Buying the 5DIII and one lens or two....thats is my conundrum.

Frankenheimer wrote in post #15294467
If you're shelling out six grand u shouldn't be thinking of how u can save a buck on a third party lens of the same focal length. I'll go buy a Ferrari V-12 and I'll save on buying 87 octane? No. Two things in your post: u regret selling version II. You're wondering how bad the Sigma version can be. Man that's your conscious mind fighting with your unconscious. Get over it. As long as u don't mind the weight of the II it is the present day top shelf. If u want to save on the lenses I have an opinion which is strictly based on experience and reading: buy third party lenses when u start out and want to expand your repertoire if u bgt an entry level ILC of any brand. I wouldn't for instance buy the updated medium tele version 2 Canon if I just bought a Rebel. Though some would not be wrong I suggest in using it w/ something like a T4i I believe. That's personal. Once u've been around the block and back third party lenses should be left on eBay for another beginner to get his feet wet. I mean you're not buying a Brownie. You're spending over three thousand on a camera. I can c the conundrum if u were comparing the Sigma which is not cheap to a used earlier version of the Canon. As for the 24-70 both Nikon and Canon are asking a lot for the current models. I have the previous version of the Canon and love it. It is built well and balanced nicely and does not require IS. A longer tele almost certainly does. I have the 70-200 f4 IS and I would take that over the 3rd party as well even if the Sigma costs more which it does. Why bother asking if you've got the bread and clear conscience. If u really can't decide wait until you're ready. Certainly buy just one at a time. In fact u've already got the 17-40 which is a really good lens at a bargain price. Use it on the new Mark III and see how it feels. Man don't be a sucker. It's good to save a dollar where u can but you don't put after market parts on a classic car unless they're actually better than OEM. Well good luck. I think from what I've read u'll be very happy with the Mark 3's AF. But overall it's not a big leap over the Mark 2. Remember that the new model always gets raves and the old, well that piece of "junk I wish I never freakin' bgt" used to get the raves. Hey maybe there's a local photo store which will if not rent u the lenses let u try them out conditionally.