5D mark iii dilemma! What would you do?

Hey all, I could use some input.

I currently own what's in my sig, a 60D, 2x430exii, couple ef-s lenses and the nifty fifty.

I plan on dumping the 18-135 for what I can get and adding that money to my new camera fund. I am keeping the 60d and sigma 30mm for a second rig.

So my budget is 5-6k (plus whatever the 18-135 nabs) but id like to stay closer to 5. I am pretty much dead set on the 5d mark iii purely for the af and iso performance. Out of this I was hoping to afford an Einstein with pw setup that will run near a grand (mc2, minitt1 & ac3).

I shoot concerts, small clubs, portraits, sports and my first wedding this summer (family for cheap so I'm not stressed and it will be great practice). I don't do much product or landscape. I want to get the right lens to start off based on my uses.

My thoughts so far...

1. 5diii and the 70-200 2.8 is mii, will eat my preferred budget in one chomp but the main things I want are out of the way. Lacking on the short end.

2. 5diii 24-105 kit and the Einstein setup (probably right at budget)

3. 5diii 70-200 f4 is and Einstein setup

4. 5diii and the nifty fifty plus einstein and pocket wizards all around.

I am thinking Option 1 might be a good idea as those are both big purchases where other things (monolights, 50 1.4, 17-40) are easier to save a few hundred for. I assume this lens would be a beast for concert/wedding photography.

Option 2 is probably a great walk around setup with a very usable range, it would be decent for portraits but would the range suffice for weddings/sports?

Option 3 would probably be great for everything but I don't want to kick myself for not buying the 2.8 when I have the chance. Would also leave me lacking on the short end (group shots) while I save/earn.

Option 4 is a complete joke

Arrgg, I'm driving myself crazy. I just sold my house and am moving, I will have studio space in the new place so the extra light would be awesome but I don't want to short change myself for weddings/sports/moto etc. Since its summer I can assume most shots will be outdoors, so that may be a factor as well.

So, what would you do? Be brutal I can take it, but I'm not getting a 5d ii or a 7d I'm also all about buying used except for the camera body.

5. Keep your 60D and buy L-lenses (24-70L 70-200L MkII, even the 10-22). When you need a backup body, rent it, or buy another 60D.

Once you replenish you body fund, buy the 5D MkIII.

Some L glass... Then see what you want to do once you settle in after the move.

Sell the 60D while its still worth something and combine options 1 and 2.

Why not the 5diii and the 70-200 mkii (L Glass)? Technically the 60D is my wife's camera ( we share) so I am definitely getting a new camera that I can call my own (I couLd sell the 60D but then I have to lend her the mark iii :0 ) I budgeted this money for a reason and that reason doesn't include owning two 60D's I can still Add the 24-70 later.

I would rather drop the Einstein setup as I can grab a 70-200 f4 is and the 17-40 on Craig's for about $1500, that would be a nice range I'm thinking.

I truly do appreciate the input but Talking me out of the camera ain't happening I hate the af on the 60d for anything action oriented and the iso although not horrible is also not great. I could get better af, better bokeh with f4 on a ff, and a higher keeper rate.

jthomps123 wrote in post #14205808
Sell the 60D while its still worth something and combine options 1 and 2.

Haha, love it. That would be ideal until wifey cuts me off.

CptTripps wrote in post #14205840
Haha, love it. That would be ideal until wifey cuts me off.

Well you got the 30 at least. So deal with that until you can get a 17-40l, my 70-200mk2 would be the last lens I would part with out of my rig. Still, option 1.

jthomps123 wrote in post #14205917
Well you got the 30 at least. So deal with that until you can get a 17-40l, my 70-200mk2 would be the last lens I would part with out of my rig. Still, option 1.

Yeah the mkii is fantastic and seems like the lens for me, sharp wide open all the way across the frame I shot a lot of 50 prime last year before getting the 30 and never felt too restricted, 70 on a FF will be wider so I'm optimistic. Also, me and a buddy share gear pretty regular so I will have access to his 85 mkii and the 17-40 if I "need" them. I think that 24-105 is definitely in my future though.

Once again, thanks for the input all.

Why not #3 and just bump the ISO up a stop to make up for the lack of f/ 2.8?

Have you also considered buying used lenses? I bought the 5D3 last night but I couldn't afford the ridiculous markup for the kit here, so I plan on getting used glass. That saves me as much as 30-50% on glass if I can find the right deal.

5d3 and the 70-200 II would be an awesome pair to pick up. I think it's what you really want, go get it.

you want a 5D3 and 70-200 2.8 mk II.

Gregg.Siam wrote in post #14206800
Why not #3 and just bump the ISO up a stop to make up for the lack of f/ 2.8?

Have you also considered buying used lenses? I bought the 5D3 last night but I couldn't afford the ridiculous markup for the kit here, so I plan on getting used glass. That saves me as much as 30-50% on glass if I can find the right deal.

I was hoping someone would say "the f4is would be more than enough for what you want to shoot" I am all for used lenses and there is one on Craig's for $900. Would be perfect for studio shots indoors and out and would allow me to grab that Einstein or a 17-40. F4 may lack for concert photography as a fast lens and iso performance can be needed. That said, I get free tickets/backstage etc.. But that's not really a big payday so I should probably consider that.

But others speak the truth, I want the mkii and I want it bad, but I would like to make sure my personal desires don't get in the way of a smart move. I'm moving back to my hometown, am related to or know everyone and already have paid shoots lined up. If the f4 is fast enough for indoor events without jacking the iso too high I would definitely consider skipping the 2.8

mondayshift wrote in post #14206837
you want a 5D3 and 70-200 2.8 mk II.

Was that simply a statement or a Jedi mind trick ? 5d3 is the only thing I'm dead set on. I guess it boils down to indoor events, would f4 be enough? I'm sure it could happen with the mkiii iso performance but I'm not sure it would be ideal.

You should also consider the extra weight and size of the f/2.8 over the f/4. After shooting and dragging one around all day, I would take the f/4 in a heartbeat as long as I didn't really, really need f/2.8. With the high ISO ability of the 5D3, I think my needs for f/2.8 would have to be substantial.

Gregg.Siam wrote in post #14206927
You should also consider the extra weight of the f/2.8 over the f/4. After dragging one around all day, I would take the f/4 in a heartbeat as long as I didn't really, really need f/2.8. With the high ISO ability of the 5D3, I think my needs for f/2.8 would have to be substantial.

Good point and something I have considered, as stated I am hoping f4 will cover me and I can get some fast primes at a later date for the ridiculously dark shooting.

Ya know, I'm just going to buy the camera and rent/borrow one of each to judge if it meets my needs. I'm a gear slut by nature. I spend stupid money on guitars, microphones, vintage tube amps etc.. but; I am truly trying to make an informed decision instead of buying "the best".

I know my question may seem pointless to some but I have gone over this in my mind 10000000 times and do appreciate the input.