Should I buy this?

If you can deal 700 then it's OK price. If you can make even more cheap then it's good price.
 
Assuming you take all reasonable safeguards, considering it's Gumtree.....
 
If you're meeting the person, obviously with cash, take a couple of friends.

Most stories you hear are to do with cars but **** does get messy :|
 
B16 VAS said:
If you're meeting the person, obviously with cash, take a couple of friends.

Most stories you hear are to do with cars but **** does get messy :|
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BIG friends! :lol:

Determined to part with your money aren't you?
It's no good having a 700 pound lens and 7 pence of knowledge.
It won't help improve your technique or give you a magic touch, only practice with what you have will do that.
 
I have seen them for less starting at around £600 for an older one.

Be carefull buying from guytree loads of scams
 
I agree with tris101 + I think the 2.8 although more expensive will suit your needs more
 
You can get the 70-200mm f4 L USM from Jessops for £500, sure it's not IS but do you really NEED it? save yourself some money and get a brand new lens with warranty which you can sell on at a later date to get the f2.8 IS if you need it.
 
I bought the non IS from Amazon as they have a good returns policy. As for the lens you're considering, I'd say avoid it like the plague on that site's reputation alone. For the sake of maybe saving £200 I'd prefer the peace of mind getting it from a definite source that's reliable and responsible for returns and warranty, etc.
 
wontolla said:
BIG friends! :lol:

Determined to part with your money aren't you?
It's no good having a 700 pound lens and 7 pence of knowledge.
It won't help improve your technique or give you a magic touch, only practice with what you have will do that.
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Good advice ....But I have the funds at the moment and I don't see the problem of buying now instead of in a few months.
 
architectfadi said:
I agree with tris101 + I think the 2.8 although more expensive will suit your needs more
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Well I don't shoot footy matches so I'm not blessed with 20 years of professional experience. That said, the OP seems to imply a certain amount of can I say "beginner-ness"?

The 2.8 is a ton weight compared to the 4.0 and, by all accounts is slightly less sharp though whether this shows up in real world life is open to debate. I'd recommend starting with the f/4.0 and look to upgrade to the f/2.8 once you've identified the need to spend the money (and not just the urge). Okay the non-IS f/2.8 may get away with the lack of IS in some situations where it's a must with the f/4.0 but I know which lens I'd rather have on my shoulder all day.

As to gumtree and this vendor, take your camera and ask to test it for yourself. Take the rugby team with you and if you think you are relatively new to DSLR stuff, and don't quite know what you're doing, ensure that your prop forward friend knows more than you about photography.
 
Thank's tikkathreebarrel, can I say "beginner-ness"? spot on:thumbs:. I was thinking about getting the f4 non IS but are you saying I should spend a wee bit more and get the IS version?
What would you rather have on your shoulder all day?:shrug:
 
jambogaz said:
Thank's tikkathreebarrel, can I say "beginner-ness"? spot on:thumbs:. I was thinking about getting the f4 non IS but are you saying I should spend a wee bit more and get the IS version?
What would you rather have on your shoulder all day?:shrug:
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1. All depends on budget and need really. Have a read here:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-70-200mm-f-4.0-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Think what you think you want do and buy accordingly. Most if not all of us can make misjudgements when buying kit but I'd say don't buy something you can't cope with or get the best out of if something at half the price will meet your needs.

Me? I'd love the f/2.8 IS lens but I have the f/4.0 IS lens which is significantly lighter, reputed to be sharper and much easier on the pocket. I can use the f/4.0 IS as an all-day walkabout lens but might think twice about carting its big sister around.

Don't forget that the IS is there at all apertures; it's all very well saying that the faster f/2.8 can get away without IS but only when you're at f/2.8. Stop it down to f/4.0 or smaller and you've got no IS and twice the weight that I'm carrying.
 
jambogaz said:
At the moment a Canon 500D
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Oh yes, and what does that mean exactly? :lol:

I'm no saint in the upgrade stakes going from 400D to 40D (I could detect some differences) from where I went to 5D and lost my heart to full frame. I keep a 1.3 crop 1DII for frame rate when chasing moving objects. The moral of this tale? I think that if you're very lucky you know what you want to be shooting, in which case go straight to the best you can afford. If you're a normal guy :bang::bang:this will be an evolutionary journey of discovery and you may not know where you really want to be until you get there. Philosophy lesson over, I need to think about getting out into the sunshine where today I'll be playing with an IR converted camera. :wave:
 
Would love a 5D not now though I need tons of practice ect, I am taking all the advice into account and I am still not sure what to get. I like to do a bit wildlife photography too and I'm thinking "Is 200mm enough" ?:bang:
 
pmcgsmurf said:
The F2.8 lens is a lot heavier than the F4, is that OK for you?

You can get a used F2.8 IS from MPB Photographic for £979.
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This len's would be ok on my monopod:thumbs: but not to walkabout with:bang: or wildlife:bang:
 
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jambogaz said:
Would love a 5D not now though I need tons of practice ect, I am taking all the advice into account and I am still not sure what to get. I like to do a bit wildlife photography too and I'm thinking "Is 200mm enough" ?:bang:
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Computer says no.:lol::lol: But then I expect you've spent all day looking at lenses for sale?:thinking:
 
The F4 IS a great lens 95% of the time I'm realy happy with mine the other 5% of time I wish I had F2.8 IS

The F4 range all hold there money well so buy one and try is for a while if you need the extra stop sell it and buy the F2.8 IS you wont lose much if any money.
 
tikkathreebarrel said:
Computer says no.:lol::lol: But then I expect you've spent all day looking at lenses for sale?:thinking:
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Haha online all morning then went to Jacobs then Jessops which is next door...looked at the Siggy 120-400(tried it on camera etc),looked at the Canon 70-200 f2 IS. made a big mistake by taking the missus "get a lens if you want" "How much!". then went home with nothing, been looking online since then :bang:
 
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