Although I've been reading and learning from the list for several months
now, I haven't really had anything to add, though I must say that I enjoy it
(flames and all). When I first returned to Olympus photography, my first
purchase was an OM2sp (dealer purchase) to replace the "buggy" (read lemon)
OM4 which I sold several years earlier. I still had my Zuiko 16mm, 24mm
and my 85mm lenses which I wouldn't part with. After I discovered eBay, I
soon purchased a 300mm f4.5 which had always been one of those "wish list"
lenses for me (and my wife wanted a lens she could shoot bird pics with).
My next purchase in my altered "zuiko fever" state of mind was a 50mm f3.5
(dealer purchase). I then went on to purchase a 75-150 from Tom Scales.
After the fever had subsided a little and I started shooting with my new
equipment, I discovered a few things. First, I love the OM2sp. This is the
body I only wish I would have upgraded to after my OM2n rather than the OM4.
Second, the 50mm macro is a GREAT lens. I had only used extension tubes
(manual) before to do macro photos. This lens makes it so easy and fun and
as a bonus, it's also a good "normal" lens!
The third thing I discovered was that my photo vision must have changed over
the years, or I was never really a long lens shooter (although I used to
have a 200mm). The 75-150 zoom felt very confining to me. I tried several
times to shoot with it but would always find myself reaching for a shorter
lens! Maybe I just like the shorter lens/small body combination that made
Olympus so unique. Tom had told me that I could return it if it wasn't the
lens for me, but I never thought that I would do just that. I applaud Tom's
integrity for honoring his word.
And this brings me to the point of this message. At the risk of drawing the
wrath of one or two list members, I'd like to offer my Zuiko 300mm f4.5 for
sale.
I purchased it several months back off of eBay (my first auction that I
actually won) after watching the patterns of other 300's that were being
sold at the time. I paid what I thought was a fair price based on what KEH
and several other dealers were charging for lenses of the same condition,
and comparing it to Skip Williams' eBay database. The condition was listed
as Excellent + and although not NIB, it is very, very clean! No scratches
on body or elements, no mold or fogging, or the dreaded black specs that
several list members have mentioned on other lenses. It came with the
original case which has minor scrapes on the outside but is near perfect on
the inside. Both original caps came with it and it was packed exceptionally
well when it was sent to me so I'm assuming that the owner cared about her
equipment.
I used the lens on a recent trip to Yellowstone, and I noticed more than one
envious look from the other photographers when I pulled it out. The pics
were clear and sharp even though I handheld the lens and was shooting near
wide open (I forgot to bring my tripod !!!! what an idiot!!!). If anyone is
interested in seeing a picture the lens, I think I still have pics that were
posted on eBay somewhere on my hard drive. I could then email them (I'll
look for them).
I'm not interested in turning a profit on the lens, since I think that the
price was fair based on all the other sources I researched at the time. It
was more than the average price of Skip's database ($361.00), but less than
what dealers were charging ($390 to $450). I was totally happy with the
purchase. I've just found that this is a lens that I probably will not use
but once or twice a year based on my shooting style. And of course, there
is other OM equipment that I would like to pursue. I'm like alot of list
members, ie: I've reached a point where I have to sell some gear before I
can go shopping again (strongly suggested by my better half).
Anyone interested please email me. If I don't sell it here, I'll probably
list it on eBay soon, but that's not a threat to motivate a purchaser. I'm
just not in a great hurry to get rid of it. Like all of the OM gear I've
owned over the years, I would like to see it go to someone who will use and
care for it. And yes, I would like to get my investment out of it. Oh yea,
the price! I paid $384 and that's what I'm asking.
Regards,
Randal Reed
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