Introduction

Hi my name is David and I'm about as new as a newbie can be to the world of digital photography. I recently decided it was time to step up from the point-&-shoot world and get serious about this hobby. So I left my Canon SX20 behind and picked up a Canon EOS Rebel T2i. I guess I let the bug really get a hold of me as I quickly traded the T2i for a Canon EOS 7D, followed even quicker with a jump to FF and the Canon EOS 5D MkII (which I love!) when the 7D suddenly passed away. Been playing around with a number of lenses and I think I've settled on the EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. Haven’t really photographed much as of yet, as is obvious when you look at my Lightroom library - one directory named 'test shots', and one named 'Gus' :) but hopefully that will soon change. My main interests are landscapes, wildlife and aviation.

At any rate, I've been lurking around for a bit and decided that you guys have put together a great site that has a wealth of information plus being interesting and fun, so I hope you don't mind if I jump in and try to learn a thing or two from you.

The photos are of my best bud Amicus Curious George, or Gus for short. He's our 9 year old miniature Dachshund and ruler of the house :D

David

Welcome David;

And I have to say "Wow" you must be a fast track newbie. Three camera upgrades and three lenses already. Looks like you are on the right path.

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

Welcome David;

And I have to say "Wow" you must be a fast track newbie. Three camera upgrades and three lenses already. Looks like you are on the right path.

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Thanks HDNitehawk! Yeah, I tend to get carried away - but just a little, lol!

Actually I'm still in the process of deciding on which camera and lenses I'm going to settle on. As I stated in my original post, the 7D I had died quite suddenly, just wouldn't turn on one morning. So I exchanged it for another one, body only and bought a EF 15-85mm lens to go with it. I still have the 7D and 15-85mm. I also have the 5DMkII with the 24-105mm lens that I bought after reading up on FF cameras. One of these rigs is going back, question is - which one.

With my primary interest in wildlife and aviation the 7D should be the camera of choice - based upon what I have read. However, I just love the easy IQ of the 5D and I've seen some awesome air show action photos taken with this camera and the 100-400mm.

Decisions...decisions. :rolleyes::p

I don't have a lot of time left before one has to go back, so I'm hoping to have some time this weekend to really evaluate the two and make my decision.

Either way the 50mm and the 100-400mm are staying in the kit.

Well simple problem to solve and it only takes more money.
Send both back and get you a 5D III. You loose the crop, but with the new AF system I would take the 5D III over the crop of the 7D.

Don't think I haven't thought about it. I'd have to give up the 100-400mm though :(

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Originally Posted by DavidF

Don't think I haven't thought about it. I'd have to give up the 100-400mm though :(

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Why? It should work fine on the 5D Mk III

Arnt

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Originally Posted by ahab1372

Why? It should work fine on the 5D Mk III

Arnt

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Would put me over budget. Although a 5DMkIII with the 24-105mm lens would be an awesome rig all by itself. I can always wait until next summer to get a big zoom, right?

Welcome David. Gus looks cool.
This is a familiar tale, torn between what to do and how much to spend.
The 5D and the 24-105 is a great combo. So is the 7D and the 15-85. The 5DMK3 is a better camera, but you'll probably need either a 500 or a 600mm lens for aviation. Ahh it's a slippery slope.
Here's a suggestion, keep the 5D and the 24-105 as your walk around combo, keep the 100-400. Send the 7D and the 15-85 back and buy a Rebelt4i for your airshow work with the 100-400mm. Done two great bodies all hobbies catered for.

maybe Im doing my math wrong or missing something here, but, assuming you bought all this new from say adorama

7d-$1400
15-85mm-$700
5dii-$2000

TOTAL=$4100

5diii-$3400

That is less and leaves you with the 24-105 and the 100-400 and a 5diii

Or, the 5D III, no 100-400mm right now and lensrental.com for the air show coming up.

I'm burning up the calculator over here! :p

Gotta be a way to fit it all in!

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Originally Posted by nvitalephotography

maybe Im doing my math wrong or missing something here, but, assuming you bought all this new from say adorama

7d-$1400
15-85mm-$700
5dii-$2000

TOTAL=$4100

5diii-$3400

That is less and leaves you with the 24-105 and the 100-400 and a 5diii

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Bought the 5DMkiII as a kit so the 24-105 goes with it. The way I have it figured the 7D rig (7D, 15-85, 50, 100-400) is around $4063 and the 5DMkII (5DMkII, 24-105, 50, 100-400) rig is around $4549 give or take. The 5DMkIII kit is around $4099. So no problem without the 100-400, but I ain't done siferin' yet :p

UPDATE: Well after burning up the calculator and giving time for reality to set back in I finally made a decision - no 5DMkIII. I tend to get ahead of myself and go overboard sometimes. I know, unbelievable right? Well it's true, I have to admit it. For now I'm going to keep the 7D, the EFS 15-85mm and the EF 100-400mm. Outstanding camera and lens that will cover my primary interests quite well while I gain experience and figure out what I want from the hobby. Oh yeah, my credit card is breathing a big sign of relief! :rolleyes:

UPDATE # 2, FINAL: Just remembered that I never closed out this thread with my final (for real) desicion. In the end the 7D just didn't do it for me and I ended up going with the 5D Mark II with the EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens. This combination is just magic in my opinion and will serve me well way into the future. Rounding out my kit is the EF 35mm f/1.4 and the EF 100-400mm f/4.5. Was an interesting journey to say the least, even jumped over and tried out a couple of Nikons along the way, but in the end the 5D2 is the only one that always brought a smile to my face.

Good choice David and welcome!;)

Welcome to the forum. Like I said, really nice aviation shots.

Larry

Thanks for the welcome guys!

Welcome aboard DavidF! I agree with above posts that you are the fastest tracker in digital photography. Glad you got your gear settled cuz gear lust can drive anyone cRazY!!!! trust me, we have all been there and probably always will be. looks like you know how to work the camera already, so keep the posts coming. this site is a good place for critiques without feeling like being put to shame. shoot for yourself and shoot often. then shoot some more.

you mentioned that you like landscapes so consider the 17-40 f/4 L. It's light and probably the cheapest great piece of L-glass Canon has to offer. adios for now, erno james

Had a chance to try a 17-40mm L a while back and decided immediately to put it on my wish list. Would love to have one by spring!

Yes, I do tend to jump in with both feet Erno! ;)

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Originally Posted by erno james

Welcome aboard DavidF! I agree with above posts that you are the fastest tracker in digital photography. Glad you got your gear settled cuz gear lust can drive anyone cRazY!!!! trust me, we have all been there and probably always will be. looks like you know how to work the camera already, so keep the posts coming. this site is a good place for critiques without feeling like being put to shame. shoot for yourself and shoot often. then shoot some more.

you mentioned that you like landscapes so consider the 17-40 f/4 L. It's light and probably the cheapest great piece of L-glass Canon has to offer. adios for now, erno james

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Hello everyone, I am new here.

Yup,

hello!

Where do you live?

Favourite photography genre?

Bye from Andrea from Florence :)

Welcome aboard....you will enjoy it....it's a very friendly and helpful bunch;)

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Originally Posted by jamsus

Yup,

hello!

Where do you live?

Favourite photography genre?

Bye from Andrea from Florence :)

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Hi, I am from Canada.