The short version
- Typical range: £60 – £400
- Biggest single factor: condition — see the table below
- Category: Cameras & Photography
- Cost to sell on WishThrift: nothing, at any price
What a used camera lens is worth by condition
Condition does more to the price than anything else. These figures are worked from the top of the range for camera lenss, so treat them as a starting point and adjust for the specifics of yours.
| Condition | Typical price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £400 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £340 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £260 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £180 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £100 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
These are the five grades WishThrift listings use, and sellers set the grade themselves — see what each condition grade means. Figures are shown in pounds as a reference point. On WishThrift prices display in your own currency, and sellers set their own asking price.
What raises the value of a camera lens
- Glass with no fungus, haze or separation
- Fast maximum apertures, which stay in demand across generations
- Smooth, accurate autofocus with no hunting
- Original hood, caps and case
What lowers it
- Fungus, which spreads and is often uneconomic to clean
- Oil on the aperture blades, causing sluggish stopping down
- Wobble or play in the focus or zoom barrel
- Scratches or coating marks on the front element
How to work out what yours is worth
- Shine a torch through from behind and look for threads or haze
- Run autofocus across its full range listening for grinding
- Check the aperture blades snap cleanly and are dry
Once you have those three answers you can place your own camera lens on the table above with reasonable confidence. If it sits between two rows, price it toward the lower one — items priced honestly sell faster than items priced hopefully.
Ready to sell it? Listing on WishThrift is free, there is no commission, and you keep the full amount you agree with the buyer — see how selling works or create a free account.
Frequently asked questions
Do camera lenses hold their value?
Better than camera bodies, considerably. Good glass stays useful across many camera generations, which keeps demand steady.
Is a lens with fungus worth selling?
Yes, but disclose it plainly and price accordingly. Some buyers will take on a cleaning project; a buyer who discovers it later will not.
Should I include the hood and caps?
Yes. They are inexpensive individually but their absence is noticed, and a complete lens sells faster.
More value guides: cameras & photography guides · all value guides · browse live cameras & photography listings.