Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM - who has it in stock!?

CalfeeRider · October 11, 2005

Update 11/17 - I just got a call from Ryan at Tallyn's that they just received a new shipment of this lens. Not sure how many aren't already "spoken" for, but if you're in the market you may want to call them at (800) 433 8685 (www.tallyns.com) - Jack

Ok, so I've finally splunked down a boatload on the 1D Mark II N, and now I
can't find "THE" lens for it anywhere!

I've checked B&H, Adorama, J&R, Tallyns, Sammys, and just about every link Pricegrabber, MySimon and Lowpriceshopper would come up with.

If anyone has seen this in stock, please let me know!

Thanks!

Andy · October 11, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

Ok, so I've finally splunked down a boatload on the 1D Mark II N, and now I can't find "THE" lens for it anywhere!

I've checked B&H, Adorama, J&R, Tallyns, Sammys, and just about every link Pricegrabber, MySimon and Lowpriceshopper would come up with.

If anyone has seen this in stock, please let me know!

Thanks!

i thought you got hooked up with j&r

CalfeeRider · October 11, 2005

andy wrote:

i thought you got hooked up with j&r

Hey Andy, yeah, I thought so too! When I spoke with them yesterday, they *confirmed* their stock so I placed my order, but this morning I got a call and... well things had evidently changed and they ran out of inventory before they completed my order. I kept the order for the 1D MkII N and should have it on Thursday. B&H shipped the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS today 2nd Day UPS too. However, the quest for the 24-105 has been arduous and a bit frustrating, but whatchagonnado?

tom e · October 11, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

Ok, so I've finally splunked down a boatload on the 1D Mark II N, and now I can't find "THE" lens for it anywhere!

I've checked B&H, Adorama, J&R, Tallyns, Sammys, and just about every link Pricegrabber, MySimon and Lowpriceshopper would come up with.

If anyone has seen this in stock, please let me know!

Thanks!

digitalfotoclub lists it in stock, did you call them?

CalfeeRider · October 11, 2005

tom e wrote:

digitalfotoclub lists it in stock, did you call them?

Yep, hit them too! Thanks! :cry

CalfeeRider · October 13, 2005

Am I the *only* person looking for this lens!?

On a side note (of sorts), how many of you put a UV or Skylight filter on versus going "bareback"?

ScottMcLeod · October 13, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

Am I the *only* person looking for this lens!?

On a side note (of sorts), how many of you put a UV or Skylight filter on versus going "bareback"?

I go bareback... probably out of stupidity more than anything. I haven't bought a 67mm filter for it yet.

I have 58mm UV and 58mm CPOL for my other lenses though, as well as 52mm UV

HeldDown · October 13, 2005

I don't go "bareback" with any of my glass -- too much of an investment to let chance have a crack at killing it! You never know what could fly through the air and land smack on your lens -- like a beer cap... :hide

colourbox · October 13, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

Am I the *only* person looking for this lens!?

Sounds like it's the opposite! If it is out of stock, everyone else must want one too.

As for the filter...it goes on the front, wouldn't leaving it off be called "full frontal?"

ziggy53 · October 13, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

...how many of you put a UV or Skylight filter on versus going "bareback"?

I keep a protective filter on all of my best glass, realizing that it is removable as the situation requires.

I have had too many "close calls" and one "near disaster" and the filter also prevents excessive cleaning of the front elements.

ziggy53

ziggy53 · October 13, 2005

Jack,

Amazon says the lens is not available until Nov 1. It appears that the availability date has been pushed back. That may explain why dealers thought they would have it by now.

The 24-70 f2.8L is available and, if you have to have something this minute, might suffice during the interim.

ziggy53

Andy · October 13, 2005

ziggy53 wrote:

Jack,

Amazon says the lens is not available until Nov 1. It appears that the availability date has been pushed back. That may explain why dealers thought they would have it by now.

The 24-70 f2.8L is available and, if you have to have something this minute, might suffice during the interim.

ziggy53

all the majors had it for a while - and i got mine 2 weeks ago... supply's probably just short now

ziggy53 · October 13, 2005

andy wrote:

...i got mine 2 weeks ago...

Andy,

BTW, are you still liking it?

Is the IS the "real deal", i.e. does it work well on this lens?

Thanks,

ziggy53

Andy · October 13, 2005

ziggy53 wrote:

Andy,

BTW, are you still liking it?

Is the IS the "real deal", i.e. does it work well on this lens?

Thanks,

ziggy53

yes and yes.

1/6th second, iso 800, no post processing at all ... so you can see direct from raw. click pic for exif.

100% crop

ziggy53 · October 13, 2005

Wow,

I love how the window was handled by that camera and lens. It looks like exposure was critical, but you nailed it!

Nice.

Thanks,

ziggy53

Andy · October 13, 2005

ziggy53 wrote:

Wow,

I love how the window was handled by that camera and lens. It looks like exposure was critical, but you nailed it!

Nice.

Thanks,

ziggy53

thanks zig. for critical work, i.s. gets me 3 stops easily. but in a pinch, i can get 4 or 5 stops, heck, even more

.

herion · October 13, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

Am I the *only* person looking for this lens!?

On a side note (of sorts), how many of you put a UV or Skylight filter on versus going "bareback"?

I always "wear protection" on all my expensive glass

:. I had pre-ordered it early from Allen's in PA and my buddy is now #60 on their waiting list. The glass is superb and very easy to handle. I guess Canon miscalculated their sales numbers (or underestimated their marketing machine).

Andy · October 13, 2005

bareback

CalfeeRider wrote:

On a side note (of sorts), how many of you put a UV or Skylight filter on versus going "bareback"?

i only use a filter for when i need it. i do use the lens hood[/url] it provides a good amount of protection against bumps, scuffs, etc.

when do i need a filter? when i'm shooting with a c-pl, or need an nd - or i'll put on a uv or sky 1a when i'm at the beach or elsewhere where it's particularly blowy/dusty.

CalfeeRider · October 14, 2005

Thanks for all of the comments everyone! It's always interesting to hear how others feel or why we do things the way we do.

Andy, I do like your point about the lens hood providing some protection and hadn't really considered that.

Herion, I think you're right about Canon having underestimated the demand. I *did* hear from one seller though, that Canon had recalled a batch of these which has exasurbated(sp?) the problem. This is probably only a rumor, but has anyone else heard anything about that? I'm going to check with J&R (who I bought the 1D Mk II N from and was very pleased with their service and delivery - thanks Andy!) and see if they have an estimate.

Colourbox, you do have a point about the "full frontal"!

TGIF!

CalfeeRider · October 14, 2005

andy wrote:

yes and yes.

1/6th second, iso 800, no post processing at all ... so you can see direct from raw. click pic for exif.

WOW! 1/6th! That's awesome!

Always, nice to see familiar pics from NY. I had a great time the three years I was there... holler if you reconsider doing an NYC shootout!

tom e · October 16, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

Am I the *only* person looking for this lens!?

On a side note (of sorts), how many of you put a UV or Skylight filter on versus going "bareback"?

i use a filter. i'm always scraping the lens cap or getting my grimy fingers on the front piece of glass; i'd much prefer that it be a filter and not the front element

photobug · October 25, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

... I can't find "THE" lens for it anywhere!
I've checked B&H, Adorama, J&R, Tallyns, Sammys, and just about every link Pricegrabber, MySimon and Lowpriceshopper would come up with.

If anyone has seen this in stock, please let me know!

I've had the 24-105 "L" on order from Amazon since August. Amazon has consistently given a Release Date of Oct 15 and an expected delivery date of around Oct 25 (free shipping option) -- until a few days ago. Then the Release Date changed to Nov 1 and the expected delivery date slipped all the way out to Nov 30-Dec 15!

I have also heard mention of a flare problem that affects some or all 25-105 "L"s to date. It apparently only affects shots at full wide angle (24mm) and wide-open aperture (f/4), where the light source is 37 to 45 degrees off the optical axis of the lens. Speculation is that there's a small reflective surface inside the lens that Canon didn't notice until now. Sampling of forums where this is mentioned:
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Dv0O
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/297836
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/297647

Canon has said that it will "fix" this at no charge, for any affected lenses already in the field (assuming that you even notice the problem at all). Parts for the fix (little teeny cans of flat-black spray paint?

) will be at repair centers starting Nov 15th. If Canon is offering a free "fix", then (a) Canon is acknowledging that a (small) problem exists and (b) you can be sure Canon will fix this in production lenses ASAP. Perhaps this has already been changed on the production line, but "who knows" when the fixed ones will appear in the supply pipeline (and how will you even know which you got, without meticulous testing)?

So -- I wonder if the reason my lens from Amazon was delayed was due to a production change-over to the "de-flared" version of the lens, or was it simply due to high demand and Amazon isn't getting supply from Canon as quickly as it expected?

____________________

On a different topic, someone questioned the use of "protective" filters on lenses. According to one of the main photo mags a month or two ago, "the only protection such a filter gives is for the retailer's profit margin". It might help guard against excessive lens cleaning, but the mag said that most any blow that would damage the front lens element would also shatter a filter, driving shards into the front element of the lens and damaging the lens anyway. The magazine did recommend using a lens hood to help prevent bumps -- I've been doing this for the last year and a half and indeed the lens hood helps!

The 24-105 is my first "L" lens, and I've got to say that I am wondering if I should consider a 77mm "protective filter" this time, in addition to using the hood that comes with the lens. (Lens extended warranties don't cover accidental impact, so they don't address this concern at all)

mercphoto · October 25, 2005

photobug wrote:

The magazine did recommend using a lens hood to help prevent bumps -- I've been doing this for the last year and a half and indeed the lens hood helps!

And unlike a UV filter, a lens hood will actually improve image quality (its primary purpose) while also helping protecting the front element.

chrisjlee · October 26, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

Ok, so I've finally splunked down a boatload on the 1D Mark II N, and now I can't find "THE" lens for it anywhere!

I've checked B&H, Adorama, J&R, Tallyns, Sammys, and just about every link Pricegrabber, MySimon and Lowpriceshopper would come up with.

If anyone has seen this in stock, please let me know!

Thanks!

They have a lens on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EF-28-135-IS-USM_W0QQitemZ7555871135QQcategoryZ106844QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

photobug · October 26, 2005

No, the eBay lens is not the same model

They have a lens on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EF-28-135-IS-USM_W0QQitemZ7555871135QQcategoryZ106844QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

No, that's a 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens (the one I currently have but will also be selling)

This whole thread is about Canon's brand new (and hard to get) 24-105 f/4 "L" IS USM lens.

= dave

CalfeeRider · October 26, 2005

It seems that this lens is currently out of production due to a flaring problem. Thanks for the response though!

CalfeeRider · November 17, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

It seems that this lens is currently out of production due to a flaring problem. Thanks for the response though!

bump

photobug · November 17, 2005

24-105 delivery "holding" at 12/15; "guaranteed" by 12/23?

It seems that this lens is currently out of production due to a flaring problem.

So it seems. My delivery date from Amazon is "holding" at Dec 15th.

Oddly, it's flagged as "delivery guaranteed by Dec 23rd" ... I don't know if that's really true or is just "boilerplate" text that doesn't necessarily apply to this item (considering that the delays have been beyond Amazon's control).

CalfeeRider · November 17, 2005

photobug wrote:

So it seems. My delivery date from Amazon is "holding" at Dec 15th.

Oddly, it's flagged as "delivery guaranteed by Dec 23rd" ... I don't know if that's really true or is just "boilerplate" text that doesn't necessarily apply to this item (considering that the delays have been beyond Amazon's control).

Actually, I'd just updated the thread, but I was on a waiting list at Tallyn's and they called me a couple of hours ago saying they'd just received a new shipment. You may want to call Ryan and see what their inventory and pricing looks like. (800) 433 8685 (www.tallyns.com)

Jack

herion · November 17, 2005

CalfeeRider wrote:

Am I the *only* person looking for this lens!?

On a side note (of sorts), how many of you put a UV or Skylight filter on versus going "bareback"?

I have the original "photon torpedo" and I cannot get it to flare. I'm debating whether to send it back or not.

With that said, I have always "worn protection" with a UV filter.

:

CalfeeRider · November 18, 2005

herion wrote:

I have the original "photon torpedo" and I cannot get it to flare. I'm debating whether to send it back or not.

With that said, I have always "worn protection" with a UV filter.

I know Ed Hughes is also in the same predicatment and debating whether to send his back or not since he hasn't see the flaring either - and he shoots a LOT!

So do you send it back and take a chance it doesn't come back as sharp as before? Or since you have a year (right?) maybe keep shooting and send it back later. I would suspect the odds are if you can't make it flare after 6-8 months it won't!

Jack

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM - who has it in stock!?

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