I've finally decided on a Bigma for my Nikon

bob.phillips · #1 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 05:50 PM

I'm just starting to consider bird photography with my Nikon D80 and looked at loads of info on this site. So I've decided to get a Sigma 50mm-500mm to start me off. The best price I've found is Bristol Cameras at £669 but I am wondering if there is a second hand market option. E-bay is a possibility, but I always worry about the quality for such a (reasonably ) large outlay. Can anyone suggest a more reputable source for this lens second hand????

RichBrew · #2 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 06:15 PM

Hi, Bob, and welcome to the forums. Secondhand equipment can be a viable source, so long as you buy from a reputable dealer. For example, the lens you are contemplating is currently available from ffordes, near Inverness, at £549 and is rated as "almost as new" condition, complete with case and hood. I bought a TC-14E II teleconverter from them last year, and their description of the equipment matched the reality when I received it. They offer a six month guarantee, parts and labour, on used gear, so it's up to you if you consider this to be a greater risk than buying new from an established outlet.

RichBrew

Ollie · #3 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.phillips

I'm just starting to consider bird photography with my Nikon D80 and looked at loads of info on this site. So I've decided to get a Sigma 50mm-500mm to start me off. The best price I've found is Bristol Cameras at £669 but I am wondering if there is a second hand market option. E-bay is a possibility, but I always worry about the quality for such a (reasonably ) large outlay. Can anyone suggest a more reputable source for this lens second hand????

Hi Bob.
I'm afraid I can't make any suggestions for reputable sources for a second hand sigma 50-500mm. Buying second hand is always a risk as it's doubtful you would be able to handle the lens to check it out before you buy. However I'm sure there are some good second hand ones to be had. How to find one is another matter.
Roger

Geoff F · #4 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 07:28 PM

My first thought was London Camera Exchange, who are reliable dealers. A quick check suggests that they don't currently have one in stock with a Nikon fitting but they do get secondhand stock coming in frequently so it might be worth another look in a few days. You do get a guaranteed almost new lens but is it worth buying secondhand from a reputable dealer when you only save around £100 compared to buying new? Only you can decide.

I know some people who have had good deals on e bay; but not me! The e bay shops are OK but often aren't much cheaper when you add everything together. Likewise, the Hong Kong mail order companies who can charge substantial amounts for postage.

It certainly pays to shop around. I've just done some quick comparisons; the 50-500 from Bristol Cameras is very good, assuming it is vat and carriage paid. My usual supplier (ABC Digital Cameras) wants £784 for a Nikon fit but only £739 for a Canon fit. Perhaps they assume that Nikon owners can afford to pay more. However the Canon 100-400 is £105 cheaper at ABC than Bristol Cameras, both with a £75 cash back offet.

Why the differences? I would assume that if a retailer could offer a very good deal it would be across the board not cheaper on one product and dearer on another. Suppose it's the old swings and roundabouts theory.

bob.phillips · #5 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 07:57 PM

Thanks for responses. I will check out ffordes as suggested by Richbrew, but I tend to agree with Geoff on the point of why buy second hand for only about £100 saving ( 6 months guarantee for second hand vs full warrenty for new ) . I've also noticed that on E-bay these go for circa. £520, which doesn't seem great value as against the new price. I think I'll just go for new.

VinceS · #6 (**permalink**) 05-03-2008, 08:14 PM

Bob, I am also just about to buy a bigma for my d80. So far the best UK price I have seen is at fotosense and they are a Sigma dealer (checked on the sigma website). Fortunately I can get to their shop in 40 mins so I do intend to go in the very near future. May be worth checking them out.

vince