Would you buy a used lens through Amazon?

[echo3]

I have really been wanting to get a zoom lens.
The 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR seems to be a good choice, correct me if I'm wrong.
Unfortunately they sell for about $1000 and I hate to spend that much right now. Amazon has them used starting at $609.
Do you think I would be foolish to buy one from them?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000BY52NU/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1257047374&sr=1-4&condition=used

[echo3]

Yes...I'm replying to myself :rolleyes:
Since I can never sleep, I decided to read more about this lens. I just read a review that has kind of scared me off...

In-depth review from dpreview.com:
Just occasionally, the old cliches are still the best, and with the 18-200mm VR the phrase 'jack of all trades, master of none' springs immediately to mind. It's a lens which delivers somewhat flawed results over its entire zoom range; where it's sharp, it has heavy distortion, and when that distortion comes under control at the long end, it loses sharpness. Its close-up performance is reasonable, but not spectacular, and overall it will likely be outperformed optically by a cheaper combination of standard and telephoto zooms. So for a certain type of photographer interested mainly in absolute image quality, this may well cause it to be regarded as nothing more than an expensive snapshot lens.

I guess I have to keep researching:(

[EZE RIDER]

Erin, thats the only lens I have for my camera and I know JR has this lens as well. Although I like it very much I dont have anything to compare it to being it's my only lens.

If you like we can do a lens swap for a while so we can both see for our selves how well or not so well that it works.

[Diamond Lil]

Erin, the camera store where I bought my 50D and 100-400mm (Rowe Photo, Video, Audio (http://www.rowephoto.com/)), recommends this place for used equipment because of the warranty: KEH Camera (http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/ProductDetail.aspx?groupsku=DC029990897980&brandcategoryname=Digital&Mode=searchproducts&item=0&ActivateTOC2=false&ID=&BC=DC&BCC=3&CC=2&CCC=1&BCL=&GBC=&GCC=&KW=5d). I know nothing other than that about the place. Rowe gives a full year warranty on what they sell and they write it equivalent to that from the manufacturer. I would not buy anything in this game used without that sort of agreement.

[J. R. Weems]

Erin- Yes, I have this lens, and I love it. It will slightly vignette at 18, but it is ever so slight. I have come to believe you either love it or not. Mine stays on my D 80 because it is wasted on the D 700. If I lost mine for some reason, would I buy another? YOU BET! Here is a recent one, nothing special, except I like old mills. Again, some have had 'so-called' problems with them, I don't seem to, as with others. Some people have a problem with everything they touch. Real or not. : Just my :2cents:
http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/676/medium/DSC_0003_copy.jpg
Here is yet another sample-
Taken just for you by the way. :D
http://www.moviephotoforums.com/photopost/data/676/medium/DSC_00072.jpg

I must add, I think $1000. a bit high for this lens. 6/700 on ebay would be a better choice-- in my book Check around here: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=NIKON+18%2F200+VR+lens&_sacat=See-All-Categories

I would look for a "BUY IT NOW" and avoid the bidding wars with those that think they are going to get something for nothing. JMHO of course. :)

[echo3]

Thank you all for your responses. You are all always so helpful.
J.R. I really like the mill, I like your style, and of course I
Love the 'Erin' Barn!!!:heart:heart:heart