I'm tempted. Very tempted.

Carrigman

SSIA matures on Tuesday!

Wahoo!

I'm very tempted to splurge some of the dosh on this beauty:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/forgotten-400.shtm

Anyone here got one? Was looking at the Canon 100-400 but I already have a 70-200 Sigma and the optical quality of the Canon prime is (not unexpectedly) superior to the zoom.

Would be very useful I think on that trip to the Saltees I intend to take following the recent thread on same.

CrowdedHouse

Linky no worky

Carrigman

Here's a better link:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-400mm-f-5.6-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Valentia

Silly question!!

GO FOR IT!!

Roen

Just hope you don't end up like me...buying a 70-200 ƒ4 and then selling it to buy the ƒ2.8 version. I know the 400 2.8 is silly money, but if you get hooked on the long lens thing you may find yourself yearning for it.

And on that subject, why the hell don't Canon make a ƒ4 version? The drop in max aperture from 2.8 to 5.6 is too big imo, I reckon an ƒ4 version would strike a nice balance between size, weight, portability and max aperture and sell like hot cakes.

City-Exile

I'm comforted by this thread.
Ready to blow a large chunk of my SSIA on this beauty...
It's hard to justify the cost to someone who isn't into photography.
The way I see it, it's my money, I worked hard for it and I'm entitled to spoil myself.

Borderfox

Super lens City-Exile, suppose to be the fastest AF in the world. You know you need a 1 series to back that purchase up!!

Carrigman

City-Exile wrote:

I'm comforted by this thread.
Ready to blow a large chunk of my SSIA on this beauty...
It's hard to justify the cost to someone who isn't into photography.
The way I see it, it's my money, I worked hard for it and I'm entitled to spoil myself.

Damn right!

I looked up the reviews of the 300 f/2.8 on www.fredmiranda.com and they were universally ecstatic. To quote one guy: "This lens is so good it will make you cry, the images are that outstanding".

I know people who spend multiples of the price of it on golf club memberships - each year. This lens will last a lifetime.

Go for it.

City-Exile

When you're a football fan, with a passion for photography, you crave the 300 f/2.8
I allowed others make me feel guilty about spending so much on a lens, but a random conversation with a stranger, convinced me that I'd never regret buying it. I'll be mounting it on an EOS 400D but I'm reliably informed that it should be well able.
Actually can't remember being this excited about anything in a very long time.

Roen

City-Exile wrote:

I'm comforted by this thread.
Ready to blow a large chunk of my SSIA on this beauty...
It's hard to justify the cost to someone who isn't into photography.
The way I see it, it's my money, I worked hard for it and I'm entitled to spoil myself.

You're doing the right thing. I have the ƒ4 IS version and it's great. The only reason that I didn't opt for the 2.8 was the fact that is has twice the minimum focusing distance of the 4.

On theother hand I got the ƒ4 version of the 70-200L and I ended up flogging it for the 2.8.

Buy once at the one FL and you'll save in the long run.

rymus

was playing aruond with one of those yesterday at photofest. Quite a nice pair with the 1Ds MK2 that was stuck onto the back of it. Bloody fast focusing

mervifwdc

I had a 400/f4.0 DO IS lens, and sold it tou buy a 300 2.8 IS L. On some stuff I cannot tell the difference in the subject quality, it's only the background that's a little nicer from the 300.

It's the most money I spent on camera gear, but I do not regret it, even for a second. If I only had 2 lenses, it would be the 24-70 and the 300 2.8.

Go for it.

Merv.

pete4130

Before you go spending money on that 300 2.8 why not book a flight to NY and get it for about $3900 over in the states which works out about €2900....save a fortune AND get a holiday in the bargain!

Pete.

mikeanywhere

I have one and its a beauty (as in the lens as in Carrigman's original linky)

I also use it now and then with a 1.4 converter and its looovely

Dara Robinson

penis extensions in the form or large lenses are great

go get it!!

Paulw

I already own the 100-400 IS L and think it's great. The main disadvantage is the weight of the thing. It's so heavy. But, the quality is great, even at distance. I did the smart thing though - bought overseas and saved hundreds.

I do think that the 400 L looks nice, especially being much lighter.

Besides, it's only money.

leinsterman

Was with Rymus playing with that 400 yesterday ... it is nice ... but if you can afford it I'd go for the 2.8 ... of course that all depends on your application ...

I bought the 100-400 which is a lovely lens but I find it gets a lot less use than I anticipated due to its weight ... lack of speed for sports (which was not the main application in the first place) ... and sheer bulkiness ... I do use it for the odd bit o wildlife ...

Just placed an order today for the 70-200 F2.8L IS, 2X Teleconvertor and 16-35 F2.8L MkII ... considered the 17-40 F4 and 70-200 F4 at less than half the price ... but I know myself well enough to say I'd end up replacing them both later on ...

My big problem now is a raging headache from trying to figure out 5D v 1D MkIII ... :D:p

PaulieC

you sure have it tough, Leinsterman. :rolleyes:

City-Exile

Did anyone ever buy a lens from Hong Kong on eBay?

rymus

yup.. no bother whatsoever. Hell of a lot cheaper, delivered hell of a lot quicker than I could have got it locally.

City-Exile

rymus wrote:

yup.. no bother whatsoever. Hell of a lot cheaper, delivered hell of a lot quicker than I could have got it locally.

Yeah, I've heard a few people say they got top notch service from Hong Kong. Very efficient people over there.
Looking at this...
Will splash out on a Battery grip too, since I'm in the mood to spoil myself.

Paulw

City-Exile wrote:

Did anyone ever buy a lens from Hong Kong on eBay?

Yeah, bought my 100-400IS L on ebay. I was very unsure at first, but did plenty of research, and made sure that my credit card insurance would cover it not being sent.

I got it perfectly fine, and was thrilled with it. Never had any problems (and somehow didn't get caught for tax).

GristlyEnd

All this talk about temptation. 2 lens I have my eye on at the moment

Nikon 200-400mm f/4

Nikon 400 f/2.8

They cost quite a bit but I saved for 5 years and deserve them (well that's what I tell myself)

City-Exile

DarrenG wrote:

They cost quite a bit but I saved for 5 years and deserve them (well that's what I tell myself)

That's the right attitude!
There are much worse things you could blow your money on & a lens is an investment.

City-Exile

Carrigman wrote:

SSIA matures on Tuesday!

Wahoo!

I'm very tempted to splurge some of the dosh on this beauty:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/forgotten-400.shtml

Well, Carrigman, did you give in to temptation?

Carrigman

City-Exile wrote:

Well, Carrigman, did you give in to temptation?

I sure did. I bought the 400mm f/5.6 from Adorama (www.adorama.com). I was stung for duty (around 21%) but I had budgeted for that. Even so, I still got it appreciably cheaper than anywhere in Europe - Pixmania, Technikdirekt, et al. I thought I might escape paying duty by having it sent to my work address but no luck. UPS still collected. Delivery service was excellent - from the States to Ireland in three days. Fantastic.

And it's a beautiful lens. I'm still getting used to it of course but some early results can be seen on my Flickr page - see the Grey Heron and Cheetah shots by clicking on the link on my sig.

Fenster

Ooooh. Swish.

Roen

Had a look at the shots on your front page, I actually prefer the wide angle blue bell one most though
Probably because I'm jealous though!

bradnailer

Congrats on your new lens,I didn't get any SSIA's I'm off to buy a disposable camera:D

City-Exile

Carrigman wrote:

I was stung for duty (around 21%) but I had budgeted for that. I thought I might escape paying duty by having it sent to my work address but no luck. UPS still collected. Delivery service was excellent - from the States to Ireland in three days. Fantastic.

I got mine in 3 days from HK.
No Customs Duty.
Saved over €2,000 on the Conn's list price.
I consider it to be a grant from the Arts Council.

Can't wait to get home on Friday & give it a test drive.

Carrigman

City-Exile wrote:

I got mine in 3 days from HK.
No Customs Duty.
Saved over €2,000 on the Conn's list price.
I consider it to be a grant from the Arts Council.

Can't wait to get home on Friday & give it a test drive.

The cheapest I would have got it from HK (excluding duty - which is always a risk) was still about the same as the price, including duty, that I got it for from the States. Conns Camera's price is €1499. I paid €1000 odd. Naturally, I feel really bad about not supporting the indigenous photography trade

Roen

City-Exile wrote:

I consider it to be a grant from the Arts Council.

Heheh, must remember that one.

City-Exile

Roen wrote:

Heheh, must remember that one.

The boys in Customs will definitely accept it!

dubtom

Congrats, I sold a 300f4L a few years back and still regret it.I have the 70/300is and it amazes every time I use it, the IS makes such a difference, I never realised my hands were so shakey or maybe it's just my technique. Enjoy.

City-Exile

I have to say, I'm blown away by the service from URGalaxy!
Came home today to find my incredible lens, with a Battery Grip & 4GB Compact Flash card, in the same box.
Shipped on Friday, arrived in my office on Monday.

The lens is more than I could ever have hoped for.
Boy is it heavy though!
My little 400D, with Battery Grip, is managing well though.
God Bless the SSIA, is all I'll say!

Carrigman

Congrats on the 300 f/2.8. That is one serious mother of a lens! Enjoy.

City-Exile

Carrigman wrote:

That is one serious mother of a lens! Enjoy.

... and I'm serious enough for it!

Would it be weird to sleep with your lens?