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

[jdramirez]

A lot to digest here but I'll give it a  stab.

Outdoor football (which is almost over or the season), indoor basketball w/ crappy lighting, desire for AFMA, desire for FF, need more reach.

Here is what I would do:

First of all keep all your lens.   Get a 5DII and use that for basketball this winter (you might need to scrap up another $200).  A 5DII along with your 24-105 can cover all your listed needs except football which is a year away.

Second, if you are happy with your 60D, keep it for football and save up for a lens for next season.  Personally I would sell it now before the priced drops any lower (unless you can't get much for it at all).  Then with the money from your 60D, buy a used 7D next fall.  I'm betting there will be a ton of deals especially if the 7DII rumors continue and maybe with the release of the 6D and you can probably get a 7D for less than what you can sell your 60D today for.  Then as you save up and add to your photog fund, pick up a 70-200 2.8.  Until you have funds for that, rent the lens for your football games.

In the long run, you will be set for years with great bodies and lens, you will have AFMA ability, able to cover all your shooting needs, reach & FPS, and low light capabilities.

If you can depart with your 100L, it might be wise to use that to help fund a 70-200.

Be patient and strategic, put a plan together for the long run.


Edit:  this just popped up, 5DII for $1499 (maybe it's a sign  ):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II-Digital-SLR-Camera-Mark-2-Body-/230874594458?forcev4exp=true&forceRpt=true

I think the plan is to get a 5D mkii and a 135mm f/2.  That seems where I should be leaning because I'm not hearing anything that is blowing my skirt up.  I was actually planning on using bounced flash off of the walls to see if I could get a few nice shots.  But the walls are blue... which I think is going to mess with my white balance. 

I do like my 60D and I do want to keep it, but I eventually think I will progress to taking night photos of football games and that is when the 60D will become useless.  But right now my daughter is in 4th grade... so we are talking about 6 years before I start shooting games of her classmates... but I wouldn't mind doing some side work.  In that case the 5D would be necessary... and the 5d mkiii preferable. 

I don't rent lenses... I buy the cheaply and then sell them for what I paid or a little more.  Then I basically rent them for negative money.... which is fine by me. 

I know the 7D is a better option... and there are deals on that... but I think I have been so happy with my 60D for so long that I have convinced myself that I really don't need the 7D.  I just need to get over that line of thinking.  It won't be easy. 

I'll eventually get rid of the 100mm... but I think I would rather have the 135mm before I invest in another 70-200. 

thanks for the deal alert... but I'm aware of that one and my initial reaction is "Ehh".  I think I can do better if I wait a bit longer. 

Thanks for the help... I feel as though I am coming closer to a decision.

[jdramirez]

If the 70-200 f4 hasn't lived up to your expectations I doubt anything will. Thats generally considered one of the sharpest zooms ever made. More than likely you just have a copy that needs a little calibration to your camera body.

The IS version of the 70-200 f/4... but not the non-is version. 

[RLPhoto]

Just use your current setup until you can afford the gear you really want. Getting sub-par gear will only hurt the bottom line of what you could achieve.

[jdramirez]

Just use your current setup until you can afford the gear you really want. Getting sub-par gear will only hurt the bottom line of what you could achieve.

I'd agree if I haven't had such success in my history.  I bought a Canon XS plus kit lens and a 75-300mm and I sold both for more than I originally paid.  I did the same with the 55-250's I've owned, and the 70-300mm, and the 70-200's... Heck, I even made a few bucks off of my 50mm f/1.8 mk ii.

so I would agree that if I bought a 5d mkii for 1800 and after 2 years I sold it for 1400... then yes... that would be a $400 rental.  But I'm looking to have a bottom line purchase of the 5Dmkii for around 1400 or better and then sell it in two years for around the same. 

Now there is the question of whether the 5d mkii will hold its value over two years... but I guess that is a risk I'm willing to take.  I appreciate the advice... but I do very well about selling for more than I originally bought.

[Halfrack]

If anything, the 17-55 2.8 IS or the 24-70 2.8 VC Tam if you want FF compatibility.  If you're going for reach, the 100-400 is a do all lens.

[jdramirez]

If anything, the 17-55 2.8 IS or the 24-70 2.8 VC Tam if you want FF compatibility.  If you're going for reach, the 100-400 is a do all lens.

I'm pretty pleased with my 24-105mm... I appreciate the additional stop of light, but I can also bounce light in most situations.  Thanks for the heads up... but yeah... not really what I'm looking for.

[bycostello]

get training

[neuroanatomist]

Lots of lens and body talk, but you state no real 'needs'.  That leads me to ask about accessories. Do you have a Speedlite? A good tripod and ballhead?

[dirtcastle]

For me, the choice of gear always starts with getting inspired. I see a style of photography I want to emulate and then I figure out what gear will help me achieve it.

Here's what I have found...

1. The most important tool is software. I use Lightroom and Photoshop. Lynda and other sites have great tutorials. Magazine tutorials can be helpful too.

2. Light is the most important resource. Anything that will create (speedlights), optimize (ISO, big apertures), or channel light (reflectors, diffusers, locations etc.) has the pottential to dramatically improve your photos.

3. Some of my favorite photographers get their style from knowing how to use their gear toward a certain effect. I could get a Leica and Noctilux 0.95 lens, but my shots might still lack the style I'm going for.

My suggestion would be to go through Flickr and 500px, pick out 20-30 photos that you want to emulate and then use those to make some purchase decisions.

I apologize for being pushy and off-topic, but this approach will put you further down the road to some great shots.

[jdramirez]

Lots of lens and body talk, but you state no real 'needs'.  That leads me to ask about accessories. Do you have a Speedlite? A good tripod and ballhead?

I thought I mentioned my 430ex ii... but yes yes and yes.  I have 2 tripods... 1 monopod, and two minipods... which suck.

[jdramirez]

For me, the choice of gear always starts with getting inspired. I see a style of photography I want to emulate and then I figure out what gear will help me achieve it.

Here's what I have found...

1. The most important tool is software. I use Lightroom and Photoshop. Lynda and other sites have great tutorials. Magazine tutorials can be helpful too.

2. Light is the most important resource. Anything that will create (speedlights), optimize (ISO, big apertures), or channel light (reflectors, diffusers, locations etc.) has the pottential to dramatically improve your photos.

3. Some of my favorite photographers get their style from knowing how to use their gear toward a certain effect. I could get a Leica and Noctilux 0.95 lens, but my shots might still lack the style I'm going for.

My suggestion would be to go through Flickr and 500px, pick out 20-30 photos that you want to emulate and then use those to make some purchase decisions.

I apologize for being pushy and off-topic, but this approach will put you further down the road to some great shots.

I have lightroom 4 and a corel photoediting software.  And I have HDR software... so it suits my needs so far.  I usually borrow books from the library to understand what is is I am working with. 

As for flickr and such... I have an idea of what I like by usually lucking into it and then remembering what I did.  Good ole' fashioned trial and error.  But I can appreciate what you are saying.

[PackLight]

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.

[Nishi Drew]

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

[verysimplejason]

I'd say it all depends on what type of photography are you interested in.  If you're interested in sports, go for a 70-200.  Otherwise, a good strobist equipment is a good way to spend some of your money (you have a flash already, you don't have to spend that much for the rest) and and 85mm or 135mm.  The site below offers suggestions and good samples to emulate.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/

[K3nt]

I'd get a couple of more speedlites... the Nissin Di866 MkII are great value for money and can be had for around 200USD each.... pair that with the Yongou (or however you spell it) YN-622C radio triggers and you got a sweet lighting rig. :=)

As for lenses, the 70-200mm f/2.8L MkII is one of the best there is, it hasn't failed me yet. I actually run in to issues where i feel the limitations of my 7D body vs. the lens.