Knowing when to sell your Glass

Well I have 3 primes 50mm 85mm and 100mm Macro and I never really use them. Most of my photography is landscape and studio work.

I feel a 24-70 F2.8 or a 24-105 F would get used way more. I have collected 58mm filters from when I had my Sony F828. 3 IR filters, 3 Close up filters, 3 ND filters, CP and UV filters as well.

I figure the cost of the 24-??? would be covered by selling all the above. The problem is deciding to.

What would you do?

If you dont use them, you dont use them. A lense on the cam is better than 3 in the bag .

In the end, the choice is lies on do you think the shooting situations will change and you can then use the primes, or will it stay the same.

GL

weka2000 wrote in post #2179517
Well I have 3 primes 50mm 85mm and 100mm Macro and I never really use them. Most of my photography is landscape and studio work.

I feel a 24-70 F2.8 or a 24-105 F would get used way more. I have collected 58mm filters from when I had my Sony F828. 3 IR filters, 3 Close up filters, 3 ND filters, CP and UV filters as well.

I figure the cost of the 24-??? would be covered by selling all the above. The problem is deciding to.

What would you do?

I'm just the oposite my 50mm and 85mm get used all the time and I'm thinking of selling my Sigma 70-200 2.8 HSM DG for lack of use

Mike

bangarang wrote in post #2179525
If you dont use them, you dont use them. A lense on the cam is better than 3 in the bag .

In the end, the choice is lies on do you think the shooting situations will change and you can then use the primes, or will it stay the same.

GL

I agree with this. They might be nice to have, but if they are sitting there collecting dust, then having money in your pocket is also nice to have. The good thing about having lenses is that they really dont depreciate much.

i sold my 50 1.4 and 100 macro for the exact same reason. i got a 24-70 2.8 instead and lets just say that since i got it, it has been used for about 90% of my shooting time. now, the 50 and 100 macro were both outstanding lenses and i can't think of a single thing that they lacked. however, i really didn't use them and the 24-70 really fits my shooting style better. if you don't use yours, sell it and buy a lens that you will use more. unlike some people here, i can't afford to keep things that i have no use for and i also have no interest in keeping such things just to say that i have it. i am trying to keep my kit to a minimum and only own things that i actually use and need.

OK, I'm biased - I ony have one lens - 24 - 105L because I don't like changing lenses (it seems like the wrong one is always on) and I can compose a shot very quickly without moving in or back. I have two young grand daughters - they won't wait for a lens change. In fact, many occasions won't wait for a lens change - particularly street photog.

I will also point out (if you haven't already noticed) that my 24 - 105 covers the entire range of the three lenses noted - plus some. I won't argue that this one lens will compete with the three primes for quality, but I will always win the argument about convenience and composing quickly and easily.

The choice of an IS L lens was to partially compensate for IQ and max aperture - I regularly shoot stills at 1/12 second. Have had good luck at 1/8 second. Unless the subject is moving, the IS more than compensates for the f/4 max aperture. Compared to a f/2.8 lens, my lens is only one stop slower, but IS gives me at least one stop back, and usually two.

If you didn't go too low on the price of the used ones, you could get a brand new 24-70L for the money. Of course, that's here in the US. Don't know the price difference between them all in NZ. If you do studio work, you'll adore the 24-70L. It is absolutely out of this world with strobes/flash. It's a dandy all on its own, but with a flash or studio lighting, I'd go so far as to say that it's prime sharp, super colorful, and wonderful contrast.

The 24-70L is *THE* lens for the 5D. I'd know.

bangarang wrote in post #2179525
If you dont use them, you dont use them. A lense on the cam is better than 3 in the bag .

Exactly...

It's not easy parting with lenses, but if you don't use them, they don't do you much good. Might as well get something more useful and that you enjoy.

You should keep at least one prime though - you want something bright for those low-light shots.

I'm glad someone had the cujones to ask this question, for as Ronald can well attest, I've struggled with it for a long time.

I don't consider myself a collector of lenses, though others may disagree.

I do collect pens, btw.

In spite of not being a collector, I kind of have an attachment to my lenses, and even though I may not use them all often, I just can't seem to pull the trigger and sell any.

Yes, I lust for the 300 f2.8, but I'd rather just wait to be able to afford it rather than part with what I currently have, no matter how little I may use them.

mark

Just got back from having a play with a Canon 24-105. Nice glass, light, good length and sharp. Could see this as my most used lens.......but would I be better off with thw 24-70 F2.8 but there is another debate

I understand where your coming from I have three/four lenses in my bag that I just don't use.. Lets see.. Kit has turned into a paperweight. Literally.. since tammy showed up.. 75-300mm 4.5-5.6 is worse than a paperweight it's in it's original box somewhere under my bed.. and the 28-105mm allthough a great lens the only reason I even remotely want to keep it is for close-up flower shots.. But, I find myself using whatever's on my camera for doing those.. So, why do I keep them?..... the same reason I have two suitcases full of purses and half a dozen fancy lotions I can't wear..... because someday.... at some point..... yeah.. right...

sari

Sell them. They are all pretty popular lens. At the very least, if you put it out there, you could make money. If they don't sell, they'll continue to sit like they do now. You should have no trouble selling them. And it can give you the money, pretty much to pay for the 24-70.

Another vote for selling them if you don't use them.

Yes sell. The advantage is they would be easier to get back than try to save up for a Canon 24-??? L

Sell your glass a week after you get it if there is a better piece in it's league, that way you can always tell yourself you tried the lower end model and was not happy with it so you had an exscuse to buy the more expensive one.

(Just playing.)