I just bought one here that was the guys back up lens. Never used, sat on the shelf since he took it out of the box. I paid $1075.00 So yes, $950 is probably the lowest price I have seen to date on one without it being full of dust or scratched lens.
The Lens Price Database, Lens$db, tracks many Canon lenses, including this one. The December 2009 version of Lens$db is posted at http://tinyurl.com/jcolwell-lensdb.
The current average prices on eBay (updated to last week) for a 24-70L in E to E+ condition is about $840 US, and $1105 for one in near mint condition. These prices don't include shipping, tax and other expenses that might come up.
Just bought a great one here a month ago. Very happy with the purchase, great seller.
Unfortunately it was back-focusing different amounts at both ends wide/tele.
Canon service charged $155 to service and calibrate this lens, plus $20 shipping. I should have it back in a couple days.
With everything spent, I now wish I had just bought a new one with warranty. Then you can send it for calibration free, even if it takes more than one trip. You can also send it right before the year is up on the warranty. $1269 sounds like a great deal for a new one.
Zoom lenses often back/front focus differently at different focal lengths. That's normal. It was one of the criticisms of the Canon MA system, ie it would've been nice to set adjustments for different focal lengths of the same zoom lens. Instead you just have to pick a FL and adjust that one, presumably the one you use most.
What ISN'T normal, is to have it back/front focus so severely it can't be corrected with MA.
I think I will probably inspect the lens, or maybe ask the seller if I can get it inspected at our local camara store, which I wouldn't mind paying the fee for inspection, if it saves me a headache of wasting another $200...or i'm sure there's a thread in here somewhere on inspecting lenses.
Misterbill's comment is one reason why I would consider getting a new one, as I know its brand new and under warranty.
misterbill7718 wrote:
Just bought a great one here a month ago. Very happy with the purchase, great seller.
Unfortunately it was back-focusing different amounts at both ends wide/tele.
Canon service charged $155 to service and calibrate this lens, plus $20 shipping. I should have it back in a couple days.
With everything spent, I now wish I had just bought a new one with warranty. Then you can send it for calibration free, even if it takes more than one trip. You can also send it right before the year is up on the warranty. $1269 sounds like a great deal for a new one.
that was 2 years ago I spent that.
I would caution against sending something in just before the warranty is up, just because. You don't know if it'll come back as sexy as it left.
Also, if it takes mroe than one trip to Canon, and it goes in for the same issue I think they warranty their work for 90 days or 120 days. Something like that.