$2,000 budget - which lens to pick?

ducphunguyen wrote in post #15196078
Again, thanks a lot for all your valuable suggestions.
Update:
Just ordered Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L from Ebay for $749 (USA version).
I will order EF 70-200mm F/4L IS and EF 85mm F/1.8
All together cost me around $2,000. Will sell the pancake. I already have 430II flash.

Well I have all three of those too and they are great for kid photography. I would keep the 40/2.8 for now. With the $50 rebate dropping new prices down to $150, $125 is all you are going to get for it now. And you don't have 2.8 in that range. I would look into a fast normal prime, 28/1.8 or 30/1.4, and something wider, UWA or 17-5x, for the next purchases down the road, but you will be very happy with these now. Enjoy them.

ducphunguyen wrote in post #15187318
I need your opinion please.
I have EOS 7D and EF 40mm pancake.
Debating between EF 70-200 F/2.8 IS II or (EF 135mm F/2.0 and EF-S 17-55mm F/2.8 IS)
Note:
I have two kids, use lens for indoor, outdoor and general photography.
For wide angle, I can zoom my feet using the pancake.

THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR OPINION!

How about a 24-105mm F/4L along with a 70-200mm F/4L? Together these should come out to about $2,000 and give you some pretty good range without sacrificing much on the wider end and still getting fantastic results on the long end with the 70-200mm f/4L.

ducphunguyen wrote in post #15196078
Again, thanks a lot for all your valuable suggestions.
Update:
Just ordered Canon EF 24-105mm F/4L from Ebay for $749 (USA version).
I will order EF 70-200mm F/4L IS and EF 85mm F/1.8
All together cost me around $2,000. Will sell the pancake. I already have 430II flash.

LOL, didn't see this post, but you did just as I suggested in my above post. Good choice! These two lenses will give you some great options without losing 'L' quality. You're going to love Image Stabilization (check out my final thoughts in my Tamron 28-75 vs Canon 24-105mm thread).

17-5X of some sort... it doesnt cost 2K though. 5D2 + tamron 28-75 if my max budget was 2K

ducphunguyen wrote in post #15187318
I need your opinion please.
I have EOS 7D and EF 40mm pancake.
Debating between EF 70-200 F/2.8 IS II or (EF 135mm F/2.0 and EF-S 17-55mm F/2.8 IS)
Note:
I have two kids, use lens for indoor, outdoor and general photography.
For wide angle, I can zoom my feet using the pancake.

THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR OPINION!

The 17-55 IS is the lens that the 7D exists for. That combination is stunning to use.

I still regret selling it.

If I had $2k to buy a couple lenses I'd be looking at

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8

and a 70-200mm L. I just got the non-IS f/4 version for cheap, but if I could score the 17-55 for around $700, that would leave $1300. I'd try to find a 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L (not the II version). Those two lenses will be very versatile.

Later on, get a 1.4x teleconverter if you want more reach.

17-55 on a crop is my easy choice. I LOVE the IQ of the 70-200II but I do not like the focal length on a crop but it is magical on a FF.

Sometimes I choose convenience over other factors.. I know I am not alone when it comes to thinking that the 17/18- 55 range is too darn short.. I'd rather have a flash and a 15-85 or 18-135...

17-55 on a crop is great for in doors. I use this config all the way. Good IQ.
Paying for it now though as I am upgrading to FF but of course the EF-S lens isn't compatible.
The Minister for Finance isn't happy.

I vote for the 17-55. I'm not a fan of EF-S lenses though as I like compatibility. The 135 is like a sniper scope on the 7D, you won't find it all that useful imo.