Generally speaking, how much for a used lens?

[sallysue66]

I want a wide angle lens on a budget so I have been tracking the Sigma 10-20 on eBay. This is a $400 lens new. They have been going for $300ish plus shipping. I know a lens won't depreciate like electronics but I'm thinking it should be closer to $275 or $300 including shipping. Am I off base here?

 

[havoc315]

Sounds like you are just quibbling over a few dollars. It depends on the condition of the lens, the age, and the supply and demand. If several of the lenses hit Ebay at the same time, the price may come down.
I buy all my lenses used... But it is worth paying a few extra dollars for a reputable seller.

 

[sallysue66]

Sounds like you are just quibbling over a few dollars. It depends on the condition of the lens, the age, and the supply and demand. If several of the lenses hit Ebay at the same time, the price may come down.
I buy all my lenses used... But it is worth paying a few extra dollars for a reputable seller.

So 75-80% of the original price sounds about right?

 

[havoc315]

So 75-80% of the original price sounds about right?

There are too many factors to answer that. There are some Minolta lenses that now sell for more than their original retail price.
But yes, as a rule of thumb with recent lenses, I expect a 20-30% savings by buying used. Savings may be even more with some lenses in huge supply.

 

[bob100]

I want a wide angle lens on a budget so I have been tracking the Sigma 10-20 on eBay. This is a $400 lens new. They have been going for $300ish plus shipping. I know a lens won't depreciate like electronics but I'm thinking it should be closer to $275 or $300 including shipping. Am I off base here?

So 75-80% of the original price sounds about right?

yes, but it's much better to buy use lens off a DSLR buy/sell forum than ebay. You still have to check the feedback, seller profile, etc. but generally it's cheaper prices and more listings.
Looks like the Sigma 10-20 is selling for around $250 - $275 including shipping and paypal fees (POTN)

 

[mom2rtk]

Check the "completed items" box on your search on Ebay to see what prices that item has sold for in the last couple of weeks. I use that a lot when I'm either shopping for something to buy, or deciding what to list something for.

Also check Cragislist in your area. I have sold a few lenses that way to save money on Ebay and Paypal fees.

 

[Groucho]

Every lens is different. From what I've seen, desirability is the biggest factor. A cheap junky "consumer" zoom (especially a kit lens) is going to have a lot of depreciation. A high-quality lens will have a lot less depreciation.

Generally speaking, the lenses don't go "obsolete" the way bodies do so they will hold their value better. I have a decent number of lenses that I could sell for more than I paid for them. One lens, which was fairly rare, sold for four times what I paid for it! That one was a bit of an aberration; there hadn't been any on eBay in a few months and two different bidders both wanted it pretty badly, so I won.

 

[photo_chick]

I want a wide angle lens on a budget so I have been tracking the Sigma 10-20 on eBay. This is a $400 lens new. They have been going for $300ish plus shipping. I know a lens won't depreciate like electronics but I'm thinking it should be closer to $275 or $300 including shipping. Am I off base here?

A used lens is worth whatever someone will pay for it. If people will pay $300 or more for a lens that's $400 new, then that's what it will sell for on the secondary market. There is no magic formula that will tell you what lens is worth what because so much is dependent on supply and demand at that moment in time.

Also you can sometimes find cheaper prices than the ebay at places like KEH.com.

 

[sallysue66]

yes, but it's much better to buy use lens off a DSLR buy/sell forum than ebay. You still have to check the feedback, seller profile, etc. but generally it's cheaper prices and more listings.
Looks like the Sigma 10-20 is selling for around $250 - $275 including shipping and paypal fees (POTN)

Thanks. Would you mind telling me which forum? I've checked a couple but haven't found this lens for my Nikon yet.

 

[sallysue66]

A used lens is worth whatever someone will pay for it. If people will pay $300 or more for a lens that's $400 new, then that's what it will sell for on the secondary market. There is no magic formula that will tell you what lens is worth what because so much is dependent on supply and demand at that moment in time.

Also you can sometimes find cheaper prices than the ebay at places like KEH.com.

Thank you. KEH doesn't have one right now but they sure do have some great stuff. UH-OH.

 

[photo_chick]

Thank you. KEH doesn't have one right now but they sure do have some great stuff. UH-OH.

And unlike a lot of used sellers KEH gives you a warranty.

 

[bob100]

Thanks. Would you mind telling me which forum? I've checked a couple but haven't found this lens for my Nikon yet.

sorry, I was looking on a Canon forum
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

the Sigma lens is often in the Selling section because the Canon 10-18 STM lens is cheaper and sharper