Gear stolen. Starting over.

This is a pretty crazy story. 2 weeks ago I went on a hike with my 2 year old daughter and brought all of my gear. Afterward, we stopped to get some quick pictures at a barn with some baby lambs. I brought the 5D and Sigma 50mm and left the rest in the locked SUV (no trunk). Of course, my car was broken into and my camera bag stolen along with my school bag and school laptop.

Everything but the accessories were insured on a personal article policy from State Farm (highly recommended). Three days later, my stuff is found when the thieves attempt to cash a stolen check (not mine) at a bank. Originally, I was told that I could come pick up my stuff in a couple of days. Now they tell me that my equipment is police evidence for their case and that is being picked up by the feds. They may be able to convince the federal prosecutor to release my gear and take photos of it in a few weeks, but I would be responsible for holding on to the equipment until the trial ends. But they tell me that the chances of this are slim and that I probably won't get it back until the trial and appeals are finished. Which they tell me will take 3-5 years, and possibly up to 10!

So... State Farm is going to fulfill the claim and I will have all new gear, or a check for about $5200 in the next week or so. So my crazy story turns into the same question that gets asked 10 times a day here. If I get a check for everything, what should I buy? If I do get my gear back, I am required to return the stolen gear back to State Farm.

I shoot a lot of family shots, portraits, travel shots, wildlife, dogs, some macro, and landscapes/cityscapes. I still have the 5D, which I bought for landscapes and portraits, but I find that I prefer to use the 7D for landscapes, given live view, more megapixels, and less sensor dust problems. I think I'll keep/buy another 7D. As far as lenses, I'm thinking 24-105mm and the Sigma 50mm, or just a 24-70mm instead. And I'm thinking I'll replace the 100-400mm and Sigma 85mm 1.4 with a 70-200mm II and teleconverters. Then I just need to get a wide angle, as I just sold my Samyang 14mm. I'm thinking either the Canon 10-22mm or Tokina 11-16mm.

Anything I'm missing here? Any out-of-the-box ideas I'm not thinking of? If you made it this far, thanks!

I'm too new to give you any advice, but I'm glad State farm was able to take care of that claim for you.

I'm just thinking of a portrait-friendly prime lens for a crop: something like a 30 or 50. Sorry for your loss, but it does present a unique opportunity.

i would seriously consider selling the 5D and getting 5D II with 17-40L coupled with the 70-200 II for pretty much everything except macro and wildlife

if you really feel like you need a 2nd body i would probably settle for 60D unless you really need the FPS and the focusing system of the 7D. oh and for that wildlife maybe get a 2X TC for the 70-200

oh and keep the siggy for the low light work

glad for you that the insurance fee paid off

24L II - Not ultra-wide on the 7D but will work great on both the 7D and 5Dc.

70-200L II - Costs a lot but is extremely worth it, literally Prime sharpness in a telephoto zoom with IS, crazy.

About the 24-70 and 24-105. Neither of them ever blew me away on a crop camera like the 7D. And if you ask me, the 24-70 is way way overpriced considering it lacks IS and weighs as much as a bag of bricks.

That's crazy, You would think the Feds could get you your stuff back, Since you have a business, what do they expect you to do for a living?

What happens if they do return your equipment after a few months, and state farm has already handed out your check?

Thanks for all of the great advice. My favorite is to get the 5D2. I have considered that. Then I would get a 17-40mm. So I'd have 5D2, 7D, 70-200 II with 2X converter, 17-40mm, and Sigma 50mm. I think I could swing that. I do have extension tubes for macro, but I'd lose a standard zoom. I've been loving the 24-105mm on the 5D.

sorry to hear that, just a question how much you paying for insurance?

I think it added about $8 to my monthly bill. So, about $100 a year. At the moment, I think it is definitely worth it.

5200+900 for 5dc = 6100

5dmk2 2300
24-70 1100
70-200 f/2.8 IS MK2 2200
17- 40 600
50mm f/1.4 (You already own)

=6200 based on Used prices. Then you have your wide angle, mid range, and telephoto on a great FF camera, unless you need high FPS of the 7d.

How about a tripod, CPL, bags, and the like?

That said, I think you should probably sell your 5D and get a 5DII or 1DsII.

The 24-70 and 24-105 are relatively lame lenses IMO, but the Canon 70-200/2.8 is outright amazing. Makes a pretty good 140-400 as well.

if you will get the 7D (great as complement to your very good 5Dc )
i would consider the new Sig 8-16 --> great reviews (and will also work on your 5D)
you should also consider the new 70-300L for wildlife during day time on crop it is a great lens

I have been enjoying having the 5D and 7D. You guys think I'd be happier with just a 5D2? I am really missing out on reach if I go from a 7D/100-400mm to 5D/70-200mm, even if I add a 2X converter.

I do have a set of filters and a nice tripod. I will need to buy a new bag, batteries, and cards that were stolen and not on my policy.

I have been considering the 70-300L. I'd like to have a wide angle I can use with filters, which is why I haven't really looked at the 8-16mm.

i think that a 7D & 5Dc is a better combo for what you descibe
you gain

dual cameras (backup & versatility & less lens changes)
Better reach
Better AF