My 17-55 2.8 for his 28-70 2.8 trade?

[kennephoto]

I want to go to full frame some day and I use crop now. I'm trying to sell my canon 17-55 2.8 to help fund the FF move. However I got an email off Craigslist from a guy that wants to trade his canon 28-70 2.8 for my 17-55 is it worth it? Assuming both lenses are equal condition as well.

[neuroanatomist]

IMO, no, unless a little cash is thrown in.

[Random Orbits]

I wouldn't do it unless you plan on moving FF soon.  I found the 17-55 more versatile on APS-C.  You also have to be careful of used 24-70s.  I've seen many threads on this forum and elsewhere where pros unload them after they wear out.  If you do go ahead with it, check it out thoroughly for sharpness wide open at both ends.

[neuroanatomist]

You also have to be careful of used 24-70s.  I've seen many threads on this forum and elsewhere where pros unload them after they wear out.  If you do go ahead with it, check it out thoroughly for sharpness wide open at both ends.

Even more so with a 28-70, since that will have been used for at least 10 years.

[kennephoto]

Thank you for the replies! When they guy first contacted me I thought it was a 24-70 and that might have made it easier for me to want to trade but Im not so sure about a 28-70. So how does a lens wear out? Does it lose IQ and sharpness over time?

[Random Orbits]

Didn't realize it was a 28-70.  Then no, I would not do the trade.

[Drizzt321]

Thank you for the replies! When they guy first contacted me I thought it was a 24-70 and that might have made it easier for me to want to trade but Im not so sure about a 28-70. So how does a lens wear out? Does it lose IQ and sharpness over time?

Not really, although there could be other problems like fungus growth, or scratches, or other damage that might have occurred. In this case, it's more likely that the 28-70 is not that great of a lens to begin with for IQ, vignetting, color fringing, etc. I haven't researched it at all, but based off of neuroanatomist and Random Orbits replies, I'd guess that's more the case.