Actually a deal that i got more recently was a Pentax Super-Multi-Coated Macro-Takumar 100/4 1:2. Mint condition, £50. I can't even find any other listings for the same lens, but the bellows version goes for double what i paid comfortably.
Canon 300 f/2.8 for $750 at an estate sale. The owner bought it just before he passed away and it wasnt left to anyone. It went to auction and I was the only bidder.
I still think the best deal i ever had was a couple of weeks ago. I picked up two new 1TB drives, 2 8GB sandisk CF's and a Canon Ixus 100 IS in black. It cost me the grand total of £0 which i thought was ok! ;-)
It will however cost me about £425 when i decide to pay the credit card bill though! lol
A sub-$400 28-70L off eBay that was advertised as "bargain" condition because of two or three tiny marks on the front element and some paint loss around the barrel from being pulled in and out of a bag. A workhorse and an absolute pleasure to use. That risk was certainly rewarding.
But my sweetest deal was for the 135L, though I didn't pay that much less than the going used rate. But as consistently brilliant and sharp as that lens is, its priceless to me.
In December 2007 I bought the 5D/24-105/Pro9000 printer combo from Adorama, came out to roughly $3350 shipped. Got the $500 rebate, sold the printer for $300. That brought me down to $2550 for the 5D/24-105 which was about $300-350 less than it was selling anywhere at the time.
This past December, I was wandering a closing Circuit City. I made a few passes through the camera section and just as I was leaving I noticed the red and white box of a Canon lens. 35L for $909.99. Had them open the case so I could check it out, it was clearly never even touched. Immaculate except that the hood was missing. I hesitated, then realized that even if I got buyer's remorse, I could sell it for more than I paid. 5 months later, I don't think I'll ever be able to part with it.
Found an old Nikon rangefinder (1960's era s2) in original box, with tags, paperwork, registration form, etc. It was like new, and I wanted to keep it..... But, I paid $40, sold it on e-bay for $2650.
Also found a Leica CL with 40/2 and 90/4 lenses for $80, sold them for $700 or so.
A three month old EF600 f/4L IS used twice, a Gitzo GM 5440 6x Carbon Monopod, Fourth Generation CP61a replacement foot, Kinesis L621 Case and LensCoat hoodie and FedEx ground shipping - $6k
Just got a MarkIII for 3k with 3k clicks on it.Made nov 2008 so one of the newer ones.I felt it was a good deal the camera looks like it was never used at all.
Well a year or two ago, I forget now. BHPhoto had a special promo code plus the canon rebates were going on before the price hikes.
I got a 24-70mm L for $950 new and a 17-200mm L for $1450 new. Not quite as amazing as the Buy a Lens get a 580EX free deal but still pretty darn good.
I recently got a Profoto Acute 2 1200 kit w. tenba case and 2 PWs for 2100. I think that's a decent deal, but I'm a newbie to lighting so who knows .
Luck and amazing timing...WOW!!:
- Canon 300 f/2.8 for $750 at an estate sale.
- Found an old Nikon rangefinder (1960's era s2) ... I paid $40, sold it on e-bay for $2650.
- Also found a Leica CL with 40/2 and 90/4 lenses for $80, sold them for $700 or so.
- 200/2.8L $370 (what??)
- 5D for 800
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