Nikon lenses are highly sought after and retain their value more than any other lenses, but that doesn't mean you need to pay silly prices! In the end you need to decide if it's worth the small savings to buy used at times. This list is in progress and more lenses will be added in the coming weeks and months.

DX means a lens designed for DX type cameras such as D40, D80 or D2X. These lenses don't work well on FX type cameras such as the D700 or D3. AF-S means there is a focus motor built in and these lenses will focus on all cameras. AF-D or G (unless it has additional AF-S designation) means no focus motor and these will NOT auto focus on a D40, D40x or D60 though they can be manually focused. G also means no aperture ring, so these won't be of much use on older manual focus bodies.


Nikon 28-200 AF-G
This was the latest version of the 28-200 and recently discontinued. With so few all-around superzoom  lenses available for the D700/D3 or D3x, this has become hard to find. It sold for 300 new. But demand for this little wonder sent it up into the 350-400 dollar range for a good copy.

Nikon 50mm 1.8 AF-D
A classic lens as much for it's optical quality as the low price. These can be found new for 110-120 dollars. So why pay 90 bucks for a used one? Unless it's 75 dollars and MINT I don't see the point at all.

Nikon 50mm 1.4 AF-D
Recently replaced by the slightly superior AF-S version, this little fast prime is better than the 1.8 version and is worth about 200-250 used. If you want the BEST 50mm around, go for the new Sigma 50mm 1.4 HSM.

Nikon 20mm 2.8 AF-D
This rather old design is still pretty good on DX and FX DSLRs, but really overpriced at new prices. I'd hunt down a good used one and expect to pay in the 300-350 range.

70-200mm AF-S VR 2.8Everyone wants one of these. It's fantastic on FX and DX and really worth owning if you can afford it. Around 1750 for a new one. A mint used copy will often sell for 1400-1500 so don't expect to do too much better. ABOUT TO BE REPLACED WITH THE 2400 dollar version II.

35mm 2.0 AF-D

A popular little prime that could use a refresh. Still, if you want a fast 35mm that is also small, this is what you have. 240-270 for a mint copy.


35mm 1.8 AF-S

Brand new from Nikon and selling for 199 new. This lens outperforms the older AF-D 2.0 model but it's only for DX cameras. Not hard to get, so don't fall for nonsense and overpay. Just add your name to a list and you'll have it soon.