What should come first? The camera or the lens?

Hey all...
It's been a while since I've made a thread here, but I felt it was needed.

I have been lusting, and dreaming over the 5D Mark II for the past few months. Been saving my pennies.
I will finally be able to order\buy it, next month'ish (waiting for the rebates to start). I will keep my 40D to be a second\backup to the 5D2 (pretty much my dream combo).

My question is; should I get the 70-200 2.8 IS, before the camera?
My lens lineup is small. But it suits me pretty well.
- 85 1.8
- 50 1.4
- 17-40 4L

I haven't found myself needing anything more than 85 1.8... But, if I had it, I would DEFINITELY find a use\purpose for it.

I mainly do portraits and nature\landscape. I am also starting to do more and more event\wedding photography, and would LOVE the 5D2 for weddings.

The problem is; If I get the 70-200 2.8IS first, I won't be able to get my dream 5D2 until mid 2010... And if I get the 5D2 first, I won't be able to get the 70-200 2.8IS until mid 2010...

Also; I have a friend who owns the 70-200 2.8IS, and I am able to borrow it whenever I need it (which I have been doing, for weddings).

Questions? Suggestions? Comments? Concerns?

Absolutely mate, I am saving for both 5DII and 50mm f/1.2L, but I think I will buy the lens first before the camera...

If you can borrow a 70-200mm lens I would go for the 5D Mark II first. You always need a camera, but you don' always need to use 70-200mm lens.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

If I do decide to put the 5D2 off, then for the money I can go for; 70-200 2.8 IS, 100 2.8, and the tripod\head I have been wanting...
It would then push the 5D Mark II back to June\July of 2010

(posted this just to give some more info)

EDIT: If I JUST get the 70-200 2.8IS over the 5D2, then it will push the 5D2 back to April or May

Is your 40D your only camera body? If so then I would say go for the 5DII - a 2nd body is virtually essential for event/wedding shoots, where having your only camera body die would be disastrous ...

If you're able to borrow the 70-200 when needed, I wouldn't hesitate to go for the 5DII myself

Cheers,


David

Camera first.

I would go for the camera first as you already have some good lenses.

Normally, lens first (assuming you have one camera, of course).
But with what you have, and can borrow, I'd go for the camera.

Hogster86 wrote in post #8700265
Is your 40D your only camera body? If so then I would say go for the 5DII - a 2nd body is virtually essential for event/wedding shoots, where having your only camera body die would be disastrous ...

I agree 100%. If your doing event and weddings a backup is essential. Imagine what would happen if your standing next to the alter and all of a sudden your 40D starts to ERR99. Are you going to tell the bride to hold on while you frantically rub the lens contacts with a pencil eraser and take out both batteries seeing if the problem clears? Go for the body now and lens later.

You have some great lenses for a full frame camera. Rarely would I advise this, but I say get the camera body first. Especially if you don't yearn for a telephoto lens for any reason.

Thanks all for the help!

After reading the replies here, I am leaning towards getting the camera first.
However, I still have 1 "doubt" in my mind.

I am only 16 (Well, 17 in 3 months 8) ), and it feels like a 5D2 might be too much, too young... But I just can't NOT go FF, and I LOVE the video... So I am kind of limiting myself.

And yes, at 16 I DO shoot weddings\events (both are becoming more frequent)

Whats too young? If you can hold it in your hands, then your old enough.

Tumeg wrote in post #8701672
Thanks all for the help!

After reading the replies here, I am leaning towards getting the camera first.
However, I still have 1 "doubt" in my mind.

I am only 16 (Well, 17 in 3 months 8) ), and it feels like a 5D2 might be too much, too young... But I just can't NOT go FF, and I LOVE the video... So I am kind of limiting myself.

And yes, at 16 I DO shoot weddings\events (both are becoming more frequent)

wow i wish i was able to save like you! hehe

I would go with the camera first. You said your current lenses suite you, so really no need to expand, and if you are doing weddings the extra body will be more beneficial than the 70-200.

Maybe go with a 5D original over the mark II? Saves you over a $1000...money you could put towards glass

Lens first. Canon are tweaking the cameras all the time and there will always be something 'new' but lenses are forever (well, almost). And go for the very best quality you can afford.