[scollins]

An ad popped up today on Craigslist for a Nikkor 80-200 F/2.8 AF-S. This is a somewhat more rare lens, as the current 80-200 F/2.8 from Nikon doesn't have the Silent Wave Motor. They want you to jump up to the ludicrously expensive 70-200 F/2.8 to get AF-S.

Well, this particular AF-S popped up at $575!!! That's about $500 - $600 under the current going rate for this lens. I emailed the seller, but she already had someone looking at it. Apparently the autofocus wasn't working when the buyer attached it to his camera, so she allowed him to take it to have it checked out by a local camera store before deciding to buy it. I hope she doesn't get robbed, because that sounds a little dodgey to me....

Anyway, I'm next in line if he backs out. If the autofocus really isn't working, I'll probably pass. But if it is, I'm guessing the first buyer will snap it up.

Oh well......

[UdubBadger]

hmmm... fishy

[scollins]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

hmmm... fishy

Yeah, but the woman selling included her signature in the email, so I was able to do some digging. LinkedIn is a great source for a ton of personal information people like to throw out there. I don't think the seller is fishy actually, she even said she knows the price is well below market, she just needs the $575 to get to the new 70-200.

Anyway, best case would be there is nothing wrong with the lens, but the original buyer backs out, and I get it. Then I turn it for $1,000, making a $425 profit while finding a great deal on 70-200!



But, I won't be holding my breath....

[Vudoo4u2]

howd it go??

[scollins]

No official word yet. Here is the latest email from the seller....

Scott.. i'll let you know about the lens on tuesday.. I might go get it cleaned and figure out the AF issue and then relist because folks told me I listed it too inexpensively.

In other words, it will be just like the $250 SB-800 that was on CL for a few hours, magically disappears only to relist 2 days later for $400.....

[Vudoo4u2]

lol...man, shady dealings aye...

its a shame...almost caught the person on the cheap! lol

[scollins]

Yeah, we'll see. I'd like to know what dumbasses said "you listed it too cheaply." Probably not a single buyer among them.....

[Vudoo4u2]

i hate people like that...argh...i guess unless theyre friends of the seller haha

[scollins]

Update: I guess the AF doesn't work at all, and the previous potential buyer wasn't happy with the amount of dust inside the lens. Anyway, without functioning AF, it is basically a paperweight to me.

So the hunt continues......

If anyone is upgrading to the new 70-200 F/2.8 II and you want to sell your current 70-200 F/2.8, let me know!

[Vudoo4u2]

scott, have you considered the sigma 70-200 f2.8??

[scollins]

Originally Posted by Vudoo4u2

scott, have you considered the sigma 70-200 f2.8??

Yeah, I have thought about going 3rd party due to the massive price difference. But the price of the Sigma 70-200 f2.8 isn't much more than used Nikkor 80-200 AF-S's, and I'd rather have Nikkor (neither have VR.) But now that the new 70-200 VRII is out, I'm hoping someone is upgrading and selling their 70-200 for cheap, or I will certainly go to the Sigma.

VR isn't a huge deal for me, because what I'm shooting is action (soccer, ballet, basketball, motorsports, etc.) In those instances, I need high shutter speeds anyway, so the VR isn't as big a factor. Still "nice to have" but not a "need to have."

Also, the Sigma 50 f1.4 has received some excellent reviews. So I think that Sigma is capable of producing top quality products. But I'm still a little stuck on the "glass brand should match the body..."

[BandyDesign]

my buddy has this lens (with no intention to sell) and I borrowed it to shoot Georgia Tech v. Jacksonville St football. Amazing lens! A bit heavier than the 70-200 but super crisp. I would have no problem 'settling' for the 80-200.

[scollins]

A Sigma 70-200 f2.8 II just popped up on CL locally for $600. I might have to check that out. I mean, at 1/4th the cost of the new 70-200 VRII, I'm not out a lot of cash if it turns out to be a less than stellar performer. It is also less than half of a recent 80-200 AF-S that also popped up ($1,300.)

Plus, my D300 has micro-focus adjustment capabilities, so I can probably adjust for any AF discrepancies....



Hmmmm.....

[scollins]

Well, I checked out that Sigma today and decided to buy it. $575 and it looks basically brand new. I'm going to mess around with a few test shots and see how it does.

I was playing with the AF, and when I select and extreme right focus point, it can't seem to lock on in low light conditions. It just hunts. But when I move the single focus point to the center, it does fine.

Anyway, for nearly 1/5th the price of a new 70-200 VRII, I'll give it a dance and see how it performs.