Canon 70-200 F4 IS

Setanta1974

Is there a way to tell if a Canon 70-200 F4 IS is the real deal? I am looking at one on Adverts but the seller has only sold a handful of items and doesn't have enough good recommendations for me to feel comfortable paying that much money when it might be one of these cheap Ebay knockoffs that I hear about.

Splinters

I can honestly say Ive never heard of knock off lens. Not saying there arent any but this is the first Ive heard of it.

Setanta1974

Thanks for the reply Splinters. Maybe you are right. Maybe you can't get a knock off lens but they can make knockoffs of pretty much anything nowadays and I have heard people talking about lower quality stuff before so just want to be sure

Splinters

Just reading up on them, yep seemingly they do exist alright. That was news to me anyway. Can I ask what price its being sold for. The f4 version of the 70-200 is generally quite cheap anyway, even with IS. I suppose the easiest thing it to test it out first. L lens really are a league apart from most other lens and it should be fairly aparent to you as you as you try it out. the autofocus will feel smooth as hell, the build quality will be second to none, the image should be razor sharp. To be honest even if I found out a lens was a fake and it ticked all those boxes Id still be more then happy with it.

Setanta1974

I am hoping to get it for around the 775 mark. I was going to get my cousin to get one in China when he goes over there are the end of the month and got great advice on here about that aswell but he knows nothing about cameras and could end up coming home with a knock off aswell.

I have never actually held or used a real 70-200 before so wouldn't be able to tell the difference that way either. I guess I would be better bringing along a friend who is a photographer but he is seldom free because he has other interests aswell. But I guess your advice is the best. To try it out, see how smooth the focus and USM are and see how sharp it is.

Thanks once again Splinters

Christ0pher

You can get this lens brand new from a site called DigitalRev.com, a trusted and established supplier in Hong Kong, including Irish VAT for €704. Shipping may also be included - not sure.
this site is amazing - as it detects your country when you visit, sets the prices to Euros and adds the appropriate VAT rate. So the price you see is what you pay.
I plan on ordering a 60d from them soon.

Setanta1974

Thanks for the tip Christopher. That sounds amazing. Almost too good to be true. Wouldn't I have to pay to get it through Irish customs on top of that?

Setanta1974

LOL, I knew it was too good to be true. I am looking for the 70-200 with Image Stabilization. Still curious about the impport duty though because I always wanted a Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX AF 11-16mm f/2.8 Lens which I was waiting forever for one to appear on Adverts so ended up buying a Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens instead. €571 I thing is a great price for a Tokina because I was quoted over €700 for one new hear so wondering about the import duty.

5uspect

Kerso has the vanilla 70-200 f/4 and the IS model:
http://www.flashcamera.co.uk/canon-ef-70-200mm-f-4l-usm-lens/
http://www.flashcamera.co.uk/canon-ef-70-200mm-f-4l-is-usm-lens/

Is IS really worth the massive price difference to you? It can give you up to three stops slower shutter speeds, but you should just get a monopod. Also the mkI f2.8 non IS is not much more than the f/4 IS model.

Setanta1974

Thanks for the message 5uspect and the links. Yeah, I have my heart set on the IS model because I wouldn't have the steadiest hands in the world and don't really like the idea of bringing a momopod with me everywhere.

Christ0pher

Setanta1974 wrote: »

Thanks for the tip Christopher. That sounds amazing. Almost too good to be true. Wouldn't I have to pay to get it through Irish customs on top of that?

Oh sry, I forgot you need IS! To my knowledge, based on DigitalRev T&C's, they handle all duty and VAT payments to the appropriate customs in the destination country. They also state this during the checkout procedure. happy days !

Incidentally - pixmania have your lens for 1,199 inc. vat brand new. Not bad.

Setanta1974

Nice one. Thanks for all the help Christopher. Unfortunately my budget won't stretch that far so will have to go the second hand route on Adverts or wait and see what my cousin comes up with in Shanghai