What would you do? (A NAS dilemma)

Okay, so the situation is that I have come by some cash that I can use for equipment. Not a lot, so I need to make the best of it. I have wanted both a macro and a wide angle for some time now, and now have the option to buy one or both. What I have in front of me is either a used micro Nikkor 85/3.5 along with a used tokina 12-24/4 or a brand new sigma 10-20/4-5.6. So either two used lenses or one new. Both used ones should be like new, but they will have to be shipped, so I can't see them before I buy.

What would you go for?

Are the used ones from a reputable dealer, or someone known to you (ie, can you get your money back if the items are not as described?)

No. They would be bought from private persons. So getting my money back could be an issue.
The buyers' law here in Denmark does state that I have the same rights as a buyer whether the item is used or new, and whether I buy from a private person or a dealer. But apart from that it could be a problem to agree with a private person if the lenses should turn out not to be as described.
I have seen pictures of both lenses that do both look to be in prime condition, but it is a matter that has to taken into account!

Other issues that I have in mind, is if the Tokina is wide 'enough'? The 2mm does count for a lot in that end of the scale, so I'm also trying to figure out if that is something I can live with.

In the past I have bought most of my lenses pre-owned. In fact I think I have only bought 2 lenses new.. but the lenses I bought were from shops or forums like this, where everyone "knew" each other.

As for the 2mm oh yes it makes a big difference in my mind. When I had an Olympus I had a 9mm (18mm ff equivalent) and someone on that forum had created an photo with various focal lengths superimposed one on top of another, and that was extremely useful for seeing whether you wanted the extra 2mm or you were happy with the 10 or 12 mm. Do nikon provide something similar for you to check?

Don't dig the DX hole deeper if you ever plan on upgrading properly. Heck, with 600 deals today, I'd see if you can source some cash towards that than a few more lenses against the same old sensor.

traceyjj said:

In the past I have bought most of my lenses pre-owned. In fact I think I have only bought 2 lenses new.. but the lenses I bought were from shops or forums like this, where everyone "knew" each other.

As for the 2mm oh yes it makes a big difference in my mind. When I had an Olympus I had a 9mm (18mm ff equivalent) and someone on that forum had created an photo with various focal lengths superimposed one on top of another, and that was extremely useful for seeing whether you wanted the extra 2mm or you were happy with the 10 or 12 mm. Do nikon provide something similar for you to check?

Click to expand...

One of the lenses would be under paypal buyers' protection, which should guarantee my money back if the product is significantly different than described, which is mint condition, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Maybe I can persuade the other seller to create a paypal account as well, so I could get the same guarantee in that deal too.

Nikon has this tool Nikon | Imaging Products | NIKKOR Lens Simulator which shows the difference in focal length. The only thing is, that I can't really say how much I would miss the last 2mm.

SkvLTD said:

Don't dig the DX hole deeper if you ever plan on upgrading properly. Heck, with 600 deals today, I'd see if you can source some cash towards that than a few more lenses against the same old sensor.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the comment! I agree that if I had any possible plan about going FX, I should indeed stop going towards DX lenses. The thing is, though, that I have absolutely zero plan of going that way. I am 100% a happy amateur, and have no plan about changing that, so DX seems to be fulfilling my needs. When I have finished my education and hopefully got a job, I think I might go for a d7200 or whatever they will be up to at that time, but for so long, I will stick to the d3100 and get the best that I can with that.
Thanks for the consideration though

...BTW.
I ended up opting for the second hand road. The first deal, for the tokina, I got a very bad feeling with, however, since the seller only gave me a cell phone number, from a untraceable number, and the address she gave me was also impossible to trace. Her "semi-pro"-business website and e-mail address only gave me google results for an instagram profile, and she couldn't even tell me if it was the version with or without an internal focus motor. On top of that she insisted that I should pay through bank transfer instead of a secure PayPal transaction, which would give me buyers protection, ensuring me my money back, if something turned sour.
So from that experience, I now have a brand new, store bought Sigma 10-20 on it's way by mail

I SO can't wait to get it!

Sounds like a wise move

Wise choice... have fun with your new lens

Well played. Now the wait.... that's the hardest part