Am I going crazy? Sell my beloved 24-70??

I really love my 24-70 L, its versatile, fast, great IQ. However, I have recently been looking for something a little lighter and with a little more range to use for a walk-around lens, so I bought a 24-105 L, and I really like this lens too! It's perfect for when I go hiking; its lightweight, sharp, IS is handy when I need more DOF, it doesn't have the huge hood like the 24-70 has, it really fits the 5D well.

My intentions were to keep both lenses, as I think they serve different purposes. The 24-70 is great for indoor work, or in situations were you want a very pleasing out of focus area (24-105 out of focus area is definitely not as nice as the 24-70). The 24-105 is great as an outdoor walk-around lens offering lightweight, longer range and IS.

Now I'm beginning to rethink my strategy a bit. I'm considering selling my 24-70 and picking up a 28 f/1.8 and a 50 f/1.4 (and maybe a 85 f/1.8 ) for some real low-light capability. I've never had much in the way of primes--I've bought and sold two 50 f/1.8's because I just don't use them much, but there are times when I'm at parties or out with friends at bars or restaurant where I don't want to use a flash but even the 24-70 isn't giving me a decent shutter speed. I also think a couple primes would be a little less conspicuous which would be nice at certain times. But I feel like if I sell my 24-70 to buy primes that sit in my bag because I really am more of a zoom guy, I'll be kicking myself in pretty short order.

So I don't know what to do. Any thoughts?

Tim

I'd buy a prime first and try that out to see how you like it - if you find you don't like it and don't use it then it'll be a good thing you didn't sell your 24-70 first

Sounds like a reasonable thing to do if you like primes - you'll have the light, versatile zoom for a walkaround and primes for low light.

if you dont mind carrying 2 lenses with you get 28 and 85 first, as i dont tihnk you will eb usign 50 much, but if you go out with one only, maybe you need the 50, unless you prefer the wider anlge of the 28.

i think 24-70 is for those who really need it, if you dont really need then you dont really need to have it

timnosenzo wrote in post #3955348
I really love my 24-70 L, its versatile, fast, great IQ. However, I have recently been looking for something a little lighter and with a little more range to use for a walk-around lens, so I bought a 24-105 L, and I really like this lens too! It's perfect for when I go hiking; its lightweight, sharp, IS is handy when I need more DOF, it doesn't have the huge hood like the 24-70 has, it really fits the 5D well.

My intentions were to keep both lenses, as I think they serve different purposes. The 24-70 is great for indoor work, or in situations were you want a very pleasing out of focus area (24-105 out of focus area is definitely not as nice as the 24-70). The 24-105 is great as an outdoor walk-around lens offering lightweight, longer range and IS.

Now I'm beginning to rethink my strategy a bit. I'm considering selling my 24-70 and picking up a 28 f/1.8 and a 50 f/1.4 (and maybe a 85 f/1.8 ) for some real low-light capability. I've never had much in the way of primes--I've bought and sold two 50 f/1.8's because I just don't use them much, but there are times when I'm at parties or out with friends at bars or restaurant where I don't want to use a flash but even the 24-70 isn't giving me a decent shutter speed. I also think a couple primes would be a little less conspicuous which would be nice at certain times. But I feel like if I sell my 24-70 to buy primes that sit in my bag because I really am more of a zoom guy, I'll be kicking myself in pretty short order.

So I don't know what to do. Any thoughts?

Tim

figure out which works better for you and sell the other. they are close enough that i would not own both, and i have owned both.

frankly i am put off by the weight and size of the 24-70L too...but the 24-105L ain't exactly a lightweight either and the brick better serves my needs but by a slim margin.

edit: i am a zoom guy too but with the 5d you really should have a 50 1.4 for indoor stuff. it's a super lens on the 5d and cheap enough that you won't lose any sleep if it gathers a little dust.

ed rader

Keep your 24-70 zoom and save up to buy just one fast prime, like the 50mm f/1.4 or 85mm f/1.8. They're not very expensive and trying one out will let you know how much you like them overall.

I have had both and sold the 24-105L for the same reason you are thinking and have went back to the 24-105 and still kinda miss the 24-70L. But the only reason I sold the 24-70L was just the range. To me the 24-70L is a little sharper and the 2.8 is nice when you need it. But now for low light I use a 35L which serves as a better low light indoor then the 24-70L you will just have to get use to foot zoom..I just figure that range was more important to me outdoors and use my primes for indoor work.

I also had the 85 f/1.8 which latter I sold it for the 85 f/1.2 and loved the f/1.8..I think the 85 range on FF is a nice combo. You will not regret buying the 85 f/1.8 for indoors. It has one of the fastest AF and it is sharp and better then the 50 IMHO. So if you sell your 24-70L I would go for primes for indoors either the 85 f/1.8 or if you like the range of the 28 I would just go for the 35L...

well if you plan on selling it I'm in the market to buy one (hint hint) however as to what to do I guess it really comes down to your needs