Will I regret selling my 24-70ii?

[countofmc95]

Purchased the 24-70ii in 2014 and think it's a terrific lens. Great focal length for me, and great IQ. I use it on a 6D body. That being said, I just don't use it much at all. I shot 1 wedding with it, and since then stopped doing paid gigs. For personal use, I take smaller cameras now, like my Fuji. So really it's not the lens itself so much as I just don't use the DSLR that often for personal shooting anymore.

At the same time, I don't want to completely rid myself of DSLR as I still think there are areas it performs better than mirrorless. But I think shrinking/lightening my kit even more may get me to take it out more. So I was considering selling the 24-70 and replacing it with 2 small lenses, maybe something like the 35mm IS and the 85mm 1.8. 6D with the 35mm IS would be a small and fairly light kit and I like the 35mm focal length.

 

[Click]

Yes you will. It's a great lens...Keep it.

 

[can0nfan2379]

I had the 24-70II for a couple of years. Great lens, super sharp, useful do-it-all lens but it didn't really have any special character to it in my opinion.

I sold it and picked up the 35 1.4II. Love that lens. For anything wider (landscapes) I'll most likely pick up a 16-34 f4 or wait and see if there is a 16-35 III on the horizon. Otherwise between the 35II and my 85II - I don't really need anything else for portraiture.

 

[slclick]

I too had it and sold it, if those focal lengths aren't your thing at those apertures then so be it.

 

[pwp]

I had the 24-70II for a couple of years. Great lens, super sharp, useful do-it-all lens but it didn't really have any special character to it in my opinion.

Yes it is a great lens. Though I'd suggest the special character in your images will derive from your creativity in far greater measure than lens characteristics.

OP, if you can afford to keep your 24-70 f/2.8II, just do it. If you've been following threads about this lens since it was introduced, you'll quickly see a pattern of photographers selling prime lenses in the 24mm-80mm focal range because this single lens delivers prime quality, and renders the primes obsolete. I'm one who has made this transition. There is more space/less weight in my bag. The 24-70 f/2.8II is a killer of a lens.

-pw

 

[YuengLinger]

I had the 24-70II for a couple of years. Great lens, super sharp, useful do-it-all lens but it didn't really have any special character to it in my opinion.

Yes it is a great lens. Though I'd suggest the special character in your images will derive from your creativity in far greater measure than lens characteristics.

OP, if you can afford to keep your 24-70 f/2.8II, just do it. If you've been following threads about this lens since it was introduced, you'll quickly see a pattern of photographers selling prime lenses in the 24mm-80mm focal range because this single lens delivers prime quality, and renders the primes obsolete. I'm one who has made this transition. There is more space/less weight in my bag. The 24-70 f/2.8II is a killer of a lens.

-pw

+1

I'd simply add that, unless you are completely giving up your dSLR, my prediction is you would kick yourself for selling it. Take that 6D and the lens out more often just for fun, for taking understated found still lifes, friends and family at dusk...Just have fun with it rather than let it sit unused.

OTOH, if you believe you are going to keep your stuff in a closet for years, well, you might want to get away from the dSLR all together and go with the lighter stuff.

Have you ever tried just joining a camera club? Just photograph and share for the love of it, with no inner pressure to have a "reason"?

 

[Krob78]

Purchased the 24-70ii in 2014 and think it's a terrific lens. Great focal length for me, and great IQ. I use it on a 6D body. That being said, I just don't use it much at all. I shot 1 wedding with it, and since then stopped doing paid gigs. For personal use, I take smaller cameras now, like my Fuji. So really it's not the lens itself so much as I just don't use the DSLR that often for personal shooting anymore.

At the same time, I don't want to completely rid myself of DSLR as I still think there are areas it performs better than mirrorless. But I think shrinking/lightening my kit even more may get me to take it out more. So I was considering selling the 24-70 and replacing it with 2 small lenses, maybe something like the 35mm IS and the 85mm 1.8. 6D with the 35mm IS would be a small and fairly light kit and I like the 35mm focal length.

I don't think you'd miss it at all, especially since it's just collecting dust. PM me with your asking price!

 

[deletemyaccount]

This is my favorite landscape lens on my FF. There's no way I'd part with it. It requires virtually no sharpening in PP. My most used lens overall. Keep it, if you don't, you will regret parting with it.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

It matters not if its a great lens, if you don't use it, sell it! If you change your mind a year or two down the road, you can probably buy another at a lower price.

I do not keep lenses just because they are great. I sold my 35mmL and several other primes when I purchased the new Canon zooms. They were not being used, so they went to someone who would use them.

I could buy them today for a lot less.

 

[Random Orbits]

Sell it and consider selling your 6D too. Carrying 2 lenses instead of one just to lighten the load doesn't make sense if you'll be switching between those two lenses often. That is the whole point of a zoom. And if you're not using the 6D much if at all, might as well maximize the value you get selling it and putting the money to better use (maybe other Fuji lenses).

 

[Refurb7]

When I read the thread title, I thought "You sure will miss it!" But then I read your explanation. If you're not using the lens, then it makes no sense to keep it. Selling it and getting smaller lenses makes perfect sense. I think it's a fantastic lens, but if I didn't need it for paid gigs, I'd probably sell. I might wait a year to do so, just to be sure.

 

[RGF]

how important is the IQ? Can you live with good but not great IQ Then try 24-105.

The 2 primes will bookend the range but will miss the mid section. might want to add 50 to cover the center.

If you are the type of shooter who gets the most in your frame then the zoom is for you. If you can shoot a bit loose and can crop try the primes. Or rent the primes to try them out.

 

[Larsskv]

I sold my 24-70 this week. I got 95 % of what I paid for it, and I would expect it to keep its value for several years. I would only advice you to sell it if you need the money. You can always sell it later.

Replacing or adding the 35 f/2 IS and the 85 f/1.8 is a very good idea/alternative, and one I probably would have done myself, if I were in your situation. Get them used, and you can sell them without loss if you don't like them.

 

[bholliman]

It matters not if its a great lens, if you don't use it, sell it! If you change your mind a year or two down the road, you can probably buy another at a lower price.

I do not keep lenses just because they are great. I sold my 35mmL and several other primes when I purchased the new Canon zooms. They were not being used, so they went to someone who would use them.

I could buy them today for a lot less.

+1

As great as the 24-70 f/2.8 II is, if you are not using it, sell it and buy something you will use. Faster primes bring different things to the table.

 

[Zv]

It matters not if its a great lens, if you don't use it, sell it! If you change your mind a year or two down the road, you can probably buy another at a lower price.

I do not keep lenses just because they are great. I sold my 35mmL and several other primes when I purchased the new Canon zooms. They were not being used, so they went to someone who would use them.

I could buy them today for a lot less.

This is also my strategy. If I haven't used a lens as much as I hoped or it's made redundant by a more recent purchase / overlapping then it gets sold promptly. It annoys me just having something in the house that isn't being used, feels like a waste of money. In this regard the 50 STM is my best price:usage ratio lens!

A 24-70 should see a lot of action, those are some of the most common focal lengths. My most used lens is the 24-105L and I'm not particularly fond of it just that it's really useful. The only reason I haven't gone with a more superior 24-70 lens is that I get more use from that extra focal length range at the long end when traveling.

24 and 35 are great for landscapes and panos. 50 to 70 is perfect for walkabout, portraits, events, festivals, flowers, fireworks... The list is endless.

OP it sounds like you just need to get back in the game and be inspired to shoot more with the 6D.