Canon EF 300 f/2.8L IS ll for $5400 - Authorized Dealer

[brad-man]

http://www.canonpricewatch.com/ has a "group buy deal" going on for some pretty sweet lenses. The one that caught my eye is the aforementioned lens, though there are others. That's over $1300 off. Nice!

[expatinasia]

That really is a terrific deal on the 300!

You do get some very sweet deals in the US on electronics.

[JPAZ]

So, I was sitting watching some birds building a nest last night in our Boojum tree and thinking about getting out the 100-400 to try to get a decent shot in the backlit dusk and simultaneously goofing around online.  I log into canonpricewatch.com and see this ridiculous price for a 300 f/2.8 ii.  You know the lens I rented last fall and fell in love with and put myself on a watch list for a good refurb price and have since wondered about? 

And then the "GAS" attack hit me.  How could I avoid that price for a new one with a Canon Warranty?  About 5 minutes later I received my email confirmation even though the sun had passed its useful moment and the nest was now in the dark, but I didn't mind.  I guess I will need to figure out what to use to pay for it, but I will manage.

Guess I'll be looking at a 2xTC soon.  Anyone want to buy my 100-400? 

[expatinasia]

So, I was sitting watching some birds building a nest last night in our Boojum tree and thinking about getting out the 100-400 to try to get a decent shot in the backlit dusk and simultaneously goofing around online.  I log into canonpricewatch.com and see this ridiculous price for a 300 f/2.8 ii.  You know the lens I rented last fall and fell in love with and put myself on a watch list for a good refurb price and have since wondered about? 

And then the "GAS" attack hit me.  How could I avoid that price for a new one with a Canon Warranty?  About 5 minutes later I received my email confirmation even though the sun had passed its useful moment and the nest was now in the dark, but I didn't mind.  I guess I will need to figure out what to use to pay for it, but I will manage.

Guess I'll be looking at a 2xTC soon.  Anyone want to buy my 100-400?

Congratulations JPAZ, what a great deal you just got!

The 300 is an amazing lens and you are going to love it.

Terrific deal!

[JPAZ]

The birds are a couple or Verdins, by the way and now I wish I had the lens with me!

[Dylan777]

So, I was sitting watching some birds building a nest last night in our Boojum tree and thinking about getting out the 100-400 to try to get a decent shot in the backlit dusk and simultaneously goofing around online.  I log into canonpricewatch.com and see this ridiculous price for a 300 f/2.8 ii.  You know the lens I rented last fall and fell in love with and put myself on a watch list for a good refurb price and have since wondered about? 

And then the "GAS" attack hit me.  How could I avoid that price for a new one with a Canon Warranty?  About 5 minutes later I received my email confirmation even though the sun had passed its useful moment and the nest was now in the dark, but I didn't mind.  I guess I will need to figure out what to use to pay for it, but I will manage.

Guess I'll be looking at a 2xTC soon.  Anyone want to buy my 100-400?

LOL...

Congrats JPAZ - don't forget to share some pics

[Sanaraken]

So, I was sitting watching some birds building a nest last night in our Boojum tree and thinking about getting out the 100-400 to try to get a decent shot in the backlit dusk and simultaneously goofing around online.  I log into canonpricewatch.com and see this ridiculous price for a 300 f/2.8 ii.  You know the lens I rented last fall and fell in love with and put myself on a watch list for a good refurb price and have since wondered about? 

And then the "GAS" attack hit me.  How could I avoid that price for a new one with a Canon Warranty?  About 5 minutes later I received my email confirmation even though the sun had passed its useful moment and the nest was now in the dark, but I didn't mind.  I guess I will need to figure out what to use to pay for it, but I will manage.

Guess I'll be looking at a 2xTC soon.  Anyone want to buy my 100-400?

Congrats hope you enjoy your new lens. I was thinking of getting it for that price, but I dont feel like sleeping on the garage. So I decided not to

[jdramirez]

I was mulling over long gear today... and this was a maybe and then a maybe not.  I'm so lost as to what to do with my gear money...it is a quandary.

[JPAZ]

Just got the lens last night!   Played with it in existing light in my kitchen and, wow, it is everything I remember from when I rented one.

Now,  I had to order a drop in CPL for it, and I am looking for a good deal on a 2x iii. And, I'll need an Arca compatible plate. That being said, I'll be tapped out for a while!  Guess I need to reenter the GAS program  .

Hope to find an excuse to shoot outdoors this weekend. 

[mackguyver]

Just got the lens last night!   Played with it in existing light in my kitchen and, wow, it is everything I remember from when I rented one.

Now,  I had to order a drop in CPL for it, and I am looking for a good deal on a 2x iii. And, I'll need an Arca compatible plate. That being said, I'll be tapped out for a while!  Guess I need to reenter the GAS program  .

Hope to find an excuse to shoot outdoors this weekend.

Congrats!  It's a beauty isn't it?  The drop-in CPL is awesome and the 2x III should be considered mandatory .  It's very hand-holdable even at 600mm (really), so unless you have a gimbal or will be shooting sports or something on a monopod, the A/S plate can be moved down in priority.  And, unless it's raining (as it will be here) it shouldn't be hard to find an excuse to shoot outdoors this weekend.  Enjoy the new toy

[JPAZ]

Thanks.

BTW, when I rented one last fall I added an Arca compatible plate.  Any thoughts on this versus replaceing the whole foot?

[mackguyver]

Thanks.

BTW, when I rented one last fall I added an Arca compatible plate.  Any thoughts on this versus replaceing the whole foot?

I have the RRS foot and it's smaller and a bit lighter, but not quite as comfortable as the Canon foot.  For me I like having the foot because it's longer than most plates and I can move the lens back & forth to get the perfect balance.  That's more important for a gimbal but still nice with a monopod/tripod.

[JPAZ]

Crazy day but got to try the new toy.  Put my Ebay LP-100 plate on the foot for now.  I've ordered a drop in screw CPL and got a pretty good deal on a 2x iii (wish I'd thought of that before April 1!).

Here's a few "fooling around" shots, all hand held.  Did not do any AFM as of yet..

First is existing light f/ 7.1; 1/50; iso 12800

Second is f/2.8; 1/50; iso 10,000

[JPAZ]

Then I put on my 1.4x iii and went outside.  Again, all hand held at 420 mm.

First is f/4; 1/1000; iso-200 and second is f/ 4.5; 1/1000, iso 125 (sorry but I don't have a cat to submit, just a dog  ).

So, I am thinking I made the right purchase, especially since the price is now almost $2000 more than what I paid!  In retrospect, should have purchased 3 of these and sold 2 for a profit!  Maybe next time.....