I was mad!

NEVER again will I buy used equipment from B&H or Adorama agian!

Back in October, I order a used Sigma 500 f4.5 HSM from B&H. I had planned on using it during our last trip out to Cibola AZ in October. The lens arrived in plenty of time. B&H sold it as Excellent+ condition. Having baught a few things from KEH in Excellent or better condition, I thought I had no worries with used stuff from B&H.
I was shocked when I opened the box and found the lens with numerous hard scratches all over the barrel, and the metal around the front element was bent! Not dented a little, a huge bend in the metal with a matching bend in the lens hood! The tighting screw to secure the lens hood to the leens was completely gone. It was amazing. I packed it right back up and shipped it back to B&H. They did accept it with no problems.

So then I found a used Sigma 500 f4.5 non HSM at Adorama. COOL, I thought I still had a chance to secure a 500mm before my trip.....It didn't show up untill 3 days after I got home! At this time I am really pisst! I open the new box up and right away I see the original hard case is very beat up. The lens was not in to bad of shape, but the protective rubber on the barrel was scratched up badly and I found a few specs on the front element I could not get rid of. So again this one got boxed up and returned. My fault for using the USPS, it took them 2.5 weeks to get it to New York! Unreal!!!

SO, I finally decided #&*$ it all! And I am now very happy with my brand new Nikon 500 f4 AF-S II from B&H. Although I have not had a chance to realy use it yet.
I still would not hesitate to buy from KEH, but they did not have a 500 at the time I was looking.

Now I need a second bag to hold all the stuff my first Lowepro bag wont hold :roll:

I just wanted to Rant and Rave / Gripe and Complain.

Congrats on the news lens

Man I wish I got sweet lenses when I got mad!

I just ordered a used Canon 90 TS-E from Adorama, it will arrive sometime next week. It's rated EX+, and when I talked to sales rep. on the phone, he said it's the highest rating for used equipment, so I have high expectation on that. This is also my first order of used equipment from them, your story made my heart sink I'll see how it turns out. I bought most of my lenses used at here or fredmiranda.com, and have never had any problem so far. The reason I went for Adorama this time is their price seems reasonable, and it comes with 90 day warranty. Guess I will check with keh.com first next time.

sapro wrote:I just ordered a used Canon 90 TS-E from Adorama, it will arrive sometime next week. It's rated EX+, and when I talked to sales rep. on the phone, he said it's the highest rating for used equipment, so I have high expectation on that. This is also my first order of used equipment from them, your story made my heart sink I'll see how it turns out. I bought most of my lenses used at here or fredmiranda.com, and have never had any problem so far. The reason I went for Adorama this time is their price seems reasonable, and it comes with 90 day warranty. Guess I will check with keh.com first next time.

I realy hope it works out better for you than it did me.

Congrats on the new lens. I do find it kind of ironic that you ended up buying it from B&H!!

Greg Downing wrote:Congrats on the new lens. I do find it kind of ironic that you ended up buying it from B&H!!

B&H and Adorama are about the only two places I know of and realy trust, to buy new equipment. And I have never had a problem with B&H for new stuff. Hey look, I think I just jinx'd myself!

Campbell wrote: B&H and Adorama are about the only two places I know of and realy trust, to buy new equipment. And I have never had a problem with B&H for new stuff. Hey look, I think I just jinx'd myself!

Sorry hear about the used fiasco.

Next time check with Allen's

http://www.allenscamera.com/

Bill

I think you came out far, far ahead with the Nikon 500. I have the Sigma 500 and have taken some sharp photos with it but it doesn't compare, especially for AF focusing speed and accuracy, with the Nikon. I have the Nikon 600 AFS lens and have used the Nikon 500. They are great long lenses, albeit more expensive than Sigma.

Van

I use my Nikon 500f4 daily in my pursuit of waterfowl. It produces some of the most awesome images I have. Treat it well and it will do the same for you. :) Enjoy.

I have purchased several used items from Adorama and (fortunately for me) have all come in as described - except for one item. This was a Polaroid back for a 4x5 system. They just misidentified it and I thought I was getting a ridiculously good deal. When I called them on it, they offered to take it back, but it was still a good price so I kept it.

Having said all that, KEH is very, very conservative in how they rate their equipment. I purchased a lens from them that was 'only' rated EX, and when it came it look pristine (no scratches anywhere) - I would have rated it as LN (Like New).

I'll second the recommendation for Allen's Camera. Just got my 500f4IS from them, no problems. And $100 less than at B&H!

Ditto on previous comments regarding Allen's Camera

Allen's has some excellent used stuff too

Van Hilliard wrote:I think you came out far, far ahead with the Nikon 500. I have the Sigma 500 and have taken some sharp photos with it but it doesn't compare, especially for AF focusing speed and accuracy, with the Nikon.

And you get to use the TC-14EII and TC-17EII. They don't work on the Sigma, limiting your choices.

Hey TOny,

That's not entirely true .. I know the TC-14EII works just fine on the Sigma - I haven't tried the 1.7, but I'd bet ya your 200-400mm it does.

Cheers

Carl

Allen's and Hunt's (NSN site sponsor) are both excellent and you talk to real people. Also, they often sell for less than B&H. As for used, I'd stick to the listings here at NSN or even eBAY where I had good luck buying used equipment.

Steve