p.1 #1 · Should I buy lens with issue for lower price?
I'm considering buying a Canon 70-200mm f4 (non-IS) that someone is selling. They say that the manual focus slips/doesn't work correctly, but that auto-focus works just fine. They're trying to sell it for $300. I offered $150 for the following reasons:
1) I could potentially need the manual focus capabilities, even though I'm quite sure that > 95% of the time I'll rely on auto-focus. For that reason, I'm not getting the full use of the lens and feel justified paying a substantially lower price.
2) I'm concerned that the problem may get worse, perhaps to the point that auto-focus doesn't work correctly. From what I've researched about sending that lens in for similar repairs, it could potentially be quite expensive to fix. Does anyone know about the internals of that lens? (What could potentially be wrong, and its potential to further affect performance)
I felt fine making the offer at first. I thought it was a great bargain considering I could get about 95% usage of a lens for 30% of the price. But, now I'm second guessing that call. Does anyone have any thoughts or similar experiences?
p.1 #2 · Should I buy lens with issue for lower price?
The lens sells for $700 new. $150 might be a bit steep of a asking price. $300 is a good price as it is. That's $200 off what it normally sells for used. But hey, no harm in asking, and if it turns out good, then you got an even better deal.
p.1 #4 · Should I buy lens with issue for lower price?
I wouldn't buy it unless I could test it and was confident in the AF. (Actually I likely wouldn't buy it knowing it was bad to start with unless I knew I could pay the repair costs and that it was still a good deal.)
p.1 #5 · Should I buy lens with issue for lower price?
My biggest concern is that it could be a cascading problem. I think $300 is pretty fair if it really is only a problem with manual focusing. But if it gets worse, then I'm out either $150 completely or $150 plus $XXX for repairs, $XX for shipping, and then the hassle.
p.1 #9 · Should I buy lens with issue for lower price?
chez wrote:
I don't know the design of lens, but how can it slip in manual focus and not in AF?
I could be completely off base on this but I believe there is a mechanical linkage between the manual focusing ring and the actual focusing hardware within the lens that is only engaged when the manual focusing ring is turned. The reason I believe this is because the manual focusing ring doesn't move every time you use AF on lenses that use USM AF motors (because it would take forever to actual the AF mechanism AND rotate the ring).
Reading your question again, perhaps you were asking "If you can't use the manual focusing ring in manual focus only mode, then why would the manual focusing ring work in AF mode?" - I don't know the answer to that.
p.1 #12 · Should I buy lens with issue for lower price?
Pass. I've had this issue with a 70-200 (the f/4 is version). The auto focus worked, but also slipped - meaning it took longer for autofocus to go from min to max and to lock. The condition was worsened by pointing the lens up or down.
p.1 #13 · Should I buy lens with issue for lower price?
jasonpatrick wrote:
Pass. I've had this issue with a 70-200 (the f/4 is version). The auto focus worked, but also slipped - meaning it took longer for autofocus to go from min to max and to lock. The condition was worsened by pointing the lens up or down.
+1. I had exactely the same issue with the f/4 IS version. Repairing cost quotation by Canon Germany was around 250 Euro plus shipping.
p.1 #14 · Should I buy lens with issue for lower price?
I purchased a 50 1.4 with issues and then sent it to Canon for a repair. I turned it around and sold it for a profit. You have t0 figure, without CPS the repair could be up to $200 - if that is less than the average used price, then I would say go for it.
it makes it a no brainer if you are a CPS member....
p.1 #15 · Should I buy lens with issue for lower price?
Hmmm... I think I'm going to avoid this one. I don't really need the headache, and from what I gather it may very well turn out to be one. I don't NEED this lens, and, as it was pointed out, a working copy isn't that expensive, anyway.
