Investing in lenses
Discussion
Hypothetical situation but if one wanted to invest in lenses as a means of storing value (I.e. a more interesting use of savings than leaving it in the bank) with a view to releasing the value (selling them) in 3 years time, what sort of lenses would people recommend?
I guess the criteria would be :
Minimal depreciation over 3 years (obviously)
Around £1k-£2k per lens
Nothing too niche (I.e. needs to be something that has a real-world use)
In my specific case, must be useable on a Nikon D7000
Must have a reasonably buoyant second hand market
I guess the criteria would be :
Minimal depreciation over 3 years (obviously)
Around £1k-£2k per lens
Nothing too niche (I.e. needs to be something that has a real-world use)
In my specific case, must be useable on a Nikon D7000
Must have a reasonably buoyant second hand market
I would have thought that was a pretty sticky wicket. For a start, to keep high value lenses must remain 'mint' and over 3 years if you use them a decent amount, they'll look second hand.
If you check out www.graysofwestminster.co.uk - the second hand page... you'll see what lenses make sold second hand by a dealer. They would have bought these from 'togs for about 25% less than price advertised.
If you check out www.graysofwestminster.co.uk - the second hand page... you'll see what lenses make sold second hand by a dealer. They would have bought these from 'togs for about 25% less than price advertised.
In my experience you need to be looking for mint second hand deals in the first place if you want to maximise your return. I've bought mint second hand glass from the likes of MPB Photographic that has been indistinguishable from new but has saved me a significant amount, I've then sold it on a few months/years down the line and at the very least broken even on nearly all my first party lenses.
Nikon is fairly straightforward, in my experience (Canon EF lens buyers were a bit production date-sensitive for my liking), the only current issue is that VR is advancing quite rapidly, so lenses sensitive to VR upgrades (such as the 70-200 2.8) are a bit risky in terms of breaking even, but very easy to sell on later with a small loss as they are so popular. Similar issue with zooms, they are more likely to be improved than primes.
From my experience...
- Avoid DX lenses
- Avoid 3rd party lenses (Sigma, Tamron etc)
- Go for primes where possible
Having said that about zooms, you shouldn't go far wrong with the 14-24mm 2.8. Oddly I've found the more niche a lens is the better (as they come up on the second hand market less often), the perspective control lens (PC-E) may be worth looking at, and I've owned a few fisheye lenses before and never lost any money on them.
I've never done this specifically as an investment though, I just happen to have tried numerous systems over the past 10 years. In my opinion the priority would be buying lenses you will enjoy using, if they're worth nearly what you paid for them 3 years later that's a bonus.
Nikon is fairly straightforward, in my experience (Canon EF lens buyers were a bit production date-sensitive for my liking), the only current issue is that VR is advancing quite rapidly, so lenses sensitive to VR upgrades (such as the 70-200 2.8) are a bit risky in terms of breaking even, but very easy to sell on later with a small loss as they are so popular. Similar issue with zooms, they are more likely to be improved than primes.
From my experience...
- Avoid DX lenses
- Avoid 3rd party lenses (Sigma, Tamron etc)
- Go for primes where possible
Having said that about zooms, you shouldn't go far wrong with the 14-24mm 2.8. Oddly I've found the more niche a lens is the better (as they come up on the second hand market less often), the perspective control lens (PC-E) may be worth looking at, and I've owned a few fisheye lenses before and never lost any money on them.
I've never done this specifically as an investment though, I just happen to have tried numerous systems over the past 10 years. In my opinion the priority would be buying lenses you will enjoy using, if they're worth nearly what you paid for them 3 years later that's a bonus.
Edited by ukaskew on Sunday 17th February 14:30
Edited by ukaskew on Sunday 17th February 14:31
It's a terrible idea but I like it. 
I can't see anything actually make you money but reading your question, I don't think that is your intention? You just don't want to lose too much?
Based on no research or evidence whatsoever, I think I'd lean towards discontinued lenses that have no modern equivalent.
Some that spring to mind:
Nikon 70-180 macro
Nikon 200mm macro
Nikon 28mm 1.4
Nikon 14mm 2.8
Nikon 15mm 3.5
Nikon 18mm 2.8 or 3.5
Nikon 58mm 1.4
Nikon 50/58mm 1.2
Nikon 300mm F/2 (try finding one of those!)
I can't see anything actually make you money but reading your question, I don't think that is your intention? You just don't want to lose too much?
Based on no research or evidence whatsoever, I think I'd lean towards discontinued lenses that have no modern equivalent.
Some that spring to mind:
Nikon 70-180 macro
Nikon 200mm macro
Nikon 28mm 1.4
Nikon 14mm 2.8
Nikon 15mm 3.5
Nikon 18mm 2.8 or 3.5
Nikon 58mm 1.4
Nikon 50/58mm 1.2
Nikon 300mm F/2 (try finding one of those!)
Storing value in lenses is a bit iffy.
Buy good used lenses and you wont loose out but that depends entirely on new prices and that depends on currency valuations and new revisions etc.
A friend bought a 400f2.8L mkII used for a decent price because the cash wasnt doing anything productive in his bank account and he'll get it back (or mostly) eventually.
But lenses dont tend to appreciate unless theres currency fluctuations and changes in new price.
Buy good used lenses and you wont loose out but that depends entirely on new prices and that depends on currency valuations and new revisions etc.
A friend bought a 400f2.8L mkII used for a decent price because the cash wasnt doing anything productive in his bank account and he'll get it back (or mostly) eventually.
But lenses dont tend to appreciate unless theres currency fluctuations and changes in new price.
Gad-Westy said:
A good list
Don't forget the 13mmhttp://blog.graysofwestminster.co.uk/2013/02/12/fe...
My favourite to add would probably be the 500mm Ai-P f/4 (no motors to go wrong!)
K12beano said:
Nice! I want a go. Can't help thinking that the 14mm 2.8 makes it a bit hard to justify it's existence though. Looks exquisite mind. Gad-Westy said:
K12beano said:
Nice! I want a go. Can't help thinking that the 14mm 2.8 makes it a bit hard to justify it's existence though. Looks exquisite mind. Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff