Switching back to Canon

I would keep the D7100 before I would get a 5d2. Just too much has changed since that camera came out. Yes it takes great photos, that's beside the point. You mentioned a kid and a puppy. You need AF for both of those things. It's got a much more robust AF system than the 5d2. I also second the 17-55 2.8 Nikon or the 18-35 Sigma. Both are excellent, sharp lenses.

Any zoom I get needs reach beyond 85mm. With all the lenses Ive owned wide zooms like 24-70, 10-20, 18-55 just don't get much use. I much prefer primes in that range.

Honestly the 24-105 is only on my list because I like shooting at 85-100mm for most automotive photography. Though, looking at used prices today it might be more useful for me to get a 70-200 F4L.

If you haven't guessed, really what Im getting at is no desire to spend more money. I'd rather sell my current gear and spend 1100-1200 on a canon setup. I still think full frame would make me happiest. Maybe a 7D. The more I look at the 50D/60D the less I think it would satisfy me.

$1200 is almost enough to buy a used 7D, 70-200 f/4L, and a 35mm f/2. It seems like you're 100% set on switching back to Canon, so...go for it!

Again, the 7D is crop and it's old, in technological years. If you want FF, Why not look at a D600? It's got a robust enough AF for what you want. The only Canon FF that you are going to get with $1200, that isn't a 5d2, is a 6D. It's a very nice camera, but you wouldn't have any left for a lens. The 5D2 is going on 7 years old. That's ancient when you compare it with the features of newer cameras. Speaking as someone who has bought and sold more camera bodies than any man has a right to, It's my honest opinion that if you bought the 5D2, in less than three months, you would be wishing you'd bought something newer. I could be wrong, but I'd be willing to bet on it. If it's absolutely GOT to be Canon, I'd go with the 6D and 70-200 F4. That combo will set you back, used, around $1800. Even if you went with the 5d2, you'd only save $200 overall, at most, and the 6D is worth the upgrade IMO.

I went from a Canon 40d and 5d to a Nikon D600. It is basically a full frame d7000. I used a d7000, and a 35 1.8 and loved it. So this thing has been awesome. The only thing I miss, is the 70-200 F4L. Most amazing lens of all time. I need to try the Nikon version, but I'm just not sure if it will compare.

With that said, you clearly want to go back to Canon. It doesn't matter how incredible the images you capture are, if you don't enjoy taking them. Buy a canon and enjoy. But warning you. Going back to an old body is hard, and I thught I could do it. The images the 5d take are incredible, I just did not enjoy using the camera. The D600 is better in every single way. Don't buy anything older than a 6D if buying full frame, or a 7d if crop. My .02

elrey2375 wrote in post #17419560
Again, the 7D is crop and it's old, in technological years. If you want FF, Why not look at a D600? It's got a robust enough AF for what you want. The only Canon FF that you are going to get with $1200, that isn't a 5d2, is a 6D. It's a very nice camera, but you wouldn't have any left for a lens. The 5D2 is going on 7 years old. That's ancient when you compare it with the features of newer cameras. Speaking as someone who has bought and sold more camera bodies than any man has a right to, It's my honest opinion that if you bought the 5D2, in less than three months, you would be wishing you'd bought something newer. I could be wrong, but I'd be willing to bet on it. If it's absolutely GOT to be Canon, I'd go with the 6D and 70-200 F4. That combo will set you back, used, around $1800. Even if you went with the 5d2, you'd only save $200 overall, at most, and the 6D is worth the upgrade IMO.

The OP seems really set on going back to Canon (I recommended sticking with Nikon, as have a few others), so I think a D600 is out of the question for him.

I have a 50D and have always liked it. I don't think I would buy one today because it's technology is pretty dated. I never cared for the 60D. I have recently bought a 7D2 and it's rapidly become a favorite but that sounds like it's out of your budget. Here are my suggestions for you based on my own experience:

1. Buy a Canon refurb 70D. The 70D is very much like a lighter weight 7D2. The technology is some of Canon's newest and they have made it more like the 50D. The 60 is a little Rebelish. They are a particularly good buy right now. It's a good time to get one. I would suggest a 17-55 f2.8 or a 15-85 instead of the 24-105 just because it fits the crop sensor better. But I would not discourage the 24-105. If you have enough money in your budget, consider a Sigma 30mm (non-art).
   
   
2. Buy a Canon refurb 6D. Go FF. The 6D is a bare bones FF camera that is reputed to have some of Canon's best IQ. It may be more than you want to spend but yu would only need one lens. Get the 24-105
   

A used 70D and the 24-105 would be around the amount you want to spend. I've used the 70D and it's a nice camera.

With the 5DS coming out in a few months, the price for a used/refurbished 5Dii should drop significantly. so waiting may be your best option. I would also consider the 6D. Should be some good refurb prices.

My vote goes to the 5D option. The 5D classic is so affordable these days but remains my favourite camera of all time. It'll save you a lot of money to spend on lenses. Unlike what some others have said, I have no issues shooting with it at ISO3200 if necessary - prints still look gorgeous. Centre AF works fine - I shoot birds in flight with the expanded AF points activated. Plus with a 12.8MP full frame sensor you don't get the same degree of diffraction issues that higher pixel density cameras suffer from.

Technology may have changed, but the fundamentals of photography haven't and new bells and whistles won't necessarily make you a better photographer. The 5D remains a more than capable camera. It's the only body I'll never sell, and I've gone through a lot of gear.

Picked up a used 6D today with 3500 clicks for 1125 from a member here.

I don't have much left in my current budget. I will be saving for an L zoom. I have an offer in my inbox for a 50mm 1.8mk1 for 140 or a 50 1.4 for 300.

I've only owned a 50 1.4 from canon. Should I save for a 1.4 or pick up a 1.8? Is the mk1 worth it or should I get the cheaper 1.8mk2?

Or do the sigma normal 1.4

my only opinion on the 50mm is to get a Sigma 1.4 "art", but they are pricy. The Canon 1.4 would be my next option.

Also wanted to comment about your long zoom option. The 24-105 is a good lens, but it is not great. I would definitely look into the 70-200 f/4, in fact i might even suggest picking that up before the 50mm

Have you considered Sigma lenses? They've been coming out with awesome bang for buck glass in the last couple years. A lot of them circle some of Canon's Ls.

Taylor02GT wrote in post #17422033
Picked up a used 6D today with 3500 clicks for 1125 from a member here.

I don't have much left in my current budget. I will be saving for an L zoom. I have an offer in my inbox for a 50mm 1.8mk1 for 140 or a 50 1.4 for 300.

I've only owned a 50 1.4 from canon. Should I save for a 1.4 or pick up a 1.8? Is the mk1 worth it or should I get the cheaper 1.8mk2?

Or do the sigma normal 1.4

depends, the 50mm 1.4 has better AF and a larger aperture.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17423443
my only opinion on the 50mm is to get a Sigma 1.4 "art", but they are pricy. The Canon 1.4 would be my next option.

Also wanted to comment about your long zoom option. The 24-105 is a good lens, but it is not great. I would definitely look into the 70-200 f/4, in fact i might even suggest picking that up before the 50mm

Totally agree. The 24-105 is really nothing special. It's only in my bag in case I need a zoom for versatility.

70-200 f/4 rocks, especially for the price. Although for a little more you can get a 135L which is incredible.

In terms of 50mm AF lenses, I rank them in this order:

1. 50L / Sigma 50 1.4 Art (I rank these pretty much equally. Both are stellar. 50L smaller, 1/3 stop faster & weather-sealed. 50 Art sharper, cheaper)

HUGE CHASM between 1 and the rest.

2. Canon 50 1.4 (good IQ, not the best build, focus ring isn't great & ugly bokeh)

3. Canon 50 1.8 I (same optics as 1.8 II but much better build. Not sure it's worth the price premium, might as well get a 1.4 instead.)

4. Canon 50 1.8 II (sharp optics, terrible build, awful AF, crap bokeh w/5 blade aperture)

5. Sigma 50 1.4 original (gorgeous bokeh, heavy, softish wide open, most copies I owned/tried had iffy autofocusing issues. Backfocused or front focused, but never consistently, so micro-adjustment wouldn't help. If you can find a good copy it's great - then I'd put it at #2 by some distance).

You could also consider adapting manual focus lenses - there's some incredible cheap glass out there, especially at 50mm.