Thinking aloud... Do I sell my 70-200 and get a 85mm 1.4?

[cambsno]

Not going to rush into a decision, but I am starting to think about changing my lens lineup.

Firstly, I have the Nikon 24-70 which is a keeper - use this for paid work and as an everyday out and about lens. I also have a 50mm 1.4 which again I use a lot, with the kids and also on paid work. I also have a Nikon 70-200VR and just acquired a 85mm 1.8 which I really did like when used for the 1st time last weekend. Am starting to think about selling the 70-200 and my 85mm and maybe getting the 1.4 85mm and a 70-300VR.

I have rarely used the 70-200 work, but only when outdoor, and often the 85mm would be fine for that I guess. I sometimes will use it with the kids if we go to beach or somewhere where i need length, as well as a couple of airshows a year - so basically not too much but I am loath to lose it as it is a very good lens! I did have the 70-300 before and its a decent lens. At airshows I like prop planes so would rarely shoot below f8 anyway to get prop blur and 300mm would be a better length.

Anyone else chopped in their Nikon 70-200 for something else and regretted it or thought it was a good decision. In an ideal world I would keep it and get a 1.4 but need to be practical.

 

[jacob12_1993]

You could chop to the 70-200 for a 80-200 which go for about £450? Image quality is nearly identical I believe

 

[cambsno]

That is an idea, although that would be for an older push pull one, I think the AFS one is normally around £700 and the AFd one £550 or so.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

I sold the 70-200 for an 85 F1.4G which was/is am amazing lens. Although I really missed the versatility of the 70-200 so now I have sold the 85mm and bought the 70-200 VRII. It's lovely.

Although I would like the 85 too!

Guess that doesn't help much?

 

[gramps]

Can't imagine being without my 70-200 VRll, I guess it depends on what you need the 85 1.4 for, especially as you already have the 1.8

 

[Ziggy]

I have the 85mm F1.4 and it is a fantastic lens.

I also have a 70-200 but to be honest I am not using it as much these days; usually only when I go to the speedway racing.

It really depends on what you need; I guess we would all like every lens in our bag but for me I only keep what I need which does mean that I do buy and sell a fair bit. The 70-200 may well be going soon as I do not really use it enough to justify it.

I sold my 24mm f1.4 before I got my 85mm f1.4 as I changed what I took pictures of.

For me that is the beauty of good lenses, you will never lose much money so you can pretty much change then as your shooting changes, without losing too much money.