Second-hand lens depreciation

[PostmanPot]

I know second-hand PC component depreciation is about 40 - 50% on average.

What's it like for lenses, which obviously don't depreciate as much?

 

[koffiejunkie]

Depends on the lens, really. The higher quality lenses keep their value pretty good. Some get more expensive, especially if they go out of production. An example is Canon's 50mm f/1.0L (yes! f/1.0!). It's selling now for double what it retailed for. I saw one a window about a month ago for £3200. Thought it was the 85mm f/1.2 first, because it's so big, but then I noticed the price. I thought no one would ever buy that, but two weeks later, it was gone!

Something else that's happening now too is that the Yen is getting so much stronger, so lens prices (for Canon and Nikon, at least) are going up. The 24-105L I had, I bought for £700, but they're retailing for £900+ now, and I see second-hand ones going for £800. Not a bad return on investment...

 

[Sneeky]

My prime retails for about 20K more now than what I paid for it almost 3 years ago.

Largely because I bought it when the exchange rate was I think R6.70 / USD.
A weakening rand plays havoc on the prices of this type of equipment.

For the most part though if you look after your glass, and keep it for a while you can get your money back, plus a bit extra.

 

[Rouxenator]

Another advantage of compact and bridge cameras, their lenses depreciate with the camera
Simplicity FTW

 

[PostmanPot]

Depends on the lens, really. The higher quality lenses keep their value pretty good.

Aha. I'm looking at entry-level lenses, <R4000 in value.

 

[bwana]

Another advantage of compact and bridge cameras, their lenses depreciate with the camera
Simplicity FTW

I'm not sure that is an advantage. My lenses should last me a life time and work on all my canon bodies down the road.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Aha. I'm looking at entry-level lenses, <R4000 in value.

I wouldn't base my retirement investments on it

 

[SilverNodashi]

why do u want to know the depreciation value? are you planning on buying & selling lenses, or is it for insurance purposes?

 

[PostmanPot]

why do u want to know the depreciation value? are you planning on buying & selling lenses, or is it for insurance purposes?

Purely for buying second-hand lenses. This is new territory, and I just wanted to know the average depreciation so I can look out for good deals.

Example a forumite selling a second-hand Nikon 55-200 at R2300, which retails at R2895 at Orms. I couldn't quite swallow his justification...

 

[SilverNodashi]

oh, ok. Well, depending on the condition & age of the lens that price could very well be a good one. Bear in mind, you won't get Cash Crusader prices (which are more then oftern far over-rated) for good second hand lenses. And, a lot lenses don't really depreciate much, or at all.