Buying a used lens from Adorama

[megmo]

Y'all have been so helpful to me in the past, I'm hoping you can help me decide if I should buy a used lens from Adorama now.

I've decided on purchasing the 24-105 f/4 L for my next lens (and soon after that, the 10-22). I see that Adorama and B&H have it new for $1150, but that Adorama has several listed as N (white box) for $899. It doesn't come with a hood like the full-price version does, but I rarely shoot with a hood and if I wanted to I assume I can buy one separately for less than the $46 they list it for on their site.

However, I've done some reading and found that several people on this forum and others feel like Adorama tends to be optimistic when grading their lenses. I definitely don't want to spend several hundred dollars on a lens and find out a year later that it's failing so I'm not looking at anything less than new... but I'm curious if N is actually known to be truly new.

I know they sell their used lenses with a 90-day warranty, but I'm curious if the white box lenses also carry the Canon one-year warranties as well.

If it's a big risk, I'd rather just pay the additional $250 and get the brand-new, warrantied lens that I know nobody has used. But if it's a no-brainer that N-rated white-box lenses are in fact exactly the same as buying a new lens (just without the hood and bag), maybe I should save the $200 and go for it?

 

[Random Orbits]

I'd pass. Refurbished 24-105s are priced at 920 on Canon's own website (shop.usa.canon.com), and they run promotions from time to time (10-20% off). And those refurb units carry a 1 year warranty -- same as new. Split kit lenses can be had for as low as 600-650...

 

[megmo]

I'd pass. Refurbished 24-105s are priced at 920 on Canon's own website (shop.usa.canon.com), and they run promotions from time to time (10-20% off). And those refurb units carry a 1 year warranty -- same as new. Split kit lenses can be had for as low as 600-650...

Well damn, I didn't even think to look on Canon's site specifically. I figured they'd be way more expensive.

Is a refurbished lens better than a new, white box lens, though? Doesn't refurbished mean that it was broken at one point and then fixed?

 

[Random Orbits]

Well damn, I didn't even think to look on Canon's site specifically. I figured they'd be way more expensive.

Is a refurbished lens better than a new, white box lens, though? Doesn't refurbished mean that it was broken at one point and then fixed?

Not necessarily... refurb equipment is stuff that is returned to the factory for whatever reason, which can include buyers remorse. They check out the equipment and make sure it's functioning up to spec. I bought a refurbed 5DII a couple years ago that had less than 100 clicks. I also purchased 3 refurbed lenses and 2 flashes, and never had an issue with any of it. Certainly some of the refurbished units could have been broken and then fixed, but with a warranty of 1 year, there is much less risk.

 

[Clik]

Y'all have been so helpful to me in the past, I'm hoping you can help me decide if I should buy a used lens from Adorama now.

I've decided on purchasing the 24-105 f/4 L for my next lens (and soon after that, the 10-22). I see that Adorama and B&H have it new for $1150, but that Adorama has several listed as N (white box) for $899. It doesn't come with a hood like the full-price version does, but I rarely shoot with a hood and if I wanted to I assume I can buy one separately for less than the $46 they list it for on their site.

24-105mm can be had for $700 new from good dealers often. Check canonpricewath(dot)com for price changes on that lens. Its getting very difficult to sell the used lens right now for more than $650 on ebay.

 

[megmo]

24-105mm can be had for $700 new from good dealers often. Check canonpricewath(dot)com for price changes on that lens. Its getting very difficult to sell the used lens right now for more than $650 on ebay.

I've been checking them out but mainly see unauthorized dealers or lenses marked as grey/import version for anything less than $1049. Although I do see something that says I can contact CPW for info on obtaining the lens that the "street price" of $659.99: http://megmo.me/1z2wom7. I'll contact them but I wasn't sure if that was legitimate or shady.

 

[jsexton]

Or think of it this way, if you buy a new off the shelf body or lens maybe 1 in 1,000 has any type of QA check done to it. Refurb units have someone go through the entire unit and make sure it is functional and you still get the same full warranty. I've bought a body and two lenses and you'd never know they weren't fresh out of the box. Never had an issue with them. I'm not sure how much QA goes into Adorama's used gear (maybe if Helen Oster is around she can answer that).

 

[Clik]

24-105mm can be had for $700 new from good dealers often. Check canonpricewath(dot)com for price changes on that lens. Its getting very difficult to sell the used lens right now for more than $650 on ebay.

I've been checking them out but mainly see unauthorized dealers or lenses marked as grey/import version for anything less than $1049. Although I do see something that says I can contact CPW for info on obtaining the lens that the "street price" of $659.99: http://megmo.me/1z2wom7. I'll contact them but I wasn't sure if that was legitimate or shady.

You shouldn't have any issues with their street price feature (its legit)

 

[megmo]

Or think of it this way, if you buy a new off the shelf body or lens maybe 1 in 1,000 has any type of QA check done to it. Refurb units have someone go through the entire unit and make sure it is functional and you still get the same full warranty.

That's a really good point. I was skeptical of buying refurbished but I didn't think about how it would be checked more thoroughly.

 

[wsmith96]

+1 on purchasing refurbished. I've bought a 70-200 MkII , 1.4 teleconverter, 10-22, and 60D and haven't had any issues with them. Watch the sales and you can get some great bargains that come with a warranty.

 

[jdramirez]

Buy a new one off ebay for 650, then buy a three year warranty from square trade. You'll save money and have piece of mind.

 

[jdramirez]

Well damn, I didn't even think to look on Canon's site specifically. I figured they'd be way more expensive.

Is a refurbished lens better than a new, white box lens, though? Doesn't refurbished mean that it was broken at one point and then fixed?

Not necessarily... refurb equipment is stuff that is returned to the factory for whatever reason, which can include buyers remorse. They check out the equipment and make sure it's functioning up to spec. I bought a refurbed 5DII a couple years ago that had less than 100 clicks. I also purchased 3 refurbed lenses and 2 flashes, and never had an issue with any of it. Certainly some of the refurbished units could have been broken and then fixed, but with a warranty of 1 year, there is much less risk.

A retail box could have been damaged as well, but the lens is still basically new. So they check it... repackage it and put it in a white box.

 

[jdramirez]

One small thing about the 24-105, there is some small rubber band or something that goes bad after five years or so... so just be careful of buying too used...

 

[megmo]

One small thing about the 24-105, there is some small rubber band or something that goes bad after five years or so... so just be careful of buying too used...

On every single one? Isn't that a defect that Canon should fix before allowing them to be sold?

 

[jdramirez]

One small thing about the 24-105, there is some small rubber band or something that goes bad after five years or so... so just be careful of buying too used...

On every single one? Isn't that a defect that Canon should fix before allowing them to be sold?

It is a design flaw... I usually refresh my gear every other year... so it won't affect me... but I'm atypical.

Get the lens though... sell it in 4 years and upgrade or buy another.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

The street price for a new 24-105mmL from a Authorized dealer is $660.

Don't pay more. It might indeed be a kit lens, they are exactly the same as a retail lens, and have the same warranty.

From Canon Price Watch.

We estimate a street price of $659.99 on this item brand new from an authorized dealer with full Canon USA Warranty and free shipping.

Fill out this form to get in touch with CPW for assistance in obtaining this price.
You can also read more about street prices.

 

[Helen Oster]

Y'all have been so helpful to me in the past, I'm hoping you can help me decide if I should buy a used lens from Adorama now.

I've decided on purchasing the 24-105 f/4 L for my next lens (and soon after that, the 10-22). I see that Adorama and B&H have it new for $1150, but that Adorama has several listed as N (white box) for $899. It doesn't come with a hood like the full-price version does, but I rarely shoot with a hood and if I wanted to I assume I can buy one separately for less than the $46 they list it for on their site.

However, I've done some reading and found that several people on this forum and others feel like Adorama tends to be optimistic when grading their lenses. I definitely don't want to spend several hundred dollars on a lens and find out a year later that it's failing so I'm not looking at anything less than new... but I'm curious if N is actually known to be truly new.

I know they sell their used lenses with a 90-day warranty, but I'm curious if the white box lenses also carry the Canon one-year warranties as well.

If it's a big risk, I'd rather just pay the additional $250 and get the brand-new, warrantied lens that I know nobody has used. But if it's a no-brainer that N-rated white-box lenses are in fact exactly the same as buying a new lens (just without the hood and bag), maybe I should save the $200 and go for it?

You are most welcome to email me directly about this, ([email protected]) but I wanted to let you know that all used cameras and lenses rated D, E+, E and E- come with a 6-month warranty, which includes a 30-day returns period for refund or exchange.

 

[Canon1]

I trust adorama and they stand behind their product. I wouldn't hesitate to work with them.

On this lens however id buy used from eBay or any photo forum without reservation. You should be aware that this is one of the worst canon lenses for holding its value. No matter where you buy it or what you spend it will only be worth $550-650 range. I'd cut to the chase and save some money on used. The market is flooded with mint condition copies if this lens at bargain bin prices.

 

[dgatwood]

Unless you absolutely can't live without weather sealing, I'd probably just buy the Sigma version instead. From what I've read, it's sharper, cheaper, and has similar or better build quality....

 

[unfocused]

The street price for a new 24-105mmL from a Authorized dealer is $660.

Don't pay more. It might indeed be a kit lens, they are exactly the same as a retail lens, and have the same warranty.

From Canon Price Watch.

We estimate a street price of $659.99 on this item brand new from an authorized dealer with full Canon USA Warranty and free shipping.

Fill out this form to get in touch with CPW for assistance in obtaining this price.
You can also read more about street prices.

What Mt. Spokane says. Canon Price Watch street price deals are all for U.S. warranty new lenses and bodies.