Money · Advice & Questions · Oct 20

Should I spend $90 adapting a lens I bought by mistake, or accept the loss and replace it?

Money

I bought a used camera lens for $280, then discovered it didn't fit my camera. The seller won't take it back. I had checked the focal length carefully and missed the mount.

A camera shop says a suitable $90 adapter could let me use it with manual focus. I haven't tried that setup. Another buyer has offered $150 for the lens, and a compatible used lens I'm considering is listed at $220. Those are the options and prices in front of me, not estimates of what all such equipment should cost.

My first instinct was to buy the adapter so the $280 wouldn't feel wasted. My partner asked whether I actually want to use manual focus or just want to stop feeling foolish. I don't know the answer yet. I could test the proposed setup if the shop allows it before committing to another purchase.

How would you compare these next steps without making the original $280 do all the talking? I'd like to correct the mistake, but I don't want the correction to become a second purchase I wouldn't otherwise choose.

Discussion

2 community replies

@softfocus

From the current options, selling for $150 and buying the $220 lens would require another $70. The adapter would require $90. That doesn't establish which setup you'd prefer, but it shows that rescuing the original purchase isn't automatically the cheaper next step.

@FamilyCalendar

Try the proposed adapted setup before paying if the shop permits it. The relevant question is whether you'd enjoy using that lens with the stated limitation, not whether an adapter exists in principle. Don't assume compatibility or performance beyond what you can confirm.

Should I spend $90 adapting a lens I bought by mistake, or accept the loss and replace it?

Discussion

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