WTB Canon 400 f2.8

If anyone has or knows of a Canon 400mm f2.8 none IS lens for sale in good condition please let me know, I have decided I will go with this lens. I cannot afford the IS and realy enjoy using f2.8 lenses for the speed.
My email address is d.cordery@ntlworld.com.

Thanks and
Regards


Dave Cordery

Hi Dave,

There is one for sale on Ebay in the States if it is any help :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-400mm-F2-8-lens-NO-IS_W0QQitemZ260204030321QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4687QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p1638.m122


Regards

Rob

Thanks Rob I had seen that one and I am watching it. But by the time you pay import duty and VAT and who knows what else, the costs just shoot up. But it does look in nice condition, I might email the seller and see if there is anything he can do to keep costs down.

Thanks for the reply how is the lens?

Regards

Dave

Dave - I'm standing in Bob Rigby's now looking at a 400mm 2.8 non IS - cosmetically USED but optically sound as a pound.

Hardcase, hood and cover all there too + 6 months warranty - 2800 but give them a call and you might get that down

Thanks for that Andy. I have phoned and made an offer so we will see. It is there on commission so they have to present the offer. My thoughts are the price is somewhat high but we shall see.

Thanks again

Dave

No probs Dave - it was just very coincidental that I was there having a cup of tea and picking up a new addition that Simon jokingly asked me if I knew anyone who wanted a non IS 400 2.8 - your post sprang immediately to mind.

BRP will be covering that warranty themselves so it'll be good for the 6 months no doubt about it, it's just a question of the owner being realistic about the price as the 400 2.8 with or without IS is not everyones cup of tea and they aren't exactly inundated with potential buyers.

Se how you go, and if you get it let me know - BRP will owe me some commish

Hi Dave.... are you sure? Its heavy and a big huge lump, If the Bob Rigby one is a version II then that price is prob about right.. perhaps negotiate 2-4 hundred less... mine is a battered V1 and i still paid just under 2K.....

It is (along with the 300/2.8) one of Canons best lenses.....

All the best

Phil

Phil
They were asking 2800 which I think is a bit high. I went in with 2400 which I think is realistic but the guy was only willing to go to 2700. Yes I had a 300mm but felt it was a bit short for birding thats why I want to go for the 400 which with a 1.4 gives me over 500 at f4 and 800 at f5.6. But I have to be realistic in what I can afford and I am pushing it with 2400. Hopefully one will come up on ebay.

Thanks for the input

Regards

Dave

Hi Dave,

Lens is going very thanks, got some images of a Stonechat at the weekend but was hoping for much closer so not really doing it justice, but with a 1.4x it worked really well in the gloom.
You might want to keep an eye on Amateur photographer mag as they have classified also the canon photography forums as they have buy/sell pages as well.

Regards

Rob

The lens for sale on Ebay in the states would cost about the £2k mark if it were sold at its starting price. This would take into account import fees etc of about 23%. Not a bargain considering that it's a mk1.
New 400/2.8 prices have dropped rapidly over the last few months (most can now be imported for £3700), mainly due to the strong pound and this has had a big effect on the 2nd hand price of older lenses.

Focusing can be problematic with the older Mk1 versions, some back focus, some front focus and the ones that hit the nail every time are usually kept by their owners. This is not a big issue if you're willing to adjust the focus manually until it's spot on, but for fast moving subjects it can be a pain in the behind. Also be aware that spares for the older lenses are getting harder to source, this is a good reason to go with a dealer offering a guarantee rather than a private seller wanting to off-load a problem lens on an unsuspecting buyer.

Another thing to factor into your budget when buying the 400 is your tripod and head. this can easily add £5-600 to your budget. A cheap head does not cut it for the 400, esp a non IS one.

Have you considered a 500mm? either an f4.5 (good ones come up frequently for about £2k or a used f4?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EF-500mm-f4-0L-IS-4-0-L-Telephoto-Lens_W0QQitemZ170187598603QQihZ007QQcategoryZ4687QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

John

Thanks for the information John. I had more or less resolved myself to forgetting about the one in the States for the reason of price after the taxes, I just missed out on the 500mm f4 on ebay today, missed it by seconds and £50 but thats life if I was meant to get it I would have won. If I had the money a new 500 would be the one but hey ho there is always the lottery.

Thanks again for info

Regards

Dave

Dave,

Would you consider a 600mm non IS? I'm thinking about selling mine in the next couple of months and upgrading to a IS one, purely for what John says about sourcing parts, the lens works perfectly and has given me great service.

Regards

Rob