Oh Gee!! I wish I had a magic solution. I have a similar problem in that I bought two new lenses this spring thinking I was in good shape after a pretty good year last year. The same day (yesterday) the newest lens came in I got hit with an unexpected tax bill of near $5,000. I'm going to be able to work it out without giving up either lens but it sure puts a cloud over the purchases. As for the 12-24 you know I think it's a great lens and has already gotten me out of one tricky situation that I wouldn't have been able to handle with a group shot this weekend. I really think you will find lots of uses for it other than landscapes, but if the mental anguish of keeping it is going to ruin the pleasure of using it then return it and pay for the washer and ease your mind. I wish life didn't throw us these little curves but it invariably does and it's up to us to work them out.