Replace 70-200 ?

Hi chaps - I know this is almost blasphemy and I really like the lens but I've found myself leaving it at home too often, I like the reach and the IQ is outstanding (now I'm getting to know it) but it's too big and conspicuous for walking around so I've been sticking with my 28-135 IS ... I'm pretty happy with it and would love to keep both and buy something but the budget doesn't stretch that far ... the 28-135 is a nice lens for general use but I'd like more length some times ... would it be really stupid to sell them both and get, maybe, a 55-250 and also something for the wide end (I have a nifty 50 1.4 which I will keep whatever else I do) ... as ever apologies if this is an oft asked question but I've been reading reviews and threads for days now and am starting to go round in circles .... thanks to anyone for their help - Roger

Which 70-200? The f4 is tiny and I carried mine around with no problems. Whenever you have a camera people look at you. Get used to it.

Find what you enjoy using, and use it. Sounds like you've done that. I like mine a lot, but clearly it's not your cup of tea so move on.

I certainly wouldn't downgrade from a pro-quality 70-200 or a mid-grade quality 28-135 to an entry level 55-250 with slower/noisier/less accurate AF. I think that's a recipe for disappointment.

If you need more reach than 200mm, get a 1.4X teleconverter or pick up a 300/4 IS some time (tho its a little larger than the 70-200/2.8).

If it were me, I'd be looking at a wider lens. 28mm isn't bad if you're using a full frame camera such as one of the 5D.

But if you're using any crop sensor camera, 28mm just isn't at all wide. Check out Canon 10-22, Tokina 12-24, Sigma 10-20, Tamron 10-24.

Am I reading this correctly...
You invested in a lens so you could improve your images but don't use it because people look at you when you use it.
That doesn't make any sense.

Very bad Idea.

Be sure once it is gone it is very expensive to replace! I personally, wouldn't be without mine but I use it 70% of the time I have my camera out.

I find the 28-135 soft and slow compared to the 70-200. When I started taking this hobby seriously, I knew sometime I would get the white zoom lenses that may look too "professional" for most soccer moms like me. That did worry me for about 1 second as I contemplated how good my pictures would be. I have been using large DSLR's with very large lenses for a while now and I can tell you that people just don't care. They see your set-up and they are not necessarily jealous, just aware that someone is doing this stuff seriously. If you are happy to get something smaller, less obvious, that is up to you, but the G12 is an excellent camera and can do a lot if you are worried about people looking at you.

The smallest and least conspicuous lens with a 200mm range would be a superzoom such as a Tamron 18-200mm, which produced these sample images.

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Is it too big? Because it's white? Too heavy?

You can get slightly smaller lenses that are black if you'd like. Whether it's a 135 F/2, 200 F/2.8 or even Sigma 150 F/2.8, they all will stand out a little less, especially if you leave the hood off (Sigma 150 also has other benefits being a macro lens).

rogertb wrote in post #12498824
Hi chaps - I know this is almost blasphemy and I really like the lens but I've found myself leaving it at home too often, I like the reach and the IQ is outstanding (now I'm getting to know it) but it's too big and conspicuous for walking around so I've been sticking with my 28-135 IS ... I'm pretty happy with it and would love to keep both and buy something but the budget doesn't stretch that far ... the 28-135 is a nice lens for general use but I'd like more length some times ... would it be really stupid to sell them both and get, maybe, a 55-250 and also something for the wide end (I have a nifty 50 1.4 which I will keep whatever else I do) ... as ever apologies if this is an oft asked question but I've been reading reviews and threads for days now and am starting to go round in circles .... thanks to anyone for their help - Roger

Which 70-200 and is it color, weight, size, etc you don't like? What body? I'll assume you have a crop sensor. If you are taking 90% of your shots with the 28-135, then you have too much money invested in the wrong lens. I'm also surprised the 28-135 is wide enough for you. Assuming you have limited funds, the 18-135 and 55-250 would work for you. The 15-85 and 55-250 would be better IQ and still within what you could get out of your lenses.

Tell us if you are just a casual shooter, or are looking for just one lens to travel with etc, and maybe we could give you better recommendations.

Well chaps, what a stunning response thank you and you probably did what I subconsciously was after - confirmed that I should keep the 70-200 and learn not to be so shy (btw it wasn't only the conspicuousness but the size for a carry around) anyway that said I'll work on my timidity ... I'll also now start looking for something wider, thanks for the suggestion Bill - I'll look at the 18-135.

As ever the response has proved what an excellent forum this is ... best Roger