How to check if used lenses are good?

Question

I'm planning on buying some used lenses for my Nikon DSLR. Besides checking for scratches on the lenses, what else should I do to make sure the used lens are good before I buy?

Answer 1

Hi Hayzen.   Buying used it a smart idea to be able to get more for your money.   You will want to take your camera with you when you are looking at prospective lenses.   Set them on your camera and take several pictures, testing to see that the auto focus is working properly... not sluggish.   Also check the Manual Focusing Setting to see that it works...  though it is suppose to usually,  I once had one that was broken.   Not only for fungus or scratches,  you will want to look for internal dust specs between the elements.   These dust spots can and do affect your images as they will refract the light in unusual ways.   I would want to buy used lenses that already come with the front and rear caps and preferably a UV or Skylight filter... as that might give me more assurance that the lens was properly  cared for by the previous owner.    Also check to see if there is a lens hood that accompanies the lens (used for light glare).  Finally, you will want to get the best buy/lens for your money...  the larger the Fstop (f 2.8), the better quality the lens so if you can find a good deal on one of those... hooray!!  Don't count out brands like Sigma or Tamron just because they don't say NIKON.   These are fine quality lenses and can save you a bunch.  Thanks for reading.  Hope I have given you some good ideas.

Answer 2

Inspect for fungus shine a flash light into the lens and if you see any spider web like activity the lens has fungus. If equipped with an aperture ring make sure that is works properly at every f-stop. Also check to see if it has an aperture lock and make sure that works. Check for lens creep and make sure it can focus and or zoom with out any problems.