So my cousin just bought a 400mm 2.8 IS V1 but didn't know that...

That is my everyday lens. It is big, but that shouldn't keep anyone from using it whenever it is needed. I never understood people complaining about the size and weight of little light lenses like a 24-105, 100-400, or a 70-200. If they would carry one of these 400 f2.8s around all day, every day, for a week, they would have a very different perspective. Especially if they only use it with a sturdy tripod and a gimbal head.

davidfarina wrote in post #16741024
Haha IT so im exactly in the right business. Irony

Well for 2500 i would be in too!

edit: have you edited? i was pretty sure there was 2500$ written first?

No. $5200

Tom Reichner wrote in post #16741088
That is my everyday lens. It is big, but that shouldn't keep anyone from using it whenever it is needed. I never understood people complaining about the size and weight of little light lenses like a 24-105, 100-400, or a 70-200. If they would carry one of these 400 f2.8s around all day, every day, for a week, they would have a very different perspective. Especially if they only use it with a sturdy tripod and a gimbal head.

I can relate to that! My most used lens is a 500 f4, so a bit lighter than a 400, but a bit longer.
No lens smaller than mine is heavy. I used to have a 100-400 and that really was a light one, My 300 f4 feels like a feather.

I used own the 400mm f4 DO. Carried that up and down the canadian rockies for two weeks along with 1Dmk2, 24-105, tent, sleeping bag, several days food, water, pots and pans, stove, bear spray, clothes, and all the other stuff you need for a 3-4 night hike onto the back country (followed by 1 day in bed to recover then back out again).... Was very happy to give up 1 stop of light in exchange for not collapsing and dieing. The f2.8 is a monster. He'll probably get quite a shock

nellyle wrote in post #16741368
I can relate to that! My most used lens is a 500 f4, so a bit lighter than a 400, but a bit longer.
No lens smaller than mine is heavy. I used to have a 100-400 and that really was a light one, My 300 f4 feels like a feather.

You both forget that there are people here which are not shooting wildlife etc and have other interests of photography. What about a street photog? He needs an unobtrusive lens to not disturb his subject. Sure 5kg is not heavy but its also about how confortable you feel. I do also citytrip photography and there i would lose the fun when taking a 30 or 40cm lens with me all the time

Sometimes i laugh when i see peoples pictures shot with a >5000$ Lens where there is nothing speciel in the images. Its like with cars: you can have a bugatti veyron for a million or an old chevy. But if you dont know how to drive fluent you get to your destination slower as a guy who knows how to drive his chevy. That said i also find it ridiculous when i see the people shooting a big white lens in middle of a crowded city street. Its not about creating art anymore

Erm, I don't! I doubt that a street tog would use a 400 or 500!

nellyle wrote in post #16741395
Erm, I don't! I doubt that a street tog would use a 400 or 500!

Read again that was my point

And about my other post, no offense intended. Everyone to its own

davidfarina wrote in post #16741385
You both forget that there are people here which are not shooting wildlife etc and have other interests of photography. What about a street photog? He needs an unobtrusive lens to not disturb his subject. Sure 5kg is not heavy but its also about how confortable you feel. I do also citytrip photography and there i would lose the fun when taking a 30 or 40cm lens with me all the time

Sometimes i laugh when i see peoples pictures shot with a >5000$ Lens where there is nothing speciel in the images. Its like with cars: you can have a bugatti veyron for a million or an old chevy. But if you dont know how to drive fluent you get to your destination slower as a guy who knows how to drive his chevy. That said i also find it ridiculous when i see the people shooting a big white lens in middle of a crowded city street. Its not about creating art anymore

sometimes I laugh at the people perched on the seat of judgement who have such a high opinion of themselves

I'm surprised so many go for the 400mm 2.8 IS if it's going to be used on a monopod all the time anyways. To me, might as well pick up a clean 400 2.8 non-IS (v2) and save some cash....but that's just me.

Talley wrote in post #16740898
He found a brand new sealed in box 400mm 2.8 IS V1 lens UX date code for $5200. Not that bad really.

You have crazy good prices in USA. I am just looking for one in Europe and cant find any in good shape (not even great) below 8000 $.

Go big or go home. I am going home. This thread is making me feel terribly inferior.

5200 seems like a really good deal..... if my kids were into outdoor sports, I think I could wing that. Cant do 10K+, but 5200, I think I can. Had no idea ANY version can get that inexpensive, just assumed way out of my league.

Charlie wrote in post #16741802
5200 seems like a really good deal..... if my kids were into outdoor sports, I think I could wing that. Cant do 10K+, but 5200, I think I can. Had no idea ANY version can get that inexpensive, just assumed way out of my league.

His logic and mine as well on the 300 I picked up mint for 3300 was this.

Use it then sell it, be it a small profit, break even or a small loss IF you have the money to front then you get it back when you are done.

I only planned on keeping the 300mm I bought for two months worth of cheer season........


....then I used it must find a way to keep

mkkaczy wrote in post #16741764
You have crazy good prices in USA. I am just looking for one in Europe and cant find any in good shape (not even great) below 8000 $.

Here they're about $4000-$4500. 300 2.8 IS ~$3400 and I did see a 500mm f4 is go for $4400 and a 600mm f4 is go for $3800. Go figure. All were in similar condition. The 400mm 2.8 seemed to be the best though.

Talley wrote in post #16741839
His logic and mine as well on the 300 I picked up mint for 3300 was this.

Use it then sell it, be it a small profit, break even or a small loss IF you have the money to front then you get it back when you are done.

I only planned on keeping the 300mm I bought for two months worth of cheer season........


....then I used it must find a way to keep

keep it till your kids graduate HS

If I ever have the opportunity to "go big" I'de make sure to STAY big. It'll probably make very little difference if you sell now or 2 years later. Keep living the dream I say.