What is the best lens deal you ever got?

not long after it came out I came across a Tamron 17-50/2.8 VC that was a demo at a camera store for $350.

I spotted a little advert in a local paper 'for sale as new Canon 17-40mm f4 lens', so I rang the guy, old retired gentleman who said he bought it brand new, got it home, tried it once, and didnt like it, he let me have it for silly money, I did mention trading it in, but he didn't want to, so I got a bargain, I was grinning like a cheshire cat for days, there was 'nothing' at all wrong with the lens,as he said, it was brand new for £400? in the box, inc case, hood and pro 1 uv filter.

Like new 35L for $1,050 shipped to my door was a decent deal.
Also once found a 300mm f/2.8 without a hood for $1,450, and later found a hood for $180.

This is my third post to this thread. I just keep tripping over good stuff. My latest is a pristine Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS HSM for $750. The gentleman had upgraded to 70-200 II, and wanted to sell it quickly. Mission accomplished. All accessories included. I spent the evening with it. Don't tell my wife, but she now has competition.

I bought a "used" Canon 100-400 that was ordered and paid for but traded in before it was taken out of the box for $1300
When I took the lens out it was still in the plastic bag and the hood was still wrapped up.

Sekor-Z 50mm ULD F4.5(not the L version) for 200....


Equivalent on 2.0x crop factor = 23ish mm.

nccb wrote in post #14300944
...after I started reading this thread a few months back I started monitoring CL...

Only deal that actually went through for me - Bought an EOS650 with a 50mm 1.8 MK1 attached for $40. Sold the 650 for $30, so got the MK1 nifty fifty for $10 net. The original owner was shocked when I popped the lens off to test it on my T2i. He didn't know you could take the lens off.

Deals missed by just minutes....
-85mm 1.2 L (FD mount) in a bag of random stuff for $80 - could have still sold for a ton on ebay
-Hasselblad 501c with 80mm lens for $200 - probably close to $1K on ebay
-Canon FL mount 55mm 1.2 with a bundle of other stuff for $125

Your killing me

I got my 50mm 1.4 and 28-135mm both $290.00. Kid needed book money for college and switch major from photography to political science. I wish I found his ad earlier cause he sold his 40d for 285.00..

TSchrief wrote in post #14829070
This is my third post to this thread. I just keep tripping over good stuff. My latest is a pristine Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS HSM for $750. The gentleman had upgraded to 70-200 II, and wanted to sell it quickly. Mission accomplished. All accessories included. I spent the evening with it. Don't tell my wife, but she now has competition.

Nice deal! I've been eyeing up this lens lately, and they arent easy to find for under a grand.

ESMcBlurM3 wrote in post #14830105
Nice deal! I've been eyeing up this lens lately, and they arent easy to find for under a grand.

I tripped over this one while checking out a CL from about 75 miles away. It was definitely worth the drive. It is better than I thought at f/2.8 & 200mm. It is fantastic everywhere else. Here is a shot (about 75% crop) of my dog running straight at me. Shot at 200mm f/4. Cropped for use as a desktop image. This is one in a series of about 12, all of which were excellent sharp on her eyes.
Edit: In the interest of honesty, she IS pretty old, and doesn't run very fast.

Discovered that the 60mm Micro Nikkor owner had the A/M focus ring glued to M...no problem for Canon users though ...

Canon 50mm 1.8 MK1
Canon 24mm 2.8 MK1

$150.

carl zeiss 35mm f/2.4 for £5 from the car boot sale and in mint working order

Canon 35mm F/2 for $200 a few hours ago. Found on Craigslist. People on POTN usually ask $250. Great condition & optics sharp.

Canon 50mm F/1.4 USM for $280 from someone here on POTN a few weeks ago; local sale. People on POTN are still asking $320+ shipped. Also a sharp lens, my current favorite.

Great deals on both. Saved about $50 each from the going used prices.

It's my only lens but I got my Tamron 17-50 2.8 VC for $275. Good enough for me