are you selling the lens?
Even if the answers are vague, the seller’s responsiveness and honesty can tell you a lot. Asking questions also helps you get an understanding of who the seller is. Are they competent or clueless. That can also impact your buying decision.
3. Inspect the Lens Elements
Shine a flashlight through the front and rear elements. Look for:
Scratches
Fungus or haze inside the lens
Dust (a little dust is normal, but large particles can be an issue)
Also look for past evidence of fungus. Sometimes lens elements are cleaned but the coatings on the glass could have been permanently damaged by fungus.
I always start by looking at the lens elements. If they are damaged than there is a 100% chance I’m not going to buy the lens. Why even bother looking at anything else?
4. Test the Focus and Aperture Rings
Rotate the rings. Most lenses have a focus ring and aperture ring, zoom lenses will have a zoom ring and some lenses like Canon’s new RF line have a control ring. They should move smoothly without grinding or sticking. With autofocus lenses, test the autofocus and aperture on a camera when possible. If you are buying online than test everything on your camera as soon as the lens arrives.
5. Check the Front Filter Thread
Make sure a filter can screw on smoothly. Dents or stripped threads can affect your ability to use filters or lens caps. This may or may not be an issue for you depending on how and what you shoot. For me it’s a deal breaker if the threads are damaged.
6. Test Buttons and Switches
If the lens has image stabilization, autofocus/manual switches, or any customizable buttons, verify they’re all functional.
7. Examine the Outer Barrel
While minor cosmetic wear is expected, check for:
Deep scratches
Cracks
Loose parts
Mount wear (a worn or damaged lens mount could indicate frequent swapping or misuse)
Final Thoughts
Buying a used lens can be a fantastic way to stretch your photography budget if you know what to look for. Hopefully, this guide and my 7-point inspection checklist make the process less stressful and more rewarding. Remember: a good deal is only good if the lens actually works as expected.
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Canon RF 15-35mm f2.8 L IS USM - https://amzn.to/32fkIma
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