Losing a zoom - 75-150 or 80-200?

Hi

I need to lose a lens or two and am tossing up between selling my M series 80-200 (version 1) and my 75-150. I was wondering what you all think is the best to keep. For me, the 75-150 has the advantage of small size and weight, and half a stop of speed. The 80-200 has greater reach, but at the cost of extra weight and length. Both zooms are pretty well respected, but what is the consensus - is one definitively better than the other?

Cheers

Peter

I think the 70-150 generally is regarded as a better performer. Not surprising really as it is only a 2x zoom which makes it easier for the designers. It would depend on what photos you normally take. If 75-150 covers what you need it would be a better choice but not if you do use the 150-200 range more than rarely.

I might even be tepted to keep both. Neither will sell for that much. The A series are sought after for compatibility and the M primes for performance/price but the M zooms don't seem to go for much.

Kim

In my view, it's not worth selling something unless it's going to generate enough cash to buy something else. As Kim says, M zooms fetch very little, despite sometimes being excellent lenses - and the 75-150 is a case in point. I don't use mine much because I need AF, but it's a super little lens, and great for portraits.

G

PS: In case anybody asks, it's part of my non-core kit.

It's not money I need, it's goodwill from my wife ...

I am leaning towards keeping the 75-150 because it is, in comparison to the 80-200, such a sublimely compact lens. It also has a closer minimum focusing distance and a shorter focus travel (the 80-200 is a real wrist-breaker). I do have the M 200/4 if I need the extra distance, but it means being prepared ... and I am never prepared.

What a pity M zooms are so underrated. I have never felt a smoother action on any zoom than on the 75-150.

By the way, I shoot film (LX/ME Super) so the focal lengths are still quite useful. As has been mentioned, the 75-150 is a great portrait lens, as well as a good street/candid lens.