Does it stay or does it go?

I recently bought a 300 mm f4L for use with airshow event photography. I didn't get nearly the use out of it that I thought I would at the last 2 shows I did. Seemed like a good purchase, but its actually only got about 80 frames of use out of the whole last two weekends of shows.

I am starting to begin the transition where I've been taken under the wing of a wedding photographer and am moving towards more engagement/portrait/we​dding events than I am airshows (I only have 3 total airshows planned this year, and 6 weddings as a second shooter). I absolutely love shooting airshows, but it generates little revenue for me in the end. I have found that I also enjoy shooting the wedding/engagement stuff...not as much but its more of a absolute as far as getting paid goes, so it kind of balances it out for me.

I can get near purchase value from a friend who wants the lens....I would be losing $150-$200 though.

Am I crazy to sell this lens for a loss? I would be putting all the money back into gear, but stuff more useful for weddings etc.....580 EXII flash, flash bracket, off shoe cord and anything else that money would get me.

I feel like it was one of those regretable purchases right at this moment, but I also fear that next airshow season I wish I had it back....or maybe I will just go back to the 100-400. Anyones opinions, .02 cents, or experience would be much appreciated.

What would it have cost you to rent the lens for a few shows? If you sell it for that minimal a loss consider it a rental fee?

Dave...

300 is pretty short for airshows anyways.

If you're not using it, got something you will use. I personally have never regretted selling lenses that I just don't use anymore.

Just think, you get that "new lens" feeling all over again.

Oh, and never regret anything. just chalk it up to learning. At least you didn't buy a 300 f/2.8 and find out you don't like it.

dave sparks wrote in post #8360967
What would it have cost you to rent the lens for a few shows? If you sell it for that minimal a loss consider it a rental fee?

Dave...

Thats a good way of looking at it!

DDCSD wrote in post #8360997
300 is pretty short for airshows anyways.

If you're not using it, got something you will use. I personally have never regretted selling lenses that I just don't use anymore.

Just think, you get that "new lens" feeling all over again.

Oh, and never regret anything. just chalk it up to learning. At least you didn't buy a 300 f/2.8 and find out you don't like it.

300 f4 with a 1.4TC was what I was using.

True enough that it wasn't the 2.8. I did consider taking that plunge!

The 300 F4 L is a great lens - I have the IS version - but I have to say I find it a little limited in its uses.

Because it focusses pretty closely I feel it is a good zoo lens / walkaround wildlife lens. When I go to a country park with the family I can be shooting bugs / flowers one second & birds the next. The great performance with the 1.4x enhances it's usefulness when more reach is needed.

It's probably a reasonable general event lens & good for daytime sports but I wouldn't have gone for it for airshows & clearly not for weddings.

I would have thought a compromise would be the 100-400L which could be used for both, but the 70-200 2.8 is obviously a better choice for weddings.

Phil

how are you losing that much on it? Care to share what you paid?

Especially with lens prices going up lately, it's been a great time to be selling used... But even before that a well kept lens could (and should IMHO) sell for $50~$100 off it's price new. If you buy used, it's not uncommon to sell for more than you bought it for if the prices rise (I've even seen this with people selling things they bought new).

Ya, I never intended it for use for weddings. Its sole use was for airshows and wildlife, but due to the fact that I have become heavily involved with apprenticing from this wedding photographer I really don't have any time to take on airshow work this year, probably next year too.

A couple of recommendations from members on POTN and from other sources gave a thumbs up to the 300 and TC for airshow use. I found I was always at the long end of my 100-400 at airshows and didn't get much use from it otherwise so I sold it, and replaced it with the 70-200 and 300+TC

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8362636
how are you losing that much on it? Care to share what you paid?

Especially with lens prices going up lately, it's been a great time to be selling used... But even before that a well kept lens could (and should IMHO) sell for $50~$100 off it's price new. If you buy used, it's not uncommon to sell for more than you bought it for if the prices rise (I've even seen this with people selling things they bought new).

I'd be giving a bit of a deal to a friend who doesn't have the money to go big, but we do alot of event stuff together so I would rather it go to him.

I bought this lens just after the prices went up. Just over $1600 CDN incl taxes.

Just checked out your gear-list. You've got the lenses you need for a wedding covered well, although the 16-35 would be more useful than the 17-40. In fact, if you have no plans for full-frame in the near future I'd consider 17-55 f2.8 IS.

Phil

Your airshows must be farther from the crowd line than the ones around here. I shot about 1,800 photos at the last airshow I went to, almost all of them with my 300 f/4L IS, and no TC. For formations and the larger aircraft, it was mostly too long when they were right at show center. I had considered the 400 f/5.6 before purchasing the 300 because I also use it for birds, but after shooting the first airshow with it I was glad I got the 300 and 1.4x TC instead. I personally wouldn't part with it. In addition to wildlife and aviation, it also works well as a "macro" lens for flowers and such and I've even used it for some landscape shots where I wanted to isolate particular areas. True, it wouldn't do you much good at a wedding, but there is always life after weddings! (and I would rather poke my eye out than shoot another wedding)