I also had to bring my SB-800 to Nikon for repair. They found corrosion in the battery compartments and I got an estimate for repair. Then I got a message from Nikon stating they could no longer repair the flash because it was discontinued and that parts were no longer available. I couldn't figure out why they would discontinue a workhorse flash like the SB-800 while keeping flashes just as old in their lineup. They offered me a refurbished SB-910 for $300 plus tax and shipping. I refused it and picked up my SB-800. When I came home I read up on how to deal with battery corrosion. I took a Q-tip, dipped it in some distilled white vinegar and swabbed it in the battery compartments and let it dry. The flash fired up again like a champ! Gonna keep my SB-800 alive as long as I can. It serves me well :)

I use this lens as a walk around lens attached to a D4s. I find it to be quite sharp at F6.3-7.1 (seems to be the sweet spot for this lens).... two annoying things still don't negate my good opinion of the lens. They are:
1) All the versions I have owned of this lens will hang up when used on single frame AF - Shutter will not fire. I must always use it on continuous AF - then no problems.
2) The front rubber focus rubber ring will eventually expand and lose the glue attachment to the lens surface underneath - making for an unsightly broken look... they last 2 years at most before you have to obtain a brand new rubber ring.... Neither problem affects the image results!

This is a NIB lens and a buyer's remorse sale. I felt like it was a good price so I jumped on it but it doesn't add enough extra to my current equipment to justify the expense and re-arranging my bags and other lenses so I am selling it. I took it out of the box, took 2 shots, and put it back. It was only out of the box for a few minutes and never on a tripod. It's a beautiful lens but just not something I need. Saw a shiny object and bought it too fast...

The price is $1,100 and it comes with everything a new lens includes. This lens is currently listed on B&H for $1,299 after $100 instant savings. I will pay for UPS ground shipping from the Philadelphia area to anywhere in the contiguous 48 states. Buyer can pay for insurance and/or faster shipping. When your check, cashier's check, or money order clears my account I will send the lens that day and send you tracking number. This is a straightforward no nonsense sale. Please PM me if you are interested.

Hi all going to my first air show this spring. i have a 7d/2 with a assortment of lens 3- 2.8 lens, 16/35, 24/70, 70/200, and ver 1 100/400. & 1.4 ver 3 extender. not sure how close they fly by the grandstands. my question is do i need a lot of reach with the longer lens or is a shorted reach better. or do i take a combination, but really don't want to take more than two lens.
also while i'm here asking is there such a thing as adapter that will allow my ver 3 1.4 conv to fit on my 24/70 ? if so would that be a possibility in this situation. thanks everyone for the insight bill