3k Budget

What would you purchase if you had 3k to spend on a body and lense to start with?

What is your experience level and what do you like to shoot?

depends what you want. General purpose; 6D+24-105 is hard to beat; use the excess on an extra lens or 'misc' expenses that always crop up (cards, batteries, flash, etc)

I currently have a T2i and mostly shoot landscape, urban and some portraits. I dont ever really shoot sports or fast moving objects.

w0m wrote in post #16328947
depends what you want. General purpose; 6D+24-105 is hard to beat; use the excess on an extra lens or 'misc' expenses that always crop up (cards, batteries, flash, etc)

I second this!!! plus add a flash to it as well

mkville wrote in post #16328956
I second this!!! plus add a flash to it as well

I'll 3rd it

5d mark II and 50mm f/1.2

5DII (about $1300-1500 used)
17-40L ($550-600 used)
85/1.8 ($250-350 used, $420 new, lens hood $24 or less)
135/2L ($850-900 used)

It will be a little tough, but if you buy mostly used you maybe able to get everything for $3000 or less.

Full frame is ideal for landscapes and urban photography... it's also good for portraiture, particularly candids where you might want fine control over depth of field to blur down backgrounds and such.

5DII's main weakness is its AF system... But it's fine for the type of photography you say you do. It's not so great for action/sports (though of course still can be used in a pinch).

The 17-40 will be great for those landscapes and many types of urban shots, and is long enough to serve as a slightly wide standard lens on a FF camera, for general purpose, walk-around.

85mm and 135mm are excellent portrait lenses, in particular.

Without knowing what the OP wants to shoot, it is impossible to give a recommendation. I could just as easily make a case for something like the 60D or 70D a d a 15-85, 70-200 F4 and a 430 ex ii flash.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16329383
Without knowing what the OP wants to shoot, it is impossible to give a recommendation. I could just as easily make a case for something like the 60D or 70D a d a 15-85, 70-200 F4 and a 430 ex ii flash.

OP did say mostly landscape, urban and some portraits. I would take FF. If buying used 5dmk2 I might as well get used/new 6d instead. Older bodies I will take 5dc with some nice glass for $3k.

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16329383
Without knowing what the OP wants to shoot, it is impossible to give a recommendation. I could just as easily make a case for something like the 60D or 70D a d a 15-85, 70-200 F4 and a 430 ex ii flash.

Reply #4....

I agree with what alot of stated, either a 5D2 or 6D. However if there is no need to crop very much, and 10mpx would be enough resolution, I would also throw in the 1D3, a more well-rounded body, just lacking in total file resolution depending on your glass giving you the reach you want.

Artomes wrote in post #16328952
I currently have a T2i and mostly shoot landscape, urban and some portraits. I dont ever really shoot sports or fast moving objects.

t2i should handle landscape, urban and portraits very well with the right lenses. What lenses do you have? What aren't you liking about the T2i?

tkbslc wrote in post #16329581
t2i should handle landscape, urban and portraits very well with the right lenses. What lenses do you have? What aren't you liking about the T2i?

^ this

invest in glass, lighting and technique. Once you hit the limit of what the T2i can do for you, then upgrade.

bobbyz wrote in post #16329411
OP did say mostly landscape, urban and some portraits.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #16329576
Reply #4....

Dang, missed his second post!

Scrumhalf wrote in post #16329628
Dang, missed his second post!

Don't worry, I do all the time. Would be great if OPs would post all that info in their first posts.