Sell the 24-70 and get a prime?

Gear is listed below. I don't shoot a ton of weddings, but the occasional wedding/portrait work. Mostly sports, weather, landscape stuff...

Really considering selling the 24-70 2.8L and getting a prime. Considering the 35L or 85L with the 50L being in the mix too.

Thoughts? Dumb move to sell the tank?

No, it's good to try new things. Sell it and pick up either the 24L, 35L or 85L.

hard to say, without knowing the reasons you consider that move.

With your gear you have versatility. I had gone from zooms to all primes but now a zoom would be most welcome. I'd say stick with what you have and save up for either the 85L or the 50L.

Check a sample of you past pictures to see what focal length most of your shots are taken at. If there is no pattern then maybe a zoom is a good choice for you.

John

I offloaded my 24-70mm for a canon 35mm f/1.4 L and a Sigma 85mm f/1.4 best move. If you know your shooting style and dont mind either changing lenses you really cant go wrong with a fast prime. I love the image quality from the 35mm and 85mm. I loved my 24-70mm but the primes take it to another level

I think I may try primes for a bit. I don't mind switching lenses.

So then the question becomes which to get first? 35L 50L or 85L?

I sold my 24-70 after I got the 50L. haven't regretted it. it's a lot more compact kit.

I'm kind of leaning towards the 35L at this point, especially with the 1.3 crop body.

35L on 1DMKIV is awesome combo

Dont be scared to try a few, the good thing about L primes is they hold their value really well.

I had the 50L and now the 85L, they are both cracking lenses and I couldnt fault the 50L

I'd say if you find yourself taking out your cheapest lens (50 1.8) over all your expensive zooms then its time to make a switch. I loved my 24-70 since day 1 and thought I'd never take it off. One day I started using my 50 1.4 I couldn't go back to the 24-70. It was too heavy and it just wasn't fast enough. I found the 50 too long and got a 35L and I'm quite sure its not coming off again. Do it!

SCMedic wrote in post #13680557
Gear is listed below. I don't shoot a ton of weddings, but the occasional wedding/portrait work. Mostly sports, weather, landscape stuff...

Really considering selling the 24-70 2.8L and getting a prime. Considering the 35L or 85L with the 50L being in the mix too.

Thoughts? Dumb move to sell the tank?

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'text/html' | Content warning: script

Get the primes. low light in weddings are harsh on the 2.8.
For weddings, you need as much light as possible [If indoors.]
Im about to shoot my first wedding with my friend next week. Hope it goes well.

If I had a 1dmk4 buying a 24Lmk2 is a no brainer.

I didn't care for my 35L on the 1.3 crop. Mind you I've grown to appreciate story telling with wider angles. 35L with the 1.3 crop factor didn't suite my style. I took a gander at your portfolio (people)and you seem to shoot tight with your current lenses.

Your 16-35L on your 1dmk4 is a friggen awesome walk around combo. Put a 24L as a walkaround and it'll force you to get crafty with your feet. You may find your style to change with different perspectives and unique wideopen aperture "pop" to your photos but with a wider angle shot rather than a wideopen aperture shot with a long tele lens with compression blowing out a creamy background.

I cant sell my 24-70L cause its a workhorse. Somedays I'll shoot a 24L and 85L combo with two bodies or play it safe with using a combo of primes/ zooms. All depends on available light/bounced flash etc.

My 24-70 is my professional workhorse, and I can't afford to be without it ... personally, I'd love a 35L but can't justify sacrificing my professional workhorse for my personal fancies ... but if you can afford to be without your 24-70 (and it looks like you have the wide end covered by the 16-35, and the long end covered and furthered by the 70-200) then I see no reason not to get a prime of the focal length that suits you best for the extra creativity, and opportunity that those lower apertures can bring. Play around with the lenses you have to mimic the primes you're interested in and see what might suit you ...

On paper, 16-35, 50, and 70-200 looks great, keeping gaps pretty minimal, but if you don't really shoot at 50mm, but are particularly fond of either 35 or 85, then having an expensive 50mm prime makes less sense than having a great lens for your preferred focal length ...

In short, I see no reason not to, but having no reason not to, isn't really a reason to - so find the lens you really want ...