Never see used 70-300L - does that mean you love it?

I've been thinking out getting a 70-300L and I rarely see them for sale used. Does that mean they haven't sold many? or that everyone loves it so much no one is parting with them?

You can find most lenses used on this and other forums on a regular basis, but almost never this one. I'm a bit curious.

Tom

I've rented it before. It's an amazing lens, however for many people it's either too short, too slow, too white, or too expensive. I think it's much like the 35 f/2 IS, in that the people buying it are buying it because they know what it is and will keep it. The 70-300L has also only been out since 2010, while the 100-400L has been on the market for 1998, so there's a lot less copies floating around regardless of popularity.

I see them used and rather low. I just saw one on CL for $1000 which seems really low to me. I love the lens but I almost never use it now that I have a 135L and 400L.

9 for sale here in the UK

http://www.mpbphotogra​phic.co.uk …70-300mm-f4-56-l-is-usm-8

Would love one, but it's to rich for me at the moment

It took me nearly a year to find a used 70-300L at a price I was willing to pay. Used versions come up for sale very rarely. If you look at the specs, it doesn't seem like much, but in reality, on the camera, it's an outstanding lens. I suspect that the people who buy it simply don't want to part with it. I've owned and loved a 70-200 f4 IS for many years, but after renting the 70-300L for a sports event 18 months ago, I decided it was a lens I needed to own. I've been using the two side by side for the last few months. If I could afford to keep both in the long term, I would, but finances require that I sell one of them, and I've chosen to sell the f4 IS - the 70-300L is THAT good. It's on a par with the f4 IS in every respect: IQ, sharpness, IS, focusing speed, etc., but it's the extra 100 mm that tips the scales for me. That, and the compact format.

So my much-loved f4 IS is now on the market, and I have a feeling that the 70-300L will be in my bag for years to come. It's just a wonderful piece of equipment.

Whoever owns this lens raves about it. Unlike the 100-400 its IQ is never questioned. But, 300mm is a very long indoors and very short outdoors. That I suspect is why you don't see many around full stop. I saw one when they were newly released, looked like a 70-200/4 to me until I saw it zoom.

I've only ever see a handful myself at air shows, have seen 2-3 at airports though and one guy I knew by face said it was brilliant.

I love mine. It's nearly the perfect zoom. Compact, high build quality, great IQ, relatively affordable, and decent range. Beautiful bokeh for portraits. It could be a bit faster, but the 5D3 makes up for it! If you put it on a crop body and it's like having a 480mm lens!

kachadurian wrote in post #17117212
I've been thinking out getting a 70-300L and I rarely see them for sale used. Does that mean they haven't sold many? or that everyone loves it so much no one is parting with them?

You can find most lenses used on this and other forums on a regular basis, but almost never this one. I'm a bit curious.

Tom

I bought mine used, from Adorama for $1289.00, with free shipping, Looked brand new and is tack sharp. Their used condition is on a lettering scale. Mine was rated D or D+ I don't remember, but it was their highest rating for used lenses. On my 6D camera it's a 70-300, on my crop T4i its a 112-480, that's hard to beat.

Love it. It's sharp, has rock-solid modern IS, and shrinks to a manageable size for travel. I can't recall ever wishing for more speed, but I don't use it in low light conditions.

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like I need one. I also have a 70-200f4 IS. I could see where both might be redundant. But then do I replace the 70-200 with a 135f2? Or a 70-200f2.8 non IS. I'd only use it in low light wedding ceremonies on a tripod anyways.

It brings up a whole new set of questions. Is the 70-200f2.8 as good as the same in the mark I IS?

I got one shortly after it was launched. Right now is short to me since I move to FF, but still I'm not considering selling it until a new 100-400 is presented but still it's a great partner when traveling, always getting nice images with it!.

I use my as my primary travel lens. It is sharp, compact and IQ is as good as any other L lens I have. It hardly ever comes off my 6D - the only gripe I have is it does not take canon extenders.

I love mine! Had one, sold it, realized the mistake that was and corrected it. I like it better than the F4is lens that I had before it. I've used it for an airshow, local eagles/birds, and a host of other duties. It's plays a role similar to my 10-22 in that it does not always see the most action, but when needed, I am extremely happy it's in my bag and always pleased with the result.

As others have referenced, the downside is it's lack of ability to accept a canon extender. It will take a Kenko extender and can be used throughout the entire focal range. On my 50D the AF with the extender would hunt a lot. On a 70D I tried in a store with that combo the AF would lock in quick.

Really, on the kenko and a 70D? I've been kinda on the fence about trying one. Maybe I will if it works decently well.

On to the lens. I love mine. I use it all the time. The 17-55 and the 70-300L leave me wanting for little else. It is extremely sharp with great color, the AF and IS systems are as good as you will find on lenses in the same class.

Here are a few pics:

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/oBkS​WH

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/oBjT​2g

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/nmCL​hU