How ugly a lens would you buy?

[HDNitehawk]

Thanks dr Croubie, that was helpful! (Paint scratches OK, look out for dents and dings.) One of the sellers states that he is selling because the lens has only been used a handful of times. How genuine could that be? Who would only use THAT lens a handful times and then sell it? :-) I'm OK with an off calibration since my 5D mkII lets me adjust calibration for every lens.

I thought I knew what a "dog" was, but now I am not sure. What is a "dog" lens?

Hilde

I just used the slang word dog to describe bad. It is not a lens description term.

As far as using it a handfull of times, I think it is a very believable statement. I have used mine probably far less than 10 times in the last year. Since I am an amature with a few other lenses, a big specialty lens like this only gets used when you need it. For me it has been mainly at the kids and grandkids baseball and softball games.

Dings and scratches do not indicate a lens has been used a handfull of times. Allot of dings and scratches may indicate that it has been used professionally, employees tend to treat equipment rougher than owners. Amatures usualy baby there equipment because it is such a big expense for them. (for professionaly used keep in mind the ball games you might have seen, where the player runs over the photog and the lens goes flying)

In two years of using my 500mm F4L, which I use quit regularly, it has no scratches or abrasions at all on it.

The best senario you can find is an amature who is upgrading to the new 300mm F2.8L IS II. With the lens having very few scratches or marks.

Here is the main thing I would want with a lens this expensive: A uncoditional full refund return policy for the lens. This way you could check the lens out to make sure it worked mechanicaly the way it is supposed to.

[Hilde]

Thanks HDNitehawk, you are very helpful!!!

Hah, I have to start abusing my lenses so people would think I am a seasoned professional! ;-) I have seen a few of those ball game scenarios you describe!

If I can find a good deal on this lens I will definitely go with a seller who has an unconditional return policy. I guess it is obvious that I haven't bought a camera lens on ebay before! I have been wanting this lens for a long time and getting the II version is not an option as it is so much more expensive.

Hilde

[HDNitehawk]

Thanks HDNitehawk, you are very helpful!!!

I guess it is obvious that I haven't bought a camera lens on ebay before!

Nor have I. I am very cautious when spending that much money.

If you haven't read Bryan's article on buying used, here it is:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/C...on-Lenses.aspx