OK. Let's spend some money. LOL. Camera & Lens Upgrade. Canon.

duck411 · Sep 17, 2011

OK - I've decided to go with the 7D. . . For 2 reasons - 1 I think it'll be a better all around body for EVERYTHING I'll do... Since I've gotta consider I'll probably want to use it for pageant stage shots, ball games, etc.... And 2, it will make the budget go a smidge farther, so I can get the strobe set up I need, etc.

So now, I'm contemplating lenses. I thought about the sigma 30mm 1.4 or the canon 28mm 1.8? And then also get the canon 50mm 1.4. But then I'm left wondering, do I NEED a zoom lens? Probably. Though I havent taken my 50mm 1.8 off in probably months, oddly. Why does shopping have to be so frustrating!? I'm trying to keep it under 4, so I have the extra grand to spread on studio equipment, cards, etc.

Let me guess... WHAT'S MY BUDGET?! lol. Uhmm.... $3-5k. For a new body, new lens, and a few accessories.

So.... it will be used primarily for portrait photography, including some weddings eventually. I've been drooling over the 7D for weeks and the 24-70 2.8L for weeks but now I'm not 100%. I think it'll be a shew in for my quick toddlers, and I'm all over the 19. But my brother is pitching the 50D... I've considered the 5D Mk II... What can you sell me?

bazooka · Sep 17, 2011

I'd get the mk2, no doubt about it. However, I would also keep my 40D to use as a nice 1.6 tc and backup. I'd also have to get a wide to normal range zoom because the one I use is aps-c.

GeorgieGirl · Sep 17, 2011

I'd get the 5D. If you are thinking about it, wait a little bit longer until the Canon Rumors become reality. Just a few more weeks and we'll know what they are doing. I have the 7D by the way, and want that Full Frame.

analog.universe · Sep 17, 2011

The 5D MkII is aging, it's replacement is due anytime now... If it's possible to wait for it that's what I would do.

I'd also think about a fast prime in addition to your zoom.

Hardrock · Sep 17, 2011

I would buy a used body like the 7d,5d or 1dmkiii. I would spend no more than 40% of your budget on the camera. The rest is on the glass. Even with 5k a 5dmkii and 70-200f2.8is mkii is more than 5k. So 5k sounds like alot but can be spent very fast. I would look into getting the 24/35 f1.4 (depending wither you are using full frame or not), 85 f1.8, and 135f2. Thats right at 3k leaving 2k for the body. Really there are numerous routes to take and even with what I recommended you still need a good flash which is at least $350. As far as the 24-70 f2.8 I have not personally used it but have read alot more negative than positive. Hope this helps.

Overread · Sep 17, 2011

Portrait and wedding photography is generally an area where the fullframe (35mm) sensor is favoured over the crop sensor. This isn't just for the advantage in noise control that fullframe allows, but also because of the angle of view that fullframe allows and also for the lesser depth of field its capable off (ie more blurry backgrounds).

The wider angle of view allows you to work indoors (weddings, studios, homes) with longer focal length lenses than the crop sensor, which helps minimise the effect of distortion that one can get when using shorter focal length lenses up close; eg a 50mm might be too long on crop sensor so you'd go down to say 35mm, where distortion would be more of a problem in close quarters (ie parts closer to the camera get enlarged, such as noses).

With that in mind a 5D or 5DMII would be ideal professional choices from the current line up (5DMIII rumours are all the rage this month, but they are nothing more than pipe dreams based on previous release schedules and even if the camera comes out pro series bodies don't' devalue too fast - esp when the new body will hit the market at a much higher price than the 5DMII currently holds).

Lens wise a 24-70mm f2.8 and a 70-200mm f2.8 are two breadwinner lenses for the professional wedding photographer; the 24-70mm also being strongly used in studio and portrait work as well. However in addition to that you've got to consider:

1) Lighting - portrait work/studio is lighting critical and that means generally more than just one flash in the hotshoe - it means 3 units, umbrellas and the like and is a whole area unto itself.

2) Primes and flast glass - f2.8 is fast, but there will be times when you need faster, or want the creative option of going wider - 50mm f1.4, 85mm, 135mm etc... type lenses are also very popular either as a whole system (normally for something like a wedding you'd have two bodies with primes on them) or as support to the above mentioned zooms.

Myself I would say consider a 5D and 24-70mm f2.8 and then look to investing the rest of the budget into good lighting and studio gear, since it sounds like that is your main approach rather than heading straight into wedding photography.

duck411 · Sep 20, 2011

My apologies for a brief and delayed reply. Haven't been out for wifi since my first post. So... Would I b nuts to go with a 5D and a 50mm 1.4, and an 85, and maybe a 135. And add a couple new flashes to my set up. Then consider myself spent?

penfolderoldo · Sep 21, 2011

Over's reply pretty much hit the nail on the head. Forget people chuffing on about the 'replacement' for the 5D mk II coming now or in the next few weeks, that's pure and utter guesswork - i've said it before and i'll keep saying it, no-one except Canon know when or if there's going to be a direct upgraded replacement. The 5D mk II price (least here in the UK) has plummeted recently and can now be got for around $2300, so i'd go for that, the 24-70 (around $1400), Canon EF 85 f/1.8 ($450) and a 580 exII strobe ($500)

No idea what prices are like comparatively in the US, i'm suspecting a bit cheaper than here, so you would have a good few hundred $'s left over out of a $5k budget.

Hope that's helped.

duck411 · Sep 21, 2011

I think because the 7D is a better general camera - and it will be used to photo some of our pageants, ball games, etc... perhaps it's the way to go. And then maybe.... how things go and depending on what Canon does with the 5D's successor, I can consider an upgrade again in a year or two. And this way I will have more $ NOW to spend on the strobes I'm wanting an lenses as well..... Am I terrible? lol. Michael Andrew had a lil you tube influende on me.... *blush*

gsgary · Sep 21, 2011

Hardrock said:
I would buy a used body like the 7d,5d or 1dmkiii. I would spend no more than 40% of your budget on the camera. The rest is on the glass. Even with 5k a 5dmkii and 70-200f2.8is mkii is more than 5k. So 5k sounds like alot but can be spent very fast. I would look into getting the 24/35 f1.4 (depending wither you are using full frame or not), 85 f1.8, and 135f2. Thats right at 3k leaving 2k for the body. Really there are numerous routes to take and even with what I recommended you still need a good flash which is at least $350. As far as the 24-70 f2.8 I have not personally used it but have read alot more negative than positive. Hope this helps.

There's nothing negative about the 24-70 on a 5D

Leftyplayer · Sep 22, 2011

Given this statement ...

Though I havent taken my 50mm 1.8 off in probably months, oddly.

I think you don't need a zoom! Sounds like investing in some good prime lenses will work out fine for your needs. And the 7D is a great all-around camera. Don't hesitate to get it. When you want the 5D, you'll know it.

Derrel · Sep 22, 2011

duck411 said:
My apologies for a brief and delayed reply. Haven't been out for wifi since my first post. So... Would I b nuts to go with a 5D and a 50mm 1.4, and an 85, and maybe a 135. And add a couple new flashes to my set up. Then consider myself spent?

A 5D,either classic or Mark II, with a 50,85,and 135 is a FABULOUS set-up...I have that set-up in fact,and all three of those Canon EF lenses are useful, on both FF and 1.6x bodies. All three of those lenses represent some of the best bang-for-buck of any of the Canon prime lenses.

Keep in mind though, the Canon 100mm f/2 is also very viable, and affordable; you also need to keep in mind the need for something "wider", like say the Canon 28mm f/1.8--that would be a good choice to pair with a 50/85/135 kit. I'm not sure of current pricing, but you MIGHT want to look into the price differential between the 100/2 and the 135mm f/2-L lens, as a way to maybe have the most money to apply toward assembling a prime lens kit. Also, keep in mind: the 5D has an image size that is MUCH LARGER than a 1.6x Canon has, so you can actually crop down and throw away a lot of the image are from a 5D-II frame, shot at a reasonable ISO, and have a good image....maybe even a BETTER image than a 7D can do at, say ISO 1000 or higher.