T1i with 24-105L

I have a friend who saw my rig and is interested in buying something, meaning a DSLR but he's not sure what to get for starters. He doesn't even know if he'll like stepping up from the P&S world. Budget is not a problem but he's not going to get a rig like mine and find out he doesn't like photography with all of the baggage a DSLR brings (mainly weight and bulk). I told him to buy a crop body he can throw away later and start by buying a good L lens to get his feet wet. If he finds he doesn't want to move up later he can always peddle the L on craigslist and even sell the body at the same time.

I told him the 24-105L is going to be a very good choice, however I'm concerned that it won't be wide enough on a crop body. If budget were not a problem, what would be the best L glass for him? Again, he's not going to go out and blow a bunch of money and find out he doesn't like the weight and bulk of DSLR. He just saw my rig and some of the prints I showed him and he was impressed and realized that you have to have decent glass to step it up. I'm concerned the 24-70L is too heavy and doesn't have IS although it's faster. I don't think a 16-35L has the reach (maybe it does, maybe not). I convinced him to invest in L glass and he was impressed how much it goes for on craigslist so he's convinced that's the way to go.

I was thinking the T1i is good because of the processor and video capability. I think the 5D and 1D series would be fine up the road but right now I think he needs to have an upper-consumer-grade body with a pro lens.

Why not a 17-55 2.8 IS? Its not an L, but its still damn nice and probably a more useful range on a crop.

is the t1i an upper consumer grade body?...isn't it just the newer bottom entry level camera?

if i had a friend that wanted to get something, and didn't care about money as it seems...i'd say 7D and 17-55mm 2.8

I started with a T1i and a 17-55 f/2.8 IS. I think that is a better starter kit than the 24-105L.

The problem is, he wants L because he can use it if he moves up to FF and he is also impressed by the way it retains value compared to non-L crop glass. In this way, he's like me. He only wants to buy glass once.

Route246 wrote in post #9077944
The problem is, he wants L because he can use it if he moves up to FF and he is also impressed by the way it retains value compared to non-L crop glass. In this way, he's like me. He only wants to buy glass once.

Then maybe a used or refurb 5D to go with the 24-105?

I guess you're right. It's an upper bottom level consumer grade. The fact it has video and digic4 processor made me characterize it as upper consumer. I guess it's just updated, not upper.

He doesn't want the 7D. He feels its way beyond what he needs now. If he does upgrade from, say, a T1i it will be to FF like mine or MkIII if its available when he makes the switch.

DreDaze wrote in post #9077768
is the t1i an upper consumer grade body?...isn't it just the newer bottom entry level camera?

if i had a friend that wanted to get something, and didn't care about money as it seems...i'd say 7D and 17-55mm 2.8

T1i + 24-105, and if he wants wide, get the Tokina 11-16. If he gets unhappy with the equipments in the future, he can always sell those and get most of his investment back since the both glasses won't lost much value..

Route246 wrote in post #9077956
He doesn't want the 7D. He feels its way beyond what he needs now.

I always wonder why people say this. Its not as if having extra capability in the camera makes it any harder or more complicated to use. I'd rather have a camera with more capability than I do so I can't blame the camera if something doesn't work. Plus you can always grow into the more advanced features of a camera but not unless that camera actually has them.

It's the price of the 7D. He can afford it but it's not going to hold its value over the years. It will get old and whither in value. I convinced him that bodies fade away and you discard them when they get real old. L glass doesn't and you keep it forever, or as long as the EOS mount lasts. I think this is conventional wisdom shared by many of us here.

I told him I am very impressed that my 5DMkII has held up (marketplace-wise) for over a year now. It's slightly discounted now but not that much and there isn't even a MkIII rumored yet as far as I have read. For all of the criticisms of the 5DMkII (alleged slow frame rate, focus issues, etc.) I really will find it very difficult to upgrade to a MkIII when it comes out. It's just like my iPods. I upgrade but usually because I want a new one, not because my existing ones (I think I have five now) have anything wrong with them. They are all still working very well and they all play the music equally well. I can't see anything on my current wishlist for a MkIII now except maybe more MP (why the heck?), better focus (not a problem for me), faster frame rate (not really), better video features (heck, I just learned how to shoot video with it yesterday after having it more than a year), dual CF slots (yes, I would love this but this is not a compelling reason), built in flash (are you kidding? I love the fact it doesn't have one). I think the list can go on and on but nothing compelling has emerged yet.

I believe the 7D would be an excellent choice iff he was budget-constrained, meaning this was going to be his last body for a long time. The point is, he wants something he can discard/hand-down in 6-12 months in case he feels like upgrading at that time.

mike_d wrote in post #9077981
I always wonder why people say this. Its not as if having extra capability in the camera makes it any harder or more complicated to use. I'd rather have a camera with more capability than I do so I can't blame the camera if something doesn't work. Plus you can always grow into the more advanced features of a camera but not unless that camera actually has them.

Its true that bodies hold their value much worse than lenses, especially when new versions come out. That's why someone who might not stick with the hobby, and who plans on upgrading the body inside of a year even if they do, should probably buy a used one. I'd rather get a generation old but higher model like a 40D/50D than a Rebel. If he ditches it in a year, the downside is a lot less since it was already discounted when he got it. The 24-105 is a nice lens but I think it fits better on a full frame. What are used 5D's going for today compared to a new 7D or T1i?

Find him a good deal on a used 40D/50D like was suggested, I'm wishing I would have, but I'm gonna keep my rebel till it dies, and invest in glass/flash in the mean time.

Cheers

The 24-105 is a great lens, but your friend has to know its limitations (may not be wide enough or too slow for low light) or he may be disappointed. It is the same with every lens.