Nikon SLR Cameras

Investing into lenses?

Alice
Alice

Is it worth to invest money into good (professional) camera lenses? I would like to buy the Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8.

The situation in Europe is worse every day and I don't want to keep my savings in EUR.
How much (years) a lens keep it's value?

Added (1). @joedlh Yes. Thank you for your answer. I need the 105mm because I'm passionate about macro photography. Altough, I don't agree with better lenses comes out. Nikon not always make better lenses. Sometime older lenses worth more in value.

Added (2). B.E. I Thank you! I appreciate your suggestion! I want to treat them with the biggest care, protect the lenses with UV filters all the time and I don't use the lenses in bad weather.

Added (3). ---
I don't necesarry want the value to raise over time. I just want the lens to keep the value for at least 10 years.

More suggestion is appreciated.

joedlh
joedlh

One doesn't "invest" in a lens any more than an artist invests in paint brushes. A lens is a tool that satisfies one's photographic needs. If you have to ask the question if it's worth buying the 105mm, then you probably don't need it. If you did need it, you would know. Good lenses retain value more than average lenses. They can last many years. However, they don't go up in value, as better lenses are introduced all the time. So if you're looking for ways to invest your money, a lens is probably not high on the list.

Guest
Guest

It depends on the lens quality and how well you maintain it.

The professional grade lenses keep a lot of their value over time. The standard quality lenses (and the "kit" lenses) start losing value as soon as you put it on the camera for the first time. Think of them like a car, a well built car like a Jaguar will not lose as much value as a Perodua Kelisa.

Miss C
Miss C

The only thing you will be investing in with a new lens, is your work. Which WON't depreciate, if you care about the quality and look of your work.

The 105mm/f2.8 is the lens I'm in the market for. Great lens, well worth the money spent, and it will amplify your work immensely.

Like I said earlier, you're investing in your work with the lens, not the lens itself.

HisWifeTheirMom
HisWifeTheirMom

They really don't keep their full value. They stay VERY close in value for any number of years. A prime will retain fairly good value even after the newest latest and greatest comes out. It won't go up in value at any point unless something bizarre happens. Which can and does, but is about as likely as getting struck by lightning too.
I'd expect at the average a GOOD 5-10 years, however there have been some advances in lenses lately and particularly by Nikkor, so it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect Nikkor to replace their current lens lineup in the next 5 to 10 years either. Would I bank on it? No. Would I bank on the value holding at least fairly well? Yes.

Even if Nikkor does change it's lens lineup completely in the next week, you will still have an outstanding quality lens. THAT is what you are buying and investing in. A tool to create the photos you want to create. You certainly won't throw it away if a new one comes out. There will be people out there willing to buy used older lenses if a new one comes out so they can get a better price and step up their current tools.
You aren't investing in gold bullion here. You are investing in good, high quality, professional tools. It is what it is. It's not a savings plan.

Tim
Tim

The lens looses 20% of it's value the second you buy it. Then it will gradually decrease after that.

Lenses to no maintain their value like precious metals such as gold. They are investments in your job.