Which combination should I go for?

I'm ready to upgrade my 1000d and kit lenses but have hit upon a problem, which one to choose. I know you great folks get these types of questions everyday but I am truly split as to what to get. I'm no where near Pro standard but would consider myself a very good amateur.

I shoot mainly family life, wildlife, birds that aren't to distant away, and generally anything.

I have £2000 or thereabouts and like the sound of the following.

60d with the 70-200 F2.8 Mk11 IS
7d with the 100-400 F4-F5.6 IS
5d Mkii with either the 135 F2 IS or 70-200 F4 IS

I really like the sound of full frame, and I don't really need the speed, but then the 70-200 F2.8 Mk11 IS is an awesome lens.

Out of the three what do you guys think.

7d with the 100-400 if you like nature and moving subjects. Eventually Ill be using that combo when I can afford a new body. I can vouch for the 100-400 for longer ranges and nautre shots, but you may want a shorter lens for family.

Those lenses are pretty long for "family life." But of the combos, I think I'd go for 5DII and 70-200 f/4. But then again, that's short for wildlife, especially on a FF (but I use it on my crop).

I can heartily recommend a 7D with 24-105

7D & 100-400 is a great combo but not for all the things you list that you shoot. Add a 50 1.8 (inexpensive lens) and you'd have something great for all ... or even throw in a 28-135 IS ... I love this lens on any of my cameras! Nice range, has IS ... not the best lens but still a great one!

5DMKII is a great body but kind of will wipe out you budget not including a lens and IMHO, the 7D will do all you want it to do.

As for FF vs crop ... it's what you percieve. I read all the FF vs Crop threads and to me, it's a very one sided set of opiions for or against one or the other. My opinion ... either/or! high points and not so high points toward either! I do not even bother thinking about it when I go for a camera but rather which one does a better job at what I am shooting ... jets, fast cars, my dogs out in the field - 7D ... portraits, dogs on the couch or in the yard - 5DMK!! ... hmmmm, then which lens!?!?!?

EDIT: Just to add ... I was saving for the 5DMKII when the 7D was announced and offered. I jumped and bought the 7D ... regrets from the moment I clicked on the 7D order until a few time out with the camera. Don't get me wrong ... love my 5DMKII's but ordering the 7D as I did was probably one of my best and favorite regrets/mistakes I have ever made!!!

Given those choices, I'd take the Mark II with 70-200. As previously stated this would not work for wildlife, but would be great for family photos(though you might want to supplement with a shorter lens in the near future).

My heads hurting

You all make valid points. I wonder why no one has gone with the 60d and the wondeful 70-200 Mk2 F2.8. I could add a x2 at a later date when money is available and will then have a 400mm F5.6 as well, but then do I need all the weight to carry around.

On a FF camera I would consider the 70-200 F4 a family lens and as Johneo states, add a cheap 50mm F1.8 to the kit bag and I'm pretty much covered, only doubt I have is the nature and widelife shots are to far away and I'll have to rely on cropping to get close but then I do have millions of pixels to play with, but then thats not what a FF camera should be about.

cremerfring wrote in post #14656719
My heads hurting
I wonder why no one has gone with the 60d and the wondeful 70-200 Mk2 F2.8.

Great lens, but on a crop sensor the short end is effectively 112mm. Pretty long for family shots.

cremerfring wrote in post #14656719
My heads hurting

You all make valid points. I wonder why no one has gone with the 60d and the wondeful 70-200 Mk2 F2.8. I could add a x2 at a later date when money is available and will then have a 400mm F5.6 as well, but then do I need all the weight to carry around.

On a FF camera I would consider the 70-200 F4 a family lens and as Johneo states, add a cheap 50mm F1.8 to the kit bag and I'm pretty much covered, only doubt I have is the nature and widelife shots are to far away and I'll have to rely on cropping to get close but then I do have millions of pixels to play with, but then thats not what a FF camera should be about.

But remember ... the 7D has incredible fast focus and the 5DMKII lags a little behind. The 7D will capture those wildlife and bird shots much better than a 5DMKII and will still gets great family shots if you get a good lens. Also ... I don't consider my 70-200 as a great lens on anyeither camera for those family shots ... a 24-70 L ... OH YEAH!!! A Great combo ... IMHO ... is a 24-70 f2.8 L & 70-200 f/2.8 L IS (with a 100-400 L IS in the bag for thos distant shots!)

Also, my opinion, stay away from the 2X converter!

johneo wrote in post #14656767
Also, my opinion, stay away from the 2X converter!

+1

If you need a little extra reach, go with a 1.4X TC; less loss of image quality compared to a 2X.

LV Moose wrote in post #14656783
+1

If you need a little extra reach, go with a 1.4X TC; less loss of image quality compared to a 2X.

+2 !!!

I read that but went with the 2X ... big mistake and the quality sucks! ESPECIALLY on the 100-400!
Not to mention there is almost no way to hold that lens w/2X converter and body still enough to even get the shot. LOL!!!

Can the 7D do family portraits? Not claiming these are anything special but it can be done ...

This shot was my 7D with the 17-40 @ 18mm I believe ... No editing other than resize

You won't believe how long I've been thinking about this.

I think I'm going for a 7d and a 100-400. I already have a 1000d and the kit lens which consists off the 18-55 IS and a 55-200 IS. I can use these two in the beginning and then sell them and get a 24-105 F4L IS lens when I have a little to add to it.

I bet the kit lens on a 7d should perform pretty well.

And I'll leave the x2 convertor alone

cremerfring wrote in post #14657017
You won't believe how long I've been thinking about this.

I think I'm going for a 7d and a 100-400. I already have a 1000d and the kit lens which consists off the 18-55 IS and a 55-200 IS. I can use these two in the beginning and then sell them and get a 24-105 F4L IS lens when I have a little to add to it.

I bet the kit lens on a 7d should perform pretty well.

And I'll leave the x2 convertor alone

So if you get the 7D and 100-400, ( you have the 18-55 & the 55-200?) you will have 3 lenses when the 7D arrives! Get the 5DMKII and a lens, and that'll be it! Consider checking out your lenses on the 7D before getting rid of them! You may like the results!

Good luck!