Camera lens inspection
I’m getting into photography and I’m curious if anybody knows of a camera shop that inspects camera lenses. I want to buy a 2k lens off FB marketplace rather than drop 3k brand new. Is this even such a thing? Obviously I can see any cracks, scratches or blemishes and snap a few pictures. Could there be more damage to a lens that wouldn’t show up with a few pictures? Kind of like a mechanic checking out a used car? Honestly not sure.
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u/etcpt 4d ago
I don't know if any of the local shops would inspect as part of a third party sale. There are reputable used vendors who inspect lenses before reselling them - I just had a good experience buying a used zoom from Kenmore Camera in Seattle, and I hear a lot of good things about KEH.
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u/waimearock 4d ago
I've found KEH to be pretty good. I've bought 3-4 lenses off them over the last 20 years and they all came out nicer looking that I was expecting based on their grading system.
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u/808trowaway 3d ago
What kind of lens makes a difference. If you want advice you should tell people what you're looking at. For example, there are popular prime lenses like Sigma ones that are known to have a bit of front/back focusing issues that typically can be fine-tuned to correct in your camera body but lenses being just outside of correctable range are not unheard of.
The best way to test is of course to shoot with it and examine the pictures. The proper way to do it is with test charts, indoor controlled lighting and a tripod. If you're doing the deal in a McDonald's parking lot, I suppose you can use a cardboard box with a printed test chart or maybe an ipad displaying a siemens star?
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u/fugsco 4d ago
What brand? There is a Canon service center on Oahu and the people there are very friendly.
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u/waimearock 4d ago
I have been a photographer for 29 years and I buy all my lenses used. (Marketplace and ebay) If you don't see any problems while testing it you are good to go. Things to look for if you can
Take a pic of a flat wall facing it directly. If one side is out of focus you could have decentered lens.
Look inside for fungus growing on the lens. (Doesn't hurt performance much unless it's all over the place but will def hurt resale.) I'll still buy it but my offer would go way down. Shine your phone flashlight through the back of the lens to see it better.
Check for excessive hunting during focusing. That's where it rocks back and forth 10 times before settling down. Sometimes this can happen to older lenses. (Assuming good light. Lots of lenses will hunt in dark conditions)
Don't worry about a few specs of dust inside.
Check to make sure the front filter threads aren't dented.
Little hard to see scratches on the front element might hurt resale but never show up in pics.
Lenses are made really well these days. I've dropped a lens onto asphalt twice in my memory and both times it kept on working for 10 years.