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

[Axilrod]

I got a mint 14mm f/2.8L II for $1100 earlier today    I've wanted this lens forever, I rent it here and there, but couldn't justify the purchase with a 16-35mm II in my bag already.  Saw the ad pop up on Craigslist, thought it had to be a Mark I, but sure enough it was a II.  Not a scratch on the thing, box and everything included.  Win!

Which made me wonder what kind of other random great deals people have gotten on photo equipment...

[neuroanatomist]

Sweet deal!  My personal policy is that I only buy lenses in excellent condition, and I won't pay more than 70% of current retail pricing for a used lens.   

Some good deals I've gotten in the past:

• EF 200mm f/2.8L II for $450 (62% of retail at the time)
• EF 300mm f/4L IS for $725 (60% of retail at the time)
• MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro for $500 (50% of retail at the time)

All from Craigslist.  I subsequently sold the 200/2.8 and 300/4 (after getting the 70-200 II and 100-400, respectively), and for a decent profit in both cases.  I still have the MP-E 65mm. 

[briansquibb]

400 f/2.8 IS for $5000 in mint used condition

[LuCoOc]

35mm f2.8 M42-mount for 5€

[Mendolera]

I got the 100-400L for $950 still about 200 dollars cheaper then the cheapest used Ive come across it.

Lens had never been used and even came with original purchase receipt a few months before I bought..

I got my 24-105L in 9.5 condition for $825 which was a pretty good buy though im sure I could come close to that these days be a kit lens with the Mark II.

Both off of Craigslist...

Another seller has a MP-E 65 for $725 im highly considering

[sheedoe]

Just won the auction on eBay the other day for a Brand New Canon 85mm 1.2L II for $1500. I've been hunting for a deal on this lens for a while. Can't wait to get it!

[Axilrod]

Just won the auction on eBay the other day for a Brand New Canon 85mm 1.2L II for $1500. I've been hunting for a deal on this lens for a while. Can't wait to get it!

I chased this lens around for nearly 6 months, every time one would come up I would come so close and barely miss.  It even got to the point that I "bought it now" on ebay for $1800 and woke up to an email from the guy saying he had sold it 30 minutes before I bid on it.  But when I did finally get it, it was wonderful.  Great deal, you'll love that one.

[Axilrod]

Sweet deal!  My personal policy is that I only buy lenses in excellent condition, and I won't pay more than 70% of current retail pricing for a used lens.   

Some good deals I've gotten in the past:

• EF 200mm f/2.8L II for $450 (62% of retail at the time)
• EF 300mm f/4L IS for $725 (60% of retail at the time)
• MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro for $500 (50% of retail at the time)

All from Craigslist.  I subsequently sold the 200/2.8 and 300/4 (after getting the 70-200 II and 100-400, respectively), and for a decent profit in both cases.  I still have the MP-E 65mm.

I agree, I've purchased almost every lens I have through Craigslist.  In the last year I've gotten:
2 different EF 24-70 f/2.8 - One was $1050, the other was $1000
16-35mm f/2.8L II - $1250 w/$100 B+W filter
35mm f/1.4L- $1100
50mm f/1.2L- $1100
85mm f/1.2L - $1800 (not the best deal, but not retail)
70-200 f/2.8 IS (v1) - $1450

All of them were in great shape, didn't have any problems with the sellers, etc.  CL is great for higher end stuff, camera stuff is so specific you would be able to tell pretty quickly if the person didn't know what they were talking about.

[JR]

I would have to say the 70-200mm f2.8L IS II recently bought new for $1974, which is $400 of retail price.

[neuroanatomist]

I guess one problem with 'good deals' is when you buy.  Consider the 85L:



4 years ago and during a rebate period, before the annual increases and the 'tsunami-tax' and before Canon's 'minimum advertised price' policy for rebates, it was going for under $1700 on average (and likely, better deals were available).

Some time back, CPW posted an article highlighting the fact that an 'investment' in lenses would have outperformed stock indices.

[DanoPhoto]

I got a 180L Macro for $910 a few weeks ago.  Was in great shape and am VERY happy with that one.

[Dylan777]

For me, it was a Canon 50mm f1.4, plus Canon hood, for $280 on CL. The lens was less than 1year old at that time - NEW condition.

Sale includes:
1. Original receipt from B&H - still under Canon warrenty at that time
2. Filter
3. Box and everything else

[K-amps]

I got a 180L Macro for $910 a few weeks ago.  Was in great shape and am VERY happy with that one.

Same:

Exc cond used 180mmL $899
70-200f2.8mk.II $1974 New
24-105f4L $899  New (kit version though)  Got it 3-4 months back before the current great sale prices

[Dylan777]

I got a 180L Macro for $910 a few weeks ago.  Was in great shape and am VERY happy with that one.

Same:

Exc cond used 180mmL $899
70-200f2.8mk.II $1974 New
24-105f4L $899  New (kit version though)  Got it 3-4 months back before the current great sale prices

Same here on 70-200mm f2.8 IS II for $1974 (NEW) from B&H

[DanoPhoto]

I got a 180L Macro for $910 a few weeks ago.  Was in great shape and am VERY happy with that one.

Same:

Exc cond used 180mmL $899
70-200f2.8mk.II $1974 New
24-105f4L $899  New (kit version though)  Got it 3-4 months back before the current great sale prices

Same here on 70-200mm f2.8 IS II for $1974 (NEW) from B&H

I also was ablt to get the 70-200 Mk2 at Adorama for $1974...sold Mk1 thru CL for $1200, so upgrade only cost me $774...