• UPDATE



    The forum will be moving to a new domain in the near future (canonrumorsforum.com). I have turned off "read-only", but I will only leave the two forum nodes you see active for the time being.

    I don't know at this time how quickly the change will happen, but that will move at a good pace I am sure.

    ------------------------------------------------------------

I've started shopping for Great whites... and I mean great... someone stop me.

AcutancePhotography said:
NancyP said:
check out the EF 1200mm thread. Ebay has it at ~$70,000.00 now.

Yikes! I would have a hard time spending that much on a car!!! :o

$70K on a piece of glass. No problem getting that approved by the Central Committee. Not hard at all. :'(

This is idiotic nonsense, like the prices you see for art, or - postage stamps. Gee... http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27890106

In the end it's a question of demand vs availability. Do we really need a 1200 mm lens nowadays? I'd say no.
 
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mrsfotografie said:
AcutancePhotography said:
NancyP said:
check out the EF 1200mm thread. Ebay has it at ~$70,000.00 now.

Yikes! I would have a hard time spending that much on a car!!! :o

$70K on a piece of glass. No problem getting that approved by the Central Committee. Not hard at all. :'(

This is idiotic nonsense, like the prices you see for art, or - postage stamps. Gee... http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27890106

In the end it's a question of demand vs availability. Do we really need a 1200 mm lens nowadays? I'd say no.

I guess it really depends on how hot your neighbor is and how far her window is from yours.
 
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jdramirez said:
mrsfotografie said:
AcutancePhotography said:
NancyP said:
check out the EF 1200mm thread. Ebay has it at ~$70,000.00 now.

Yikes! I would have a hard time spending that much on a car!!! :o

$70K on a piece of glass. No problem getting that approved by the Central Committee. Not hard at all. :'(

This is idiotic nonsense, like the prices you see for art, or - postage stamps. Gee... http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27890106

In the end it's a question of demand vs availability. Do we really need a 1200 mm lens nowadays? I'd say no.

I guess it really depends on how hot your neighbor is and how far her window is from yours.

;D ;D ;D
 
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I've been using Great Whites for years, but I've NEVER considered buying one. As a Pro using a piece of gear three (3) time a week means you should probably own it. If less, just rent as needed. As some-one just using a 400mm f/2.8 once or twice a year, renting is a no-brainer.

A hobbyist needs to follow a similar idea. Will you shoot BIF (or surfing, etc) every (or most) weekend(s)? Or will you just use it once or twice a year, while on a trip?

On one of the fora, about ten years ago, there was a guy who claimed to own every Great White except a 1200mm. He also claimed to have never opened a box (that would destroy their value). So are you a photographer or a gear collector (who seldom uses his gear).

BTW big lenses need big support, so you will need a gimbal head or a SharpShooter rifle stock http://www.sharpshooterindustries.com/ssHome.html Or maybe both :)
 
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c.d.embrey said:
I've been using Great Whites for years, but I've NEVER considered buying one. As a Pro using a piece of gear three (3) time a week means you should probably own it. If less, just rent as needed. As some-one just using a 400mm f/2.8 once or twice a year, renting is a no-brainer.

A hobbyist needs to follow a similar idea. Will you shoot BIF (or surfing, etc) every (or most) weekend(s)? Or will you just use it once or twice a year, while on a trip?

On one of the fora, about ten years ago, there was a guy who claimed to own every Great White except a 1200mm. He also claimed to have never opened a box (that would destroy their value). So are you a photographer or a gear collector (who seldom uses his gear).

BTW big lenses need big support, so you will need a gimbal head or a SharpShooter rifle stock http://www.sharpshooterindustries.com/ssHome.html Or maybe both :)

C.D...Good points in general but in these times, with interest rates near zero, there's very little investment opportunity cost, which lessens your point. If I have $10k laying around earning .10%, why not buy a used mint 400 2.8ii for $10k, use it for two or three years, and then sell it for at least $9.5k. (as long as I've taken care of it)

If you buy a gently used great white, take care of it, and sell it in 10 years, you will have lost only a little money. renting a 400mm 2.8 a few times a year for 10 years would probably cost you at least $6-7k over the years, AND you don't get the enjoyment of owning the lens!

just trying to point out a different perspective. ;D

take care, north
 
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IMO, in general, rental fees are money wasted. There are exceptions, like kids' skiing gear that they grow out of each year. Yes, if you'll use a supertele once or twice a year, rental makes sense. But with use that's more frequent, buying is more cost-effective.
 
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neuroanatomist said:
IMO, in general, rental fees are money wasted. There are exceptions, like kids' skiing gear that they grow out of each year. Yes, if you'll use a supertele once or twice a year, rental makes sense. But with use that's more frequent, buying is more cost-effective.

+1

in hindsight, of course it also makes sense to rent if you don't have $10k laying around.
 
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Northstar said:
C.D...Good points in general but in these times, with interest rates near zero, there's very little investment opportunity cost, which lessens your point. If I have $10k laying around earning .10%, why not buy a used mint 400 2.8ii for $10k, use it for two or three years, and then sell it for at least $9.5k. (as long as I've taken care of it)

If you buy a gently used great white, take care of it, and sell it in 10 years, you will have lost only a little money. renting a 400mm 2.8 a few times a year for 10 years would probably cost you at least $6-7k over the years, AND you don't get the enjoyment of owning the lens!

just trying to point out a different perspective. ;D

take care, north

I'm on board with buying over renting. Generally I either find really good deals on new gear... or I buy like new used gear at a discount. So when I eventually grow bored with the gear, I sell it and don't lose much money... but more often than not, I make money.

Though I do entirely agree with trying out a lens in store to see if it is awkward.
 
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neuroanatomist said:
IMO, in general, rental fees are money wasted. There are exceptions, like kids' skiing gear that they grow out of each year. Yes, if you'll use a supertele once or twice a year, rental makes sense. But with use that's more frequent, buying is more cost-effective.
My best purchase EVER in lieu of renting, despite having ZERO resale value, are my bowling shoes. They were worth twice the price even at half the performance.
 
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The gas will pass, eventually. Though sometimes it is better to just surrender and succumb to your desires. It can be a great relief, if it doesnt leave you in dire financial straits. Or as some have suggested, compromise with other less expensive lenses. Is it too late for this advice? Use your will (or wont power), but dont strain yourself. ???
 
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ME said:
The gas will pass, eventually. Though sometimes it is better to just surrender and succumb to your desires. It can be a great relief, if it doesnt leave you in dire financial straits. Or as some have suggested, compromise with other less expensive lenses. Is it too late for this advice? Use your will (or wont power), but dont strain yourself. ???

There's a whole snafu with my second 600ex-rt... So I have to deal with that shortly before I consider any other lenses. Actually, I went the other way and bought a 17-40 for shits and gigs... and then sold it less than a week later. So that cured the gas a little.
 
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I have a Great White (500/4 L version I) and love it (usually on a tripod with gimbal which added significantly to the cost), but my other Great White (400/5.6) continues to get a workout -- it is far more fun as a BIF lens than the 500 monster.

Don't forget the used market. Yes, the 500/4 v. II is a great lens and lighter, but the v. I is considerably cheaper!

Ian
 
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You know you want one - just do it!
The only question is which one. To me there are only two choices, either the 800mm or 600mm, I suppose you could include the 500mm for mobility.
Many people go on about lenses being too long - this is the opposite of my experience, in fact on only 2 occasions has my 800mm proved too long normally it's too short!
 
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