Getting a 7D as a graduation gift!

EOS5DC wrote in post #16675111
OK, given that information, I'd go for a 580EX II. It is a better flash than your 430 for several reasons. It has a reflector panel built-in. It swivels 180 degrees in BOTH directions; your 430 only does that one way, and 90 the other. The 580EX II is more powerful, which comes in handy when bouncing flash or using diffusers. It can also control 3 groups of slaves. The ST-E2 can only do 2 groups. BTW, your 7D can control 3 groups all by itself.

I understand your point about the 18-200 filling your needs. I got sucked into the L-glass G.A.S. problem a few years ago. I eventually sold L-primes and got a Sigma zoom. I am happy with it. I use mostly mid-range glass, and it outperforms my abilities.

Sorry if I seemed a little blunt in my last post didn't mean for it to come off that way.

Also I wouldn't mind L Glass eventually but only certain lenses from that range interest me. And thanks for the advice again sorry if I was a bit blunt.

No problem. I didn't read it that way. You are, and always will be, the best judge of what works for you. I think most of us reserve that right. I know I do.

EOS5DC wrote in post #16675205
No problem. I didn't read it that way. You are, and always will be, the best judge of what works for you. I think most of us reserve that right. I know I do.

awesome by the way I noticed the Sigma 70 - 200 f2.8 is your zoom what do you think of it? after I sort out my UWA needs I'm thiking the 70 - 200 will be my next len. Though because I love birding the Tamron 150 - 600 is ultra tempting.

I like the Sigma, a lot. I paid $750 for it, used. It is no 70-200 II, but it also didn't cost me $2,400. It is a bit soft wide open at 200mm, but still better than consumer zooms like the 70-300 USM. If focuses quickly and accurately on my 60D. I haven't used it on the 6D, yet. In AI-Servo it will track maniacal grandchildren and my dogs on a dead run. It does everything I need it to do. Even so, if I were in the market for a 70-200 2.8 today, I would seriously consider the Tamron VC model. I've never shot one, but lots of reviewers and users really like it. Then again, lots of folks claim everyone should own a 50 1.8. I found that lens to be a total P.O.$#!T. Slow, noisy, unreliable focus and soft wide open. What's the point?

Congrats on the graduation. I would also recommend a decent tripod, if you haven't already got one. The 15-85 is a superb everyday lens for the 7D, it was launched by Canon at the same time as the 7D.

EOS5DC wrote in post #16675352
I like the Sigma, a lot. I paid $750 for it, used. It is no 70-200 II, but it also didn't cost me $2,400. It is a bit soft wide open at 200mm, but still better than consumer zooms like the 70-300 USM. If focuses quickly and accurately on my 60D. I haven't used it on the 6D, yet. In AI-Servo it will track maniacal grandchildren and my dogs on a dead run. It does everything I need it to do. Even so, if I were in the market for a 70-200 2.8 today, I would seriously consider the Tamron VC model. I've never shot one, but lots of reviewers and users really like it. Then again, lots of folks claim everyone should own a 50 1.8. I found that lens to be a total P.O.$#!T. Slow, noisy, unreliable focus and soft wide open. What's the point?

I have to agree with you on the 50mm f1.8. I tried it and it jut didn't play nice with my camera, neither did the 50mm f1.4 from canon. Tried the Sigma hit a grand-slam, and so far I'm 2/2 with their stuff, and 0/3 with Canon lenses (could just be a tolerance thing though)

And I will for sure check out the Tamron model of the 70 - 200. Thanks everyone.

And as for the tripod suggestion, I have a very sturdy one designed for big cameras, think like Canon's X series of camcorders. Gotta love neighbours who are also into photography and have loads of gear they don't use anymore and are willing to part with!

i'd go for the 10-20mm...it'll allow you to go wide, and see things in a different way...mine is one of my most used lenses

I'd suggest 7D, 17-55 2.8 variant, and a Yongnuo manual flash. And a 50 1.8. Perfect kit to start with.

Tony_Stark wrote in post #16676372
I'd suggest 7D, 17-55 2.8 variant, and a Yongnuo manual flash. And a 50 1.8. Perfect kit to start with.

50 1.8? I've had one of each version. Both total crap if you ask me. I used both on crop and the II on a 5Dc, also. IMHO, right next to useless. In even mediocre light, it needed focus-assist to have any hope of finding focus, and even at that it was seldom accurate. Soft, even in the center at 1.8. Quite good a f/2.8, if you can get it to focus properly. I'd rather have a Tamron 17-50 if I'm going to be limited to 2.8. I think the real reason this lens is touted so heavily is that lots of people wasted $98 on it, so they want everyone else to follow suit. The 18-55 II (not IS, not USM) kit lens I just sold for $45 is more useful than the 50 1.8, well, unless you need a paper-weight.

Tony_Stark wrote in post #16676372
I'd suggest 7D, 17-55 2.8 variant, and a Yongnuo manual flash. And a 50 1.8. Perfect kit to start with.

already have the Sigma 50mm f1.4 so the Canon 50mm f1.8 would be a massive downgrade for me. Though I will look into Yongnuo flashes. And like I've said previously, I don't need a 17 - 50/55 variant. I'm happy with my 18 - 200, it gets the job done and I'd have missed more shots with a 17 - 5x than I would have gotten.

Sure the 18 - 200 is a bit "slow" but the focus is pretty quick and accurate. And in situations where the light is bad or mediocre I use the flash to assist me in exposure, which is why I'm considering a more powerful flash as well to make my kit a bit more flexible. And for my needs flexibility is paramount.

Get the 6D. Use the money you would have spent to buy the flash because with the 6D you won't need a flash and you will have a full frame camera.

gfspencer wrote in post #16680857
Get the 6D. Use the money you would have spent to buy the flash because with the 6D you won't need a flash and you will have a full frame camera.

I like the idea of the 6D but this isn't my money going towards the camera body and I need the higher frames per second that the 7D allows me. I'll eventually get a 6D just not at its current price point.

Keep the 7D, you will love it. If you need a fast camera, the 6D is not fast compared to your 7D

InfiniteDivide wrote in post #16682045
Keep the 7D, you will love it. If you need a fast camera, the 6D is not fast compared to your 7D

I don't have the 7D yet. I will be getting it in August