What's the best deal you've ever gotten on a lens?

[cszy67]

Purchased all of my L lenses on during rebates and saved a few bucks on each of them.

Best deals ever on lenses were this past Christmas when I purchased my young daughter the T3i kit with 18-55 for $599. While purchasing the kit through B&H I was able to add the following:

• EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Lens for $24 (retail $299)
• EF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III Lens for $7 (retail $199)

So yes, I added two additional brand new lenses for a total of $31, lol. Gave her the 55-250mm for her birthday a few weeks later and will sell the 75-300mm when I get around to it. Heck, they even threw in a 16 or 32G card for free - great starter kit for an adventurous teen!

[CanNotYet]

Bought a used EOS 500N with a 28-105 USM for 50$ this fall. I thought it was the 4-5.6, which costs around 75$ used here. (I know it is supposed to be abysmal, I wanted it to try out the reach on a crop).

When I met up with the seller, it was a 3.5-4.5. Thank you!

[KyleSTL]

Couple weeks ago I found a Craigslist ad for a Canon film SLR and a couple lenses.  The guy said he bought it a long time ago and used it on a couple of trips.  I bought the two lenses alone, a 50mm f/1.8 II and a 28mm f/2.8 (UC code, 1989) for $40 each.

[wickidwombat]

300 f4L IS $800 on ebay
24-70 f2.8L $800 on gumtree

I also thought my 600 f4.5 FD in mint condition for $1400 was a pretty sweet deal

[AAPhotog]

100mm macro non L $325
50mm 1.4 $225
70-200mm F4 Non IS $400

All of these were bought used in pristine condition. Not a scratch or scuff on them.

[bycostello]

never..    i just like new in case of problems..

[IWLP]

Nikon FM2n, 28mm f/2.8 AI, 50mm f/1.8 AF, 105mm f/2.5 Non-AI converted, and 135mm f/3.5 AI for $250. With a bag.

[infared]

It is easier to tell my WORST deal...LOL... Um ..$2299 for 24-70mm f/2.8 II. Thanks Canon...oh..oh...wait wait..there was the $3499 for that 5D MarkIII...I KNOW there is more..... Should I keep going?   

[AAPhotog]

It is easier to tell my WORST deal...LOL... Um ..$2299 for 24-70mm f/2.8 II. Thanks Canon...oh..oh...wait wait..there was the $3499 for that 5D MarkIII...I KNOW there is more..... Should I keep going?   

I paid 3500 for my 5d3 as well :-(
HORRIBLE DEAL!

[bigdogmn73]

I got a Canon 135mm F2 for $535 on a auction site. It's an amazing lens!! I ended up having to sell it as I needed the money and I made another $300 on it.

[Eli]

I got a Canon 135mm F2 for $535 on a auction site. It's an amazing lens!! I ended up having to sell it as I needed the money and I made another $300 on it.

Woah $535 that's cheap!
I just bought one for $800, a month old, one year warranty and came with a hoya hd uv filter.

[rdalrt]

Sigma 85 1.4 for $410.
EF-S 15-85 for $250.
70-200 f4 IS for $700.

[EvillEmperor]

28-135 used, awesome condition: $180
50 1.4 barely used, $320
100 macro used (with hood) $380
And, my best one yet, 70-200 f2.8 IS... $1000!!! The front thread is damaged because the owner before the owner I bought from dropped it 4in off the ground and so I can't put filters on but it's still awesome!!!

[skitron]

Best new purchase was a 24-105 for $500. Collaborated to buy a 5D3 kit with someone who already had a 24-105 and got the lens for kit price minus body-only price difference.

Best used deal was a mint 200L f2.8 for $460 with a decent quality UV filter.

Funny that neither were really lenses I was planning on but were just deals that came along.

That said, I'm convinced at this point I could have been a pretty happy camper for not very much money at all with nothing more than the 24-105L, 50 Sigma and 200L f/2.8...and maybe also toss in the 1.4x TC3.

[barracuda]

35mm 1.4L refurbished for $922
300mm 2.8L IS new for $3580

Awesome lenses!