For Sale: 1 for the Bike Sport Photographer: Canon 300 f2.8

300mm f2.8 L Ultrasonic Canon EF lens

This is a classic lens (read: ancient, maybe 20 years old- been in my cupboard for a good fifteen of those unused), up for grabs. It retails today for £3,787.00

Pristine glass, couple of exterior paint scuffs, but no dings (see pix link below).

The good news: ONLY £1300.00
The not so good news: Canon don't make spares for this L Ultrasonic lens any more
The better news: Independent repair specialists still have spares.

But the price is in recognition of this fact. So bear in mind, Calumet rent this lens for £200 per week. So it'll have paid for itself in about 6 weeks.

I'll service the lens prior to delivery, and provide a service report, or £1100.00 as is.

http://www.netgoose.co.uk/300_2-8/

Why does it still retail for so much when the disadvantages you cite are surely well-known?

Cos it is an amazing piece of optical engineering. Unless you have used L series lenses you won't get this. And to get a 300mm lens that fast is pretty special.

Oh, I don't doubt that.

I suppose the question I meant to ask is why Wildgoose is then selling it for so little? Does it depreciate this much?

Umm if its pays for itself why are you selling it?

really like your photographs 'Wildgoose'

what camera+lens did you use to take the majority of your photographs?

@ Oliver: That's the newer version, the IS lens costs £3K+

@avsmithy: What's the use of having something you never use. I've had the lens 15 years now, I never use it, I'm a 50mm kinda guy. I had it because I used to cover a lot of conferences and press scrums when I was at the Obs. I don't have to deal with that shit anymore thank Buddha. I want the lens to have a nice home, and get out and see stuff. See, I'm sentimental like that.

@willo: I had to do a test shot for potential buyer, shot my daughter doing her homework at minimum focal distance, wide open at a 50th. It's absolutely pin, and the focus motor is so silent. I wish I could use this lens. It's freakin' awesome (to use the parlance)

@wblati. Favourite two lenses are 35mm f1.4 and 50mm 1.2 I try to shoot everything wide open. f2 is shut down for me, far too much DoF; the autofocus really earns its keep with me. I used to use 1DsMkII's but now love the 5D Mk2. Got to sell my final 1DsMkII as it languishes like the 300
Thanks for the nice comment, validation always welcome!