Need some suggestions on gear...

So I am sort of at a crossroads with my gear.

I currently have a T1i with a 70-200 f4/L and the kit lens that came with my T1i.

I want to get a more professional body that is full frame and can handle indoor shooting for weddings and events. I also want to get a new lens that I can replace my kit lens with.

I don't want to spend any more than $1200 on the body, and more than $500ish on the lens.

I think a 5D MK 1 would suite my needs and would be in the price range I am looking for. Do you think it would be worth it to upgrade from a T1i to the 5D MK 1?

As for the lens, I had a 17-40 and I really liked it. However only being a f/4 lens sort of hampered its use indoors for me when I was shooting with a T1i. Would having a 5D compensate for the lens being f/4?

I really like the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 however it gets cropped when it is on full frame cameras. Any other suggestions for lenses in my price range?

Thanks guys.

Yes, it would definitely be worth it to upgrade to the 5D MK I. I would suggest using the $500 to upgrade to the 70-200 f2.8.

there are so many threads on people asking if going from crop to ff is worth it. if you can afford it, its worth it in most regards. except maybe the 7d.

for the lens, look into the tamron 28-75. i hear a lot of good things about that lens and it will be nearly equivalent to the 17-50 on a cropper

If you would rather not upgrade to f2.8, you might want to consider getting the 85 f1.8 and the 430 EX II. Good luck!

Thanks for the information.

Do you think I should purchase the 5D body, or the lens to replace my kit lens first?

The 5D may fit your requirements. If you like the Tamron 17-50, consider the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8. They are both meant to be a fast normal zoom for a cropped sensor and a full frame sensor reapectively.

Get a used 5D. Around $1100-1200, sometimes as low as $1000.

Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 is a great lens on FF, and will give you similar framing to the 17-40, with the advantage of f/2.8 and the high-ISO perfomance of the 5D. Your low-light shooting will be transformed.

Of course I'm biased, but I went from an XSi with 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS, 50/1.8 and Sigma 10-20 to my current 5D setup, and it's been a great switch, other than size and weight of the gear.

Striff wrote in post #9563502
So I am sort of at a crossroads with my gear.

I currently have a T1i with a 70-200 f4/L and the kit lens that came with my T1i.

I want to get a more professional body that is full frame and can handle indoor shooting for weddings and events. I also want to get a new lens that I can replace my kit lens with.

I don't want to spend any more than $1200 on the body, and more than $500ish on the lens.

I think a 5D MK 1 would suite my needs and would be in the price range I am looking for. Do you think it would be worth it to upgrade from a T1i to the 5D MK 1?

As for the lens, I had a 17-40 and I really liked it. However only being a f/4 lens sort of hampered its use indoors for me when I was shooting with a T1i. Would having a 5D compensate for the lens being f/4?

I really like the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 however it gets cropped when it is on full frame cameras. Any other suggestions for lenses in my price range?

Thanks guys.

I would recommend canon 85mm 1.8 / Tokina 17-50mm VC & 430EX II for you.

Just keep in mind the 5D does not have live view, I find that view useful for certain things.

Striff wrote in post #9564117
Thanks for the information.

Do you think I should purchase the 5D body, or the lens to replace my kit lens first?

I would purchase the body first because with the better iso capabilities of the 5d, you might not even want to upgrade your lens? i would personally still get the 70-200f/2.8 but i would deff get the body first

Please...

Despite being on a bare bones budget - I heartily recommend against shooting a wedding as the primary photographer - (with or without pay) - unless you have back-up equipment.