Sigma Lens Second Hand Help

[Ah Keong]

Hi everyone,

I am here again to ask for help.
I would be getting a second hand Sigma Lens and would like to ask for help.

Other than the Cheat Sheet I have found here. Are there other points to look out for when buying second hand lens?

www-digitalcameraworld.com/2013/02/15/dslr-lenses-7-questions-photographers-must-ask-about-their-next-piece-of-glass/2/

Thanks in advance
:lovegrin:

 

[rhino123]

Hi everyone,

I am here again to ask for help.
I would be getting a second hand Sigma Lens and would like to ask for help.

Other than the Cheat Sheet I have found here. Are there other points to look out for when buying second hand lens?

www-digitalcameraworld.com/2013/02/15/dslr-lenses-7-questions-photographers-must-ask-about-their-next-piece-of-glass/2/

Thanks in advance
:lovegrin:

Its all here.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311048

If still not confident, it would be good to bring a bro who know how to check lens along.

 

[SilentSeth]

Cosmetic:
- Well.. see it yourself.
- Shake the lens (carefully please) to listen for any weird sound or loose parts inside
- Rotate the zoom & focus ring. Make sure the distance mark (if any) moves accordingly.

Optics:
- Bring a small torch, your phone camera flash or any light source to help you check the lens optics.
- Do test shots using long shutter speed & small aperture (say.. 30 seconds, f/16) & see the result on the camera LCD. It's easier to find optic imperfections this way.
- Perhaps Google & find image sample of lens fungus so you can easily spot & recognize one.
- Old lens might be dusty upon checking, but this is usually OK.
- Check for glass separationm, haze etc - this is uncommon for modern lens but juuuust in case.

Mechanical:
- Test in AF & MF mode. Check if manual focus override works (only in Sigma HSM model - or usually those with ultrasonic ring focus motor)
- Test the aperture blades - shoot in normal mode, burst mode, or perhaps bulb mode as well.
- Test for the optical stabilizer if any. There's usually a small humming noise and you can see from the viewfinder (or LCD) that your hand shakes are dampened.

That's all I can think of for now.

Edit: Since you mentioned Sigma, do check for:
- Lens decentering issue (Google for more info)
- AF accuracy - on some cases you might need to micro-adjust your lens.

I mentioned those based on personal experience. Sigma were quite lacking in their QC, at least before their Sigma Global Vision era.

 

[Octarine]

Which lens are you looking at?
Feed Google with the model of the lens and add 'problem', see what pops up. Do read carefully whether this is a general issue or valid only for a certain batch. In case of the latter, check how to identify affected copies (usual serial number).
Dust in lens: you can safely dismiss this part. Especially zoom lenses suck in dust sooner or later. I does not do any harm. But if any of the dost inside starts looking like a little spider web then be careful. That's how fungus starts. Google for 'lens fungus' and have a good look at the images.

 

[Ah Keong]

Its all here.

http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311048

If still not confident, it would be good to bring a bro who know how to check lens along.

Thanks rhino123. Learnt something new.
Shall read up more on lens.
:lovegrin:

 

[Ah Keong]

Cosmetic:
- Well.. see it yourself.
- Shake the lens (carefully please) to listen for any weird sound or loose parts inside
- Rotate the zoom & focus ring. Make sure the distance mark (if any) moves accordingly.

Optics:
- Bring a small torch, your phone camera flash or any light source to help you check the lens optics.
- Do test shots using long shutter speed & small aperture (say.. 30 seconds, f/16) & see the result on the camera LCD. It's easier to find optic imperfections this way.
- Perhaps Google & find image sample of lens fungus so you can easily spot & recognize one.
- Old lens might be dusty upon checking, but this is usually OK.
- Check for glass separationm, haze etc - this is uncommon for modern lens but juuuust in case.

Mechanical:
- Test in AF & MF mode. Check if manual focus override works (only in Sigma HSM model - or usually those with ultrasonic ring focus motor)
- Test the aperture blades - shoot in normal mode, burst mode, or perhaps bulb mode as well.
- Test for the optical stabilizer if any. There's usually a small humming noise and you can see from the viewfinder (or LCD) that your hand shakes are dampened.

That's all I can think of for now.

Edit: Since you mentioned Sigma, do check for:
- Lens decentering issue (Google for more info)
- AF accuracy - on some cases you might need to micro-adjust your lens.

I mentioned those based on personal experience. Sigma were quite lacking in their QC, at least before their Sigma Global Vision era.

Thanks SilentSeth, shall read up more and do a checklist.
:lovegrin:

 

[Ah Keong]

Which lens are you looking at?
Feed Google with the model of the lens and add 'problem', see what pops up. Do read carefully whether this is a general issue or valid only for a certain batch. In case of the latter, check how to identify affected copies (usual serial number).
Dust in lens: you can safely dismiss this part. Especially zoom lenses suck in dust sooner or later. I does not do any harm. But if any of the dost inside starts looking like a little spider web then be careful. That's how fungus starts. Google for 'lens fungus' and have a good look at the images.

Thanks Octarine! I am looking at buying a Sigma 18-35mm lens from my friend. It looks quite new (with box and plastic bag) and comes with a UV fiilter attached.
Shall read up for more info on Sigma lens on the affected serial numbers and check against the lens serial number and lens fungus.
:lovegrin:

 

[rhino123]

Thanks Octarine! I am looking at buying a Sigma 18-35mm lens from my friend. It looks quite new (with box and plastic bag) and comes with a UV fiilter attached.
Shall read up for more info on Sigma lens on the affected serial numbers and check against the lens serial number and lens fungus.
:lovegrin:

Do check the price for this lens. Note that price for this lens is around 1k+ (S$1068 - Technogadget) for grey market. So don't get it too expensive for second hand. Not that I don't trust your friend, but alot of people might not know the current price of the lens and charge slightly more expensive.

 

[Ah Keong]

Do check the price for this lens. Note that price for this lens is around 1k+ (S$1068 - Technogadget) for grey market. So don't get it too expensive for second hand. Not that I don't trust your friend, but alot of people might not know the current price of the lens and charge slightly more expensive.

Thanks rhino123. I am getting at S$688.
Hope I can nego down to below $500.
:lovegrin:

 

[Ah Keong]

Thanks rhino123, SilentSeth and Octarine for the help and advice!
I have just got the Sigma Lens. Shall be looking for a replacement cap as the lens cap spring is kinda loose.

Thank you! :lovegrin:

 

[Octarine]

I have just got the Sigma Lens. Shall be looking for a replacement cap as the lens cap spring is kinda loose.

Yes, my Sigma lens had the same issue. Get a third party cap with center pinch.

 

[Ah Keong]

Yes, my Sigma lens had the same issue. Get a third party cap with center pinch.

Thanks Octarine. May i ask how much would a third part cap cost roughly?
:lovegrin:

 

[Octarine]

Thanks Octarine. May i ask how much would a third part cap cost roughly?

Should be around $5. You can check online (ebay) or the usual shops. I got mine from Orient Photo.

 

[Ah Keong]

Should be around $5. You can check online (ebay) or the usual shops. I got mine from Orient Photo.

Thanks Octarine!
:lovegrin:

 

[Ah Keong]

thanks for the help!

I shall close this thread!
:lovegrin: