What would you get?

I have an Xsi, 10-20, 17-50, Pentax 55mm m42 and 100-300 as my main lenses. I also have a kit and 55-250 I am adding a youngnuo flash to this. I shoot a real myriad of stuff. Interior design, landscapes, surfing, kids and I want to get into more street.


I have about $500 to play with so I can either:

A. Get a 50D (help with my surfing photos, MA, some IQ maybe etc.)

B. Get either an 85 1.8, or some kind of Jupiter, Helios, Pentax or Zeiss m42 mount 85.

C. Start a secret(from wife:lol stash for only photography and just be patient.


I am pretty much equally col with all of these options, as different as they are. Getting a 50D is probably my frontrunner by a hair because I can get a solid upgrade for super cheap and it should be more than fine for a while. I also have an itch for another Prime and an 85 will fit my kit well. I also have no problem being patient and accumulating funds. I am really torn.

Watdya think?

what do you normally take pictures of?...what 100-300mm do you have, is it the sigma 100-300f4?

it seems like you have some lenses you could sell off to add to your budget

At the moment you seem to have all the lens for your shooting purposes. I would say, save the fund for now, accumulate it. 7D's price is already on the way down quick and by the time new body is announced in spring, 7D price will go down even further. By then you probably have $800 or more to get one, so that you could video surfing and your kids.

You've got more than one lens, get the 50D. Later, when the 7D drops a bit more sell the Xsi and move to the 7D.

DreDaze wrote in post #13739447
what do you normally take pictures of?...what 100-300mm do you have, is it the sigma 100-300f4?

it seems like you have some lenses you could sell off to add to your budget

Yeah I have the 100-300 f4 sigma and am very happy with it. That is my surfing lens.
I am all over,But surfing is the only sport and why a 7 d doesn't move me even at a good used price.

I am going to Italy in a few months, after that trip the 55-250 is gone, but I want it for a light telephoto just in case, so yes I will be selling that and a nifty 50 but probably keeping the kit to have a cheap and light spare for occasions that call for that(like wife borrowing camera).

I think my Italy trip has me itching for no reason, but I think a 50d is my eventual move for little cost then a used 5dII after the 3 is out a bit and then I am totally covered as a long term solution. Interior design is what I take pictures of for money (indirectly) and I like landscapes so the 5d has been on my radar, I just want to do it on the cheap by being patient. I just think the 50d won't get much cheaper than it is now based on 40d pricing, and if I know FF is part of the plan, a really solid crop for $500 or less Will be the perfect upgrade now and crop for surfing etc. if/when I get the 5d.

You have got to run a secret stash it is the only way to get some gear without causing too much trouble , as long as you don't get caught