Is this a fair price?

I am looking at a Canon EF 500mm F4.5L. It is a used lens that is mechanically and electronically sound. The barrel shows significant wear and the lens hood is cracked. The plastic piece that covers the depth of field scale is also missing. The seller is asking $2200. Is this a fair price?

I personally wouldn't go near a used lens in that condition, but thats just IMHO.


If its that banged up, who knows what all happened to it, how many times it was dropped etc...

What would canon charge to refurbish it?

If I thought the lens would make me money and pay for itself the first year - I'd have no trouble buying it.

doesn't sound good to me, especially that missing window. Doesn't that open up the inside to dust? I'd stay away.

I'd offer the seller $1750.00 because if you're going to sell the lens in a year, you'd probably ask $1950 given the condition. Forget about Canon repairing anything because Canon does not repair the 500 f/4.5 anymore. Maybe local repair shops in your area may have parts like the DOF window. Also, the 500 f/4.5 was focus by wire. If you decide to buy the lens, make certain that the focus motor is working and doesn't sound funny if it does fire up. Finding the focus motor would be near impossible and the 500 f/4.5 can't be focused manually if the focus by wire motor if damaged.

Whenevr I buy anything used, I always ask myself how difficult will it be to sell in a year or two. The cosmetic condition of the used item does play a part in determining saleability.

Good luck, I wouldn't buy this lens.