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Archive 2014 · Buy an original EF 400mm 2.8... in 2014?

  
 
luminaire
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Buy an original EF 400mm 2.8... in 2014?


Hi, opinions solicited!

A UK photographic specialist that I trust is offering a 400mm 2.8L for equivalent of ~ $4000. I haven't received the lens code yet, but it's going to be between 18 and 23 years old.

It is fairly dusty inside too, so another couple of hundred dollars for cleaning. No fungus.

But on the up side, there's no IS to malfunction; I don't really need that anyway.

Plan would be combine with a 2x Extender II to replace a 750mm f/5 reflector telescope, so an improvement in IQ will be likely plus it will give me autofocusing.

Considering that Canon won't touch it for servicing, would I still be mad to consider it? My budget won't stretch to any of the recent IS supertelephotos.

Thanks!




Feb 18, 2014 at 02:52 PM
jcolwell
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Buy an original EF 400mm 2.8... in 2014?


Hi luminaire,

Welcome to FM.

That's kind of expensive by North American standards, with the average eBay sale at about $3000 for [E] condition. KEH had one last month in [E] condition for $3520. Of course, when you add international shipping and VAT, it's generally not a bargain for you to buy from North America.

I haven't owned a 400/2.8L, but all of the research I've read says that the 400/2.8L Mk II (still non-IS) was a lot better optically. Can you go shooting with the owner, to see if it lives up to your expectations for image quality (IQ) ?

Also, you should ask around to see if there's an independent camera repair shop that would work on it (if needed), and to hear what they might have to say about it.



Feb 18, 2014 at 03:12 PM
Andrew J
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Buy an original EF 400mm 2.8... in 2014?


VII has fluorite, VI does not. I had VI and liked it but thought it had fluorite and was disappointed it did not. Fringing on sky shots was pretty bad.


Feb 18, 2014 at 10:16 PM
onesickpuppy
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Buy an original EF 400mm 2.8... in 2014?


Well...that is the version I shoot with....and can't say enough about it.

Handles extenders rather well....and sharp with both. When I had the version II TC's, you could double stack them, as long as you placed the 1.4 on the body, then the 2x in between. Only wanted to double stack on great light days....


See for your self....



© onesickpuppy 2014

Soaring in the light





© onesickpuppy 2014

Full speed ahead





© onesickpuppy 2014

Banking turn





© onesickpuppy 2014

Low light at end of day





© onesickpuppy 2014

Up and away




Feb 19, 2014 at 01:21 AM
Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Buy an original EF 400mm 2.8... in 2014?


luminaire wrote:
Hi, opinions solicited!

A UK photographic specialist that I trust is offering a 400mm 2.8L for equivalent of ~ $4000. I haven't received the lens code yet, but it's going to be between 18 and 23 years old.

It is fairly dusty inside too, so another couple of hundred dollars for cleaning. No fungus.


Considering that Canon won't touch it for servicing, would I still be mad to consider it? My budget won't stretch to any of the recent IS supertelephotos.

Thanks!



Well I think £2400 (ish) is a tad expensive for a mk1 even over here in the UK. ive seen them go for a fair bit less .
Mk2's command about that price whe they come up . and even mk1 IS lenses sometimes get close to £3k (sometimes )



Feb 19, 2014 at 02:34 AM
Pixel Perfect
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Buy an original EF 400mm 2.8... in 2014?


Doesn't sound like a good deal at all. Maybe I'd pay $3K for a mint lens, but only $2.5K for this one. But at 6kg I would need to have a damn good reasoning for wanting it. VII is much better optically and would be the only one I'd lok at if I couldn't afford the mk I IS version.


Feb 19, 2014 at 05:52 AM
luminaire
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Buy an original EF 400mm 2.8... in 2014?


Thanks for the feedback! At this point I'm veering towards 'no' ( particularly if I can hang on for a Mk II non-IS ) but onesickpuppy's photos are quite persuasive!

I'll contact the seller and see if I can shoot on approval for a week or so. Probably worth dropping Fixation a line too about repairs.

I'll let you know in a couple of weeks what I decide!




Feb 19, 2014 at 08:26 AM





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