Any one own this lens but find them self not using it much?
Ive had it for nearly two years now and have used it only a handful of times since buying it.
Im no pro and mainly shoot family stuff, for this I find the size and weight a pain as both my kids are under 5 as it just becomes a hassle.I would say i struggle with the weight the most and some times have issues with this.
The main time i've used it was when i take pictures while airsofting.
I must say that when i do use it the results are great when it nails it.
My other lens are 50 1.8G, 85 1.4G and 24-70 2.8, ive been consider selling it to fund a sigma 35 1.4..
I know how highly this lens is regarded is this madness on my part?
If you're not using it and want to sell for a lens you think you will use more then go for it. I had one as well and sold it but for different reasons. I replaced it with something even heavier.
When I bought my first pro lens a long time ago it was the 70-200... Once I bought the 85 1.4, the 70-200 took a little bit of a back seat...
After divorce and giving up all of my cameras and lenses (gasp!) I had to rebuild my kit with no money, and I bought a 28-70 2.8, and an 85 1.4 first, then a 14-24 kinda sorta because I needed it, but the 70-200, my favorite lens for a time, is still not in my bag. It's incredibly important at times, and the pictures from it are amazing, but I wouldn't change the order that I have bought things, giving an indication of priority. I do still have a 28-200 old lens that I can use if I desperately need it too, though.
I would love a 35 1.4, but I would consider looking into buying something long too, even if its lesser quality just to replace the length, a dirt cheap 70-300 non VR comes to mind, just in case ($119 new at B&H, import)
Now I have sold the 70-200mm f/2.8 and the 24-120 f/4 too as I was not using that lens a lot either. I also ended up buying the 70-200 f4 only recently as I need the reach a little with a 2 yr old in the house. Below is my current line up sorted in the order of most used to the least used lenses today.
ive also considered ditching the 24-70,then i would plan on going.
28
35
50
85
135 hopefuly sigma or nikon will bring one out soon as the DC seems lacking for the d800 and for fast AF buy most regards
I like the lightness of primes to be honest, but the zoom does help at times.
selling the 70-200 would also pay off the last of my d800 aswell as being able to get the 35., but i might just try and use the 70-200 only for a while and see if i can grow to like it more, if not then it may have to go.
Its one of these lens where i may regret it if i sell it as i know i couldn't replace it anytime soon..it was actually my wife that bought it for me.
how does the vr1 compare i could many buy that to replace it. theres one going very cheap on a local forum(£725) where as i could sell mine for £1250ish. this would allow me to either pay of the camera or save alittle more and buy the 35..
If I'm not using a lens I have no problem selling it off. Only rarely have I regretted it. I'm also just a hobby shooter. Remember you can always buy one again.
I'll tell you this though, my kids are active in sports and telephoto is my most used. If your kids are the same then you might hold onto it.
After they're done with sports I look forward to seeing what kind of miniature gear that technology has to offer.
I'd do it, I seem to always buy a 70-200, and it always seems to sit in my bag collecting dust. I think I've owned 6+ of them. I think I just like the way it looks,
hahaha I saw one recently in the nikon plaza shanghai and it did look like a bit of a beast.
Im not sure what the weight issue is, if its my holding technique or I'm just weak... i can get sharp enough images but looking through the view finder it seems to look like its moving a fair bit which for some reason puts me off make me feel like im not using it well.
ive gone through my flickr and off the shots ive taken with it they all do look good....ahahahah
My 70-200 sits unused most of the time - but - there are times it's JUST what I need and nothing else will do. I've thought about selling it, but then I end up grateful I own it. Maybe one day I'll switch to an F4, but for now I'm keeping the 2.8.
It is a lens a lot of people seem to feel they 'should' own. For casual photography I think it is a terrible choice, it is heavy, expensive and screams look-at-me. If you are going out to specifically take pictures it is a brilliant tool if you need fast af, VR and the flexibility of a zoom; if not the heft and cost just are probably worth it.
For fashion this is probably my most used lens. The af is super fast and more reliable than fast primes, VR means I can handhold slower than non-VR primes and I have the flexibility to instantly shoot tight or 3/4 body depending on how the model moves. I have thought about ditching it for the new sigma 135mm since I'd prefer a sharper prime but I could not live without the flexibility and my pictures would be worse for it.
My 70-200 2.8 is on the camera 90% of the time. It gives me what i need-(reach when needed,-- portrait perspective when needed) Yeah, it is heavy, but it does the job. But, each to his own.
It's not my most used lens, but it still gets a workout on a regular basis. I'm never disappointed with the images it produces. Not planning on getting rid of mine until the vr3 comes out
I absolutely LOVE my 70-200f2.8, and was pleasantly surprised --- thanks Lance B., to discover that it is very sharp with a 2.0eiii teleconverter. I was going to purchase a 300f2.8, and still will in the future, but for now I am very happy at 400mm for my wildlife photography.
I also have the f4 that I plan to sell eventually, but my f2.8 has earned its place in my bag. However, if yours isn't seeing much use, sell for a lens that will be useful for your shooting style.
SWMBO say ive to keep it incase I need it when the kids start school l.plus due to it being my most expensive lens and her not wanting me to regret selling and loosing money buying another later if I do regret..
She has a point I guess.. so will just have to aim for a sigma around xmas then.
I'm at the point where a 70-200 f/2.8 would greatly benefit my work. I need the fast aperture and flexibility of a telephoto for shooting roller derby - the gals are fast and the light is low! I've just about convinced myself the next lens purchase will be a 70-200 VRII but probably not a brand new one.
i shoot for a living and am really sick and tired of the hauling around a 70-200 f2.8.
I bought the f4 version this past winter and have never been happier! i'm hoping it will treat me well during the wedding season.
You might be a good candidate also.
ps...have been away from home for several weeks and have neither of my 70-200's with me and instead opted for the 70-300 VR. it's surprisingly good under 250mm or so.
