Messages

1

Lenses / Re: Recommendations for Selling Expensive Telephoto

« on: February 21, 2013, 12:40:51 AM »

I will.  I go back and forth.  On one hand the much lighter weight is really nice. On the other hand if I get a 600 how often would I go to the 400 instead.  I'll definitely let you know if I do decide to sell. 

2

Lenses / Re: Recommendations for Selling Expensive Telephoto

« on: February 19, 2013, 11:23:42 PM »

FWIW, looking at my local CL today there's a 300/2.8L IS (MkI) for $4200 and an 800/5.6L IS for $11K (overpriced, IMO).

Thanks!  It's good to see other people are trying to sell through Craigslist.  I looked again sorting by price and did find a 300 2.8 for 3K and a 200 2.0 for 5K within the greater LA area.  I also found a couple of cinema cameras for 11-15K so it's not as exceptional as I thought.

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Lenses / Re: Recommendations for Selling Expensive Telephoto

« on: February 18, 2013, 04:43:44 PM »

Thanks for all the great suggestions!  I do live in a large city (Orange County, CA) so it looks like Craigslist/Cash would be a good option.  I also like being able to have someone look it over first to make sure everyone is happy.  Fred Miranda looks good too, but since I don't have any selling history with them I may use that as a backup.

Thanks also for pricing suggestions. The lens db looks great!

RMC33, I like the DO a lot because it's so small and light (compared to other super telephotos).  In those scenarios where handholding works better I find that I can handhold this lens for much longer than the 500.  Disadvantages are that it doesn't focus as fast and the image quality isn't as sharp (at 100%) as the 500mm.

RLPhoto, I'm going to hold off on setting a price for right now.  We are strongly considering selling the DO to purchase a 600, but we haven't made the final decision yet.  Seeing our selling options is one of the considerations. I'll update the thread once we have made the final decision.

4

Lenses / Recommendations for Selling Expensive Telephoto

« on: February 17, 2013, 09:14:31 PM »

I'm considering selling my Canon 400mm DO lens.  I have sold a few lenses on Craigslist in the past but never anything as expensive as the DO. 

We looked at a online quote from B&H but their price seemed really low $3100 for perfect condition. 

Has anyone else sold a large telephoto? If so, how did you price it (since there are so few for sale) and what method did you use?

Appreciate any suggestions.

5

Canon General / Re: Don't order camera gear from Dell.com online store

« on: January 18, 2013, 12:27:31 AM »

I recently ordered a 24-70 2.8 from Amazon.  When I opened it a 24-105 lens was inside instead.  All of the documentation indicated a 24-70 only the lens was different.  It looked like someone had bought both and returned the less expensive lens in the 24-70 box.

Amazon customer service was excellent in handling the situation.  I would not hesitate to purchase camera gear from them again.

6

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II travel bag for Alaska

« on: January 08, 2013, 11:02:23 AM »

I just took a look at the Lowepro Flipside 500 AW.  That does look really nice for hiking.

7

Lenses / Re: Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II travel bag for Alaska

« on: January 08, 2013, 10:58:40 AM »

I use the Lowepro Vertex 300 AW for my version I 500mm with other lenses and a laptop. I have been very happy with it. 

It seems like airlines are utilizing small regional jets more and more.  Recently I was on a flight with the bag that had one seat on one side of the isle and two seats on the other - very limited overheads.  The bag would not have fit on the single side as the curve of the plane provided little room.  On the side with two seats I was able to fit the bag under the seat in front, but it also took up some of the space of the person next to me.  Luckily the person I sat next to was accommodating.  If you are traveling with someone who has photography equipment sit in different rows on these flights.

Other things that help get your gear on - board as early as possible and think creatively.  One time the flight attendants allowed our camera gear to fly strapped into available first class seats. 

8

Lenses / Re: 500 x $10K or 600 x$13K

« on: December 30, 2012, 03:39:24 PM »

I'm a hobbiest as well and am the owner of a 500mm version I.  I initially purchased it in a year I wouldn't be able to travel much and escape the city.  Birds were going to be my weekend nature escape.  While I enjoy photographing birds since owning the 500 I've found that I really enjoy wildlife travel to photograph all kinds of wildlife.  So, you may want to consider if you will only use it for birds or if you would use it for larger wildlife as well.  If you want to stick with birds the extra reach of the 600 may be better.  However if you want to use it for larger wildlife the 500 may be more versatile. 

The 500 is a little smaller and lighter which makes it easier and quicker in situations where you want to handhold it.  On a recent trip to Churchill to photograph polar bears, there just wasn't room for a tripod so I would handhold and brace it against the rail. 

Since I've owned the lens I've used it on several cameras with different crop factors 1.6, 1.3 and full frame.  Lately I've been using on a 5DIII with a 1.4 extender.  That size works well for the different wildlife sizes and if I were to upgrade I would stick with the 500. However, if I were stick with birds only, I would opt for the 600.

9

EOS Bodies / Re: Buying 5D Mark III from Amazon???

« on: July 11, 2012, 12:09:08 AM »

I bought the last "in stock" 5D3 $3399 Sat night.  I was curious if they would keep the discounted price so I watched it.  The discounted price stayed for a couple of days but the shipping times increased from immediate to 1-2 days to 2-3 weeks.  Perhaps once they get more in stock they will offer it for $3399 again.

My 5D3 should arrive tomorrow - can't wait