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

[pdirestajr]

A few months ago Amazon had the Samyang (Rokinon) 14mm f/2.8 UMC listed for 289.00 USD- Which is what the 8mm Fisheye is normally listed at...

The 14mm is usually listed for around 379.00. I immediately jumped on it (shipped from Amazon), and about an hour later I noticed Amazon had switched the price back. I'm assuming this was an accident on their part?

Pretty good wide angle lens for under 300!

[UncleFester]

400 f/2.8 October 2010. Paid full price - whatever that was at the time. Not the best deal but by far the best move.

[sheedoe]

Just bought a New Canon 16-35mm 2.8L II for $1100.00 

[anksagr]

Amazon's price is $1299. Can you let me know where did you get it for $1100?

Just bought a New Canon 16-35mm 2.8L II for $1100.00 

[Axilrod]

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

Wow a lot of you guys got in on that deal huh?  I thought the V1 was sick but I've heard nothing but great things about the Mark II.  I've debated selling my 85L and 135L for it, but I just can't bear to get rid of them.

[Harley]

I found an excellent condition FL 55mm from the original owner for $70 on Craigslist plus its 10 original Hoya/Lucky filters (Skylight 1A, polarizer, red, green, yellow, orange, blue, etc.).  Then I bought the Ed Mika glassless conversion kit for $135.  So for about $200 I got an EOS-ready 55mm f/1.2...!  My favorite lens.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I have software that searches Craigs list forabout 300 miles around me.  I've found some really good deals over the years, 24-70mm L for $600, 35-350mm L for $500, 28mm f/2.8 for $15, 70-200mm f/2.8 IS for $800, 35mm L for $800, 135mm L for $600, and lots more.  I am just patient, and move quickly when someone offers a deal.  The lenses were all in excellent condition and had no problems.  I also couldn't resist a Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 IF for $1100.  It was a bit rough, and cost me $700 to tune up, but had no major issues.

I played with it on my 5D MII and on a Nikon D40X as well, since it had electronic focus, it would AF on even a low end Nikon DSLR.

[willrobb]

Buying from Craigslist I got my 70-200mm f2.8L for $750. It was 3 months old, under warranty and had only been used 3 times so was in mint condition. The seller was asking $1300, I was willing to pay $1000 but went in with a low offer expecting to haggle a bit but he took it. Was sure there must be something wrong, but when I met him to inspect the lens I was blown away :-)

[markIVantony]

really wishing I hadn't read this thread.  argh.

[wickidwombat]

best deal i got was 300f4L IS for $800 on ebay! the people that bid everything up to within 5c of new price must have been asleep that day

[TexPhoto]

My best was a sigma 300mm f2.8 with 1.4x converter. I bought it in 2005 on eBay for $1200.  Used the hell out of it for sports and wildlife, then sold it January of this year. I sold the lens and converter separately and came away with $2050 after fees.  All that went to used 400mm f2.8 is I that I love, but sometimes I miss that sigma.

[Edwin Herdman]

$850 on my 135mm f/2L, which is more or less like new.  Pretty new date code.
$450 for a probably NOS (certainly great condition) TS 35mm f/2.8, box and everything (foam padding in the carry case is a mess and got all over the lens though).
$1000 for the TS-E 90mm f/2.8.  Free Hoya 58mm MRC Haze filter.

[Viggo]

The prices @BH is aprrox. half off compared to Norway, so everytime someone goes to NY I get the 50% off on new gear, pretty good deal!

Best deal I've done, is on a new 300 f2,8 L IS, it was 44000,- nok's in Norway at the time, which is $7413. And I paid nearly $600 in shipping and insurance, and still only paid $4000 for it!! I was afraid it had been a demo-model or something, but according to the date-code it was made by Canon only 1 month before I purchased it. Best deal ever for me at least.

[Flake]

My best is a 180mm macro which was described as being ex demo, but the seller had a few of them, and they couldn't all be demo models, I paid 50% of the new price, but when it arrived it was clear it had never been out of the box, everything was perfect, and complete.  Only thing is with a full set of macro kit, it doesn't get used as much as it might, the 100mm IS L is just that bit better to cart around.

[briansquibb]

My best is a 180mm macro which was described as being ex demo, but the seller had a few of them, and they couldn't all be demo models, I paid 50% of the new price, but when it arrived it was clear it had never been out of the box, everything was perfect, and complete.  Only thing is with a full set of macro kit, it doesn't get used as much as it might, the 100mm IS L is just that bit better to cart around.

I occasionally use it as a telephoto, taking it with my 5DII and 24-105 out on a walkabout. The 180 is really good as it means you dont get so close to the subject - and therefore scaring it away