Should I get rid of my fave prime?

Chris Primadona

Chris Primadona

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I find myself in a tricky situation. I really want a Canon 70-200 2.8 IS. The problem is that range falls into my fave prime, the 135mm L. I would probably need to get rid of it to fund the zoom. I plan on picking up the Canon 17-40, keep my sigma 50mm and get the 70-200. I might buy the 85mm L at some point just for studio work so that leaves the 135mm a bit redundant. Help me make peace with myself, will I miss the 135 as much as I think I will? :'(
 
I always miss my old lenses but the good thing is with decent glass that you can always sell it on and buy back what you miss - I have done that plenty :)
 
Had the same dilemma but dif circumstances... I got the new 70-200 2.8 mkII and presumed it would do everyhting the 135 would.. but for me it doesnt quite and now and then i need the 135... so so glad i diodnt get rid.. I did get rid of a prime 300 to fund it and I miss that :( but the 70-200 gets used more than that did..

so two lenses.. one i got rid and one i didnt.. i miss one and would miss the other... but all our circumstances are diff.. I think the 135 handles extreme iso like 12800 better than the 70-200 does..

Also there is a big difference in wieght if your hand holding for long periods of time...
 
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Cheers Kipax. I will have the 50mm 1.4 for the low light stuff (then the 85mm 1.2 later) so that doesn't really bother me that much, its just the IQ that I'm worried about missing out on with the 70-200. If I can manage to get cash together I would keep the prime too. I just have a feeling I will need to sell it to fund the purchase as money is tight these days. I guess the 135mm is quite cheap so I could buy another one later on... hmmm decisions!
 
Chris, I have bought and sold 2 135Ls and 3 70-200f2.8ISLs (1 mark I and 2 mark IIs). I currently have none of these lenses opting for the 100L as a 135L replacement and the Siggy 120-300os for the zoom.

To me the 135L is a magic lens and I'm sure I will buy another again (soon) but never miss any of the 70-200 zooms.

OOI, the 70-200 mk I needs to be stopped down a bit to be anything like as sharp as the 135L is wide open so I would not consider this as a replacement lens. The 70-200 mk II though is a viable alternative but costly.

Depends what you shoot etc.. and how much you can stop down but I doubt you will be impressed with the IQ from the 70-200 mk I versus the 135L.

Good luck with your selection.
 
I love my 70-200 f2.8 (it's the mkI, I've not even tried a mkII yet, not sure I want to risk it)! For me it offers a great range and is plenty sharp enough wide open... but the 135 f2 is a different beast. The images from it are something special, it's less convenient than the zoom but I find myself using it more and more now. I suspect that if you do sell the 135 you'll end up wanting another one.
 
I have the 70-200mm f2.8L is II, it is no doubt an amazing lens on both my 5d mark II and 7d bodies. I dont have a 135L but having seen lots of shots taken with one, it does seem to have a special something and probably edges it over the 70-200 for image quality at that focal length.

I have a 100L which is definitely a touch sharper than the 70-200mm but for all round versatility I wouldn't be without my 70-200mm:)

If it were me I would save up a bit longer by the 70-200mm f2.8L mark II and then decide whether you could live without the 135L:)
 
You WILL miss it a lot ... I'd look at selling the wife/mother/children first

Depending on what you shoot though you might not miss it that much. If your often outside with plenty of space then 200mm @ F2.8 gives you less DOF than your 135 could. *I think. The mk2 70-200 is also so sharp its almost gone of the days where primes are much sharper than zooms! The quality of the 135 bokeh is looooovely though ...
 
I would never get rid of my favourite anything, your prime is probably going to be sharper than any zoom etc if it were me. I'd rather sell a kidney than my favourite lens
 
Do you really need a 2.8 zoom? The f/4 IS is a much sharper lens than the 2.8 IS mk1 and you'll be saving around £300-400 and would be more viable to keep the 135L.

I don't see the point in a 'Fast' zoom when you have a prime within the focal range that's faster.
 
I've not read all the replies but the title says it all.

If its your favorite prime, it makes no sense to sell it!
 
2Thumbs said:
Do you really need a 2.8 zoom? The f/4 IS is a much sharper lens than the 2.8 IS mk1 and you'll be saving around £300-400 and would be more viable to keep the 135L.
I don't see the point in a 'Fast' zoom when you have a prime within the focal range that's faster.
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I did consider the f4 but I feel the 2.8 will come in handy and would rather have the option there (I would end up wanting the 2.8 later anyway).
stevewestern said:
Might be interested - what you looking for her then..?
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Shes a late model, so I would want a 1dmkIV and a 70-200 2.8 is mkII and if you have the 85mm f1.2 I might put some money your way. :lol:
odd jim said:
I've not read all the replies but the title says it all.

If its your favorite prime, it makes no sense to sell it!
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The only reason I was thinking about letting it go was the fact that the 135mm will be covered at 2.8 with the zoom, and I could use a bit of money towards buying the zoom. I guess the best option is to save a bit more and live with them both for a while so I can make a more informed decision.
 
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I personally think you'd be disappointed by the mk1 IS when you're used to the 135L. Sharpness is what's important in a lens at the end of the day, and there's no comparison.
 
I have the 135L and 3 months ago I upgraded my 70-200 f2.8 IS to the Mark II version. The 70-200 f2.8 II is very sharp but you simply cannot match the bokeh achieved by the 135 at f2. If you buy the Mark II of the 70-200 you'll miss the 135L, but if you buy the Mark I you'll be kicking yourself and wondering what you did selling the 135L.
 
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