I'm a bit out of the loop on EF lens prices & rebates with COVID, need help

Aug 22, 2013
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Hey getting back into photography after a long pause

need to build up my gear kit to replace some of the lenses that were less critical but that I liked that I had to sell off

I know a lot of EF now are discontinued or in short supply, but I am wondering can anyone help with what are good prices these days (incl rebate) to pay for the below lenses? Also any of these looking to be d/c anytime soon? Hard to know whats a good price being out of the loop with covid shortages, RF stuff, and seasonal rebates.

EF 16-35mm f/4L IS
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III (not sure if I am gonna get this one or the f/4)
EF 35mm f/2 IS
EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS

Thanks!
 
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Aug 22, 2013
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60
few if any discounts right now. Go to Greentoe and make a offer to see if anyone will sell for your price. It will be a authorized dealer, not a fly by night place.
I know its a bad time of year for prices, combined with covid. yeah i'm prob gonna pay full price lol. Thanks for the tip tho, I forgot about that site.
 
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Aug 22, 2013
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So here is what I decided on for my re-invigorated kit.

The three lenses I kept after the great sell off of 2017 were:
1. EF 24-74mm f/2.8L II - for flexibility
2. EF 50mm F/1.2L - for street photography and portraits [my favorite lens]
3. EF 70-200mm F/2.8 IS II - for portrait and sports

I will now add back the following lenses I used to own and liked that I had previously sold off:
4. EF 16-35mm f/4L IS (on the way) - for landscape
5. EF 35mm f/2 IS (back ordered) - for low-key street photography and traffic photos
6. EF 85mm f/1.2L II (in my possession) - for portraits
7. EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS (haven't ordered yet, maybe in a little bit - lowest priority) - for travel

bodies:
1. Canon 6D with Eg-S focusing screen (in possession, the one I kept)
2. Canon 5DSr (on backorder with B&H, we will see if I get it)
3. Canon 5DIV (when it goes on super sale during the winter presumably)

Nice to get back in the game!
 
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Maximilian

The dark side - I've been there
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Nov 7, 2013
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So here is what I decided on for my re-invigorated kit.

The three lenses I kept after the great sell off of 2017 were:
1. EF 24-7470mm f/2.8L II - for flexibility (fixed that for you ;) )
2. EF 50mm F/1.2L - for street photography and portraits [my favorite lens]
3. EF 70-200mm F/2.8 IS II - for portrait and sports

I will now add back the following lenses I used to own and liked that I had previously sold off:
4. EF 16-35mm f/4L IS (on the way) - for landscape
5. EF 35mm f/2 IS (back ordered) - for low-key street photography and traffic photos
6. EF 85mm f/1.2L II (in my possession) - for portraits
7. EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS (haven't ordered yet, maybe in a little bit - lowest priority) - for travel

bodies:
1. Canon 6D with Eg-S focusing screen (in possession, the one I kept)
2. Canon 5DSr (on backorder with B&H, we will see if I get it)
3. Canon 5DIV (when it goes on super sale during the winter presumably)

Nice to get back in the game!
Sounds like a really nice setup.

Depending on what you shoot I have one remark on the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS:
TBH I would take a closer look at the 100-400L II:
  • not so much bigger - OTOH I checked the data: 130% size, 160% weight
  • 100 mm more reach (if needed, e.g. wildlife)
  • the 70-300mm is too much overlap to the 70-200
    Ony some weight and size advantage
If I think twice, your choice might be right. ;)
 
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Aug 22, 2013
932
60
Sounds like a really nice setup.

Depending on what you shoot I have one remark on the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS:
TBH I would take a closer look at the 100-400L II:
  • not so much bigger - OTOH I checked the data: 130% size, 160% weight
  • 100 mm more reach (if needed, e.g. wildlife)
  • the 70-300mm is too much overlap to the 70-200
    Ony some weight and size advantage
If I think twice, your choice might be right. ;)
Yeh the thing is I don't really do birds, and the extra size and weight is kinda a big deal. (really only reason i want the 70-300 is something a little easier to carry than the 70-200 f/2.8). I owned it once before, and it was a nice savings in size/weight from the 70-200. Not game changing like the 70-300 DO, but enough that it was just a bit less cumbersome. TBH I would probably miss 70mm more than I'd miss 400mm.

If I was going to carry something the size of the 100-400L II, I would carry the 70-200 f/2.8L IS II based on what i normally shoot

Also apparently the 70-300L is out of production so I better get to ordering it!
 
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