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- Name
- Mark Molloy
- Edit My Images
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After selling my Nikon 500 f4 i felt i made a big mistake as it really hurt the way i liked to shoot wildlife.I decided a while back that i really needed another long lens if i were to continue my hobby. I pondered over the 400, 500 and 600 Nikon lenses for a while before deciding to buy another 500 f4. I searched and searched for a few months to get a good condition AFS model at a good price but none came up.
I watch prices on ebay and forums and keep note of every selling price i see. I found a 600 f4 on ebay at a reasonable price however it was a month or so to early and i wasnt sure i wanted a 600 as its a big commitment to carry with me.The ebay listing was cut short then it re-appeared at a slightly lower price and i contacted the seller for info which he duly sent on.A few others didnt get as good a response from him though so it put me off then suddenly it sold.
The seller contacted me a week later to ask if i was interested as the winning bidder didnt pay him. I was still a bit wary as its allot of money. I asked for loads and loads of personal info from the seller and set about my internet searches but all checked out. As the lens was no longer on ebay and i was using bank transfer then it was decided that i should save rather than the seller which is a big saving.
The wait was on, i paid a deposit then on friday i paid the remaining money.The lens turned up today in much much better than expected and very very close to being new condition.The seller included a wimberley foot to lower it a bit to help balance also included another plate for the original foot. He also threw in a waterproof camouflage cover( wildlife watching suplies cover )..
It goes to show that there are still decent people out there and bargains can be had but just make sure you do your research and do it properly.I cant get out with the lens just now as im unwell at the moment ( viral infection ) but i put it on the tripod out my back garden and shot at f4 and would say its as sharp at this as my 500mm was at f6.3.Now i need to get that bag and neoprene camouflage lenscoat then when the wife recoveres from my spending i will get a 1.4tc for it...
I will say though i cant remember thinking it was this big when i had my 500f4 but i have just got used to my 120-300 so its massive compared to that.
I watch prices on ebay and forums and keep note of every selling price i see. I found a 600 f4 on ebay at a reasonable price however it was a month or so to early and i wasnt sure i wanted a 600 as its a big commitment to carry with me.The ebay listing was cut short then it re-appeared at a slightly lower price and i contacted the seller for info which he duly sent on.A few others didnt get as good a response from him though so it put me off then suddenly it sold.
The seller contacted me a week later to ask if i was interested as the winning bidder didnt pay him. I was still a bit wary as its allot of money. I asked for loads and loads of personal info from the seller and set about my internet searches but all checked out. As the lens was no longer on ebay and i was using bank transfer then it was decided that i should save rather than the seller which is a big saving.
The wait was on, i paid a deposit then on friday i paid the remaining money.The lens turned up today in much much better than expected and very very close to being new condition.The seller included a wimberley foot to lower it a bit to help balance also included another plate for the original foot. He also threw in a waterproof camouflage cover( wildlife watching suplies cover )..
It goes to show that there are still decent people out there and bargains can be had but just make sure you do your research and do it properly.I cant get out with the lens just now as im unwell at the moment ( viral infection ) but i put it on the tripod out my back garden and shot at f4 and would say its as sharp at this as my 500mm was at f6.3.Now i need to get that bag and neoprene camouflage lenscoat then when the wife recoveres from my spending i will get a 1.4tc for it...
I will say though i cant remember thinking it was this big when i had my 500f4 but i have just got used to my 120-300 so its massive compared to that.
