eric_bogaerts

^^Actually, you can get bargain grade F4s's from KEH for $450, and excellent grade F4s's for around $600.

Most ebay F4's go for roughly $500. F4's that are in *truly* fantastic shape (and from a very reputable ebayer) might fetch $1,000

"Finally, I am a little distraught to see so little of high value on the shelves of reputable camera stores in the way of secondhand equipement because, by their own admission, eBay has sucked it all in."

Or, in the case of the local dealer near me, they have some ragged used equipment that they have overpriced stickers on them. Some dealers also refuse to budge when they know that they have cosmetically less-than-desireable equipment. They also won't meet some on line or nationally advertised used dealer's 90 day warranty either. So, it isn't entirely ebay's fault.

No, I definetly wasn't talking about you Spencer. :D I totally agree with you, but I would just add that the lens would be the best choice at that price point: given that you're looking at brand new lenses ONLY. If someone had a Nikon and was looking for a good 70-300 Nikkor, I would tell them to save up another $30-35 and get a "bargain" grade 75-300 from keh.

Also, that sucks to hear that you were so disgusted with the lens that you gave it away. Does the current owner like it?

After hearing all of these responses, one of the things I am wondering. What is everyone's point of reference? Everyone seems to have a different "standard". There's always going to be champions of even the worst Nikkor lens. Plus I am hearing people say that $129 is a "good value" for telephoto zooms. In what way is it a "good value"? If you throw in decent (not abused) examples from the used market, it becomes anything but a "good value". Sure, it can take pictures, and maybe through the brand name that's slapped on it alone can somehow turn it into a "good value", if you're talking about resale value.

As far as I am concerned, I don't consider any Nikkor lens that (apparently) has its barrel held together with sticky tape a "good value". Also - I would never consider a lens a "good value" if it made soft images at virtually any aperture, and was slow to begin with. I would also never consider a lens a "good value" if it gave obvious color problems.