Entire Kit Stolen, Time to Rebuild

Adorama has refurb 20D's for $720, if you get full replacement value for the 20D you get to pocket some change...goes a good way toward glass too.

Sorry to ask, but why would you leave your gear in your trunk, even in the Garage?

Pretty hot in Charlotte this time of year. Not so good for camera gear.

Sorry to hear about your stolen gear. My camera, lenses and more things got stolen this year and my insurance (I was actually on a business trip, so it is my work insurance) covered my loss. They were fairly quick (only a couple of weeks after I filed the claim) and paid rather well.
Good luck with the replacement!

Well since you stated already that you need the range for distance, I'd get the 30D and your 100-400, then the sigma 10-20 (or 12-24 I don't have either, but I think both can be used full frame, the 10-20 vignettes horribly till 12mm), I have been considering these two, then the suggestion of the 24-70 makes sense on the 30D with the ultra wide angle.
Personally, I'd get the 5D and 24L 50mm, and an 85, but I don't shoot wildlife=)

A Nikon D2X...LOL just kidding...

$5500? I'd get the MKIII and either the 17-40L or 70-200L F4 NON-IS to get started!

SuzyView wrote in post #3656361
You don't need the IS with the 24-70. It's plenty fast in low light. You can't substitute anything in the price range for the 5D. It's a great value.

Sorry to hear about your gear. I agree with Suzy's post. The 24-70 does not need IS and is a good performer in low light. 5D will also be a great upgrade.

blueM wrote in post #3657710
Sorry to ask, but why would you leave your gear in your trunk, even in the Garage?

Pretty hot in Charlotte this time of year. Not so good for camera gear.

I don't think that's very cool, no offense, the guy is asking what he would spend the insurance money or whatever on, not to be his mama. He left in the trunk, he left it in the trunk...We all done silly things in our lives, shoulda, coulda, woulda, doesn't help the OP.

Goshawk wrote in post #3657902
Sorry to hear about your gear. I agree with Suzy's post. The 24-70 does not need IS and is a good performer in low light. 5D will also be a great upgrade.

Generally, I think most wide angle lenses do not need IS...I know both the 17-55 and 17-85 has it, but to be honest, I've never really needed it, it's nice...Low light? Maybe, but these aren't very fast lenses anyway...

A good shrink .. Get out while you can

Thanks again for all the input

My original replacement choice:

Canon 10-22 EF-S $675
Canon 17-55 EF-S $1000
Canon 100-400 L $1400
Canon 40D $1400
tripod and head $650

Total $5225

New option 1 (thanks to the people at POTN)
Canon 5D $2500
Canon 24-70L $1100
Canon 17-40L $700
Tripod $650
Save up for new 100-400 L

Total $4950

New Option 2
Used 20D (wait for 5D or 30D upgrade) $500
Canon 17-40 L $700
Canon 24-70 L $1100
Canon 100-400 L $1400
Tripod $650
Speedlight 580EX $420

Total $4770

I am leaning towards new option 2. The reasons; gets me shooting again right away, an all L glass line up, will keep my options open for new bodies that should be out sometime soon, keep a long telephoto for wildlife.

I wish I had a crystal ball for any canon body updates. I don't want to wait around to make this purchase. If I knew Canon wasn't updating the 5D anytime soon I'd get a 5D right now and be done with it.

Get the 10-22 instead of the 17-40. People call it an EF-S L and well, I poted for th 10-20, you got the money so no prob there. Seem like you're overlapping there for what? 17-24? But the second does sound the best.

I like the 10-22, but it is an EF-S lens, and my option 2 is planning for a full frame camera in the future.

well you mentioned possible 30D upgrade in it. Could always op for the 12-24 then. Just seems the 17-40 and 24-70 overlap a big much.

Instead of the $650 tripod in the first option, come down a bit and pick up a 580ex II and spend the rest on a decent ~$200 tripod.

I wouldn't worry about overlap with the 17-40 and 24-70. IMO, it's a "useful overlap."

I don't get option 2, personally. A. You don't know when Canon will announce replacements or what they will include, and B. even if Canon replaces the 5D soon (unlikely), that doesn't mean the 5D will stop performing as it does today, which is exceptionally. I like the 20D, but let's face it, the 5D is in an entirely different league in every respect. And regardless of Canon's future announcements, in regards to the 20D, it always will be.

You now have the option to jump into that upper-tier quality camera, why go "backwards?"

Bottom line: If you go with the 20D you are all but guaranteeing that you will be in the market for a newer camera soon. With the 5D, perhaps not.

Dekka,

My thoughts are similar in regards to the 5D. I think I might be spending too much time in the predictions and rumors threads.

About the tripod... I do a ton of hiking and need an expensive tripod. I already own a $200 tripod. It sits in the corner collecting dust. The only part of the kit I am sure of is the tripod. I picked out a Benro C-298 and an Acratech Ultimate Ballhead (which I already owned, but had stolen). I need a light tripod that extends without center column to 135 cm and folds to less than 22 inches, it must fit in my rolling suitcase.