pre-Christmas shopping (lens recommendations)

Hi Guys - believe queries like this have been resolved in the past but i have been mulling over this issue for the last 1 week, evaluating pros and cons of which to go first. So heres the catch - my first house construction is now in full force (all installments are paid except for some 10k odd for the last payment in Dec 2013) - and after a really low profile lifestyle kept over the last 3 years, I want to splurge a little in a little pre-Christmas gift for myself.

My budget is around 3.5k odd - I have my eye on the Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS mkII (with Discover and Amazon coming out to 1982 USD) and maybe use the rest for for a macro (undecided) and a Camera bag.

At the same time, I do want to start out on a FF - after using my neighbors 5D mark III (which has seen 2 days of usage in the last 2 months), I knew it was time for me to pass on my T3i to my wife (she loves the 18-200 for all general purposes and the sigma 30 f1.4 which she loves for low light) and upgrade full time to a full frame.

Usage - I do not get paid for photography, photography is a hobby. I am into shooting portraits mostly and a little bit of everything (mostly people), and want to venture into macro soon. I loved the older 70-200 f2.8 mkI because of the sharpness and can afford to spend an extra 500 USD for the version II.

So the question is should I get the 70-200 and the macro (IS vs non IS) and use the T3i and then maybe upgrade to a FF later - will the T3i justify the investment in the 70-200 now. The problem is I am very tight with my money matters and this is the first time I am looking at indulging something for myself and maybe the FF may have to wait for at least an year from now.

Any help is appreciated - I simply cannot make up my mind.:o

Perhaps a used 70-200 f/2.8 IS II and a used 5D mark II? (skip on the macro for now, the 70-200 will not disappoint).

Upgrading to full frame will make you rethink your lens lineup completely. I know it did for me. I absolutely love 50mm on my 5d2. Perfect for my eye. I've been very happy with my Sigma 70-200/2.8 OS, 40/2.8, and 50/1.8 after about a year. At some point I'll probably replace the 40 and 50 with a 50L and be perfectly content.

Perhaps a used 5d3 and Sigma 70-200/2.8 OS? Would be very close to your budget.

well thanks guys - a canon 70-200 is what i really lust for. Did not see too many reviews where Sigma fared over the canon counterpart well apart from the price i.e. the new sigma for canon mount goes for 1250, the canon can be had for 1980. That leaves me with a balance of 1500 odd - How can i accomodate the 5dmark II (old for 1500 atleast) and a camera bag too??

Any good suggestions for carrying two camera bodies, 2 primes (30 sigma nad 50 canon), two zooms (70-200 mkII and ef-s 18-200) and a 430ExII flash?

Either splurge now for a 5DIII or get the 70-200 mkII. I just think you could make your wife happy too and still get what you want.

wife is always happy since she is the subject of 75% of my shots - she does not allow me posting pics of hers on forums and the ef-s 18-200 does not do justice to her sometimes. she wants me to upgrade to a new body - but a new body with just the 50mm f1.8 would be a overkill.

The question is 70-200mkII - and what to do with the 1500 (should I save the money or get a old 5dmarkII when prices fall around 1300) - what bag for 200USD?

The "old" 5d2 is a remarkable camera and you can get some pretty stunning shots using it with the 50mm f/1.4. You could get this camera and the 70-200 2.8 II and have an excellent kit that would keep you happily shooting for many years. I have a couple of Canon bags, but I think the Crumpler bags are the way to go.

Lets see: 70-200II $19-2000
5dIII $27-2800
Total $4800

$4800
-3500
$1300 ....work some over time/extra side work
This will keep a smile on your face for a looooong time

Bianchi wrote in post #15214539
Lets see: 70-200II $19-2000
5dIII $27-2800
Total $4800

$4800
-3500
$1300 ....work some over time/extra side work
This will keep a smile on your face for a looooong time

I agree.... eat ramen... etc...

Or get the 5D Mark III and get a used 70-200L IS f/2.8 I and not the II... Mine is really sharp...

Bianchi wrote in post #15214539
Lets see: 70-200II $19-2000
5dIII $27-2800
Total $4800

$4800
-3500
$1300 ....work some over time/extra side work
This will keep a smile on your face for a looooong time

I am the only breadwinner here - wife cannot work because of visa issues and supporting a kid and rent and payment for an extra house back home without a loan has its own issues.


Thanks though guys - I already put up a order on Amazon right now for the Canon 70-200 IS mkII - the FF has to wait. Some suggestions for a camera bag would be welcome.

You'll be blown away by the 70-200mm and whereas it's fantastic on FF, it is significantly wider in FoV than it is on crop so looking at your picture style, may not have been as much use as it will be on the T3i. What you'll gain on top of IQ is fluidity, constant wide aperture and neck-ache. But you'll want to use it all the time so your picture count will increase.

Bags are a personal thing. I use a Domke traditional canvas bag for multiple bodies, lenses etc and a Crumpler back-pack/rucksack type for cabin baggage on flights and throwing in the car. I also have a couple of old British made CCS Snowflake waterproof pouches that go on a strap or round your waste. You don't need to spend a lot on a bag, just to know what it is you really need.

get the glass the 70-200mk2 will not disappoint like others have said …its an awesome piece.

thanks guys - I always count on the community here for support
Lens done for now - let me cycle through the bags threads - I would prefer a backpack that can accomodate two bodies, 3 lenses, 2 flashes, some other items and some baby gear.