To sell or not to sell my 85 f/1.8

[RichNY]

I'm having last minute thoughts about whether it is foolish to sell my 85 f/1.8 for a $300 credit towards the 100-400. I can replace it for $340 plus shipping so its won't be the end of the world yet I'd rather not waste $50 if I can avoid it.

I attribute part of not using the 85mm much due the cold outdoor weather and not having my studio lights yet to start focusing on portaits. If I sell it I still have 70-200 f/2.8IS. The only time I can really imagine 'needing' the lens is for school concert shots of my nephews but I'm guessing I could up the ISO if necessary.

I need to either ship it on Monday or write a bigger check on Monday. Is it likely that Canon will have another round of spring rebates where I could repurchase it again if necessary at a discount?

[XaiLo]

Sounds like you have an unrealized need for it. I guess your answer lies in how much of a reality that studio is going to be. :) hth

[RichNY]

Sounds like you have an unrealized need for it. I guess your answer lies in how much of a reality that studio is going to be. :) hth

My studio will just be an extra room in my house where I'll shoot family, friends for fun not profit. It might be a studio in the sense of being outfitted but I'll think of it as a room to confine my camera stuff in so it doesn't spread out all over the house;)

[noyjimi]

The only time I can really imagine 'needing' the lens is for school concert shots of my nephews but I'm guessing I could up the ISO if necessary.

Is it likely that Canon will have another round of spring rebates where I could repurchase it again if necessary at a discount?

i'd keep it cuz i like primes. however, i agree you'll do fine with the 70-200 anyway for the school concerts, because, in my experience, the 85 is soft until f/2 or 2.2, thus negating some of its speed advantage on paper. also, i'd guess the next rebates will be during the fall.

[adam75south]

you don't really need it for the studio anyway, i doubt if i posted two studio shots, one with the 85mm and the other with the 70-200 you would even be able to tell a difference. the thing is with these studio lights, if you don't have much space like i don't, it is just about impossible to get larger than f/4 on your aperture.

[cdifoto]

My B1600 on its lowest setting and my Sunpak at 1/4 power (headshot style lighting) requires f/8. B1600 is behind a softbox and the Sunpak is behind an umbrella.

I end up using my 24-70 all the time because it's more flexible and at f/8 there's really no sharpness advantage in the prime. I keep my 85 pretty much only for lowlight sports.

[jamison55]

You'd have to pry my cold dead fingers from around my 85 f1.8...

[D Thompson]

You'd have to pry my cold dead fingers from around my 85 f1.8...

Ain't it the truth!;)

[cdifoto]

You'd have to pry my cold dead fingers from around my 85 f1.8...

So you like the lens then? :confused: :D

[RichNY]

Issue resolved- I kept the lens so that I would save money. I knew if I sold it I'd end up buying the f/1.2L and that would have been a big expense that I really don't want to go thru before getting my studio lights and backdrops.