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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> would you buy a lens with a scratch??
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Showing posts 1 - 25 of 27, (reverse)
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04/15/2007 06:15:50 AM · #1
Ebay has a lens that I am interested in but it has a scratch so not to sure that it would be a very good investment. Picture of the lens showing the scratch is at the following site:

//cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=004&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=140105571522&rd=1&rd=1

Would you consider purchasing it??
04/15/2007 06:45:22 AM · #2
bump
04/15/2007 07:18:09 AM · #3
I'd buy it only if I could test it extensively before the purchase. The scratch might not show up in a standard test shot, but can be a real pain in the butt with light from certain angles.


04/15/2007 07:37:18 AM · #4
Wow, that's a lot of money for that kind of lens. As far as I can see, the only advantage over other 70-300 lenses is the USM motor. Is that worth that much to you?

I bought a Sigma 70-300 APO DG from here, brand new, for AU$285 delivered, no import taxes or anything. It does 1:2 macro as well. As fast (or, rather, as slow...) as the canon, and a lot of lens for the money.

My 2p
Harry
04/15/2007 08:01:43 AM · #5
I would first search "completed auctions" to see how many of these lens come up for auction and what they actually sell for. And how does that compare to the price of a new lens? I also would ask the seller several questions about the lens to learn how often and hard it's been used, their return policy, and to try to validate their honesty about its condition. If this lens sells commonly on ebay in used, good condition at a comparable price, or if the price of a new one isn't that much more, I'd pass on this one because of the scratch. I bought two used Nikon lenses on ebay recently using this type of patient approach and I'm really pleased with them.
04/15/2007 08:06:48 AM · #6
How would you test a lens to ensure that the scratch was not going to cause a problem??
04/15/2007 08:17:43 AM · #7
Originally posted by RamblinR:

Ebay has a lens that I am interested in but it has a scratch so not to sure that it would be a very good investment. Picture of the lens showing the scratch is at the following site:

//cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=004&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=140105571522&rd=1&rd=1

Would you consider purchasing it??


Fixed your link for you... and to answer your question I would not purchase a lens like this unless the person selling lived right close to me and we had an understanding that I could test it first.

eBay Link

Good luck

Ray



Message edited by author 2007-04-15 13:55:35.
04/15/2007 08:21:40 AM · #8
A quick look on the internet shows at least 10 dealers selling the same lens for under $550 US, converted less than $660 AU, NEW. Seems you could do a lot of shipping for $70, and have a perfect lens.

Message edited by author 2007-04-15 08:26:31.
04/15/2007 08:23:16 AM · #9
from the look on the monkeys face the dude's a freak, so no.
04/15/2007 08:40:23 AM · #10
i'm heading to America in three weeks and have been considering purchasing a few lenses over there as they are much cheaper than here.

Only problem is that the warranty does not transfer to Australia and after reviewing sites for different lenses a common complaint is having to return lenses because of focusing problems etc.

I suppose I don't have a warranty with this lens either so it wouldn't make much difference to get it there and know it is new.
04/15/2007 08:47:58 AM · #11
Originally posted by RamblinR:

i'm heading to America in three weeks and have been considering purchasing a few lenses over there as they are much cheaper than here.

Only problem is that the warranty does not transfer to Australia and after reviewing sites for different lenses a common complaint is having to return lenses because of focusing problems etc.

I suppose I don't have a warranty with this lens either so it wouldn't make much difference to get it there and know it is new.


As I understand it, Canon lenses have an international warranty and bodies have a local warranty. You can get a foreign lens repaired wherever you are on the warranty, but a body has to be returned to region of origin for warranty repair.
04/15/2007 08:53:50 AM · #12
The scratch would not worry me as much as the asking price. I just ordered that same lens from B&H new for less then $550 US, which should be something like $660 AUD.
70-300 lens

Scott
04/15/2007 08:59:37 AM · #13
Originally posted by Matthew:

Originally posted by RamblinR:

i'm heading to America in three weeks and have been considering purchasing a few lenses over there as they are much cheaper than here.

Only problem is that the warranty does not transfer to Australia and after reviewing sites for different lenses a common complaint is having to return lenses because of focusing problems etc.

I suppose I don't have a warranty with this lens either so it wouldn't make much difference to get it there and know it is new.


As I understand it, Canon lenses have an international warranty and bodies have a local warranty. You can get a foreign lens repaired wherever you are on the warranty, but a body has to be returned to region of origin for warranty repair.


Thanks Matthew. I just checked the Canon site and it states the following:

Canon offers an international warranty on non-digital Canon compact cameras, non-digital Canon SLR camera bodies, Canon lenses for all SLR cameras, Canon Speedlites and Canon photographic accessories only. If travelling overseas, the Customer may receive warranty service for those Products on these terms from members of the Canon Camera International Service Network. A list of those members is enclosed with the Product. The Customer must present this warranty card and the original proof of purchase to receive warranty service.

OK, now I have to decide which lenses I want. Yippee

Message edited by author 2007-04-15 09:00:23.
04/15/2007 10:05:06 AM · #14
I wouldn't hesitate to buy it for the right price.

If you're concerned about affecting image quality, try this:

Take a post-it note and use a hole punch to punch out a circle from the sticky part. Put that on the front element of your lens. Shoot some images. Try to find where the circle affected your image. Good Luck.

I think this particular lens is kinda overpriced though for what it is.
04/15/2007 10:58:20 AM · #15
Thats waaay to much for a damagegd lens. Would have to do a lot of testiing to really find if the scratch affected she image and even then. I checked the price and for the trouble u'r not saving anything. Buy it new.

P.S. it costs way more than the sigma because it's I.S., plus it's OEM quality.

Message edited by author 2007-04-15 10:59:11.
04/15/2007 12:15:41 PM · #16
Originally posted by RamblinR:

i'm heading to America in three weeks and have been considering purchasing a few lenses over there as they are much cheaper than here.

Only problem is that the warranty does not transfer to Australia and after reviewing sites for different lenses a common complaint is having to return lenses because of focusing problems etc.

I suppose I don't have a warranty with this lens either so it wouldn't make much difference to get it there and know it is new.


If you buy "Grey Market" lenses from the US you get an international warranty card instead of the US one. I don't miss the days of buying camera stuff in Oz - the US is much better :-) Might as well have your employer direct deposit the pays to B&H :-))
04/15/2007 12:17:00 PM · #17
B&H in NY City sells US and non-US lenses. The Non-US are $10-20 cheaper and need to go to B&H for warranty - IF you are a US buyer. Since you are non-US to begin with perhaps this would be a good way to go?

email //www.BHPhoto.com and ask them!

As to the instances of new lenses not focusing correctly I'd say 90% of that is user error - especially if you're getting a new to you focal length there is a learning curve until you can use the lens effectively. A bit of buyers remorse and unrealistic expectations play a role too.

My 10-22 is fine, as long as I don't do night landscapes with it. Is it the lens itself or part of the compromise on a super wide lens? For 99% of what I use it for it's not an issue so I don't care.
04/15/2007 01:15:10 PM · #18
Originally posted by RamblinR:

...and after reviewing sites for different lenses a common complaint is having to return lenses because of focusing problems etc.


Regarding those sites: I bought the Sigma 10-20mm lately and had the same concerns. Dozens of people reported soft areas in their pictures and had to return their lenses. Mine's perfect and I've heard from others that tested all lenses their dealers had in stock before buying one. They were all perfect.

You should consider that you most likely never hear from people that are happy with the product while everyone with a problem (and who's online) will post something somewhere.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't publish problems you experienced though...

Message edited by author 2007-04-15 13:16:31.
04/15/2007 04:48:24 PM · #19
Originally posted by robs:


If you buy "Grey Market" lenses from the US you get an international warranty card instead of the US one. I don't miss the days of buying camera stuff in Oz - the US is much better :-) Might as well have your employer direct deposit the pays to B&H :-))


Saw lenses marked 'Grey Market' but don't understand what that means. Sounds like it's fallen off the back of a truck. Could someone please explain this to me so that I have things sorted in my head before heading over. Thanks heaps.

Also, where is the best place to purchase lenses. I will be staying around Irvine CA. I will also be going to Las Vegas and hear the shopping is exceptionally cheap there. If this is true maybe I should do my purchaseing when I visit there. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
04/15/2007 04:51:17 PM · #20
Originally posted by RamblinR:

Originally posted by robs:


If you buy "Grey Market" lenses from the US you get an international warranty card instead of the US one. I don't miss the days of buying camera stuff in Oz - the US is much better :-) Might as well have your employer direct deposit the pays to B&H :-))


Saw lenses marked 'Grey Market' but don't understand what that means. Sounds like it's fallen off the back of a truck. Could someone please explain this to me so that I have things sorted in my head before heading over. Thanks heaps.

Also, where is the best place to purchase lenses. I will be staying around Irvine CA. I will also be going to Las Vegas and hear the shopping is exceptionally cheap there. If this is true maybe I should do my purchaseing when I visit there. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.


'Grey Market' is the same as grey imports...no warranty, no comebacks and you take your chances. Can be a bargain or a real money sucker.
04/15/2007 05:11:23 PM · #21
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I wouldn't hesitate to buy it for the right price.

If you're concerned about affecting image quality, try this:

Take a post-it note and use a hole punch to punch out a circle from the sticky part. Put that on the front element of your lens. Shoot some images. Try to find where the circle affected your image. Good Luck.

I think this particular lens is kinda overpriced though for what it is.


Yes, but... a scratch can cause extra refraction, where a post-it can't.
04/16/2007 11:13:06 AM · #22
One other thing, if you are importing a lens from overseas into Australia then you could be liable to pay 10% GST. Make sure you take account of this when doing your cost comparisons.

I believe there is a cut-off below which they don't bother collecting the tax on items an individual has imported, because the cost of collecting the tax is greater than the actual value. The cutoff might be A$500 or A$1000, not sure. A bit of research on the Customs or DFAT web pages may help.

That said, I'd be a little sceptical about a scratched lens unless I had the chance to test it myself.

04/16/2007 11:29:06 AM · #23
Originally posted by chimericvisions:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I wouldn't hesitate to buy it for the right price.

If you're concerned about affecting image quality, try this:

Take a post-it note and use a hole punch to punch out a circle from the sticky part. Put that on the front element of your lens. Shoot some images. Try to find where the circle affected your image. Good Luck.

I think this particular lens is kinda overpriced though for what it is.


Yes, but... a scratch can cause extra refraction, where a post-it can't.


But the post it is also much larger.

FWIW, I have used lenses with small scratches for professional work on 35mm, medium and large format film and the defects were impossible to detect, even with a 10x loupe.

But, I would want to test such a lens myself before buying.



Message edited by author 2007-04-16 11:30:24.
04/16/2007 11:53:21 AM · #24
Originally posted by Spazmo99:

But the post it is also much larger.


A post-it will only reduce contrast and act as a tiny ND filter (like the central obstrcution on an SCT telescope). A scratch, on the other hand, can introduce glare and refraction effects, particularly if you're shooting into the sun.

That said, a small scratch wouldn't necessarily keep me from buying a lens IF it's a good deal. I got a 17-85mm lens as part of a package deal that's scratched up a LOT worse than the one you're considering and it's on my camera right now (and was also used for my highest scoring photo ever, currently on the home page).
04/16/2007 11:54:32 AM · #25
No. I wouldn't buy a lens with a scratch on it. No matter how good a deal, if you wind up not being able to use it--- well then it's not much of a deal after all. You might have to wait a month for another lens to come up but it will.
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