how to estimate price of a used len

Guni_hoon · 16th March 2005

hi

though disclaimer like buyers beware etc. and guidelines for describing condition of lens are published in the buy n sell forum, how do a newbie like me estimate the price of an used len?

All things equal,
1. what is the general useful life of lens? e.g. car is 10 yr by default.
2. can one spread the cost evenly over the useful life to agar agar the resale price if one know the age of the len?
3. would you discount or not discount the warranty (usu the 1st year oni) for qn (2)?

thanks for reading.

~Arcanic~ · 17th March 2005

take a look at it yourself, most sellers in the thread are alright with meeting up to view the product etc, bring ur own cam and test out the lens etc etc

also ask them like how long they been using it and etc? thats abt all i usually do..

dkw · 17th March 2005

Depends on brand, age, price when new, demand and supply, so no fixed formula. Pretty pointless exercise anyway, just have a quick scan through the B&S section and you'll have a better idea of what the market value is for the lens you are looking for.

mpenza · 17th March 2005

can go by weight loh. around $1k per kg of lens for the higher end ones

kidding.

market value is largely determined by demand and supply, so check out the past sales for a gauge.

u can also apply some discount factors (e.g. 20% discount) from the retail price. but some lenses which have fallen out of favour might be selling for a very steep discount (e.g. 28-105 f3.5-4.5 around 50% discount) vs lenses in greater demand (e.g. 17-40F4L around 10-15% discount).

snowspeeder · 18th March 2005

I think there's hardly any generic mathematical equation which anyone can use over the sale of 2nd hand lenses. There are too many variables to take into consideration. So it all comes down to business instincts and acceptable evaluation skills.

user111 · 18th March 2005

anything from 60-90% of street prices, depending on condition

RossChang · 18th March 2005

Too many dependent variables. but I recon Condition would be a primary determinant.

ortega · 18th March 2005

it depends if you are buying or selling.

If you are selling, then it is more expansive, use a photo to show what this lens can do.

If you are buying, then look for defects and bring down the price.

Slim · 18th March 2005

I guess the best way to refer to how much others are selling in B&S forum and then judge for yourself. Also depends on how fast you wish to clear the space in your dry cabinet! (good condition + low price = more space in your dry cabinet faster)

ST1100 · 18th March 2005

There is one more 'guideline' that must be considered - how much the lens goes for new overseas. i usually drop by B&H for a 'ballpark' figure. Some lenses have dropped in price siginifcantly and it can be cheaper to get new from the US than getting a used one here, even with shipping and taxes.

Guni_hoon · 18th March 2005

thanks all for reading or replying.

guess i gotta do more homework n b careful when buying used lens, or jus buy brand new.

16th March 2005	#1
Guni_hoon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: West Posts: 67	how to estimate price of a used len hi though disclaimer like buyers beware etc. and guidelines for describing condition of lens are published in the buy n sell forum, how do a newbie like me estimate the price of an used len? All things equal, 1. what is the general useful life of lens? e.g. car is 10 yr by default. 2. can one spread the cost evenly over the useful life to agar agar the resale price if one know the age of the len? 3. would you discount or not discount the warranty (usu the 1st year oni) for qn (2)? thanks for reading.

17th March 2005	#4
mpenza Moderator Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: New York City Posts: 13,397	can go by weight loh. around $1k per kg of lens for the higher end ones kidding. market value is largely determined by demand and supply, so check out the past sales for a gauge. u can also apply some discount factors (e.g. 20% discount) from the retail price. but some lenses which have fallen out of favour might be selling for a very steep discount (e.g. 28-105 f3.5-4.5 around 50% discount) vs lenses in greater demand (e.g. 17-40F4L around 10-15% discount). Last edited by mpenza; 17th March 2005 at 03:58 PM.

18th March 2005	#8
ortega Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NorthEast Posts: 16,507	it depends if you are buying or selling. If you are selling, then it is more expansive, use a photo to show what this lens can do. If you are buying, then look for defects and bring down the price. __________________ The Law

17th March 2005	#2
~Arcanic~ Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Westy Posts: 2,688	take a look at it yourself, most sellers in the thread are alright with meeting up to view the product etc, bring ur own cam and test out the lens etc etc also ask them like how long they been using it and etc? thats abt all i usually do..

17th March 2005	#3
dkw Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: CCK Posts: 1,051	Depends on brand, age, price when new, demand and supply, so no fixed formula. Pretty pointless exercise anyway, just have a quick scan through the B&S section and you'll have a better idea of what the market value is for the lens you are looking for.

18th March 2005	#5
snowspeeder Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: 35A East Coast Rd Posts: 3,436	I think there's hardly any generic mathematical equation which anyone can use over the sale of 2nd hand lenses. There are too many variables to take into consideration. So it all comes down to business instincts and acceptable evaluation skills.

18th March 2005	#6
user111 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,719	anything from 60-90% of street prices, depending on condition

18th March 2005	#7
RossChang Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,563	Too many dependent variables. but I recon Condition would be a primary determinant.

18th March 2005	#9
Slim Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 455	I guess the best way to refer to how much others are selling in B&S forum and then judge for yourself. Also depends on how fast you wish to clear the space in your dry cabinet! (good condition + low price = more space in your dry cabinet faster)

18th March 2005	#10
ST1100 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Singapore, Bedok Posts: 1,801	There is one more 'guideline' that must be considered - how much the lens goes for new overseas. i usually drop by B&H for a 'ballpark' figure. Some lenses have dropped in price siginifcantly and it can be cheaper to get new from the US than getting a used one here, even with shipping and taxes.