The DA55-300mm is a great lens, but lets face it here folks - it's not in the same ballpark, neigh, league as the 70-200mm F2.8 or 100-300mm F4.

As for getting 300mm @ F4 using a TC ... a 70-200mm f2.8 with a 1.4x TC is a 98mm-280mm F4 which is close enough.

So anyone have input as to what a 100-300mm would go for on the used market? I've never seen one! How much do the 70-200mm's go for normally? I saw Mike sell his a bit ago for 450, MIFSUSD sold one for 390 and there was one on eBay for 385. I've never seen a used HSM / HSM II sell, but new they go for 650GBP. There is one place that lists a new variant for 517GBP but they're not in stock. Anyone ever see a used one sell?

So I'm looking for fast longish glass. I'd like 200mm-300mm to be available on the wide end at F4, but I'm happy to use a TC to get this. Would be doing footie / rowing shots with this lens.

So in shopping I've found various new 70-200mm Tamrons at around 550GBP, and Siggies at 650GBP (HSM II). I've also started giving thought to the Siggy 100-300mm which I've found at around 800GBP...

Now I've not got the cash to buy them new, so what I'm looking for is a bit of a sanity check here. What can I get these lenses for on the used market / how long do you perceive that I would have to wait? If the 100-300mm F4 is only going to be 50-80GBP more than a Siggy 70-200mm ... well I think I can do without the 50-100mm range for instance.

Yeah, lots and lots of variants for me to search for I'm looking for a used one - thus at a slight discount to what would be seen on SRS. Wish I had money, but alas.

Quick question - will the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 take the Sigma APO EX teleconverter?

Well I don't think I can live without at least one fast zoom, so I'm looking to buy a 70-200mm f2.8 prior to reducing the price on my DA* 50-135mm ... that and I have an event coming up wherein the DA* could be quite useful.

So ... looking for a 70-200mm Sigma/Tamron f2.8 non-OS lens. I would prefer the older (and thus cheaper) MK I non-HSM as I already bought a 1.4x TC for it - however I'm sure I can make a swap with someone for a 1.5x kenco if need be.

If you know of any at stores / have one / know where to get one, please send me a PM.

Love the C&C so far - thanks guys. I think one of my big problems lately is trying to figure out an underlying subject / theme that leaps off the photo. The photo is cropped down so I have room to play and show the chin / ear.

Thanks again!

No other C&C ?

Well I'm recovered from my LASIK experience and am 2-3 lines better than 20/20 vision, YAY! (Between 12.5/20 and 15/20). However, there was too much pressure on my right eye during surgery so this is what became of me. It'll go away in a week or two so no biggie.

Any thoughts on composition / style of the image? Any general C & C?

The experience has definitely made me value my eyesight - a value which I have taken for granted far too often. You're blind for almost a minute during the procedure, and afterwards have to rest the entire day with your eyes closed. Made me realize how much of my enjoyment comes from sight.

OVNO - woot, 400 posts!

For sale - my DA* 50-135mm £595 including next day insured shipping as either paypal gift of bank xfer (or even local pickup with cash) with me receiving £595. Will throw up photo's on the weekend. The lens is like new, in box, with the soft carrying case, manual, caps, and hood. Lens was purchased in 2007 by a friend. The hood has a slight white mark on the bottom due to a super-glue repair on it - however it clicks into place after the repair. New hoods are 25 quid - and that can be negotiated in the event that there is no buyer.

I'm getting LASIK on mah eyes tomorrow at 3PM, so if there is no interest by tomorrow noon then it'll have to wait till I can see again My wife will mail out anything should things be sorted on time.

I suppose what I meant when I started this thread was also that facebook could be a driving factor behind P&S / phone camera sales.