Will I end up regretting if I sell 70-200 f/4 IS?

gonzogolf wrote in post #16666225
You wont miss it, until you need it. What I mean is you may go months without using it, but when you do need it you wont be satisfied with the lesser lens, then you will feel some regret. Its the nature of things.

Exactly!
I bought mine in '08 and used it a lot on my 40D for the first couple of years. Then less, and less.
Honestly, I can't recall the last time I used it but I won't sell it.
It's paid for and doesn't cost anything to keep around just in case I find a need for it.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16666189
I have not used the lens in a solid 3 months or so. It's a terrific lens and probably my best overall lens.....

This is probably just me, but this part stands out.... Not being used in 3 months is hardly "inactive" to me anyway. If it were a year or more, then yeah, maybe... but 3 months? Seems really short to me to make that determination that you are never going to use the best overall lens you have ever again.

In regard with the sporting events. Check with the venue you are going to. A lot of times they will have a restriction on them stating no cameras over 6 inches in length, and that is up to the eyeball of the ticket checker.... and don't go in with the lens fully extended if zooming changes it's physical length.

55-250 lens by itself: ~4.5 inches (retracted)
70-200 f4 lens by itself: Almost 7 inches (and I think that is without the hood)....

Pair that up to the camera and just about anyone could ID real fast that combo is not within the rules.

If it were me, I'd keep it.

Short answer, yes, I did. I bought the 2.8 IS II instead.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #16702276
I took it out of the bag to take pictures so I can sell it last night. And just couldn't part with it, damnit! I'll try again in a couple of days.

Yes, its a good lens - I had one but I parted with it. I tried a 70-200 f/2.8 and was even more thoroughly impressed. I loved the extra stops of light for high speed shooting - it kept great speed for sports when the daylight started to dim.

I'm planning on looking at a prime EF 200mm f/2.8 L II since its cheaper I need the zoom more than the lower ranges. Another few pluses - its black, lightweight, and very non-conspicuous. I shoot mostly on a tripod so I never used my IS on the 70-200 f/4 much anyway so the prime w/o IS won't be missed. Oh, yeah the 200mm prime also adapts to an my Canon 1.4x ext for more zoom ~290mm and stops down to only f/4 at that zoom, really cool....

I got the 70-200 2.8 II but still can't bear to part with the F4 IS. I keep it as a light alternative for outdoor use when hiking, etc.

A quote from ed radar from this thread. Post #131

https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1361170

"and I remember a few years back it was the 70-200L f4 IS. "but it's only f4," they whined. after a year or so it was regarded as canon's sharpest zoom and maybe the sharpest zoom made by anyone."

I think this is one lens that people always regret selling. I've recently sold mine, to get a 70-300L. I couldn't afford both, and needed the extra length. But if I could have kept the f4 IS, I would have done. It's an extraordinary lens. I love the 70-300L and am sure I made the right decision - I agonized over it for months - but I'm very sorry I had to sell the f4 IS to get it.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16666225
You wont miss it, until you need it. What I mean is you may go months without using it, but when you do need it you wont be satisfied with the lesser lens, then you will feel some regret. Its the nature of things.

This. I was close to considering it too, but my wife and I just booked a 3 week trip to southern Africa, so it's going to get a lot of use this October. With the 1.4x TC on my 60D, it gets me out to a 448mm FF eqivilent, and that should serve me well. Otherwise, I've only used it for about 3 shots in the last 6 months.

I would regret it if I sold mine.