Camera Labs

guys is it wise to buy a second hand 50mm f1.8 lens ???

it is bought 7-8 months ago!!

he is askin half da price !!

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Canon EOS 550D, Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens

If he's taken care of it then maybe.

I take it that this sale isn't on eBay or a site where the buyer is offered protection against fraud?

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Bodies: Canon EOS 550D w/ Magic Lantern
Lenses: Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX f/2.8, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Accessories: YongNuo Speedlite YN-468 Flash, Neewer Macro LED Ring Light, Meike Battery Grip, YongNuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger & Receiver YongNuo WR-128 Wireless Remote Control

Half the price sounds good. Watching the prices on eBay they are sold for about 3/4 of the price usually.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

I would only buy lenses used if I could test them out first. If you can, check the AF in live view and then using normal AF. Set up your tripod and take the two shots changing nothing other than AF mode. If you see a difference in image quality, then the lens is not calibrated to your body properly and you will end up paying more than you could have saved by having to have it calibrated. That said, I have bought and sold used gear often and have now problems doing it again.

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Canon 7D/350D, Σ17-50/2.8, 18-55IS, 24-105/4 IS, Σ30/1.4, 50/1.8, 55-250IS, 60/2.8, 70-200/4 IS, 85/1.8, 580ex II, 430EX II, 270EX II.