Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM

[jeffdo]

So... is $1,087.32 for this lens from the Canon refurb store as good a deal as it feels like?  It's slightly lower even than some completed Ebay listings for used copies.  Oh well, I already ordered.  I was almost totally prepared to spring for the new price anyway, so any savings are good savings.  You can all feel responsible for your great shots convincing me to get yet another lens...

It's pretty hard to beat that price.  They rarely get that low used (around $1200 is more typical), and this way you get some kind of warranty.  Beyond that, there aren't many on the used market.  I don't think it has been a volume seller and most of us that have one hang on to them!

I looked at this too, I was a little leery because the 70-300L is one of the few that doesn't reference a 90 day warranty like a number of other lenses do. Saving 300 bucks is pretty nice though.

[boateggs]

I am not sure what you are moving on from. If you are like me, this is night and day compared to the 55-250mm (expected). I avoided telling my better half how much it was, she finally used it and was blow away. She assumed it was over a thousand (double what she would ever spend) and was alright with that after using it and finding the range to be awesome and the AF fast and accurate. I am also stoked that a 100% crop is now useable.

If you are worried about the lack of mentioning the warranty, you have 2 weeks to return after delivery and I am pretty sure that all refurbs have a 90 day warranty. If you are coming from a non-red ring (like me) you will be happy.

[phixional ninja]

I looked at this too, I was a little leery because the 70-300L is one of the few that doesn't reference a 90 day warranty like a number of other lenses do. Saving 300 bucks is pretty nice though.

Heh... I might have gotten overly excited, I didn't even notice that.  This seems to indicate that the 90 day warranty is a blanket policy for all refurbished products though, so I think it's covered.

I am not sure what you are moving on from. If you are like me, this is night and day compared to the 55-250mm (expected). I avoided telling my better half how much it was, she finally used it and was blow away. She assumed it was over a thousand (double what she would ever spend) and was alright with that after using it and finding the range to be awesome and the AF fast and accurate. I am also stoked that a 100% crop is now useable.

If you are worried about the lack of mentioning the warranty, you have 2 weeks to return after delivery and I am pretty sure that all refurbs have a 90 day warranty. If you are coming from a non-red ring (like me) you will be happy.

Well, I'm coming from the 70-200 f4L non-IS, so my transition won't be quite as mind blowing as yours.  I'm anticipating greatly enjoying the extra 100mm and IS though, I'm not worried about regretting the purchase unless it's a bad copy (and the hassle that will entail).

[phixional ninja]

It arrived!  It was super windy here today, and I didn't have much time to wander about, but I'm pretty happy with this from my first hour with the lens:


Canon 5DmkIII  |  Canon 70-300L  |  1/100s  |  f/9.0  |  ISO200  |  300mm

My refurb unit appears to be basically pristine.  No cosmetic or apparent image quality flaws, just the tiniest wiggle in the focusing ring (and only forward and back, no play in terms of turning it).  I'm absolutely loving the IS.  I know the focusing speed should be comparable to my 70-200 f4L or the 135mm f2L, but I'm not used to that smooth, non-jittery image in the view finder, which makes the whole experience feel more immediate.  I can't wait to get out with it more.