Used Lenses in Bangkok — Check for Fungus and Haze, Test Focus Before You Buy

• Does the mount fit your camera? — Canon RF and EF, Sony E and A, Nikon Z and F, Fujifilm X do not cross over without an adapter. Not sure? Tell us your camera model in chat and we will check.
• Fungus and haze — shine a torch from the back of the lens and look through the front element. Branching white threads are fungus; an even milky look across the glass is haze. Both flatten the image and are not worth repairing.
• Marks on the front element — tiny hairline marks usually do not affect the image, but a deep scratch in the centre shows up when shooting into the light.
• Autofocus and stabilisation — focus far and near several times, listen, check that it locks without hunting. If it has stabilisation, switch it on and look through the viewfinder for a steadier view.
• Zoom and focus rings — they should turn smoothly and evenly, without catching, and not so loose that the zoom creeps when the camera points down.
• Diaphragm (aperture) — mount it and press the depth-of-field preview: the blades must open and close quickly and be dry, with no oil.

The detailed lens check is in the sensor, dust and fungus guide (Thai).

Kit lenses (the lens that came with the camera when new, such as a 16-50mm or 18-140mm) are usually much cheaper used than lenses sold separately, because there are so many of them. If you are just starting out, a used camera with its kit lens is the most economical way in.

Separate lenses, such as a 70-200mm zoom or a fast prime, lose value more slowly and usually resell for close to what you paid. We have both kinds in the shop; see the list above.

1. Pick a lens from the product pages, then message us on LINE or WhatsApp with the camera you use. We check the mount first.
2. Come to the Charoen Krung shop, ideally with your camera, so you can mount it and take real test shots.
3. Agree the purchase once you are happy. Ask in chat about payment options.