Seems overpriced given that (1) it's an eBay auction (2) purchase date was in March, basically wiping out the warranty period; and (3) shipping is an additional $125.
I want a new EF 300/2.8L IS so bad I can practically taste it. I could buy one new if I sold my three L lenses, but that would be too painful. [U]
mmmm.... coated optical glass... delicious. [:P]
I purchased mine from B&H and used Bill Me Later to make monthly payments with no interest....If I remember, the price was $4100...took me 6 months to pay it off...I'm glad I did it though, I've really enjoyed it so far. Certainly seems like the one Ebay is overpriced to me.
Originally Posted by Joel Eade
If a new lens was still $4100, you'd be very right, but the price has gone up to $4600--and may go up again. Do some searches on various L lenses that have sold on eBay (not those currently listed). They typically run 80-90% of the retail price unless there's something wrong. One seller (a pawn shop, who should know better) listed a lens without either cap. That lens sold for $180 less than any other had in several weeks. Because he was too cheap to spend $5 on lens caps (easy to find), he lost big. One of these days, I'll do an "article" for this forum on "eBay idiocy," both by sellers who price their items too high and buyers who pay too much, in some cases more for a used item than the cost of a new one.
George Slusher
Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
Eugene, OR
I am too risk averse to buy used lenses through eBay. Something that is > $4000 retail, no way to inspect it beforehand, minimal accountability due to online nature of the transaction...it is not worth the potential hazards, in order to save 10-15%. Craigslist is at least better in that you can inspect the goods.
One could purchase a recertified lens for not that much difference. Waiting for the right deal to come along can also make an impact on sale price. There are a huge number of scammers on eBay and CL.
1. A new lens costs $4,599 at B&H. That's a $649 or 14% "discount" for being used. Including shipping, it's $523 or 11%.
2. Canon L lenses hold their value quite well. For example, some time ago, I was considering getting a 24-70mm f/2.8L. (I got the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, instead.) I found that the selling price of used lenses on eBay was only 10-15% less than the current retail price. I just did a search on eBay and the last 9 copies of the 24-70 lens that sold averaged $1100 plus shipping. (The range was $1000-1170. There was another at $1000, but it was damaged.) The lens is $1380 now, so that's a 20% discount. (There was a recent price increase.) I also found that the discount was greater (i.e., selling price was relatively lower) on more common lenses, probably due to competition. (There were quite a few 24-70mm lenses starting at around $1200 that got no bids.)
3. Most used gear is far outside the warranty period. This at least would have another 4-5 months.
4. The shipping is high, in part, because the seller is in Puerto Rico. I went to the UPS site and did a quick check on shipping a 16 lb package 15 x 12 x 18 (the lens would probably end up in a box bigger than that) from my locatio to San Juan, PR. Second day air was $126.54, "ground" was $113.57. The eBay price is $125.98, so it's roughly the same.
A potential bidder would have to decide whether saving $523 is worth losing 8 months of warranty at $65/month.
George Slusher
Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
Eugene, OR
FYI... KEH has several 300 f2.8Ls for less than $3000.00. Every lens I've purchased from them has been in outstanding condition. They have a very good return and customer satisfaction policy.
I just wish I had $4600.00 because they have a 200 f1.8 L. What aportrait lens!
They now have two copies of the 50 f1.0L. That's right, f1.0.
LBA, LBA, LBA......aarrrrrrrgggg..[]
I'd be posting more shots comparing to Nate'sif my camera wasn'tbroken.I only had less than a month of experience with my 600mm before my camera broke and my shots really impress me thus far. I have had nolong lens experience beforeI got my 600mm.There is a lot of wildlife whereI life and I am realy kicking my self for not having a camera.
Hey Fast Glass, sorry to hear about your camera, what happened? Hope you'll get it fixed or have a new camera soon.
Turkey vulture and a dead apossum
40D & 500 f/4L IS, f/5.6, 1/1000, IS0 200
that's way cool!!!
Thanks Nate, there was a loose srew and fryed itself. I never dropped it, got it wet, it looked like new.
I was about to take some pictures of some humming birds in "sweet light" and I had to clear some pictures in my card, after I cleared them I put the camera to my eye and there was no lights. I looked at it and it was off, I later trouble shooted and took it apart and found a loose srew with no aparant place inside. I noticed a slight ticking noise when I shook the camera for the past month or soand I wondered what it was, now I know!
Thanks again Nate for your consideration.
John.
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