I have more money than I do needs... so what should be my next step?

[jdramirez]

Canon is having a sale on their refurbished inventory right now. EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkII is going for $1900. The EF100L is a wonderfull lens (which I also own), but for the situation(s) you describe, it seems to be expendable...

I'm patient... and while I know a 15% or 20% sale are few and far between and when the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii is in stock... well that doesn't happen often.  I know it is a great lens... but I have really been underwhelmed by the 70-200mm f/4L USM and the 70-200mm f/2.8L USM... I simply don't know if I believe the hype about the 70-200's.

It really isn't "hype". The 70-200mm f/2.8 L II is the best zoom Canon makes. The only reason to not have it is if it is to long for your type of photography.

I'm probably looking to get the 70-200mm f/4L IS to see if that will tide me over... if not... I'll looking into the f/2.8L IS mkii. 

[jdramirez]

More money than you need? Hmm, that's simple, consider charity?

Charity only works the pole during the weekends... so I have to funnel my money into Chastity's garter belt during the week. 

[jdramirez]

My decision was made for me at 1a.m. today.  I sold my copy of the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM.  So now I have to buy a 5D mkii with the corresponding 24-105mm kit lens.  That should leave me enough cash to buy a 135mm f/2 and then I'll be down to zero dollars.  So that's a plus. 

[pj1974]

My decision was made for me at 1a.m. today.  I sold my copy of the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM.  So now I have to buy a 5D mkii with the corresponding 24-105mm kit lens.  That should leave me enough cash to buy a 135mm f/2 and then I'll be down to zero dollars.  So that's a plus.

Glad you made a decision, though I wonder why you didn't keep your copy of the original 24-105mm IS USM, and just get a 5DmkII body only? (wouldn't that have been cheaper, than buying a new 24-105 IS USM?)

Before reading your last post (quoted above) - I would've recommended the 70-300mm L, which is a great lens - giving more reach than the 70-200mm's (obviously) and being very sharp and great IQ / contrast (almost at the same level as the 70-200mm f/2.8 II).

Also, I can also endorse the Nissin Di866 MkII as a great professional, yet not-too-expensive flash... works very well for me on my Canon DSLRs!

All the best with your new kit - and the 135mm f/2 is a great lens!

Paul

[jdramirez]

My decision was made for me at 1a.m. today.  I sold my copy of the 24-105mm f/4L IS USM.  So now I have to buy a 5D mkii with the corresponding 24-105mm kit lens.  That should leave me enough cash to buy a 135mm f/2 and then I'll be down to zero dollars.  So that's a plus.

Glad you made a decision, though I wonder why you didn't keep your copy of the original 24-105mm IS USM, and just get a 5DmkII body only? (wouldn't that have been cheaper, than buying a new 24-105 IS USM?)

Before reading your last post (quoted above) - I would've recommended the 70-300mm L, which is a great lens - giving more reach than the 70-200mm's (obviously) and being very sharp and great IQ / contrast (almost at the same level as the 70-200mm f/2.8 II).

Also, I can also endorse the Nissin Di866 MkII as a great professional, yet not-too-expensive flash... works very well for me on my Canon DSLRs!

All the best with your new kit - and the 135mm f/2 is a great lens!

Paul

Ehhh... I've seen printer + body + lens deals where the price is less on a per piece basis than just the body would be.

[jdramirez]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii.  And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.

So, so much for getting a 5d mkii. 

[Pi]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii.  And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.

So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

MkII or mkIII is a footnote in your case. Going FF will change your experience with the lenses you own.

[jdramirez]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii.  And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.

So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

MkII or mkIII is a footnote in your case. Going FF will change your experience with the lenses you own.

I bought the 5d mkiii... but that's the easy part... actually allowing the order to go through is the hard part.

[Dylan777]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii.  And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.
So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

Congrats on your new toy

Once you shoot with 5D III + 70-200 combo, I think your crop gear will end up on ebay or craigslist. It's day and night diff. from IQ, high ISO and AF....I enjoy my very much.

Don't forget screen protection for your 5D III - ENJOY

[jdramirez]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii.  And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.
So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

Congrats on your new toy

Once you shoot with 5D III + 70-200 combo, I think your crop gear will end up on ebay or craigslist. It's day and night diff. from IQ, high ISO and AF....I enjoy my very much.

Don't forget screen protection for your 5D III - ENJOY

 have a suggestion on a screen protector?  I had my Canon xs  for two years and the screen never got scratched.   but I also had very light lenses,  now I have heavier lenses.

[Dylan777]

I was going through old posts and it has only been 6 months, but it seems like a lifetime ago.

I did buy a fisheye lens, a Rokinon 8mm, and a 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii.  And just today I put in an order for a 5d mkiii.
So, so much for getting a 5d mkii.

Congrats on your new toy

Once you shoot with 5D III + 70-200 combo, I think your crop gear will end up on ebay or craigslist. It's day and night diff. from IQ, high ISO and AF....I enjoy my very much.

Don't forget screen protection for your 5D III - ENJOY

 have a suggestion on a screen protector?  I had my Canon xs  for two years and the screen never got scratched.   but I also had very light lenses,  now I have heavier lenses.

XO Skin is my fav.
http://xoskins.com/canon-5d-mark-iii-screen-protector

[wickidwombat]

I've been a SLR owner for about nearly 4 years now.  I own a 60D body, 24-105mm f/4L IS, 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro, and 50mm f/1.4.  I also have a 430ex II speedlite.  I have about $1600 in cash and I'm not quite sure what to spend it on.  I have a 9 year old so she is my main subject.  In the past 12 months I have photographed indoor plays, outdoor Easter egg hunts, night time "bonfires", swimming pool shots, football games (she's a cheerleader but I really enjoy photographing the players), and I will be photographing indoor basketball games under crappy gym lighting. I don't shoot a lot of wide angle and a bunch of my shots would be considered sports action or portraiture with pleasing blurry bokehs. 

No one probably cares about the process, but I want to illustrate that I have had a ton of different lenses.  I started with a Canon XS which was upgraded to a 60D after two years.  In regards to lenses, I had the kit lens (18-55mm) which I eventually upgraded to a 24-105mm f/4L USM.  I started with a 75-300mm which was upgraded to a 55-250mm after one year to a 70-300mm (briefly) to a 70-200mm f/4L USM (briefly) to a 70-200mm f/2.8L USM (briefly), to finally nothing.  Finally, I had a 50mm f/1.8 which I upgraded to the 50mmm f/1.4.  And I picked up a 100mm f/2.8L IS macro along the way. 

I like my 60D, but I would seriously consider upgrading to a 5D mkii if I find a deal for around $1200 which isn't completely out of the realm of reason if I sell a bundled printer and the kit lens (24-105mm). 

I think the biggest thing about upgrading bodies is that I will have Micro auto focus adjustment... and while I was underwhelmed by both 70-200's I had, I think if I am able to 100% lock into my target, I would be substantially more pleased with the results.  But I'm not sure I'm willing to go back to that well of disappointment.  Maybe I might dip into 70-200mm f/4L IS or the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS mkii (the non IS f/2.8 was heavy, but it really didn't bother me so I doubt the IS version would cause me to complain).  But IS shouldn't be a factor since the shots I were taking were at 1/4000 of a second or faster... so it really comes down to the performance of the lens v. the quality of shot I received using the 100mm f/2.8L Macro. 

Having said that, if I buy the 5dmkii, I will only have 400 left in reserves to get anything else.  I really don't want to part with my 60d, but I know selling the used body for $650 (if I'm lucky) would then bump me back up to $1050 and again can buy another lens.

I've also considered a refurb 135mm f/2L direct from Canon.  The best case scenario is if I buy one during their sales and I pay around $740.  That would leave me with $860 and maybe I go ahead and dip my toe back into the 70-200's and get the f/4L IS.  That would be $914, but I can get away with spending $55 over my budget. 

I know there is a huge fight between those who prefer primes over zooms and I don't want to start one of those, but I've also considered a 300mm f/4L IS prime.  But I read reviews that it is not good for panning and it is older technology from 2008 (which sounds silly) but I do have concerns shooting with a 300mm prime with limited IS on a crop sensor. 

I've also considered a fisheye... but that's just for fun and is really low on my priority list. 

So my question is... would an upgrade to the body with one additional lens (whether it is the 135mm f/2 or the 300mm f/4L IS or even the 70-200mm f/4L IS) be the best bang for my respective buck.  Or should I stick with my 60D which has good low light performance (though not on par with the 5dmk ii or the 5dmk iii) and just get new lenses.  It's not an easy decision. 

OR is there something I'm not considering that would be an even better fit that I'm just completely ignorant about (and if someone mentions Nikon, I'll punch you in the face!).

Thanks for your help because I really have ambivalent feelings about both directions.

If i were in your situation I would do either of 2 options
option 1) get a sigma 35 f1.4 and the canon 135 f2L (I did get both of these and they are awesome)

option 2) get the 135 f2L now and keep saving and grab a 6D, keep an eye out for a good deal in the mean time
then down the track look at a fast 35

[sandymandy]

Sponsor my hobby with ur old equipment Go for 70-200 2.8L ...epic lense