time to figure out what to buy. :)

i will have in the ball park of $3,750 and I'm looking to get the biggest bang for my buck.

I was going with nikon but the D7000 is out everywhere so...

I have walked back to the 7D idea and looking at picking up the 24-105 L along with the 100mm (non l) macro a flash and a few other odds and ends that around $3100 help me spend the rest of it

I have a mafrotto 055XPROB with a ball head (manfrotto 498RC2) also a time-lapse remote, and that is about the extent of my extra gear

I also have a few kit lenses 18-55 (canon), 55-250 (canon), 28-135 (canon).

a few things i like to shot are nature and landscapes, i would like to get into portraits and macro

Biggest bang for the buck is a very subjective thing. What are your goals?

to have fun with what ever i get. other then that I'm open, looking for good gadget ideas or maybe a lens suggestion that would improve what i have or would fit better to what I'm looking to get into

I remember you used to have a 60d but had to sell off some stuff.
you could get another 60d. Theyre rather inexpensive on Canon Loyalty Program.

however, it sounds like a 5d classic is calling your name.
full frame, great IQ, inexpensive.
then get the lenses of your choice (EF mount obviously).
you'll be set.
I love the way the 5d classic pics look. such great color and depth.

or just find a D7000. Theyre out there. you just gotta look around a bit.

With that much scratch you may want to start out with a 5Dmk2 and a 24-105 L. It's a good combination and you would certainly be off on a good start.

David

Unless you really want to shoot sports, I'd forget about the 7D and get the 5D2 / 24-105L kit. Then maybe look at a used 430 flash and a prime in the 28-50 range (depending on your taste.)

If you really need one, you can save a little to get a used macro lens.... you can use a 1" extension tube for the time being.

If you're married to the 7D idea, forget about the 24-105 and get the 17-55/2.8, a flash and maybe the 100L macro. (I found the 7D performed fine provided there was enough light - so you need fast lenses. The pixels are so small that without IS you're compelled to shoot at 1/2f (seconds) or faster... Now you can do this but it drives the camera into high ISO or into low light operation and the image quality suffers.)

The 5D and 24-105 is probably the best bang for the buck right now.

I agree, unless the stuff moves like a dragonfly in flight, get the 5Dii.

that is a lot of pull for the 5d mark ii i have had 2 or 3 other people tell me that also! so maybe that is the way i am going

+1 for 5D2 and 24-105. I haven't used a 7D, but have owned and used quite a few other bodies and the 5D2 makes me giddy every time I take it out of the bag.

now what is required to use flashes off body? I'm guessing radio trigger, whats the best brand for the least amount of investment?

and i am now really considering the 5d mk ii just hope i can find a good price on a kit in a few weeks.

Do you like particularly like macro photography?

If so, I would say the macro is obviously the way to go.

If you are not stuck on the macro thing, and are going to go with the 5Dii, I would consider the 17-40, which is about $350 more than the 100mm, but I could see it being worht it. The 17-40 would take advantage of the full frame of the 5D more than the 100mm. You already have the 100mm covered with the 24-105, so with the 100mm, you are really just getting the macro capability, and a faster lens at 2.8.

That said, the combo of the 24-105 and the 17-40 would leave you with nothing faster than f/4, but even if you were to go with the 100mm, that would be all you could use for anything faster, and that seems kinda limited. If you want some speed, I would sacrafice the reach of the 24-105 for the 24-70 2.8, but then you are adding to the cost of your whole setup here, and that might push you out of your budget.

I have a 7D, and end up using my old 5D more than that a lot of the time, unless I need high ISO, or am looking for "reach" on the 7D.

There are so many choices, and they are all great. Good luck figuring out what is goin to suit you best. Let us know what you decide.

As for getting your flash off your camera, you can do that pretty cheap. I use vivitar 285's, and cactus triggers. Both pretty cheap. I do have a canon flash that I use on my camera, but you can get an off camera setup pretty cheap, then decide if that is something you will use, then expand on that.

thanks aduda nice input and i will consider the 17-40 as i will want something on the wider end too, way to many choices LOL

I'm looking at buying from B&H more then likely is the sagemax extended warranty worth the price of admission?

I would say 5D Classic or 5DII instead of the 7D