Nearly bought a 100-400

[pigasus]

What a sad day. I just missed out on a secondhand Canon 100-400 IS. It was only 8 months old, had an international warranty, and was being sold by a reputable private seller in the US. Including shipping to a US location it would have cost me £750. Here in the UK a secondhand 100-400 will go for over £1100 - if you could ever find one.

The timing would have been perfect too, as a friend of mine from Colorado is coming to visit me early next month and could have brought it over with him.

Oh well, timing is everything.

:(

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Sally,

Here in the UK a secondhand 100-400 will go for over £1100 - if you could ever find one.

Don't where you're buying your used kit from, but Park Cameras http://www.parkcameras.com/ has new 100-400's for only GBP1194.

Warehouse Express http://www.warehouseexpress.com/ is GBP 1199 and they will let you have one for only GBP 50 a month - mind you it's a usurious rate of interest. :)

Best of all is MIFSUD Photographic http://www.mifsuds.com with a special of GBP 1179.

Get that Visa card out, girl. :)

[Roger_Cavanagh]

... and, if your friend is coming with a camera, he could buy one in the the US and bring it with him. B&H Photo list USD 1320 (not counting local taxes) = under GBP 900!

Per Visa ad Astra!

:)

[pigasus]

Roger_Cavanagh wrote:
... and, if your friend is coming with a camera, he could buy one in the the US and bring it with him. B&H Photo list USD 1320 (not counting local taxes) = under GBP 900!

Hi Roger!

Yes I've seen the lens new in the UK for £1125! But that's still £375 more than I might have had it for. I could only find it on one site secondhand. And that was last month and it was nearly £1100.

I looked at the new prices in the US. The lowest quoted ones are either for grey lenses (and with no International warranty) or are taking the current Canon US $50 cashback into account. And I've read the rules on that offer and as I don't live in the States I can't take it up. The best US price I've seen is from an outfit at photopremium.com. They have it for $1239. But my guess is it's grey. I wouldn't hesitate if I lived in the States, but it would be a problem sending it back to the retailer if it needed repairs. Evidently, when they send it back I'd get hit by the friendly custom folks again.

I've been thinking about this lens for a while now, but wasn't sure I wanted to pay so much for a lens I had never tried out. But when I saw I might get it for £750 I thought, why not give it a try as I could easily resell it in the UK for what I paid (or more :)).

Back to the drawing board!

[gmitchel]

Canon gray market lenses in the U.S. come with a Canon International warranty.

We pay extra for a Canon USA warranty, not the other way around.

If you want an international warranty on the lens, buy gray market from the various merchants in NYC, like B&H and Adorama.

Mitch

[Rudi]

Sally,

a word of caution: If you don't like the weight of the 70-200 f/2.8 L, and didn't care much for the f/4 version, you're gonna HATE the 100-400 L! It's a heavy lens!

And don't worry too much: I missed out on a cheap 550EX and the 85 f/1.8 yesterday, too! Cest la vie! (Loose translation from French: "Sh*t happens!" :D)

[pigasus]

Rudi wrote:
a word of caution: If you don't like the weight of the 70-200 f/2.8 L, and didn't care much for the f/4 version, you're gonna HATE the 100-400 L! It's a heavy lens!


Hi Rudi,

Metered any good light recently? 8)

It does seem like a bit of a nonstarter for me to want an even heavier lens than one I already rejected based on weight. But THAT lens was meant to be my on-the-camera, walking-about, hand-holding lens. THIS lens is meant to be for special occasions and I'll always use it on my monopod or on a tripod. Given my weakling status, I 'd probably be taking a lot of photos of my feet otherwise! :D

Having missed out on the 100-400, I've had a chance to do some more research and I'm now thinking the 300 f4 IS might be a better choice for me. My local Jessops is getting both lenses in for me to have a look at. But I doubt I'll get a new one.

[Rudi]

Sally,

That is what I did, I bought a 300mm f/4 L (non IS) second hand, and with the 1.4x Extender, this gives me 420mm f/5.6. In addition, it's sharper and has better contrast than the 100-400 L.

Between the two lenses, I would always go for the 300mm prime! :)

[pigasus]

Rudi wrote:
Sally,

That is what I did, I bought a 300mm f/4 L (non IS) second hand, and with the 1.4x Extender, this gives me 420mm f/5.6. In addition, it's sharper and has better contrast than the 100-400 L.

Between the two lenses, I would always go for the 300mm prime! :)

Wow Rudi, once again we seem to be on the same track, you and I. Could you send me a list of what you currently have and are planning to get so I know where I'm going next? ;)

But I'm NOT buying a light meter.

[Rudi]

pigasus wrote:
Wow Rudi, once again we seem to be on the same track, you and I. Could you send me a list of what you currently have and are planning to get so I know where I'm going next? ;)


:)

I know you're kidding, but here you go (I might as well list everything):

Canon EOS 33 body with grip
Canon EOS D30 body with grip
EF 20mm f/2.8 plus hood
EF 28mm f/2.8 plus hood
EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
EF 50mm f/1.4 plus hood
EF 70-200 f/2.8 L plus hood
EF 300mm f/4 L (hood built in)
EF Extender II 1.4x
Canon 420EX flash with StoFen OmniBounce
Kenko extension tubes (set of 3)
cable releases for both camera bodies
assorted filters, cables, battery chargers etc.
Manfrotto tripod and monopod
several Lowepro camera bags and backpacks

ONE SEKONIC L-358 FLASH MASTER :D :D :D

I still have, but want to sell:

Sigma 135-400mm APO in as new condition (incl. lens hood, soft case and all original paperwork and packaging)

Things that I will purchase in the near future (most probably in that order):

studio flash with stand and umbrella plus reflector
EF 85mm f/1.8 plus hood (looking for second hand at the moment, but will buy new if I don't find one)
Canon EOS 1D or 1Ds body, depending on what I decide...

.... oh yeah! I nearly forgot! I am waiting to snap up a 300mm f/2.8 L (most probably non IS) when I see one at a good price! :D

So there you go - this is what you're thinking of getting for yourself, Sally! :)


pigasus wrote:
But I'm NOT buying a light meter.

You don't know what you're missing! Did I mention I have ONE SEKONIC L-358 FLASH MASTER that I am really happy with? :D

[oops]

Rudi, your bee shots are Fantastic. It may have a little to do with the "Bad-Momma-GitDown" meter but I fear it is a lot of natural talent, as well. What lens? (OK, I'll buy the stupid meter, but what lens?)

Sally, Rudi and I have both bought high and sold low. I missed a $100 rebate on my 'Dream Lens' 28-70L by two days because I was searching for a better deal. Stupid Sh*t!:)

Many of us could look back on what we paid for the D30 and Cry! If we all agree it is good, it doesn't matter what it costs.

Oops.
Chris

[Rudi]

oops wrote:
Rudi, your bee shots are Fantastic. It may have a little to do with the "Bad-Momma-GitDown" meter but I fear it is a lot of natural talent, as well. What lens? (OK, I'll buy the stupid meter, but what lens?)


LOL! :)

Chris, you buy that meter and your life will change! You will even become more attractive to the opposite sex! :D :D :D

The bee and flower photos were taken with the 28-135 IS. The reason for using it was the fact that it's not a bad "macro", focusing down to 50cm at 135mm focal length. And, of course, TTL metering and the resulting contrast issue with this lens did not even come into it, because of the (and I quote) "Bad-Momma-GitDown" meter... :D

oops wrote:
Sally, Rudi and I have both bought high and sold low. I missed a $100 rebate on my 'Dream Lens' 28-70L by two days because I was searching for a better deal. Stupid Sh*t!:)

Many of us could look back on what we paid for the D30 and Cry! If we all agree it is good, it doesn't matter what it costs.

You're right there! It's not the price of the D30 that p*sses me off (I was aware that it was going to be replaced by a better camera sooner or later) as much as the fact that every single lens that I have bought (no kidding!) has since dropped in value or I came across a second-hand one *days* after my purchase. :(

[mrgumdrop]

Well I bought a 100-400. Love it. Took great pictures at normal things and when I visited Atlanta Zoo. I am not a professional, just want to take great pictures.

Going to Africa for 4 months next year. Plan on taking the D60, 100-400, 28-70 L and 1.4 extender, computer with a CD burner. EOS 100 for a backup.

Have all but the D60 Kit. On order at couple of places. Too darn hard to get a camera, without feeling like paying a bribe via an order on ebay.