Looking for a place to shop for used lenses

[cody6766]

Does anyone know of a good place to browse sales for used lenses? I don't have a specific one in mind, but I know there are good deals to be had if one knows where to look. I don't mind reading/posting to become part of a good forum to get access (like our system here). That will only make me better with my toys, and who doesn't need another forum membership? haha.

I'm not after high dollar lenses. I'm just hoping to stumble across some good prices on lenses that will fit my Canon for a few specific needs. I'm mostly looking for a wide angle lens with a wide aperture for aurora shots, and the odd shot at a great price on a long lens for Alaska hiking.

I'm not expecting flea market pricing, but I'd like to find a place that can teach me while I browse for a bargain.

Thanks for the input!

 

[AlexMorse]

FredMiranda.com has an active canon community, have bought and sold there in the past

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[Misled]

B&H dot com is good. I've bought quite a bit of stuff from them. Once you know what you want, I look a lot at ebay. There's so many lenses for sale, deals can really be had. I picked up a Tamron 28-120mm 2.8 for 90 bucks. The guy had labeled it wrong. He fixed the post about 4 days in, but everyone looking for the lens had already looked at it. I also picked up a Sigma 50mm macro for 35 dollars.

 

[cody6766]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I'll get to shopping! Hopefully I find a good long lens for my Canon that does Alaska justice.

 

[IPT]

I'm not after high dollar lenses.........I'm mostly looking for a wide angle lens with a wide aperture for aurora shots.

Thanks for the input!

Those two qualities do not usually go hand in hand .

Lots of people have praise for the Samyang lenses. They are reasonably priced but they are fully manual. Not much of an issue for the Aurora but would be a bit of a challenge for day to day use. They also have serious quality control issues and are pretty bulky. They are also only F2.8. Not a deal breaker, but I prefer F2 or faster. That said after 4 tries I found a decent copy of the 14mm that I am playing with.

I took this just the other night. Thanksgiving morning actually. This was a Zeiss lens though, and most likely a lot more than what you want to spend. It's only for a Sony mount too.

 

[cody6766]

Lots of people have praise for the Samyang lenses. They are reasonably priced but they are fully manual.

That's along the lines of what I've been eyeballing...or the odd chance to grab something someone is offloading at a similar price. Thanks for the heads up on the QC issues. It may be worth using Amazon for their return policy on that lens. Full manual doesn't scare me for night shots. It would be more of a unitasker lens than anything.

Those two qualities do not usually go hand in hand

Don't crush my dreams! haha. I don't have really high hopes of saving a lot, but it's helps to browse for a deal. If anything, I'll learn more and be a smarter buyer when I finally spend the money.

I took this just the other night. Thanksgiving morning actually.

Great shot! I have some pics of really impressive shows, but they're all longer exposures that don't do the lights justice. I usually go out with my GoPro and my 18-135 lens. I use my 50mm F1.8 from time to time, but it's more narrow than I'd like. I also need to find a better place than the Baldy trailhead to shoot (if you're familiar with the Eagle River area). I've heard of people getting good pics on base and in the valley, but I've never ventured out that way on a clear night.

Thanks for the info!

These are some of my better shots from up here. The aurora shots are too noisy, and not worth showing off...yet.

 

[IPT]

Yeah man, nice shots. I LOVE the one from Kennicott! I need to get back out there but I fear it's lost all it's hidden off the beaten path qualities I always loved it for. Seems like tourism has made it's way out there now as well .

I have heard of Baldy but have never been out/up there. I have had some luck in the past shooting Aurora off the road going back Eklutna Lake. In fact it was where I got some red auroas back in I think 2003 when there was a massive flare. Haven't been out there is a while though so I don't know what it's like now a days. i have also found some nice spots off the Knik river. I imagine now with the internet and everyone having alerts for Good Aurora nights it might be hard to find a nice quiet spot. I won't even go most of the places I used to anymore because there are just too many people .

 

[cody6766]

Yeah man, nice shots. I LOVE the one from Kennicott! I need to get back out there but I fear it's lost all it's hidden off the beaten path qualities I always loved it for. Seems like tourism has made it's way out there now as well

Thanks! The reflection shot is on the way to Kennicott, so it was part of the same trip. I just stopped along that gravel road on the way in and shot it out the window. I got quite a few good shots on that trip. It was definitely one to remember.

I imagine now with the internet and everyone having alerts for Good Aurora nights it might be hard to find a nice quiet spot. I won't even go most of the places I used to anymore because there are just too many people

It definitely gets packed in up there. The worst part is people don't seem to like turning off their headlights when driving by all the cameras. Hopefully I'll catch one flying around at night. It'll be hard to get a steady shot out the window, but it definitely fixes the cloud layer and light pollution issues.