second hand lenses

[duncan22]

Second hand lenses are often advertised on e-bay without the original box or instructions. I can see why this might be the case where a general lens came with the camera as part of a package but if you were looking at a 3 or 4 month old lens which was unlikely to have come as part of the package and was a expensive lens why would the original box & instructions not be available other than the obvious reason ?
I ask as you often see this type of advert on e-bay and clearly the seller is not going to get as much for it as a boxed lens equally would any serious photographer throw the original box and instructions away along with the receipt which would serve as a 12 month guarantee.

[OldBoy]

Wouldn't buy a second-hand lens or anything else off Ebay.

[flake]

People do funny things Duncan, I have one friend who throws all the packaging away as soon as he opens a product, be that a DVD player or camera equipment. I have told him that when he wants to sell it on it will be worth a lot less and I think he's taken a little notice, but often space is at a real premium for some people.

Personally I do like to have the box and instructions, just for the sake of completeness and because it's likely that if the seller has looked after the box, then they'll have taken good care of the lens too. That's not to say that someone who throws the box away doesn't look after the lens, and it's unlikely that a 3 - 4 month old lens will develop a fault that it doesn't show already. Ebay protects you from problems with the product (significantly not as described) and most sellers are genuine people who want a smooth transaction. I've not had a real problem from the lenses I've bought (or sold) second hand, the latest purchase has been a Sigma 120 - 300mm f/2.8 for £550 it has a problem with focus on the right hand side of the lens, currently it's in Japan being repaired, it's cost me £155, when it comes back most of the optical elements will have been replaced and the whole lens will have been calibrated to make sure everything is working properly. I've paid a total of around £700 for a lens which costs around £2500 new, and even second hand normally goes for over £1000.

Just buy carefully, and if you have any suspicion leave it alone, there are loads of other sellers, find one you're comfortable with and you'll both be very happy with the transaction.

[KeithT]

Having the original boxes for photo equipment adds 10% to the resale value. It is almost like having the provenance title to a work of art. I would steer clear of any photo equipment that doesn't have the original packaging, as it might be a bit hookey.

[duncan22]

I can understand people throwing away boxes for TVs and other large items due to the space they take up but boxes for lens do not take up much room so I can see little reason for not keeping them.
I would agree that the box along with instructions (and possible receipt) will add at least 10% to the resale price as can be seen on e-bay.
I Have only got one lens via e-bay along with box, instructions etc and am well pleased with it. Yes I could have got one £50 cheaper without the box and receipt but it had a remaining 8 month guarantee and to me that was worth the extra £50.