Investment choices, upgrade camera or lenses?

pieq314 wrote in post #2357243
Your current camera is more than good enough. A better camera will not make a noticeable difference.

You should probably get Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L and 70-200mm f/2.8L IS first (about $2500-$2800). Then, get some flash/strobe lights for portraiture (from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars). And a tripod, a few memory cards. If there is money left, get a computer with large RAM and fast harddisk drive, and Photoshop CS2.

Luckily the tripod, several memory cards, and CS2 are already in hand. Thought my computer had enough memory until I got the 350, but ah, well...

Woolburr wrote in post #2357203
5K is a pretty healthy budget. Based on your shooting desires...I would snag a 5D, 24-70 430EX combo first...sell off the rest of your old gear and then grab a 70-200.

430 EX is my *surprise* Christmas gift!

LoriKelso wrote in post #2357293
I prefer to shoot subjects that require shorter focal lengths. I seem to get my best results shooting people. The whole buying stuff I want but don't need is the thing I'm trying to avoid, .

For people I find a 5D with either a 24-70 f28L or a 24-105 f4L and a 70-200 f2.8L ideal, I have the 24-105 but some people like the faster lens as it is a matter of preference. I wanted a 2 lens kit and this works nicely, although I am thinking of buying a 135 f2L for portraits.......it never ends!

I'd go for a 17-55 f2.8 L, a 70-200 f2.8L and possibly something like a 300mm prime. Maybe a 2nd XT body - just in case.

I wouldn't bother upgrading because until you can double the width and height of your images it's just not worthwhile IMHO. Plus 8mp is already more than adequate for 99% of photography. If you are into really gargantuan prints then it's worth getting a bigger sensor but honestly the difference between 8mp and 10mp or 8mp and 12mp is negligible.