Help me spend $2500

So I have the oppurtunity to spend somewhere between 2000-2500 US dollers on new photography equipement and I would love everyones help. I shoot everything if I can see it I will shoot it; moving not moving small-big, close-far away. But my "business" comes from shooting weddings and seniors.


Here's what I already own.


Camera's:


Canon 40D w/ grip


Canon XTI w/ grip


Lenses:


24-70 2.8 IS


70-200 2.8 IS


50 1.8


2x converter


Strobes


580ex II and 430ex II


3 Pocket Wizards


Plus the basic strobist stuff (lightstands, brellas, studio background)


Tripods:


Brand spanking new Manfrotto CF tripodwith ballhead...unsure of the models at the moment.





Thanks in advance


Joel

Sell the XTi and buy 5DmkII or buy Used/referb 5DmkII.

I'd go for a 7D and 10-22.

Canon 85mm f/1.8 - $440


Canon 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 - $790


(2) Canon 430EX II - $540


(2) Pocketwizard FlexTT5 - $440


Kacey Pole Adapter - $25


<span id="btAsinTitle"]Shur-Line 06572L Easy Reach Extension Pole, 4-Feet to 9-Feet - $32


Creative Light 25" Translucent Umbrella - $20


And spend the other $200 on a decent bag to carry all your extra stuff around.

I generally don't recommend people spending money on body [:)], but since you've already had great glass. How about...

• 5D Mark II

or

• 16-35 f/2.8L II for wide angle

or

• 85 f/1.2L II

Would love to get the 5D Mark II, I want to see how the 7D gets reviewed by Bryan before the thought at buying it.


Sean I see where your coming from haveing seen alot of your work on here (which is very nice) I think so far the value for the money is in that list.


But keep them coming!


Thanks


Joel

Nate I figured you would of told me to take the 400 5.6 off your hands sense I seen in another post that you have gotten the 500 f4.


BTW I seen two for the first time this past weekend while shooting elk. That lens is impressive!


Thanks


Joel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joel Bookhammer

24-70 2.8 IS

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Where'd you get it? [:)]


I would get the 10-22 and 100-400, upgrade the 50mm to a 50/1.4, and spend the rest on a workshop. [;)]

100-400 L IS ($1670)


10-22 EF-S ($790)

Ill send you my paypal details ;)


lol


I'd go for a full frame body! 5D (preferable MK2 if your willign to spend that bit more).
You have a nice kit already, so compliment it with a nice full frame body!

if i had your equipment list, i would go for a 5DM2. sell the XTi. and if you are still tempted by the 7D and like the reviews (which i am sure will be complimentary) sell the 40D and then you have a 2 great bodies (up to date) to go with those lenses.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ShutterbugJohan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joel Bookhammer

24-70 2.8 IS

---

Where'd you get it? [img]/emoticons/emotion-1.gif[/img]
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It was a limited edition for a short time last night while I was sleep deprived [:)] boy is it heavy

Would it be worth spending money on another great piece of glass, such as the 85 1.2 and wait for the 5D Mark III or another full frame camera in the future?


Thanks


Joel

Joel,





Decissions decission... You've got some great lenses so I think I might have to agree with some of the others and so go full frame and get the 5D Mark II and sell the XTI. I have the 85L 1.2 II and LOVE it and also agree that would be a good choice. They don't call it the Magic Canonball for nothing.





I'm not sure how it would handle on the 40D or XTI though. Even on my 1Ds Mark III you have to be EXTREMELY carefull even at f2 with the lens micro adjusted focusing can be very tricky. I'm almost possitive the XTI wouldn't be able to handle the focusing and I'm not so sure about the 40D. You'll just have to shoot more shots to make sure you have one in perfect focus. Just something else to think about. Either way you can't go wrong.





Fred~

I agree, sell XTI, buy 5DMKII. Amazing camera.


Alternative 14 f 2.8 IIL (The best wide angle I ever had) + 100 mm Macro 2.8 IS As soon as available.


Ciao


Gian Luca

So the winner is.....I am now a proud owner of an 85 1.2 L. Well I will be tommorow when it arrives in the mail.


The reasoning is, is that I needed a faster lens for weddings. The 2.8's just werent cutting it forhow dark the venues can be.


I thought hard about spending the money on the 5D Mark II, but at my age I figured it would be best to invest in glass, and then get a full frame a year or two from now....maybe sooner....who knows.


Thanks for all of the input!


Joel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joel Bookhammer

I am now a proud owner of an 85 1.2 L.

---

Excellent choice! Ultimate portrait lens.

Congrats!


Hmmm well... then you still need to find a way to spend the other $500. My account number is... [:D]

Thanks Daniel and Oren. I just opened it up about a half hour ago and well unfortunately Im still at work and havent had a chance to use it yet, but it looksimpressive! Im hoping the IQ is impressive as the build. Im not initially a big fan about the manual focus, only working on a turned on camera but Im sure Canon has a good reason for that.


Im not sure about the other $500 Oren, maybe the 50 1.4 or another flash. But Im deffinitly happy with the purchase.


Thanks


Joel

Yep, sell the nifty fifty and get the 1.4.

Joel, congratulation, my friend! The 85 f/1.2 is one sexy glass [:D]. You'll enjoy it.


Nate,

Thanks Nate, I get to use it for a senior picture shoot tommorow (friday). So I will hopefully be able to post some tommrow night.


Thanks


Joel