These EDIF P7 lenses were barely into production when they were discontinued.
The typical price new for the 300 was around $1200, and I've seen used ones selling
between a grand and $1500. What drove up the price to cult status is not only their
current scarcity but the superior quality of their optics for astro nite photographers.
The 400 EDIF has always been quite rare and expensive, and is downright huge.
These lenses are white, not black. Past my budget, since a late immaculate black
300 can be acquired for about $300, and is virtually equal for black and white film use. It's nice for windy and rainy conditions, when I just don't want to dry off one of my view cameras, or want to pot-shot a distant scene quickly from the highway. Not
very practical for backpacking, however.