I said I'd never make 'one of *those* threads' help me decide

Help me decide *based off of YOUR experience*

I had a 30D & a few lenses that were sold off earlier in the year, Next month I will be picking up a 5D.

I will be shooting mostly landscapes, portraits, local bands (along w/ the obvious family stuff, I have 4 kids of my own)

I have been obsessing over different lenses the past several months, which would work best, etc etc... once I think I have it figured out... I change my mind again...

These are the 2 scenarios I have it down to having only shot crop (20D & 30D) & never shot with primes (but seems to be the lenses of choice) I have only to 'hope' that my lens options match up with what I plan to shoot.

Anyway (ramble, ramble)

5D, 35L, Sig 85

OR

5D, 24-70L, Sig 85

its just one scenario. youre set on the sig 85 and 5D, its down to the 35L or the 24-70L

if it was me i would got with the 24-70 for portraits and a 17-40 for landscapes.

this is a wide selection of focal length and versatile.

thank you
Joe

The 35L and 24-70 are two totally different lenses. If it were me, I'd pick the 35L any day of the week - but in your case - the 24-70mm might be the better choice, if you can only get one. Can you work with a prime for what you shoot? Of course the zoom is much more versatile - especially for moving objects like kids. When I think of landscapes - I also think wide as well (17-40)- do you think a 35mm is wide enough for what you want to shoot?

The 24-70 works well on the 5D for portraits, but I think you would probably benefit from something a little wider for landscapes than either of your suggestions include.

hieu1004 wrote in post #11552531
do you think a 35mm is wide enough for what you want to shoot?

I hadn't thought of that, probably not.

7D 17-55 2.8 IS Sigma 50 1.4

More modern, faster same, approx focal range, more versatile

So maybe if I could get past just how *awesome* the Sigma 85 is I could easily get the 5D, 17-40L, 24-70L, 85 1.8

Lore wrote in post #11552570
So maybe if I could get past just how *awesome* the Sigma 85 is I could easily get the 5D, 17-40L, 24-70L, 85 1.8

Or 17-40, Sig 50, Sig 85 and pocket some cash. Sorry - had to.

Siggy 85 and 35L - 2 fantastic primes - you cant go wrong really. I dont think the 24-70 is in the same league really but I'd like to point out that that's just me - I prefer primes for the stuff I do, especially landscapes.

Landscapes - 35L (ok the 24 of the 24-70 may come in handy here but I'd get the 24L as well when you can afford it... . You could of course always get the siggy 30mm 1.4 - just to confuse things

Portraits - 85mm

local bands - probably need better low light capability - 35 or 85

kids - fast glass again, probably the 35.

Just my 2p!

Lore wrote in post #11552455
I had a 30D & a few lenses that were sold off earlier in the year,

so you sold your stuff today?

on topic: personally, i wouldn't be happy without a standard zoom.

Sounds like you want a kit that can handle a little bit of everything. What "I" did when I was in your situation is, 24-70L, 70-200L (take your pick, I went with the f/4), and a 17-40L.

Now, I don't do landscapes but I bet I've put the 17-40 on the camera maybe twice. The 24-70 lives on there for the most part.

Isn't this somewhat like asking me to order dinner for you?

Suppose you don't LIKE fried squirrel?

D700 or refresh

richardfox wrote in post #11553736
Isn't this somewhat like asking me to order dinner for you?

Suppose you don't LIKE fried squirrel?

It was actually served to me as a child, never fried tho Fried meat dip it in ranch, probably gunna like it.

& no, I would not say its like asking one to order dinner for you

more like asking one to make a recommendation off the menu