How Much do you use your Canon EF 16-35mm L ??

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Last July, I bought a new one for $1350 on a impulse buy from Newegg, but haven't really warmed up to it. ...

I'm thinking of selling it, but I hate to. It is a very sharp lens, no problem there, I just find that I have little need of super wide angles.

Lenses are simply tools, if you don't need this tool sell it.

You have fallen into the trap of "everybody has one so I need one too."

How much do you use your 16-35mmL? That was the question.

I did not ask for selling advice, I'll be able to make that decision. I was merely wondering if my 1200 some images over the past 7 months was sufficient usage.

Don't sweat his posts. They are typically combative and difficult.

I understand, the situation, it does not really bother me, just hoped he might be willing to provide the information, assuming he has the lens.

 

[Vivid Color]

I was merely wondering if my 1200 some images over the past 7 months was sufficient usage.
[/quote]

How many images in total did you shoot over the past 7 months? And, how does your 16-35 mm usage compare to the rest of the lenses you use? That will answer the usage question but not the issue of sufficiency. Of the images you take with the 16-35 mm, what proportion of them could you have made with other lenses you own? Or, reverse that, and ask what proportion of images do you make with the 16-35 that you can ONLY make with that lens and how critical are those images to your work?

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I was merely wondering if my 1200 some images over the past 7 months was sufficient usage.

How many images in total did you shoot over the past 7 months? And, how does your 16-35 mm usage compare to the rest of the lenses you use? That will answer the usage question but not the issue of sufficiency. Of the images you take with the 16-35 mm, what proportion of them could you have made with other lenses you own? Or, reverse that, and ask what proportion of images do you make with the 16-35 that you can ONLY make with that lens and how critical are those images to your work?


I have analyzed all that, I answered most of those questions before I bought it.

I was asking what usage others see.

How much do you use yours?

Last years usage was low due to my hand surgery, so the data is likely not all that useful after I bought the camera. Only about 7000 images since I've bought it. Hopefully, as my Carpal Tunnel heals, I'll be out using my camera a lot more.
I fo have a 15mm FE and a Tokina 17mm f/3.5 prime that are very good, but f/2.8 seems to be on the margin.

 

[Harry Muff]

The opportunities are everywhere for wide-angle pics. You just need to try and look for them.


All pics from a 5D2 and 16-35 II set to 16mm.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

1200 some images over the past 7 months

Now you are making me feel bad :-[ I'm embarrassed coz I made less than 100 images with my Sigma 150-500 OS in the last 1 year, if I made 1200 images in the next 2 years with my Sigma I'd be mighty pleased with my self. ;D

By the way, I think neuroanatomist is subtly telling you to keep the lens with his awesome images made with the 16-35 ;D
Here is my feeble attempt (its a 5D MK III in-camera HDR using 16-35 f/2.8 LII lens)

 

[RuneL]

A lot.

 

[Rienzphotoz]

A lot.

Just curious, what is the duration? ... I mean how long did it take you to make those 9000+ images with 16-35

 

[Loswr]

Personally, I think it's unwise to base such a decision on absolute number of shots or relative frequency of use compared to other lenses. I have dress shoes for work and casual shoes for weekends. Should I sell my snowshoes because I only get to use them once or twice a year?

The shots I get with the 16-35L are, for the most part, shots I couldn't get with other lenses I have available. OTOH, Mt. Spokane, you mention using it mostly from 24-35mm - that would be a bigger concern for me. A 24-70/2.8L II might be a better choice, in that case.

 

[RuneL]

A lot.

Just curious, what is the duration? ... I mean how long did it take you to make those 9000+ images with 16-35

The oldest are from 2006, but this catalogue mainy contains images from 2009 and forwards. If I filter since I got the 1D IV upon release it's 9726 with the 16-35, so 4 years-ish. I've still used the 24-70 and 70-200 a lot more (the latter makes sense though, since I mainly use it for sports)

Edit: since some previous posters deemed it necessary to attach pics to their answers I'll do the same:

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Personally, I think it's unwise to base such a decision on absolute number of shots or relative frequency of use compared to other lenses. I have dress shoes for work and casual shoes for weekends. Should I sell my snowshoes because I only get to use them once or twice a year?

The shots I get with the 16-35L are, for the most part, shots I couldn't get with other lenses I have available. OTOH, Mt. Spokane, you mention using it mostly from 24-35mm - that would be a bigger concern for me. A 24-70/2.8L II might be a better choice, in that case.

I'm inclined to sell it, since I do have the 17mm prime.

I may wait a few more months to decide, I'd like to do some landscape photography, but never seem to find the time.


If Canon had the 24-70mm MK II on their refurb sale that started today, I'd have it on order. I'll likely order one very soon in any event.

 

[Loswr]

If Canon had the 24-70mm MK II on their refurb sale that started today, I'd have it on order. I'll likely order one very soon in any event.

I've decided I'm not going to order a 24-70mm MkII.

The fact that mine arrived from B&H last week might have something to do with that decision...

 

[RGF]

If I want a UWA I go with the 14. At 24 I switch to 24-70. If I can i avoid the 16-35 since it is only a fair lens

 

[Rienzphotoz]

i avoid the 16-35 since it is only a fair lens

How dare you insult one of my favorite lenses ;D ... BTW, before you do Jackie Chan up my comment - I'm just kidding.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

If Canon had the 24-70mm MK II on their refurb sale that started today, I'd have it on order. I'll likely order one very soon in any event.

I've decided I'm not going to order a 24-70mm MkII.

The fact that mine arrived from B&H last week might have something to do with that decision...

I was right on the verge of buying one from B&H yesterday, but I forced myself to hold off for a couple of weeks.

 

[Loswr]

I was right on the verge of buying one from B&H yesterday, but I forced myself to hold off for a couple of weeks.

Rebate may have ended by then (although it might not make a big difference in the street price). Just sayin' .

 

[kubelik]

my 16-35 stays on my 5DII almost all the time. I love having the 16mm to 28mm range all covered by one lens. the main thing is, I rarely am shooting people, so the distortion is not an issue. if I enjoying/was paid to photograph people, I probably wouldn't use it so much. most folks I know find it bizarre that my walk-around is an UW, but it works for the way I see things - I can't stand the "50mm is the human field of view" thing, my field of view definitely goes way wider than that.

at some point I'd like to upgrade to 24 f/1.4 as an all purpose walk-around, but I have a tough time justifying the overlap in focal length for the time being (also have 24-70 L).

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I was right on the verge of buying one from B&H yesterday, but I forced myself to hold off for a couple of weeks.

Rebate may have ended by then (although it might not make a big difference in the street price). Just sayin' .

I put one on order yesterday. I try to give business to our small local dealer Camera Corral in Couer d Alene, ID.

Not too many towns with a population in the 45,000 range are lucky enough to have a pro camera store, I hope to do my part at keeping them here. They do have to custom order big ticket items, Canon is usually pretty good about helping them out. He was going to call the Canon Rep today and see if she could give him some priority, they can take a long time to arrive if they are out of stock.

 

[Loswr]

Congrats! Enjoy it when you get it...

 

[Eli]

If Canon had the 24-70mm MK II on their refurb sale that started today, I'd have it on order. I'll likely order one very soon in any event.

I've decided I'm not going to order a 24-70mm MkII.

The fact that mine arrived from B&H last week might have something to do with that decision...

And how are you finding it?

 

[Loswr]

And how are you finding it?

Excellent. Wickedly sharp, great colors and contrast, blazing fast AF, solid build.