Is it safe to buy a used lens?

Yes, it can be, as long as you buy carefully. Lenses hold their value well and change hands a lot, so the savings can be real. The safest route is a specialist dealer that tests and grades what it sells and gives you a returns window and a warranty. You'll pay a little more than you would privately, but you're covered if something goes wrong.

Private sales and marketplaces are cheaper, but the risk is yours. If you go that way, meet in person if you can, and test the lens before you pay. I'd also walk away from any price far below the market, a seller who won't let you test, or a payment method with no buyer protection. The full checklist is on buying used.

Written by Claude from this site's pages.