I Bought 4 Used Lenses for My D700. Here's the first report.

I bought my D700 in a private sale and I am extremely pleased with the condition of the camera and its performance. I also bought an excellent condition prime 35mm 1:2 Japanese lens from the seller for $150. From what I researched, I got a pretty good deal. As I researched, I came across many lenses for sale on ebay. Casting all the warnings about ebay sellers and buying used lenses in-general, I plunged in to the used lens market with both feet. I picked out what I believed were the best deals and placed bids on several. I ended buying 4 lenses. I have received 2 and here's a short report on what I got.

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The photo above was taken with the 35 prime. The first lens is a Japanese Nikkor 35-70mm 1:3.3-45 manual zoom lens. It looks brand new. My research turned up that it isn't a bad lens at all and had some very good points. This lens cost $39. A good dinner in a nice restaurant costs more than $39. And, I can stand to miss a meal. Here's some examples of this 35-70 lens.

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The larger lens is a Nikon 70-240mm 4.5-5.6 auto focus lens. It came in it's original box with the original wrappings, instructions, and lens hood. If it hadn't been listed as "used", I would have thought it was brand new. The auto focus works smoothly and the glass is clear. This lens is Chinese. 70-240mm is not a popular lens size and Nikon only made it for a short time before going to the 70-300. Some reviews were good, some weren't so good. I felt good about it and bought it for $99. As all of you know, in the camera world, anything halfway good for under a hundred bucks is probably a good deal. Well, I think this is a very good deal. Here are some examples.

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I'm sure that some real expert could use a magnifying glass and find fault with these lenses, but I believe I got far more than what I paid for.

I'll report on my 24-120mm and my 35-80mm lenses when they arrive later this week.

B&H - if you don't already know - has a big selection of used lenses that seem to be resonably priced. Good finds

AC016 said:

B&H - if you don't already know - has a big selection of used lenses that seem to be resonably priced. Good finds

Click to expand...

I actually found that Adorama was even better. Thanks for the tip.






.... I got bored with my name once. Wanted to change it to Ingrid. Somebody talked me out of it.

I think you did well on the purchases - i have a slightly similar zoom, the new version ( '91-'94 ) AF 35-105 f3.5/4.5 and equally as cheap, and its the macro model. Brilliant lens !

Excellent Ted! It is a good thing to put old unused gear to work doing what it is supposed to be doing. And it is real nice when it is cheap! Be sure to set the MF lenses at their biggest aperture when you focus and then stop down to whatever aperture you are going to shoot at after you have the focus...but I am sure you already know that.

KEH has a good selection of used stuff also.

A side note here...it seems like every time I decide to check Craigslist or the bay something cool pops up and I am broke. Just like yesterday I searched Nikon on the Tulsa Craigslist and up pops a 24/2.8 for $100. I hate being broke I tell you!

Did you nearly say ' Excellent Pete ' there Jeff ??

Yep I did say that but the sentiment is the same nevertheless and I edited it! I apologize Ted for being a little cantankerous with you the other night...