In search of that "perfectly" sharp image

[Data_Android]

Hello all.
I'm glad I found this forum, there is so much information here and I would like to thank you all for this.
Please bare with my, as I try to tell you what I'm thinking and the specific questions I'll have will be at the end.

First my intro.
My real name is David and I'm from the SFL area.
Photography is a hobby only, but I did get serious in it over the past 2 years, although taking pictures for over 40 years.
I shoot exclusively in RAW and M mode.
My main subjects are people in gatherings/parties, from full buddy to head shots, very little group (small) and some (very little) studio shooting of the same.
I also use the video mode to shoot something like a news cast/video audition for actors, in a controlled environment.

Now to my dilemma. I just found $1300.00 and you know what that means in this hobby. well, not exactly found, but rather saved it.
With Christmas not too far away, now might be a good time to sell gear and buy new when the marked gets flooded with all that used gear that people replace with their shiny new toys they get for presents. That's when a bottom dweller like myself might get a little treat.

I would say I shoot 80% of pictures in the 70-100mm range, 10% wider (18-55) and 10% longer (150-250)

The prices I found are for used gear on the bay and around here.
The gear I own is:
60D with <7k shutter actuations maybe worth $700
EFS 18-135 that came with it $250
EFS 18-55 $80
EFS 55-250 $150 (the lens that I consider to be the sharpest with the best picture results)

in addition to my $1300.00, that would make it approximately $2500.00
well, not enough for that 5D Mark III with a lens and that would most likely have to wait a couple of years.

I want to take the next step and go full frame and L lenses (first one and then the other, or both at the same time) and here are my current options as I see them after doing a lot of research.

Sell all my lenses ($480) and use the additional $1300 to get a EF 24-105 f/4L IS ($800) and a EF 70-200 f/4L IS ($900) and keep the 60D over the next 2 years until I can afford to go full frame.

Sell the two wider lenses and get the 24-105 and keep the 55-250 and the $700 and wait two years

Sell the 18-135 and the 55-250, keep the 18-55 and the $800 and get the 70-200 and wait two years.

Sell everything and get a 5D Mark II ($1600) with the 24-105 and save for the 70-200

Sell everything and get a 5D Mark II with a 70-200 plus a nifty 50.

The end result is, I want to own a full frame camera, the 24-105 and the 70-200 within the next 2 years.
Oh, and just in case you wonder, I never felt the need of a faster lens, if I need to, I like to bounce the flash around.

I have sleepless night over this and this is why I'm here, to ask what people who already went through something similar like this and/or own all/some of this gear, would do.

Thanks for your help, it is greatly appreciated.

David aka Data

[DreDaze]

i know you said you don't need a fast lens...but i'd still get a prime in the 85mm, 100mm range just for subject isolation alone...keep your 60D and get better lenses...

[Stir Fry A Lot]

I've been really happy with my 5d classic. They tend to be pretty damn cheap out here in the bay area although I bought mine from the potn classifieds. You're welcome to come to my side of the pond and check it out if you're interested.

[Carlwashere]

I agree with DreDaze. Lenses will do more for your photography with your current set-up. I'm still quite happy with my t2i. Admittedly, I've been feeling growing pains, but it's certainly more than capable.

You don't NEED a fast lens, but that's because you haven't seen the wonders they can do.
Additionally, if you haven't gotten a flash yet, I recommend that also.

[Invertalon]

What exactly are the wonders you speak of? ^

I have owned many of Canon's best fast lenses, such as the 35L, 85L and 135L. They are amazing lenses with amazing IQ, but I don't own any right now because simply I found my slower zooms better for what I shoot and more versatile and used.

I love creamy bokeh and shallow depth of field like everybody, but not everybody feels the need to shoot large apertures all the time. Great tools, IF you need them. Otherwise, other lenses will do just fine.

[c2thew]

if you are shooting in m and in raw, than you should have purchased the 5d years ago.

[TSchrief]

Ok, I admit it. I am geographically challenged, and acronym ignorant. Where, exactly, is the SFL area? Your English seem impeccable, so I am guessing USA somewhere.

[raptor3x]

Based on what you claim to be shooting, and that you're looking for sharpness first and foremost; I'd say sell your current equipment and then pick up a 5Dc + 70-200 F/4 IS + 24-105 F/4 IS.

Edit: Scratch that, didn't notice that you shoot video as well.

[Simpleboy]

In your position I'd sell the 18-135 and 55-250 just get the 70-200 now (a variant of your choice). I think you'll find 24mm on a 60D a bit narrow. An 85mm prime would be nice as well, but thats your choice. Once you get hooked on isolating things, its hard to stop.

And I'd personally only get the 24-105 when you get the FF body.

[Data_Android]

Thank you so far, keep the opinions comming (not that I'm less confused now)

Originally Posted by DreDaze

i know you said you don't need a fast lens...but i'd still get a prime in the 85mm, 100mm range just for subject isolation alone...keep your 60D and get better lenses...

I'm pretty much set on those two L lenses, I might add primes at some later time, but don't want to start with one.

Originally Posted by Stir Fry A Lot

I've been really happy with my 5d classic. They tend to be pretty damn cheap out here in the bay area although I bought mine from the potn classifieds. You're welcome to come to my side of the pond and check it out if you're interested.

No video!

Originally Posted by Carlwashere

I agree with DreDaze. Lenses will do more for your photography with your current set-up. I'm still quite happy with my t2i. Admittedly, I've been feeling growing pains, but it's certainly more than capable.

You don't NEED a fast lens, but that's because you haven't seen the wonders they can do.
Additionally, if you haven't gotten a flash yet, I recommend that also.

I have several flashes and radio triggers and love to play with them.

Originally Posted by Invertalon

What exactly are the wonders you speak of? ^

I have owned many of Canon's best fast lenses, such as the 35L, 85L and 135L. They are amazing lenses with amazing IQ, but I don't own any right now because simply I found my slower zooms better for what I shoot and more versatile and used.

I love creamy bokeh and shallow depth of field like everybody, but not everybody feels the need to shoot large apertures all the time. Great tools, IF you need them. Otherwise, other lenses will do just fine.

Yep, I need the versatility more than the speed.

Originally Posted by c2thew

if you are shooting in m and in raw, than you should have purchased the 5d years ago.

I purchased the 60D when it was released (like 2 years ago), this is when I learned about M and Raw and never looked back. Yes, I would have loved to get the 5D MKII, but couldn't afford it.

Originally Posted by TSchrief

Ok, I admit it. I am geographically challenged, and acronym ignorant. Where, exactly, is the SFL area? Your English seem impeccable, so I am guessing USA somewhere.

Thanks for the compliment, English is NOT my native language, but I reside in the South Florida area.

[DreDaze]

Originally Posted by Data_Android

I'm pretty much set on those two L lenses, I might add primes at some later time, but don't want to start with one.

alright..well get the lenses first then...

but i still think if 80% of your shots are done in 70-100mm range...than an 85mm prime could take 80% of your shots...

and everyone needs a prime in their bag...you need to see what the capabilities of a fast prime are in comparison to your kit lenses

edit: another quick question...why do you even want to go full frame?

[TSchrief]

Originally Posted by Data_Android

Thanks for the compliment, English is NOT my native language, but I reside in the South Florida area.

Damn! Fooled again. I should know better. My wife is (was) a teacher, high-school chemistry. There are quite a few people who speak (write) English extremely well who are not native English speakers. Thanks for the geographical acronym lesson, too.

[jshalvorsen]

how about this: 5DmkII, 40mm, 85mm 1.8? A bit out of budget maybe, but if you save up for that kit you should be able to get by until you can buy a 70-200 or a 24-105.

[wayne.robbins]

You know, it's one thing to be obsessed with L or better lenses when you can afford them; it's another to be obsessed with them and not being able to afford them. I think you've been drinking too much of that POTN Kool-Aid. But if that is what you want..

I also hope you realize that full frame cameras have different characteristics than crops- i.e. all of your lenses become different- wider. For example, a 24-105 on your crop- would be near perfect for what you say you shoot.. However, on a full frame-looking at it in crop numbers- the 24-105 has a wider FOV- so, it'd be like a 15-65mm- which by your analysis- is about 10% of your shots. It's one thing when you can swap out your gear and replace the rest- but it's a different thing to swap out a lot less valuable gear and try to replace it with pricey alternatives ( like EF glass especially L glass ). Going full frame is going to cost- and the gains will be there- but overall- not that much to most- it depends upon what you think going FF is going to get you. Looking at what you originally posted, you will need at least two lenses - a 24-70 or 24-105 with a 70-200. Mind you- that 200 is- again- shorter on full frame- so if you want longer- you might want a 1.4x TC as well 125mm on a crop is about the same FOV as 200 on the full frame. But by your analysis- you would use the 70-200 more than anything.

Until you think that you can afford the lot- I'd save up- maybe get the 70-200 first- then go full frame and pick up a 24-105 at the same time. I'd probably keep either the 18-55 or 18-135 ( more useful )for the 60D- as I think that most noobs prefer cameras with lenses- to the point that I think that they would dismiss a body only in favor of a lens+body combination. I say that mainly because you are already planning on selling the 60D. It'll just make it easier to sell.

[lannes]

Originally Posted by Data_Android

The end result is, I want to own a full frame camera, the 24-105 and the 70-200 within the next 2 years.
Oh, and just in case you wonder, I never felt the need of a faster lens, if I need to, I like to bounce the flash around.

You'll also need to budget for a Canon 600ex RT flash, as none of the current Canon full frame bodies come with a built in flash.