Purchasing a used lens is always a risk. Whether it’s from a local camera store or online retailer that has a return policy or from an individual seller on craigslist, there is a leap of faith involved.
There are a few things to check to ensure the lens is in good condition. Start with the aperture and make sure it opens and closes smoothly.
1. Check the condition of the lens
Unless you’re buying a vintage collectible that’s spent most of its life in a case, the lens will probably show signs of wear and tear. It’s important to examine it carefully before putting any money down. Look for marks and scratches on the glass (especially the rear element) and fungus or mold inside the lens. Look also for a missing front or rear cap and the hood. These are easy to replace, but they may indicate that the lens was not properly cared for.
Lastly, give the lens a slight shake to see if it rattles. If it does, that’s a bad sign and may indicate that one of the elements is loose and could potentially break off or fall out of the lens. If you can’t inspect the lens in person, make sure the seller can provide a warranty and an assurance that they are willing to take it back for any problems. You should never buy a used lens from a seller that won’t do this.
2. Check the condition of the mount
The lens mount is responsible for passing information from a DSLR camera’s electronic sensors to the lens. Those information include things like shutter count and aperture setting.
Check that the metal mount does not have any dents or scratches. Also check that the pins on the mount are in good condition and not bent. These are responsible for exchanging a small current that allows the lens and camera to autofocus.
The zoom and focus rings should move easily and not have any resistance or noise. If applicable, try closing down the aperture and listen to any grinding sounds – these could indicate a worn aperture blade.
If possible, ask the seller if you can mount the lens on your camera and test it. If the seller refuses, it may be a sign they are hiding something. In general, large photography retailers and high reputation sellers on forums with buyer feedback are the best places to find reliable used lenses.
3. Check the condition of the lens
Regardless of how great it might look, a used lens can still have mechanical problems or hidden wear and tear. A quick inspection of the lens can tell you a lot about its condition.
The first thing to check is if it looks good – does it have any scratches or dents? Minor cosmetic imperfections are fine but fungus and other damage will likely cause the lens to be unusable.
Examine the lens for rattling when shaken gently – this could mean that one or more elements are loose. Also make sure it is easy to attach and remove filters.
Finally, look for marks on the screws and rubber pieces that hold the lens together. These could indicate that the lens was disassembled and repaired in the past. This may be an indication of a problem and should be reflected in the price. If the seller claims that a professional technician fixed the lens, ask them to provide a receipt.테크노마트카메라
4. Check the condition of the lens
Examine the lens for any scratches on its body or glass. Small specks of dust should not be a problem, but larger clumps or even a cloudy image inside the lens indicate damage that can be difficult to repair and affect picture quality. Check for a separation between the lens elements (you can usually see this with a small flashlight pointed at the front and back of the lens) as well. This is a bad thing, but is often reparable, so it’s worth asking the seller if they are comfortable with you mounting their lens to a camera and thoroughly testing it before purchase.
If the lens has an aperture control lever on the back of it, try closing down and reopening the aperture to ensure that it snaps down and re-opens without sticking.중고렌즈 Also, check to make sure that the button and switch functions work correctly if it has any. Finally, test the optical image stabilization feature of the lens by taking several handheld photos with the feature enabled and then several with it disabled to see if it works.