300 f2.8 IS autofocus problem

[nvitalephotography]

So I found a listing for a 300 f2.8 IS that says "This lens attempts to focus yet the images are not clear."


That should just be an issue with the auto focus?


Anyone have any thoughts on what exactly it would be and how much it would cost to repair it? I

[HDNitehawk]

Nick


Mine is set at Plus 4 on my cameras so I know the lens is off. Once I set the adjustment it is dead on. But, you would think any one that would buy a $4500 lens would also know that they could do a micro adjustment if there camera allows.


I would be careful you wouldn't know what it cost to repair until Canon gives you an estimate, or at the very least see if you could take it and use it for a day or two to see how it performed on your camera.


You could invest in a Canon Pro Service membership if you qualify and at least know your getting a discount going in. If your a new gold member I think they let you send it two items for cleaning and check out for free.


Rick

[nvitalephotography]

Yeah, I would hope whoever ones this lens knows enough to do a micro adjustment.


However if its not just that I feel like the repair cost still wouldn

[HDNitehawk]

I paid $3700 for mine from B&H and they were listing it as a 10 condition.


Personally I wouldn't take the gamble unless I could get it at a fire sale price. Unless you find someone who paid to replace the whole AF system. But still if you can't manually focus it, its not the AF System at all. What if several elements inside are damaged? You just don't know.


B&H sells used for around $3700( a little more lately), on their website they have a link where they buy used. If the lens was pristine condition B&H would pay $2025 if you had all the accessories. I wouldn't pay any more than wholesale used (what B&H is offering). If I were going to gamble on something, I would want it at least half what I would normally pay , just my opinion.

[Joel Eade]

Nick,


Focusing issues and making sharp images could also be operator error .... there are many factors that might be involved ... can you try out the lens for yourself? If so, you might also be able to take it to a nearby dealer for inspection.


I certainly would be cautious but if you can make sharp images with it maybe it

[Jeff Lucia]

Nick,


Has the seller sent you any images shot with the lens? "Not clear" could be anything from camera shake (for all you know, the seller could be shooting at 1/8 sec.) to a family of mice living in the AF mechanism. If you ask for images, I would request at least one shot with manual focus.


It also occurred to me that this could be an IS problem -- I