Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society

KT, I almost always use RealCamera and London Camera Exchange, both near Piccadilly in Manchester. I've always bought second hand lenses, but made sure I thoroughly try them beforehand. Don't be frightened to try and lens and say no.

Would love a L lens, but I don't think my experience warrents such an expensive purchase yet.

My opinion is that's false economy, as a wise owl once told me, buy the cheapest possible camera with the best possible lens. If you get a lens that is not quite where you want to be, then it'll put you off buying an L Series. If you can find one and have the funds available, buy it. It also means you don't blame the tools, if you're getting sub standard photographs, it's you to blame and there are a variety of ways you can fix that (tuition etc).

If the lens just isn't sharp enough at the long end, or you have a slow lens, so are missing the action, then you will be looking for a new lens soon as your experience goes up.

Thank you Philip, awesome shops, didn't even know about them. I've bookmarked them and going to keep an eye on them as they have not got in the lens I'm after atm. Going to go up to the shop and get some advise from them see what they say.

KT