The recent thread on 18-200 zooms (and a recet holiday booking) has prompted me to re-investigate a zoom lens I have been after for 5+ years…

Sigma 70-200 Nikkor fit

However, the cost is very hard to justify (reason for not getting one in the past !!)

Does anyone buy S/H photographic gear – would imagine ebay or the like would be very risky for auch a purchase.

any advice welcome

I’ve hired lenses in the past from these guys

Excellent service, decent prices. I got a top end Canon short range zoom off them when I did my sisters wedding photography. Good as well if you’re looking to buy more lenses and want to know what you’ll use most.

http://www.ffordes.com/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ (you might get hit with import taxes though).
For selling, I recently sold a lens on Gumtree without problems. There were quite a few emails before money transferred just to cover backs, but in the end everything was fine.

Not sure I can help with Nikon kit, but i’ve bought s/h u4/3 kit before online, from a specialist forum (http://www.mu-43.com/) – it’s a bit like buying on here. Get pics, look at posting history etc etc.

Actually, thinking, had one nikkon lens off ebay. There I just looked for someone who’s history was mostly camera kit, and had a great feedback score – if that’s what they do, they can’t afford to sell tat.

Have shied away from s/h, but have had a couple of lenses from kerso who’s now set up an online shop
http://www.flashcamera.co.uk/

this is worth a shufty too
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/

Some of the photography forums have some well monitored and looked after for sale sections too.

Cameras are like bikes. They’re pretty robust and well looked after generally.

It’s a friggin’ expensive hobby though.

Thanks all.

That hire site looks like a good idea

I just sold a mk1 version of that self same Sigma….
Just as a ‘guide’ (if you do decide to look at the S/H route) on ebay the earlier versions seem to go for around £350… mine went (private sale) for £360, it was genuinely in mint condition.

and a recet holiday booking

that’s a big lump to be packing for hols though I guess it depends on the sort of trip you have planned – I would pack mine for, say, safari… 🙂

I’ve bought a s/h SLR from Mifsuds last year and been very happy with the service and quality/description/condition of the item.

I have the Mk 2 version of this lens. I bought it new which at the time was half the price of the equivalent Canon and I’ve never regretted it.

Second hand lenses are sometimes a returned item which the original purchaser felt was not performing to their expectations. What’s often called a ‘bad copy’.

JamesM / marsdenman – I’d be interested on your thoughts on the lens…

that’s a big lump to be packing for hols though I guess it depends on the sort of trip you have planned – I would pack mine for, say, safari…

IoM TT. After some good in-race shots.

It’s the mk2 version i’m after ( I think). from what i’ve gleaned the latest version has optical stabilisation (?) and is half as much again.

rkk01.

You don’t say whether you’re using an APS-C or full frame body. If you’ll forgive the assumption, I’ll go with APS-C reviews.

This review sums it up pretty well, and it’s of the Sigma AF 70-200mm EX DG HSM APO, Mk2.

By the same guy, here’s a review of the Nikon mount, Mk3 (Macro) issue of this lens.

I have to agree with Klaus at Photozone.de. I find him pretty objective. My lens was around £700 new, in 2006.
Yes, the latest version at around £930 has Optical Stabilization.

Much of your success at the IoM TT races will depend on your technique.
I’m no sports photographer but the first time I tried birds-in-flight with my Sigma 70-200 the results were shocking!

You know your requirements better than I do obviously, but do you really need a 200mm zoom for the TT?

You may obviously want some long range shots, but personally I’d want to be close enough to be using an 18-55mm for example. Saying that, I’ve never been to IOM, so maybe talking out of my arris. 😉

I’d want to be close enough to be using an 18-55mm for example.

😯
I’d be looking for a 300mm+. 😉

+1 for MBP photo, you get a 6 month warranty and prices are not muh more than second hand on eBay.

I may have that very lens for sale, I’ll check if its the MKI or MKII version. I know it isn’t stabilised, so I think its the MKII. Email in my profile if you are interested.