Used lens can be a great way to get your hands on quality gear for less. But it’s important to check the lens thoroughly before making a purchase.

Look for signs of fungus, scratches and blemishes. A few small dust specks should not make much difference to the image quality, but any major damage is a big no-no.중고렌즈

Check the Lens’s Condition

When purchasing a second-hand lens it’s important to understand what to look for and how to test it. Inspect the lens as soon as it arrives and make sure it matches the description you read on the website. Observe the lens for signs of wear and tear, such as scuff marks or scratches on the body. Examine the lens for dents or serious damage to the front and rear glass elements. Check the lens with a light source to make sure it has no dust or fungus inside. A little dust is to be expected but if there are large specks or clumps of dust it may require expensive cleaning and will affect image quality.

Scratches and dings are not necessarily a bad thing, however, large dents on the lens barrel may suggest that the lens has suffered more forceful impacts than normal. Likewise, a lens with excessive fungus or haze should be avoided at all costs.테크노마트카메라

Check the Lens’s Function

Despite claims from sellers that their lenses are in “pristine condition,” examine the lens carefully for signs of wear and tear. A few specks of dust don’t usually affect image quality, but fungus can ruin the lens’s multicoating and require expensive cleaning.

Also pay attention to the focusing and zoom rings, which should feel smooth to rotate. A light squeak may indicate that the lens has been exposed to moisture or sand, which can damage its mechanics and cause a scratchy sound when turned.

If the seller has a filter attached to the lens, ask them to remove it and let you inspect its condition. Even a small ding can damage the filter threading, which can be difficult to repair. Make sure that the filter threading is not cross-threaded, which can cause a wide-open lens to become stuck closed or vice versa. It’s always better to avoid buying a used lens that has this problem, since it can be very costly to fix.

Check the Warranty

Buying from a camera store or a dealer who offers a warranty is probably your safest bet. They will thoroughly inspect the lenses they sell, and most offer some kind of return period. If you buy from a private seller, however, you have less protection.

Many people who own lenses decide to sell them because they are no longer using the lens, have switched cameras, or simply don’t want to keep the lens around. The vast majority of these people are honest, and they far outnumber the crooks and tricksters who would take advantage of unknowing buyers.

The quality of a used lens depends on how it was treated, and the price should reflect this. Scratches and dents on the lens can be fine as long as they don’t affect optical performance, but deep gouges or missing rubber pieces could indicate a mechanical problem. Make sure to examine the filter threads for any signs of cross-threading, which is a common issue that can be costly to fix.

Check the Price

When buying a used lens online, make sure you do your research. Look at the seller’s reputation and compare sold values. Then make a final decision based on the condition of the lens and other factors that are important to you.

If you buy from a camera store or used dealer, you can rest assured that they will thoroughly inspect the lens and offer some kind of return policy. However, if you buy from a private seller (like on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace) be careful. Private sellers will often overprice their gear.

Scratches and dents are common on most lenses and are not always a concern, but examine them closely anyway. Also, look at the screws and rubber pieces that hold the lens together. If there are marks on these parts, this could indicate that the lens has been disassembled and reassembled which can cause mechanical and optical problems. Also, check for cross-threaded filter threads. These are not easily fixed and can be very difficult to live with if you use filters frequently.