Dilemma - 17-55 IS or 70-200F4L

scottduffy

scottduffy

Messages
3,348
Name
Scott
Edit My Images
Yes
Guys i have a dilemma. I have a 50d body and i bought a 17-55 f2.8 IS as i thought it would be the perfect walkabout lens. My problem is that 99% of my shots are of my soon to be 3 year old boy when we're out of the house and to be frank he's often much too far away from me to take the shots i need as i need major cropping which ovbiously affects the image. I was thinking that i might be better trading this for 70-200F4L which will give me the same quality of image and obviously let me get much closer in to fill the frame. I wan't my shots to be natural/candid and if i'm standing 3 feet from him he'll know his picture is being taken and act accordingly.

The only issue i may have is using a non stabilised lens at the longer end will no doubt result in camera shake. I know it will be too long for anything really indoors but again he's only small so i might actually get away with this too and use a speedlight so the f4 will be ok. I am not going to do this right now as i want to take my time and get the most out of this 17-55 but i'm already thinking it's just not long enough for me.

I can't afford a second lens right now so can't add say a 100mm prime right now

Another slight issue i have is that if i decide to try and trade this lens for the L lens do you think i should offer money on top of mine? I got this lens for a bargain £300 and even though i know it's worth more i would never try and sell it for more than i paid so do you think it would be fair of me to offer to trade it for a lens that might be worth a few quid more than £300 if for sale or should i make up the difference?

Regards

Scott
 
Last edited:
Whats wrong selling it for more than you paid? Just sell it for the going rate, its not being dishonest. i once bought a camera with 2 lenses then sold the camera again for the same price but with just 1 lens. I got a free lens and i was most pleased not guilty.

I wouldn't trade sell it then buy the new lens.
 
Last edited:
There's just something that doesn't sit right with that for me Robert. I would much prefer a straight trade but right now i'm just mulling over the actual decision. Don't get me wrong if i bought from a shop then got say a free lens i would happily sell that on but buying second hand then selling for more than you paid is kinda like trading for me and i am certainly no trader although the wife might think differently !!
 
I wouldn't feel guilty at all, I sold a Nikon 24mm prime the other week for more than I paid for it, it's just a case of making your money work for you.

Anyway, if the subjects you shoot more often are out reach of your 17-55, then it's sensible to think about an upgrade. IS might not be important, as to photograph your young child then you'll need a high shutter speed over IS, so as long as F/4 allows you to get something reasonable then it could be a good upgrade.
 
Why don't you go for the 70-200 and pick up a 50mm 1.8 when you have a few more pennies- that way you'll have the range outdoors and the fast speed for indoors. The 50mm is about £75 new or £50 S/H.
 
scottduffy said:
There's just something that doesn't sit right with that for me Robert. I would much prefer a straight trade but right now i'm just mulling over the actual decision. Don't get me wrong if i bought from a shop then got say a free lens i would happily sell that on but buying second hand then selling for more than you paid is kinda like trading for me and i am certainly no trader although the wife might think differently !!
Click to expand...

If you don't feel comfortable for selling for more than you purchased for and want to do a direct swap - why not put a trade up on here, a good 2nd hand 70-200 is the high £300's anywy, so should be a good swap for both parties..
 
Coyon that's exactly what I had in mind mate. The 50 is fine for me indoors.
 
Perhaps keep the 17-55 and consider getting a 55-250mm IS instead. Used ones cost from £90 and new can be had for £140.
 
Why not get a secondhand 24-105 F4L IS, there are plenty available and that will give you a good range with the added bonus of IS, I use one on my 1100D and its a great combo.
 
Al Blanco that's a good idea. I've never used the 24-105. I'll have a read at the reviews
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top