5D ii now or wait for mark iii?? and which lens?

I currently have a 5D and plan to keep it as a second body. I want a new body, either the Mark 2 or future Mark 3. I just read that the Mark 3 is probably due the second half of 2011. I want the new camera before April, as that's when our baby is due. So, I have several options. Wait, and see if the mark 3 comes out before April, if not, by then buy the Mark 2 unknown of any discounts (not sure if I want to go used for this price). Or, buy the Mark 2 now because Canon has a lens rebate on their L lenses through January 8th. I am quite interested in 3 lenses. The 50L, 85L, and 70-200 2.8ii. I currently have the 35L, 70-200F4IS, and the 85 1.8 is being delivered tomorrow. So, if I were to buy the mark 2 now, I might just take advantage of the rebate. The problem is that I don't know which I want. I still need to really find my niche of paid photography. At this point, I don't think sports is for me, although I would like to have something decent for sports for the kids. I must also add that this is a side business for me, I have a great steady career already. I think I am mostly interested in family, model, and wedding shoots. I recently started making some money doing family shoots and I have an extra flash and softbox on the way for some lighting in the field too. I also really enjoy personal family, and walk-around artistic shooting. So, do I return the 85 1.8 for $400, and go with the 85L? Do I keep it, and sell my f4, and go with the new 70-200 mark ii? Should I consider the 50L? I am quite happy with my 35L, it's the perfect lens for around the house, and works well for a walk around. I am currently borrowing a friends 135L 2.0 and I really like it. I am definitely a huge fan of a fast lens. I really like smooth bokah. I must say that I tend to favor the primes, but knowing the new 70-200ii is just as sharp as a prime, has me torn... This is a huge purchase for me, and my goal is to get a nice set of lenses that will last me awhile until I can generate some cash from my photography to add more. I don't plan to buy more lenses until I can pay for them through photography, ie. a macro and a fish eye, etc........Jake

Wait for the mark III. Congrats on the baby!

Thanks, that's definately an option.....just lusting for some new gear and want the video option with the new baby although I do have a nice separate hd video cam that I rarely use. Whichever I choose, it will be my last big purchase for awhile as it will take me a little while to pay it off....

They say mark Iii will be announced March 2011 with new kit lens.

Go for the mark II and the 85L, I couldn't imagine how the bokeh will be.
You said that you do some portrait as well, so 85L is definitely useful.
Anyway which 85L are we talking about here, the first or second version?
Because the first version is just like manual focus lens, the AF is terribly slow.

Version II for the 85L. The other option is to just wait indefinitely for the mark 3 although I don't want to pay much more than 3k for it. I'd rather just go with the mark 2 at that point. My gut is telling me to go with th 85L. I rarely use my f4 now, but realize I would use it more for weddings.

[QUOTE=jakeg1999;11482​458]...Or, buy the Mark 2 now because Canon has a lens rebate on their L lenses through January 8th. I am quite interested in 3 lenses. The 50L, 85L, and 70-200 2.8ii. I currently have the 35L, 70-200F4IS, and the 85 1.8 is being delivered tomorrow. So, if I were to buy the mark 2 now, I might just take advantage of the rebate..../quote]

Buy the Mark II now + 70-200 L f2.8 II

How much is the rebate? To be honest, it sounds like you should go for it. I recently sold my 5dm2 to get a 1Dm4. I figured to get a good 2nd hand price and later on, add the 5Dm3 when it comes out later if I still have gear lust.

I say sell off your current 5d, get a 2nd hand 5dmkii and let that be a second body to the "upcoming" 5dmkiii if any.

I'd wait....the 5DIII should be out within 12 months.....

flickserve wrote in post #11483196
How much is the rebate? To be honest, it sounds like you should go for it. I recently sold my 5dm2 to get a 1Dm4. I figured to get a good 2nd hand price and later on, add the 5Dm3 when it comes out later if I still have gear lust.

The rebate is $260 off an 85l or $400 off a 70-200 2.8 if I buy a 5d mark II with it. Initially my plan was to just buy the body, but I know down the road I will want the 85 and or the 70-200!

I considered selling my 5d and getting a mark 2 now then picking up the mark 3 later, but I feel like the Mark 2 is going to be much more camera than I'll need as a second body. Plus for the money I can add another $900-$1200 lens to my 5d like a 135l.

I'm definitely torn over this one. Not sure I want to wait the better half of a year. I'm most likely going to need/want the second body by March/April. However this next body is probably going to be my last for awhile, and I believe the Mark 3 just might be worth the wait, that is unless it's out of my price range. Not sure I want to go much above 3k for the body.

If you don't need the 5DII, now, then wait for the MKIII. I don't particularly like to buy things now for things that may or may not happen down the road. Plans have a way of changing the more time it takes to implement.

Yeah, I am starting to lean more towards the Mark 3. I just have my first 3-4 weddings in March where I will be shadowing a good friend, and well established wedding photographer. I was hoping to have two bodies by then. I could easily wait until right before the first wedding, but I am feeling a little rushed to possibly take advantage of the lens rebates going on right now. I am receiving a new 85 1.8 in the mail today from Amazon, but am strongly considering returning it, and going with the 85L. Do I need the L, no, the 1.8 will probably be just fine for awhile. It's just the price of a new 85L is what they are going for used right now! Right now I primarily shoot with my 35L. It almost never leaves my camera, because I shoot indoors a lot, and love the wider aperture....decisions, decisions.....thanks for all the advice and ideas thus far....

Since you already have a capable camera right now, if I were you, I would wait for 5D3 to be released. If you didn't have a camera, then, I would have recommended to go with a 5D2 'cause waiting would make no sense.

The problem is, even if it's announced in March, you won't be able to buy it easily for a looooooooooooooong while, just look at the madness during the 1st few months of 5D2.

However, seems like you only want new lens, not a new body. Take a look at https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=971177 , $100 off Calumet.