$1500 budget, Get the 7D or 60D w/ new lens

lenoxpics · Sep 20, 2011

I think I have a path to the setup that could get me started on my portrait journey. I think I'm going to buy the 60D since the older 50D is just $200 less and the IQ seems to be significantly improved in the newer model. I'm going to try to sell the 17-85mm f/4-5.6 & XSi (thinking about asking $700 for the set) which should get me enough to buy the Tamron 17-50 IS or the Tamron 28-75, I'm leaning towards the second because of the excellent reviews and more zoom, I think I'll be ok without the IS since it goes to 2.8. And the 85mm f/1.8 which should make an excellent portrait prime. I will then save up for the 70-200 f/4L and get that by the end of the year to replace my cheap telephoto. Any thoughts would be once again appreciated. I've really gotten a lot out of this forum, particularily from you Big MIke.

lenoxpics · Sep 27, 2011

So I thought I would update with my final decisions. I ended up getting a used 50D with all the extras off ebay for $700 which I'm hoping is waiting for me when I get home today! I got an 85mm 1.8, a used 70-200mm F/4L without IS for $550, and as long as the sale for my 17-87mm goes through tomorrow I'm going to get the faster Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 new for $450. It gets excellent reviews and with the 6 year warrenty I feel relatively safe buying the Tamron brand. I just ordered a monopod so hopefully that will help me adjust to the lack of IS and the extra stops should help me with my portrait work. I'm super excited to get all my new gear and seeing what I can do with it! Your suggestions helped me with my decision making although I just couldn't resist getting a new camera but at least I didn't blow it all on a 7D and put my same crappy glass on it.