The Digital Photo Guy

All Good Things Must Come to an End

With heavy heart, I announce my favorite “Little Big Gun,” the Canon 300/2.8L IS USM is on the block. Why do I call it a “Little Big Gun?” While Canon defines supertelephoto lenses as 400mm or longer, the 300/2.8 is so sharp that it can easily be extended to 420/4 with a Canon TC1.4 teleconvertor or, even, 600/5.6 using the TC 2.0. At a svelte 5.6 pounds, the 300/2.8 is eminently handhold-able for bird-on-wing or running critter shots. I used it for birds, critters, sports and glamour photography.

This is the original design with a date code UU0916 meaning it was manufactured in Sep 2006. It is also a USA model, not a “gray market” unit. This lens comes with everything that was included from the factory including lens hood, leather lens cover, carrying strap, trunk w/ keys, user manual and original shipping box with styrofoam inserts. Most 300/2.8L IS lens hoods are missing or scratched, dented, cracked or otherwise damaged. All the others I’ve seen for sale have dings, scratches, marks or dents on the magnesium and titanium body. I’ll just let the photos below speak for themselves as to how well this lens has been maintained.

For the photos of the front and rear elements, I used a flash in Multi Mode to evenly illuminate the entire area. That’s what created the odd reflection patterns. These photos cover every inch of the lens. Let me know if you want other photos.

The ballhead visible in some of the above product photos is NOT included in the sale. The Markins Arca-Swiss compatible mounting plate, PL-75 IS included ($55 value.)

The price is $4100 plus USPA Priority Shipping with insurance. Cash is king. Cashier’s check drawn at your bank in my presence is next best. For out of area buyers, four USPS Money Orders for $1000 each plus $100 cash. The lens will ship as soon as USPS validates the Money Orders.

An Amazing Service Experience

About 8 years ago, at PMA (Photo Marketing Association,) I bought a Cullmann Magnesit 30Nm Ballhead #40190 (love those German product names!) It was a good ballhead but not in the same league as my Markins which cost twice as much. Over the years, it sat on my small Gitzo 1228 and served as my travel tripod.

Recently, I needed the Cullmann for a specific project and discovered the friction control had frozen. This control sets the amount of “drag” so the camera doesn’t flop around when the main locking knob is released. This isn’t a major hassle but something I wanted to fix.

I sent  Cullmann an e-mail asking if I could still buy parts for this ballhead. To my surprise I received a reply almost immediately from Marion Derbali, a real human being at Cullmann, offering to send a FREE part. To say I nearly fell out of my chair is an understatement.

Within days, an envelope arrived from Cullmann, the friction control is working better than ever (they had improved upon the old design) and I was happy as a pig in slop! This is what I call service above and beyond.

If you’re in the market for a new tripod, ballhead or other support devices, Cullmann products are carried by B&H and Adorama.