new beast lens questions.......

That's an incredible find! Now you have to shoot some ducks for us

This sort of thing is rare - but does happen...

Ran into someone at 'home & garden' type shop a few weeks ago. That someone was the owner. He noticed me walking around with my camera strapped to my shoulder. While my wife was shopping, he approached me, talked for a bit. Then he brought out a 180L from his office. Told me it was his sister's, she passed away from breast cancer a couple years prior to that. And he asked me what it would be worth. I told him on the spot that I didn't know to a certainty (I'm not a macro guy) but I suspected it started at $1,000. He asked if I wanted to try it out, and of course I did... worked great. Then he tells me I can have it for $400. I asked if he would take a cheque, either for the full amount, or until I can get to a bank machine and back - he instead tells me to take it with me, and just come back with the $$ later, with the option of that day or next day. I'm floored by that point. I was back within 20 minutes with the cash.
He gave me his business card. I emailed him a few days later to say it's a great lens, etc...
his reply was that he has more - many more lenses and cameras that his sister left. We're supposed to get together again at some point so I can let him know what he has, and how best to sell this stuff if that's what he wanted to do...

Are we near April Fool's day?

SAB_Click wrote in post #8569861
I'm going to unsubscribe from this thread now - it's depressing me!

SAB nailed it:

Everytime the survivors view the gear that the departed ones had left behind, it reminds the survivors of their loved one.

How much money can replace the memories of someone that is associated with those objects? Perhaps a simple call and ask how they are doing, or I thought of you today would be more than any amount of money.

We all know the monetary worth of a white lens, the time spent learning to properly use such equipment, so now it is up to the new owners to carry on with the legacy.

My Uncle inherited His Fathers expensive Nikon gear, film equipment I will never use. A Grandfather I never really knew, but I can still feel His presence in the tripod I will utilize and treasure for quite some time.

That is just absolutely freakin' unbelievable. Wow. $200. Ah!

This is why my wife and family know what my gear is worth. They'd better never sell it for some crazy low amount.

What a great find... I'd be stoked about it too!

tkbslc wrote in post #8567498
Seriously, I would just sell that 200mm lens. If you don't know what it is, you would be better off having the 2500-3000 in cash. It is a pretty specialized lens.

135mm f2.8 is pretty good, but long for a crop. I'd sell it for $250-300

100mm macro is awesome, keep it. Extension tube 25mm will let you take that lens greater than 1:1, so that might be cool to have.

Sell all but 1 or 2 of the TCs if you need em. No need having that many.

So basically you will get a macro lens for negative $3500 when you are done.

If its the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (non-USM) model... its not THAT awesome.

considering how rare the 200/1.8L's are these days, especially in VG-Mint condition... I wouldn't rush to sell it... even considering its learning curve.

Many a fashion fotog has MADE his career with that lens.

If you know how to use it effectively and are making money from shooting, you just found the lens of a lifetime.

tkbslc wrote in post #8567498
Seriously, I would just sell that 200mm lens. If you don't know what it is, you would be better off having the 2500-3000 in cash. It is a pretty specialized lens.

Yeah this is probably the worst advice I´ve ever heard on here.

"You have one of the most awesome, sought-after lenses made. But since you don't "know how to use it," just sell the thing!"

One session of shooting that thing and you'll know exactly what it is. Amazing in every effing way.

As far as what body to mount to it to best utilize it, I think...

a) considering the cost savings you scored on the lens, you can throw that money towards a better body
b) the only complaint you ever hear about the 200/1.8L is the lack of IS, which the 200/2L IS has, this leads many to the inevitable argument that the 200/2L IS is better. What I would say is, you'd be better off getting a newer body than the 20D with better High ISO noise, so that you can shoot with a higher ISO without image loss to counteract the shutter speed requirements to keep jitter out of shots @ 200 f/1.8 or even f/2.
c) its a landmark lens, and deserves a landmark body... 7D anyone?

Put that thing on a 5d and woah my goodness gracious.

mikekelley wrote in post #8571873
Yeah this is probably the worst advice I´ve ever heard on here.

"You have one of the most awesome, sought-after lenses made. But since you don't "know how to use it," just sell the thing!"

One session of shooting that thing and you'll know exactly what it is. Amazing in every effing way.

Lets, see - Lens you didn't really need and couldn't justify owning vs $3000 cash in pocket. Seems like a no brainer to me and I would take the cash. Either way it is costing him what he could sell it for because he is trading the opportunity to have the cash for the lens. I mean in a way he traded $200 cash for $3000 in cash and then chose to spend it on the lenses.

tkbslc's logic is correct. But I think if it were me, I'd still keep the lens.

Madweasel wrote in post #8572044
tkbslc's logic is correct. But I think if it were me, I'd still keep the lens.

Truth be told, I would at least hang on to it for a while. It would be a shame not to at least try it out for a few weeks. It is not like it is going to drop in value as long as it still works.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #8567491
I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

Hell, it's my ongoing dream to walk into an estate sale or a pawn shop and find $20K worth of gear that no one else seems to want and I walk away with it for a song.

Certainly I'm not the only one who's wished this, am I ?

Yep, same here!