Is this too good to be true?

[Gazzr]

I am in the good books with the missus at the minute and am considering a new Canon lens:

(Canon EF-S 17-85mm f-4.0-5.6 USM IS Image Stabilized AF Zoom Lens)

I have been looking around for these and they are quite pricey (Although some may disagree and start quoting "L" series prices)
The average price is around £350, but over on ebay i've seen them in the UK going for buy it now's of around £220.

I am very tempted but in the back of my mind I can hear my mum ramming it into my head that
"If something sounds too good to be true, then it probably isn't"

Anybody bought one of there, or advice in general about the demons of ebay? Or maybe somebody knows of a reputable shop that does them for a good price.

Cheers all.

[neo2810]

Gazzr... All the £220 ones are from South Korea with £20 P&P. Wouldn't go near them if I were you....

If you're looking for a good lens for around the £250 mark, I'd buy a second hand one off somewhere like Talk Photography, where you know it's been looked after.

Good Tamron 28-75 selling for £200 here: Talk Photography

EDIT: Same lens here for cheaper (£150): Talk Photography

[blaggard]

I've been avoiding far Eastern kit since buying my camera, I hadn't realised they had gotten into the photography market quite so heavily.

[cosmicma]

the 17 - 85mm seems to average 300 quid at a few places

http://www.mathersoflancashire.co.uk/page9.html

http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-ca...m-usm-lens.htm

personaly i would prefer this lens that has a little more reach

http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-canon-28-135mm.htm

[Gazzr]

I was watching a few a couple of weeks back and talked myself out of getting one as I was worried - hence the title...
EG ebay auction id 350097177948

I was looking for the 17-85 as I already have the kit 18-55 ,a cheap canon 28-135 and a sigma APO DG 70-300
My intention is to flog the 18-55 and 28-135 as i don't see them ever making it back onto the camera if I get one of these.

[Gazzr]

Hmmm. Having weighed things up - I think ebay is out of the question.
Mathers in Bolton isn't far from me, but do I go for the 17-85 for £299, or the 28-135 for £329?
Decisions decisions.