Great opportunity to own an EF 24-70: what should I do?

I am really struggling with this one, I am not sure what to do. I just found out from a friend of mine that he is trying to sell his lenses because he mostly uses his 24-105, and all the other lenses he owns have been sitting in his camera bag. One of these lenses is a rather new Canon EF 24-70mm that he said would be willing to sell me for $800, because we are friends. Here's my dilemma: do I need it and can I afford it? I also have a 24-105 that I use on my 50D. Is it worth getting this lens only to gain an extra f-stop? I also recently purchased a new 70-200, and I am not sure I want to dish out an extra $800 for a lens I may not need. Any advice on pros and cons would be appreciated, because I am not sure what to do with this one. I almost wish he had not told me about it

Ask to borrow it and see which one suits you better. I debated between the two and chose the 24-105 for the IS, less weight, and longer reach. I found f/4.0 manageable at night with a flash, and usually 2.8 doesn't cut it in my situations without a flash as well.

If you do happen to choose the 24-70, you could easily sell your 24-105 for $800 or more (assuming it's still in good condition), or sell it at a loss for $700 to make it a really fast sale and buy the 24-70 for $100 more.

As much as I'd like to own the 24-70, I don't think I could part with my 24-105, I just love that lens too much. That's why I am wondering whether having the other one would even make sense. I mostly shoot landscapes and architecture in urban settings. It just sounds like too sweet a deal to pass.

If you're happy with the 24-105 then I don't think you should do it. That, along with the 70-200 is a great combo. However, if you do find yourself wishing for a faster lens at times when using the 24-105, then I'd consider the 24-70.

I also have a 50D. I've had the 24-70 for a bit over a year and absolutely love the lens. I've read so much about QC problems with this lens, so I guess I got lucky in getting an incredible copy.

My wife, bless her heart, presented me with a brand new 70-200 f/4 IS as a Christmas gift. I'd read so
much about this lens being one of the sharpest in Canon's lineup, and indeed it is. But, in comparison to my particular copy of the 24-70, I don't notice much difference. If anything, I expected more from the 70-200 after all I've read about it. And the main thing I don't like about the 70-200? Not having the 2.8 of the 24-70.

Anyone in the market for a very lightly used 70-200 f/4 IS? 2.8 v2 here I come!

Don't buy what you want, buy what you need and buy the one that will improve your skill.

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I am trying to convince myself that despite the great deal, it is not worth getting it. Again, I almost wish I didn't know he was selling it so I would not be tempted. It's almost like a disease. I also forgot to mention that I own an 85mm 1.8. I realize that it is on the longer end and it's not an L lens, but it's great for those times I need a faster lens. I may just save the money and invest in another one later on. Based on my existing lineup, any suggestions as to what would make sense for me to add? My wife and I like to travel, and I usually take that opportunity to shoot landscapes and urban settings.

Buy it off your friend, on-sell it, and share the profit.

You certainly do not need it, you covet it.

Forget about it and move on.
If the money is burning a hole in your pocket, I am willing to provide you an address where you can send it and be comfortable knowing it is well taken care of...

I'll paypal you $800 for it.

Buy the canon EF 24-70mm then sell it for $900

buy the 24-70mm, try it out for awhile & see if it suits you better than your 24-105mm.
Then sell whichever one suilts you least.


sorted.

gacon1 wrote in post #11683296
Buy the canon EF 24-70mm then sell it for $900

sorry, i don't agree with this at all.

you're getting a really good deal on a lens from a good friend who is willing to sell it to you at such a price. now turning it around and selling just for a profit is pretty selfish in my opinion.

i would never do such a thing


if it were me and he really needed to sell it, i would probably post the lens up for sale for him and sell it for him and get him a reasonable amount of money for it.

Keep 24-105 and buy a fast prime with the money.

I have both, I use 24-70 for all things photo and when I'm just generally family shooting walkaround style - I take the 24-105 ESP as the IS for video is essestial . I'm not a big fan of the distortion wide on the 24-105... The extra stop on the cropper would be nice as you can actually get pics that look like f4 on a FF.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Yeah, I don't think I could buy it from him and then turn around and sell it for a profit either. I don't think he's in a hurry to sell it, as he does not need the money right away. He could actually get more for it but was willing to sell it to me at a "friend and family discount", as he put it. I'll have a little more time to think about it, I just don't want the lens to meet the same fate by sitting in the camera bag because I'll end up using the 24-105 more. Maybe a faster prime would be better, just trying to decide which one.