canon 600mm ?

Would a Canon 600mm f4 IS with a UQ date code be worth looking at? The listing says it has a bunch of paint chips on the barrel and lens foot. but glass is clean with no hase or fungus. its never been dropped. all the buttons work along with the is and auto focus.
Thanks for any and all input.

Troy

Heya,

Price would dictate everything here.

Very best,

UQ indicates what year?

Condition and price matter most. Can you try it? I wouldn't worry about paint chips.

Hopefully you have an idea of the value of what you are looking at.

I agree, paint chips are cosmetic only. Might give you a bit of negotiating room.

UQ date code made in 2002. Its from a reputable seller. Not sure on the value. Most on ebay or some of the other forums are 6000 or more in price. But with newer date code and in better shape. Are the later date codes any better ? Or should i not worry about the date code as long as the lens functions good and image is sharp.

troyhattemer wrote in post #17443302
Or should i not worry about the date code as long as the lens functions good and image is sharp.

This, pretty much.

If it's a functional lens, clean optics, and in good working order, then I wouldn't worry about the rest. Cosmetics are just cosmetics. Cover it with a lens cover if you think it's really unsightly. Personally I would just use it as negotiating points to get a lower price.

When it comes to buying a big, expensive, used lens, there are three big things to consider:

1) Proper mechanisms, is it working correctly and without any issues, even minor ones?
2) Are the optics good, clean (there is copy variation, less so much on the big whites, but still it's there) and undamaged (look at the coatings)?
3) Is it a serviceable lens by Canon (ie, can it be repaired, or is it basically a discontinued lens; this matters a lot if you are spending as much as a used car).

I see the 600 F4L IS go commonly between $4.5k~6k (in great condition).
I'm looking at a 600 F4L (non-IS) for $4k right now (in great condition).

So I would expect something around $5k as an average. If buying from a store with tax and retail mark up, it will be a lot more. From a web retailer or someone on the web selling personally, you can avoid a lot of that.

Very best,

A 600 will be fun at Coville Park this time of year.
I've seen as many as 100 eagles there at once!
Reed's Landing is another place I like down there near you.

I plan to get down there soon before the water starts to open up and the eagles start moving north.

Good luck with the lens, I hope it is worth buying.

Tapeman wrote in post #17443714
A 600 will be fun at Coville Park this time of year.
I've seen as many as 100 eagles there at once!
Reed's Landing is another place I like down there near you.

I plan to get down there soon before the water starts to open up and the eagles start moving north.

Good luck with the lens, I hope it is worth buying.

Colvill park has been a bust this year for eagles. The bay there is froze over and only seen 3 eagles on the river.