$2300 to spend - help!

Please help me spend $2300! =)


Background:

First off - I started in photography about 3 years ago with a Digital Rebel XT and I love it to death. However the past year I've been starting to get really pissed off by its poor autofocus as well as lack of video recording.

I really haven't invested too much in my setup so far but now I feel my skills have exceeded what my equipment can provide, so this summer I'll be making some upgrades. I'm visiting Hong Kong this summer and I've saved about $2300 (I'll speak in USD since most members here are from the US) for upgrades. Note: I speak Chinese so I will have no trouble finding used equipment.


Body:
I want to upgrade my body to either T2i or 7D. I feel 7D is still out of my league. A 60D would be perfect if it existed. I know glass > body and I should save money for better glass but a T2i doesn't feel like an upgrade after 3 years of XT (and I'll also need to buy SD cards).
Used 7D ~$1300
Used T2i ~$700


Lens:
Used 70-200/4 IS ~$970
Used 135L ~$860
Used 24-70/2.8 ~$1150
Used Tokina 50-135 ~$450


Help!:
I'm considering the a combo of the above (body + lens). I am in college right now and I find I mostly shoot at club events (both indoors and outdoors) or friends' parties. I find I am missing a good portrait / tele lens (135L) but I don't upgrade often so I would like it to be versatile (24-70 / 70-200). I threw the 50-135 in there because it is cheap and still very well regarded. My gear list is in my sig, I also have a friend who can lend me a 11-16/2.8 any time so I'm covered for wide angle.


Personal preference:
I am leaning towards a 7D + 135L combo, but I won't have anything between 30mm and 135mm (though I can always pick up a 50/1.8 later but changing lenses is a hassle). On the other hand, the gap between 30mm and 70mm is not so bad. Also, I don't need to spend it all, the rest can always go towards having some fun in Hong Kong


THANKS!:
Thanks for your input!!

Save up another $1,200 and take a Richard Martin photography workshop

what about 7d/17-55IS?

Consider a 5D Mark II with the 24-105 "kit" lens (package). Cameta Camera's Ebay store has great prices. Got my 5D Mark II from them for $2161 last month shipped using Bing Cashback. Canon authorized store in Amityville,NY. 100% legit. That is where my $2300 would go. Awesome set up.

Thanks for the quick replies!

mmahoney wrote in post #10227997
Save up another $1,200 and take a Richard Martin photography workshop

I had to look up Richard Martin but he has some really nice pictures. He's an artsy kind of guy but I'm more of a live-action/event guy LOL

guyzer09 wrote in post #10227999
what about 7d/17-55IS?

Thanks for your suggestion, I thought about this for a moment but I think I still want something more telephoto. 17-55IS would be good for portraits but I really want something to replace my aging 70-210/4 which I bought really early on but now I find inadequate.

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #10228008
Consider a 5D Mark II with the 24-105 "kit" lens (package). Cameta Camera's Ebay store has great prices. Got my 5D Mark II from them for $2161 last month shipped using Bing Cashback. Canon authorized store in Amityville,NY. 100% legit. That is where my $2300 would go. Awesome set up.

Interesting, I never thought about the 5DII for some reason. I couldn't find the deal you mentioned but anyway I live in Canada and am visiting Hong Kong so no Bing Cashback for me . The cheapest 5DII I could find was about $2000 (used) but that really limits my options for lenses .

How about the 7D and 15-85IS.This fits right in with what you have.You can later add a 70-200 and fill in with fast primes(you already have the 30 f1.4).

50D and the best glass you can buy.

I would look at a used T2i, 24-70L and a 85 1.8 ef-s ( @ $450 CDN on GTA/Craigslist ). I find 135 to be pretty long for portaits on a crop unless you have a huge space to work in.

keep saving man. buy a 5D2 and 24-105L as soon as its feasible. the 135, like bradfordguy just said, is too long for a crop for what you want. The 24-105 is super versatile and is a high quality piece of glass. not the fastest lens in the world, but unless you are shooting action, that is quite alright. full frame is pretty nice.

Send the cash to me - I don't need any help to spend $2300.00 - hahaha