Top 5 reasons to buy a second hand SLR lens

Looking for a new lense for your Canon EOS Rebel XSi, Digital Rebel XT or maybe a Nikon D40 or D80?

After shelling out on the camera you are probably a little short on funds for a nice new EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM or maybe a Nikkor AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED so why not try looking at the second hand market?

Here are five very good reasons why it’s well worth a look:

1. A bit like a Mercedes or an Audi, camera lenses, especially those made by Nikon and Canon hold their value very well – you can buy a second hand Nikon 50mm f1.8 AF from eBay today and sell it next year for pretty much the price you bought it for.

2. If you are new to SLR photography you’ve probably not discovered your style yet – buying second hand lenses avoids a huge cash layout that comes with buying brand new lenses. Buy a cheaper (but still good quality) second hand lens and experiment – if you don’t like it sell and go onto the next lens.

3. All of Nikons lenses right back to 1977 (and in some case even earlier than that) fit today’s DSLR’s so you could have a $6000 D3 with a 1979 Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AI producing stunning results!

4. The build quality on some of the older models is second to none. Unlike today’s production methods that see camera equipment build to a price, the older lenses really were built to last.

5. No one should own a DSLR and have just one lens – if you need a camera that has the same lens attached all the time a good quality point a shoot would maybe have been a better offer. So go out and experiment!!