Buying a Canon 100-400mm dillema

[bindi]

Sigh, well after sending back my broken Canon 100-400mm zoom to Adorama, I am back to the same old problem:

Do I gamble with buying another second hand 100-400mm, and risk major disappointment, buy one new in hope of increasing my
chances of receiving a decent copy, or just stick with primes?

Because my partner enjoys learning photography with me, we really need two lenses. Since we already have a 300mm IS, it makes sense to have a good zoom to compliment the prime.

I would love to be able to test one out prior to purchase, but the Australian retailers in my town are SO greedy. They want AUD $2550 (plus GST) for one! (Approximately $2500 US) Thats almost double the street price in the US. What a joke!!!

So I won't be able to test it out prior to purchase, unless I pay that premium price. If I import it, I will pay custom fees so returning it is not really an option. I already lost $200 in import duties with my last failed attempt at importing a lens, which turned out to be faulty.

Does anyone know if my chances of buying a decent copy could improve if I buy it new, or with a date code 2005 - 2008? I am so annoyed by this lens. It will be my biggest lens purchase to date, and I have no idea if what I receive will be soft or sharp. It feels like a major gamble, and it shouldn't be like that.

Sorry, this turned into a huge vent:) Thanks for listening.

[Romy Ocon]

Hi Bindi,

There are so-so copies even with the newer ones, and the best way to make sure your copy is good and it has no AF issues with your camera is to test it before purchase.

You can buy it locally (for an arm and a leg), or fly to HK where it's readily available at less than USD 1.5K. The savings of USD 1K should be more than enough for your air fare and hotel expenses.

It's currently on sale in Manila for about PHP 64K (roughly USD 1.5K), so alternatively you can buy it here and test it at Candaba birds. Your savings vs buying it in Oz should be enough to finance a Manila birding sortie. ;D

[bindi]

Giggle:) I love the way you think Romy. You have all the best answers:) Now if i was single, I'd seriously consider such a fantastically logical and cool idea. But theres no way I could go without my guy, and that will double the airfare. There would be tears if I left him behind, and I think he could possibly starve to death.

Plus hes SUCH high maintenance, Romy! He would require the best of everything. You can forget the cheap hotels; he'd want the hilton and room service. He'd complain about not having home cooking, and he'd constantly whine about mosquitos, lol.

(haha- I am only writing this so that when he joins the forum, he will see what i have written and then become outraged, lol

Stupid L lenses. Why do they have to cause so many problems and relationship issues? lol. This is a hobby of pain!

[Romy Ocon]

Mar 23, 2008 5:09:08 GMT bindi said:

Giggle:) I love the way you think Romy. You have all the best answers:) Now if i was single, I'd seriously consider such a fantastically logical and cool idea. But theres no way I could go without my guy, and that will double the airfare. There would be tears if I left him behind, and I think he could possibly starve to death.

Plus hes SUCH high maintenance, Romy! He would require the best of everything. You can forget the cheap hotels; he'd want the hilton and room service. He'd complain about not having home cooking, and he'd constantly whine about mosquitos, lol.

(haha- I am only writing this so that when he joins the forum, he will see what i have written and then become outraged, lol

Stupid L lenses. Why do they have to cause so many problems and relationship issues? lol. This is a hobby of pain!

Aw, come on Bindi, that's an elementary problem... just increase your savings, of course!

While in HK, grab a 500 f4 IS in addition (sorry, this gem is not in stock in Manila) and your savings will be enough for you and your guy to enjoy a few days stay in a good hotel.

[bindi]

Romy, that should be easy!. Why can't I think of these things for myself?

Seriously it will be nice to go birding in the Philippines some time with you guys. We miss out on all the fun here!

[Manny Illana]

LOL!!! you two have made my day!
am still in the office and this is the fun way to end it. cheers!