An important piece of advice for all prospective lens buyers is to evaluate lenses according to their intended use.
With the availability of all kinds of related information on the internet, it is quite common for photographers to spend a great deal of time browsing reviews, blogs and forums where they read about the strengths of a particular lens, while reading about the pitfalls of another.
The problem is that this way they don't get to try out the lens before they shoot with it.
This doesn't mean that the internet should not be used to find out about a variety of lenses, but with all charts, graphs and reviews, it's easy to get sidetracked and forget about the criteria you have to examine to determine if a particular lens is for you-is it suitable for the application you want it for? If you are thinking of getting a particular lens, you may want to consider renting it before you decided to part with more of your money to purchase it, especially if the one you're considering is expensive.
They can usually be rented from a local camera store, which will let you rent them for a day or two.
If you feel that it's adequate for your requirements, you may even be able to buy the lens from the store where you rented it, offsetting the purchase price by the amount you paid to rent it.
If you plan to buy the lens from that store, they will probably allow you to take test shots, with your own camera and memory card.
If you are considering more than one lens, take test shots with them all, trying as much as possible keeping your intended use in mind.
For instance, if you want to shoot architectural interiors, then you can take some shots of the inside of the store.
If you plan to shoot sports, then get some shots of motion, such as a car driving by.
Then view the shots on your computer and compare and determine which ones are the best, and which lens was used to take them.
The main thing is that if you are satisfied with the performance of a lens and its prices falls within your budget, then it's a good lens for you.
If you are considering a used lens, you may be able to find some good deals on used equipment, which also includes lenses.
If you can actually see, touch or possibly try the equipment, this is the best way to determine if you would like to buy it.
You can also choose to mail order or find something online.
Then you need to make sure that you are dealing with a reliable seller.
Find out about the return policy before you make your purchase.
If the seller doesn't have a return policy on used equipment then you may want to avoid buying from them.
Any seller worth buying from should allow for returns as long as the item is returned in good condition.
You can also search online auctions for what you're looking for as many others are also doing.
If you are shopping on sites such as eBay, Amazon or Yahoo!, do you research first.
You can find good deals, but many end up paying more than the retail price of a new lens for a used one.
Watch out for foreign sellers, especially if they ask that you send money outside the standard auction policy, under the pretence of giving you a better deal.
I know of someone, who against my advice sent a money order to someone in Spain for a camera she saw on eBay.
There's still no sign of the camera, and her money's gone too.
With the availability of all kinds of related information on the internet, it is quite common for photographers to spend a great deal of time browsing reviews, blogs and forums where they read about the strengths of a particular lens, while reading about the pitfalls of another.
The problem is that this way they don't get to try out the lens before they shoot with it.
This doesn't mean that the internet should not be used to find out about a variety of lenses, but with all charts, graphs and reviews, it's easy to get sidetracked and forget about the criteria you have to examine to determine if a particular lens is for you-is it suitable for the application you want it for? If you are thinking of getting a particular lens, you may want to consider renting it before you decided to part with more of your money to purchase it, especially if the one you're considering is expensive.
They can usually be rented from a local camera store, which will let you rent them for a day or two.
If you feel that it's adequate for your requirements, you may even be able to buy the lens from the store where you rented it, offsetting the purchase price by the amount you paid to rent it.
If you plan to buy the lens from that store, they will probably allow you to take test shots, with your own camera and memory card.
If you are considering more than one lens, take test shots with them all, trying as much as possible keeping your intended use in mind.
For instance, if you want to shoot architectural interiors, then you can take some shots of the inside of the store.
If you plan to shoot sports, then get some shots of motion, such as a car driving by.
Then view the shots on your computer and compare and determine which ones are the best, and which lens was used to take them.
The main thing is that if you are satisfied with the performance of a lens and its prices falls within your budget, then it's a good lens for you.
If you are considering a used lens, you may be able to find some good deals on used equipment, which also includes lenses.
If you can actually see, touch or possibly try the equipment, this is the best way to determine if you would like to buy it.
You can also choose to mail order or find something online.
Then you need to make sure that you are dealing with a reliable seller.
Find out about the return policy before you make your purchase.
If the seller doesn't have a return policy on used equipment then you may want to avoid buying from them.
Any seller worth buying from should allow for returns as long as the item is returned in good condition.
You can also search online auctions for what you're looking for as many others are also doing.
If you are shopping on sites such as eBay, Amazon or Yahoo!, do you research first.
You can find good deals, but many end up paying more than the retail price of a new lens for a used one.
Watch out for foreign sellers, especially if they ask that you send money outside the standard auction policy, under the pretence of giving you a better deal.
I know of someone, who against my advice sent a money order to someone in Spain for a camera she saw on eBay.
There's still no sign of the camera, and her money's gone too.