What should I do??

This is basically an updated post from my previous one: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=757077

I am posting THIS thread, to clean up everything I have come up with and rambled about in that thread, and to get some fresh eyes on my "situation."

So my original question was; 5D2 now, 70-200 2.8 IS later? Or 70-200 2.8 IS now, 5D2 later?
I got some VERY good replies, and a lot of good stuff to think about.
The main thought that has me questioning the decision I am leaning towards (Cam first, lens later) is the fact that the 50mm on my 40D, will be my longest lens on the 5D2 (85mm on FF is basically 50mm on crop).
My response to this though, is; My 50mm is pretty much the only lens I use (when comparing between the 85 and 50). I find the 85mm to be a very awkward focal length for crop. SO I would be fine having the 85MM be my longest lens on FF for a while, since that focal length is what I mainly shoot with.

The next point that came up was; Lenses are getting more expensive, cameras are getting less expensive. Another good one, that I will "debate" below.

After lots and lots of thinking, I wrote out [In detail] a plan that shows when I can afford, what.
Either way, I will order the first "item" when the Fall rebates start, and I will order the second one when the rebate is about to end (January). So the prices won't be changing while the rebate is offered, so the second point I brought up doesn't really affect my decision.

So now that I have it fairly controlled (i.e. I have it planned so the prices won't change, no matter what order I buy them in. And I will buy 1 thing in October, 1 in January) it's time for a decision.

I am leaning towards the camera first (still) because I have a wedding to shoot next month, and would LOVE to get some high(er) quality images, and I would like to have 2 camera bodies (yes, it's important).
I will need the 70-200 2.8 IS for the wedding, but I have a local friend who will lend me the lens. This is what is putting me off from buying the lens first, because I have a friend who can lend me the lens whenever I need it, so it makes buying it (first, at least) seem pointless, when I could get an amazing camera...

IN CONCLUSION:

Reasons to buy the 5D2 first:
- Shooting wedding next month, need 2nd body and higher res\quality photos is a bonus
- I don't need the lens all that often. When I do, I can borrow it.


Reasons to buy the 70-200 2.8 IS first:
- No need to borrow the lens.
- Will have the lens right when I do get the 5D2. An awesome pair, straight away.


I basically wrote myself into a corner... But I still need some help\convincing
Sorry for the LONG post, and thanks in advance for everyone who reads it, and helps

From previous experience, the lens is what makes the images have the quality that you are probably looking for. A 70-200 2.8 is by far greater than a 50mm and you will see image quality change immensely. I would say go with the 70-200 first and get your 5d mark II after.

I live in the same area as you, and I have photographed quite a few of the same hikes. Your landscapes are awesome. Keep up the good work.

Good luck with your decisions...

Steve

I know you mentioned it already, but bodies go down while lenses hold steady, or go up. The lens in question was $1450 in January, and is $1670 now. By January, it could well be $1900.

The 5DII was $2700; I've seen lightly used copies go for $2400 now. By January, depending on what rumors are going around about a FF body (and it may well be next spring that Canon releases one -- body lifecycles seem to be speeding up), the 5DII will be significantly less (probably) than it is now.

The fact that you can borrow the lens, though, clouds the issue.

Brett wrote in post #8785557
I know you mentioned it already, but bodies go down while lenses hold steady, or go up. The lens in question was $1450 in January, and is $1670 now. By January, it could well be $1900.

The 5DII was $2700; I've seen lightly used copies go for $2400 now. By January, depending on what rumors are going around about a FF body (and it may well be next spring that Canon releases one -- body lifecycles seem to be speeding up), the 5DII will be significantly less (probably) than it is now.

The fact that you can borrow the lens, though, clouds the issue.

Right now, I'm having trouble finding the lens for less than $1850, but I do have another friend (Across the country) who is contemplating selling his AMAZING copy of the lens for $1600, which seems to be the going rate for this lens [Used], so I might just (when it comes time to buy the lens) go the used route.

I agree that the lens does\will\can go up, but my thinking is; I highly doubt the price of it will change, while under the Fall\Winter instant-rebates by Canon (Usually runs mid-October through mid-January).
+ if I decide to buy it used in December or January, while the rebates are running, I could possibly get it for $1550 used, for a lightly-used, good copy of the lens

stevemacko wrote in post #8785463
I live in the same area as you, and I have photographed quite a few of the same hikes. Your landscapes are awesome. Keep up the good work.

Good luck with your decisions...

Steve

Thank you very much

This is part of the reason I want the 5D2... for full frame, for landscapes.
A friend and myself are working on a photo-book concept\idea called "The Unseen OC" which will be a compilation of photographs of places in Orange County that most people don't know about, or think about when they hear "Orange County".
So I would really love a full frame camera, to finish up this project with. The 21MP would be amazing for printing in the book (I know 10MP is more than capable, but c'mon... Wouldn't you rather print a 21MP image than a 10MP image?).

My friend is using the amazing, 24MP Sony A900 with Zeiss glass... So my 40D with 17-40L doesn't even compare, and our goal is to really get the photos to go well together.

So, the 5D2 NOW would be great for the winter\snow photographs for this concept\book, and we also planned on possibly offering a Blu-Ray disc of short 1080p video clips of some of the locations (Yes, with the 5D2).
So I mean, the 5D2 really would help me NOW, and since this landscape\nature project is my current project, a telephoto won't really help me all that much.

(Just some more food for thought, for those of you giving your $0.02)

Dude, you're 16 and shooting for pay already? Impressive.

If you can borrow the lens when you need it and are willing to accept the risk(s) associated with borrowing things that can break from friends and you are not planning on making it one of your primary lenses, then I would say skip the lens purchase for now.

As for the camera, if it were me, and landscapes AND weddings/people photography are your gigs, I would look to get a nice used 1DsMkII. They seem to be going in the low $2K range. IQ is awesome, build is 2nd to none and the AF is equal to the best there is.

Good luck with it.
Gene

Tumeg wrote in post #8785677
Right now, I'm having trouble finding the lens for less than $1850, but I do have another friend (Across the country) who is contemplating selling his AMAZING copy of the lens for $1600, which seems to be the going rate for this lens [Used], so I might just (when it comes time to buy the lens) go the used route.

You're right. It's gone up that much in just a couple weeks? Roberts Imaging had it for $1699 w/free shipping less than a month ago. I'm off to find the post where I recommended that as the lowest price.

Edit: Yep, found it here: https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=8701696&po​stcount=28

That's a heck of an increase in two weeks time, although according to my post, $1699 was a sale price (ended 09/28 ).

Brett wrote in post #8786531
You're right. It's gone up that much in just a couple weeks? Roberts Imaging had it for $1699 w/free shipping less than a month ago. I'm off to find the post where I recommended that as the lowest price.

Edit: Yep, found it here: https://photography-on-the.net …hp?p=8701696&po​stcount=28

That's a heck of an increase in two weeks time, although according to my post, $1699 was a sale price (ended 09/28 ).

Lowest I can find it, is actually $1750 (At ether Cameta Camera with Bing cash-back, or at Newegg, no Bing)

Update to a possible plan:

- Order\buy the 5D2 Now
- Order\buy the 100mm f/2.8 in November
- Order\buy the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM in January

That way, I get 2 lenses off of my wishlist, and then I only have to go a few weeks with 85mm being my longest lens on FF, to help and hold me over for the 70-200....

To help with expenses and everything, I am starting to consider a used 5D2...

I found one on here for $2300, local, around 20k accusations, comes with all of the original everything.
Good deal? Worth looking into?

get the 5DII.
Clean high ISO would be my biggest selling point.

New plan..... get a gun, then there will be no waiting

Seriously though, buying used is the way to go if you can.

Tumeg wrote in post #8787041
I found one on here for $2300, local, around 20k accusations, comes with all of the original everything.
Good deal? Worth looking into?

If the camera's been accused around 20,000 times, I'd skip it.

Brett wrote in post #8787823
If the camera's been accused around 20,000 times, I'd skip it.

Fail hahaha