I have found someone selling a 70-210 f/4 for a pretty darn low price, the only problem is that he says that there is a scratch on the glass from a bang against something near the outside that doesn't effect the image.
I don't know... I kinda miss my old 70-210 f/4-5.6 and not sure if a marred from element should be a deal breaker.
Usually scratches on the front element bother nothing except the occasional flare you might pickup similar to a pyramid effct on the light. Depends on the angle to the sun.
However, It won't degrade the image in most cases. I have heard of a) using a black thin Sanford Marker to fill the scratch and the excess removed with Windex or alcohol. b) And I know one tech used a single hair brush and fills the line with acrylic and he "supposed to be so good" you can't see it.
Quote "I'll believe that one when I don't see it" I had a star done once in my windshield, dead center in my field of view, that way, and I could see it.. The wipers skipped over it and drove me nuts. A ball pein hammer fixed that one permanently.
This is a purchase from Cali and I am in Pittsburgh..but the lens is under $75, which is a really good price if it is true about the not affecting the image quality.