Buying a 5d2 - Kit or body only?

Right guys, I've decided my next camera will be a 5d2 thanks to all the information and advice I've gained from here.

So, I've been thinking about my general purpose zoom - basically the 24-70 vs 24-105 debate. I've decided that I would rather the 24-70 as I shoot moving things more often than static ones. However, the 5d2 kit means I can get my hands on a 24-105 for a great deal. I'm also hesitant in sinking about £1000 into a 24-70 when a refresh is possibly just round the corner. I would want to wait until feb has passed as there are rumours flying round about an update on the 9th.

So with the discount of the 24-105 and the fact that I won't miss out on the new lens by a few weeks, I'm considering starting with the 24-105. I guess that can either go two ways. I love the lens and keep it or I don't and sell it. I just fell a bit weird paying that much money for a lens I don't really want! But I won't know til I've tried it right?

Can anyone pitch in with their experiences/regrets about buying a 5d2 with or without the kit? Did anyone else not really want the 24-105, get it, and end up loving it?

I'd buy the kit and sell the lens, then put that money towards your 24-70.

It all depends on what you are shooting. If you do very much with low-light photography then don't get the 24-105. I have it and it's a good lens but I have ended up doing more low-light shooting than I thought I would and might be selling it to get the 24-70. One other thing I have considered is keeping the 24-105 because the IS does come in handy sometimes, and picking up a Sigma 50mm for when I need something faster. Not sure which way I'm going to go but just take into account what you will be doing with the lens.

yourdoinitwrong wrote in post #9345100
It all depends on what you are shooting. If you do very much with low-light photography then don't get the 24-105. I have it and it's a good lens but I have ended up doing more low-light shooting than I thought I would and might be selling it to get the 24-70. One other thing I have considered is keeping the 24-105 because the IS does come in handy sometimes, and picking up a Sigma 50mm for when I need something faster. Not sure which way I'm going to go but just take into account what you will be doing with the lens.

I was planning on getting the siggy 50mm for really low light stuff. I've got a 30mm on crop and love it so the 50mm seems like the natural progression.

I do like the idea of the 24-105 for more of a travel lens/not quite so conspicuous and the IS would be great. I don't think I can justify keeping a 24-105 and a 24-70. A 24-70IS would be nice!

k_wakasugi wrote in post #9345080
I'd buy the kit and sell the lens, then put that money towards your 24-70.

+1. Canon's giving you a discounted lens - might as well take advantage of it. You make a little money, and the buyer gets a brand new lens at a discounted price. Win - win.

I'm looking at doing the same thing...I was on the fence about getting just the body or the kit.

I decided that because the 24-105L will make such a great general purpose lens, I'm going to get the kit. I have my 50mm f/1.4 if I need a fast lens for low light, and if I find the 24-105L to be lacking in IQ or less than stellar light, I can always sell it and go for the 24-70. The 24-105L has great range, IS, and solid IQ...very useful in a walkaround lens.

I just upgraded to the 5D-2 from a 40D. Im currently using it with the 24-70 2.8L. If i didnt have that lense already and had a chance to choose i would have probably went with the kit.. The 2.8 on the 24-70 doesnt really matter too much with this camera in my opinion. Its ability to shoot in low light, and lack of noise above 1600iso is just out of this world. I couldnt believe it the first time i shot with it indoors. The extra reach of the kit lens would have come in handy as a great all around lense, and rarely do i find myself shooting in 2.8. The low light capability of this camera is nuts!!!!!

just get the kit and sell the kit lens. You will end up with a cheaper 5d mkII and some lucky person will end up with a brand new, cheaper 24-105L.

This is what i would do if i were upgrading....

I bought the kit with the intent of selling the lens, though I took it to France for a long vacation first as I wanted the extra length and smaller size/weight. My biggest problem is that I now do not want to sell it. I'm actually considering selling my 24-70, though I can't quite bring myself to part with it either. Get the kit!

I just bought the 5d2 and 24-70 as a kit - saved a few pounds off buying the 24-70 and body separately:

I got mine from Warehouse Express - but since then the price has dropped slightly at Castle Cameras:

5d2 & 24-70

JoeW wrote in post #9345458
I bought the kit with the intent of selling the lens, though I took it to France for a long vacation first as I wanted the extra length and smaller size/weight. My biggest problem is that I now do not want to sell it. I'm actually considering selling my 24-70, though I can't quite bring myself to part with it either. Get the kit!

LMAO. The same thing happens to me. Im always getting attached to my camera gear for some reason, and feel bad when it comes time to sell or upgrade something. Its hard saying goodbye to bodies or lenses that have been to so many place together with me.

chomish wrote in post #9345524
LMAO. The same thing happens to me. Im always getting attached to my camera gear for some reason, and feel bad when it comes time to sell or upgrade something. Its hard saying goodbye to bodies or lenses that have been to so many place together with me.

I could only wish that was my problem. Mine is quite the opposite, I get something and then within a couple months I find something different that I want!

I would get the body alone and skip the hassle of selling stuff off, but that's just me. Then get the 24-70mm f/2.8 or any other largest aperture you can get/afford.

The 24-105 as part of the kit is such great value that I think it is worth having. I think you will really like it as a general walkabout lens and it has great IQ. If you really don't like it, I expect you could sell it at a profit. I personally really like this lens on the 5D2!

Buy the kit and sell the lens. I did it, even though I already had a 24-105. It made buying the camera all the more feasible TBH.