What to do with 70-200 2.8 IS

So I bought this lens last November. Used it a couple of times, but it mostly stays in the bag. I'd use it more if I could get away from work and actually pick up my camera and use it, but alas, I am a slave in this economy.

I guess that what, 5 months after I bought it, it became obsolete with the arrival of the mkII? the mkI is a difficult lens if you don't have time to practice with it. If I shot 500 images with it total I'd be surprised.

I'm not sure what to do. My instinct is telling me to sell it (since it's essentially brand new) before it drops too far in value, and get the mkII (which by comments is much easier to use and more reliable) when work finally allows me a chance to make pictures again.

Does that make sense? I really hate to be stuck on gear, but technology moves a lot faster that me.

Keep it. It wont drop much more in the next few years as it is still in demand on the used market since used MkIIs wont be showing up for a while to move the value of yours lower. If you do want the new version, sell your current one once you are ready to buy, that way you wont blow the money from this one on something useless like a mortgage payment or something!

If you don't use it today, why would you spend the extra money on the version II that you wouldn't use?

TaDa wrote in post #11000269
If you don't use it today, why would you spend the extra money on the version II that you wouldn't use?

My thoughts as well...

If you don't use it you should sell it and apply that money towards something you can utilize. And you should sell it to me

If it's just sitting there unused and money is an issue, I would sell and not purchase a newer, more expensive lens. May I ask how the MKI is difficult to use and unreliable compared to the MKII?

TaDa wrote in post #11000269
If you don't use it today, why would you spend the extra money on the version II that you wouldn't use?

+2

it doesn't make any sense.

My thoughts are if you using it as a 70-200mm lens the original M1 is still and outstanding bit of glass and getting great results out of it or the M2 is no easier or harder. The M1 is still professional grade, it will still perform fantastically well and its second hand price (if a question of its worth) has done nothing but climb up since the release of the M2.

I also echo the thoughts - new gear can be exciting to get and can sometimes break a no shooting period - but if you've not been broken on the M1 I think the M2 might not hold want you need - unless you were pushing the M1 a lot with a 2*TC for example.

TaDa wrote in post #11000269
If you don't use it today, why would you spend the extra money on the version II that you wouldn't use?

Agreed. Having the latest version of something you don't use doesn't make sense. It's like kissing your sister...what's the point?

synapxe wrote in post #11000393
It's like kissing your sister...what's the point?

Would she be stepsister, or would we have the same parents?

TaDa wrote in post #11000269
If you don't use it today, why would you spend the extra money on the version II that you wouldn't use?

I don't mean to replace it right away, I mean replace at the point when I will have time again to practice photography.

I like then lens, I'm just afraid that if I can't get back into photography until next summer or something silly like that, than I should be trading out or up by then. It's a lot of money to have tied up into something your not using whether budget is tight or not.

Thanks for the replies! I guess I'll just keep it and let it sit until I can use it.

The original 70-200 f/2.8L IS will never be less of a lens than it was when it was the only one you could buy. I have absolutely no intention to replace mine.

One thing I always advise people when they are "bored" of a hobby is not to sell up the gear unless they are in a very strained financial conditions. I've spoken to loads of people who greatly regret spending time building good working setup (in any hobby) who then sell it - because a year - two years - five years down the line they find they can't buy back the setup they once had. The costs have gone up - the gear is no longer on the market etc.....

So unless you desperately need that money I would say hang onto the lens for the time being - who knows next week the bug might bite again and you'll reach for that gear like lightning.

gecko0 wrote in post #11000335
May I ask how the MKI is difficult to use and unreliable compared to the MKII?

This.

I have found this lens to be about as forgiving as they come for the most part. I don't really see anything that is easier to use out there, including the Mkii. The lens has very little bearing on truly being able to take a great picture, and without knowing how to compose a great image and execute it properly, nothing is going to satisfy you. I've never seen your work, so I can't say this is absolutely your problem, but really, this lens is about as good as it gets at all focal lengths and apertures.

gecko0 wrote in post #11000335
If it's just sitting there unused and money is an issue, I would sell and not purchase a newer, more expensive lens. May I ask how the MKI is difficult to use and unreliable compared to the MKII?

I am not a pro by any means. The images I made with the lens I have been more losers than winners in the sharpness category. From opinions I've read, it sounds like the mkII eliminates this problem for all skill levels.

It's almost starting to feel like I'm into photography through spirit and finance alone this year.

Anyway, thanks for the replies. I'm just going to keep it. Goods points from above about not being able to re-assemble that same kit later on, and at this point I have my kit assembled.