zeiss 35 f2 + t2i or just get a 7d

I don't agree with most people here that Zeiss glass is wasted on crop. Even on a crop camera you will get the distinct Zeiss rendering and the 35mm makes a great walkaround for a crop camera. I will say this again because I absolutely loved my ZE 35 on a 40D, even though I'm using a ZE 50 f/2 on a 5DII now.

Did you consider getting a used 40D or 50D instead of the t2i? The used 40D's are going down in price lately (at least over here).

For me the issue isn't that the Zeiss is a waste on a crop but rather that the crummy viewfinders on crop bodies will make truly accurate focus problematic and so keeper ratio may not be too good. Great glass rendering mainly OOF or not quite in focus images is a superb way to become very frustrated. A SH 5D is the way to go if a nice one can be found. I used Zeiss on 40D too and got some great shots, but I had a third party focus screen ... and they aren't cheap.

Well, on a crop, you miss a lot of the soft vignetting at the corners, which for some of the "famous 3d" lenses, really enhances the feel of it. It's mostly the viewfinders though.

I had the 50d didn't like the noise and auto iso limit off 1600 plus missed the video, I had a t2i before the 50d

I just sold my sigma 30 so I am in need off a fast 35 prime, I can get the zeiss and always go full frame in the future. I did some manual focus with the t2i and the 50d and it wasn't that bad, but I hate to buy something else and regret not getting it

The sigma 30mm is my favorite lens. I hate the thought of selling it but moving on to FF and using a Zeiss 50mm f2 or at least a sigma 50 1.4 should make the switch painless.

Personally, I would just get another sigma 30 1.4 cause I get the impression you are not very sure about going FF. Buy it used and sell it if you do go FF and you won't lose any money.

If you can live without the video (which I can't) getting a used older body makes all the sense in the world. The T2i has a pentamirror, not a pentaprism, which means the viewfinder isn't as good. I went from a 20D to a T2i and my keeper rate with my Nikon 85 1.8 dropped by quite a bit. stuff looks in focus when it isn't :/
I am seriously debated one of the Katz eye screens.

JelleVerherstraeten wrote in post #11064225
Which body have you ownd? Can you live with a starters body.

The 7D is a great body, that has many advantages against the t2i. I would go for a better body.

not much for manual focus lenses.

I finally made a decision and got the 7d and after that probably the 35L and the 135L