Used 35mm SLR lenses

Vintage SLR lenses are ideal to buy used: they are almost all fully mechanical, last for decades and keep performing well as long as the glass and the mechanics are in order.

What matters is that the mount matches your camera — Canon FD doesn't fit Olympus OM and vice versa. If you want to use the glass on a mirrorless camera, you'll need a suitable adapter for each mount; fortunately there is a solution for almost every classic mount.

What to look out for with used glass

Check the optical condition above all: look for fungus, haze and scratches on the lens elements, because that affects the image. A few specks of dust inside are normal and usually harmless. Feel whether the focus ring runs smoothly and evenly and whether the aperture opens and closes briskly without oil on the blades. With us, every lens is professionally inspected and cleaned, so you know what you're getting — and you have a warranty of at least 12 months plus a 14-day return period.

Who are these lenses for?

For film photographers who want to fit their analogue SLR with a good lens again, and for digital photographers and video makers who love manual focusing and a characterful, organic rendering. Unsure which model suits your mount? The Canon 28mm f/2.8 FD, Olympus 50mm f/1.8 and Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 are each reliable starting points. Also take a look at the broader lenses category and at our analogue / film department if you want to build up your whole setup used.