Unless you’re buying a rare collectible that has spent most of its existence locked in a case, camera lenses will show some wear and tear over their lifetimes. But you should be able to tell whether that wear is cosmetic or significant, and a sign of mishandling, by inspecting the lens in person and carefully testing it with your camera.
This is why buying used from a camera store or from a well-known seller who has a reputation for selling quality gear is usually the best option. It gives you a chance to inspect the lens in a real shop and to test it on your camera before handing over any cash, and most of these sellers offer some kind of return policy for items that don’t live up to their advertised description.
However, the majority of us buy our equipment second-hand through online classifieds or from private buyers in a local market place, and this is where the risks really begin to increase. Without the peace of mind that comes with a store refund or manufacturer warranty you are much more likely to be caught out by something that is difficult and expensive to fix.
The first thing to do when looking at a used lens is to shine a light through it (even the LED light on your smartphone should suffice) and check for signs of dust, scratches or fungus. Small scratches and dust particles are fine – they’re effectively cosmetic and won’t affect image quality, but fungus or mold inside a lens should be a deal breaker if it exists, as this is almost impossible to fix.
It’s also a good idea to look at the aperture blades and make sure they are in good working order, and that the rubber on the focus or zoom ring is still in relatively good shape. If it’s squished and cracked, this is a sign that the lens was handled roughly, and can lead to poor performance later on.중고카메라
Finally, you should be able to take the lens off and examine the lens mount in detail – the contacts that transfer electronic information between the camera and the lens are often made of gold, and can be a source of error if they aren’t cleaned properly after each use. Look for any signs of corrosion, rust or dirt, and be wary of any that appear to have been filed off, as this could impact the functionality of the lens.
It’s worth remembering that you will need to bring your own camera with you if you’re going to be inspecting and testing a used lens in person. Ask the seller if they’re comfortable with you mounting their lens on your camera before buying, 중고카메라판매 and if they seem hesitant or defensive about this it’s probably best to walk away.