Only 1 lens

[Fitzy50]

I have to say if I were you I'd follow the advice and get the 24-105L, it's not that much and you should be able to cover the cost with the sale of your other gear.  I bought the 24-105 when I still had my 7D, and it was "ok", but when I bought my 5D Mk III, it really came to life and the 24 end of the lens is good enough for landscapes and it's nice to have that small zoom just in case.  If I need to travel and I am limited by what I can take the 24-105L is always one of my top all around lenses to take along.

[Mark Russell]

I would sell everything and buy a P & S.  Take care of whatever money problems you have going on and then get at least 5000 dollars together for an Emergency Only/Rainy Day Fund so this never happens again (selling gear).

Nothing like going to bed with everything caught up and loads of twenty's in the sock drawer.

Best of Luck!

[christianronnel]

Is there another alternative since you've been shooting for several years now? I mean, would you be able to take a side job like assist on wedding shoots or events to justify you keeping the gear?

If that's not an option, I suggest a used T2i and 18-55 kit lens, similar price to a P&S but better IQ.  Personally, if I could only have 1 lens, it would be the 24-70.

[bycostello]

24-70

[Rat]

I'd sell the 70-200 and the flash and see how far that gets you - 5D2 and 24-70 is still an awesome combo. Trading the 24-70 (I'm assuming mark I) for a 24-105 is probably only going to cost you. Then, if worst comes to worst, you can always sell off everything else and go the xxxD route, or even go P&S.

And kudos for having your priorities straight

[AudioGlenn]

Your current 5DII + 40mm f/2.8 pancake makes a great package.  That is a very sweet lens and only $149.  Baby and family photos will look just as good with the little 40mm as with the big 24-70/2.8.  The 40mm is great for landscape too (if you like the focal length).  Also, Rebel T4i with kit lens for $599 can do a lot.

I agree. Best of luck.

+1 good luck to u buddy. 

[danski0224]

If you had to start all over and have only one camera and one lens, what would it be?
 I'm selling my:
5d mkii
24-70 2.8
70-200 2.8
and my 580ex
      and using as little of that money to reduce my gear.

My family comes first and life isnt free, but i dont want to give up on photography, which has been my life since i was 17.

I know the overall "profit" ill make wont be a huge amount, but im 25 with a 9 month old and every penny counts right now.

I picked my current gear for landscapes and portraits. So that's what im looking to still be able to do. I probably cant have the best of both worlds, and something that does both, isnt likely to do it as well as what i have. but downgrading for money is looking to be my only option right now.

Just some ramblings...

If you sell your stuff, will it help? The sale of these items is a one time cash infusion, then that's it.

You won't get what you paid for it, nor will you be able to re-purchase the items for less at a later date.*

*lenses, at least. Once in a lifetime deals excluded. Bodies and electronic accessories don't hold their value.

If your items are paid for, then that makes it harder.

If you have money issues now, then I'd sit down and think about the "why" part before selling . If you don't, then the underlying problem will return.

If you have cable TV or an expensive phone plan, I'd ditch that before selling the photography gear that has some meaning to you.

I am not asking for any explanations with respect to your situation, but I do know that if you sell and then re-purchase then you have no choices to equal what you have for less money, which will be a constant reminder with every image.

[tron]

Thanks for the input. i like the idea of the 24-105, but on a crop it is no longer so wide. the 5dc is an option that i havnt thought of in a while...   and getting rid of the 5d2 would be so hard.. its been my best friend

oh yeah, i forgot i have the 50 1.8, didnt even think of it since its not used too often and wouldnt be worth it to sell. its great for normal, i guess my problem is, i want wide, and tele..

I agree with Neuro. Excellent combination or, you just keep the 5D2 and 50mm 1.8 for now and sell the rest.
Also, you can always sell the remaining gear if it is necessary.

Now if you get/keep exactly what neuro suggests (5D2, 24-105, 430EX + 50 1.8 ) you could probably use that gear to make some extra money if you find couples that cannot afford expensive photographers for their wedding for example.

[Dark Reality]

selling everything means I can't get pictures like this one (which I printed 13x19)

needless to say, I've got some thinking to do, and all of your advice have helped. 

[skitron]

You could probably do a XTi silver plus a 40 pancake for about $300. I have some shots (that I didn't take myself) from a XTi and Sigma 50 1.4 that are fantastic, and the pancake 40 will be great as well. LOL, I should probably do this to replace our P&S.

My opinion is many of us (as I point to myself) have way more camera than we actually need. Not that that is a bad thing, in fact it's actually a good thing in a way. Because if we need to downgrade, we can still find someting to give us some nice shots.

Here's a shot with an XTi and Sigma 50 at f1.4 (too shallow DOF for my tastes):

[Botts]

I'd keep the 5DII, sell both lenses and the 580, get a used 24-105L, a used 430 flash, and a used 50/1.8 II. I think that could net you $1500 and leave you with a very good kit for landscapes and portraits.

+1.  That's the cheapest and most versatile list I can think of also.  You can also skip on the 24-105L for the meantime if you really need the money but I can't think of letting go of your 5D2.

I'd do the same except maybe pick up the 40STM (~$150) instead of the 50/1.8 II (~$110).  That said, if you have the 50mm, you may want to keep it to save money though not as wide as the 40mm.  I'd also grab a used 70-300mm (<$300) to act as a tele.  This may enable you to skip the 24-105 (~$800).

On the full-frame you'd then have a wide/normal-ish 40mm or 50mm and you'd have a tele range, the 70-300mm.  If you had the money to upgrade, the Canon 70-200 f/4 is quite a bit sharper than the 70-300mm.

Alternatively, if you really want to start over, then I'd consider a 7D, with 15-85mm, and a 430ex.  You could probably pick up all of these for <$1300.  I just sold my 7D and 15-85 for $1,150.  It's sharp, just not fast.

[Dark Reality]

You could probably do a XTi silver plus a 40 pancake for about $300. I have some shots (that I didn't take myself) from a XTi and Sigma 50 1.4 that are fantastic, and the pancake 40 will be great as well. LOL, I should probably do this to replace our P&S.

My opinion is many of us (as I point to myself) have way more camera than we actually need. Not that that is a bad thing, in fact it's actually a good thing in a way. Because if we need to downgrade, we can still find someting to give us some nice shots.

Here's a shot with an XTi and Sigma 50 at f1.4 (too shallow DOF for my tastes):

How close were you to the subject? I tend to stay as far as possible to get as natural look as I can. And moving forward and backwards in combination with zooming in and out let's me control the depth of field while still keeping things framed as I like.    .... Something I muggy not be able to do with a prime. Although I do like that shot

[skitron]

You could probably do a XTi silver plus a 40 pancake for about $300. I have some shots (that I didn't take myself) from a XTi and Sigma 50 1.4 that are fantastic, and the pancake 40 will be great as well. LOL, I should probably do this to replace our P&S.

My opinion is many of us (as I point to myself) have way more camera than we actually need. Not that that is a bad thing, in fact it's actually a good thing in a way. Because if we need to downgrade, we can still find someting to give us some nice shots.

Here's a shot with an XTi and Sigma 50 at f1.4 (too shallow DOF for my tastes):

How close were you to the subject? I tend to stay as far as possible to get as natural look as I can. And moving forward and backwards in combination with zooming in and out let's me control the depth of field while still keeping things framed as I like.    .... Something I muggy not be able to do with a prime. Although I do like that shot

I didn't take that shot myself but if I recall, distance was about 5 feet or so. Yes, you lose some control when you go to prime, but as for DOF, it's pretty controllable with aperture.

Also another lens suggestion is the old 28-135. I had one for a short while and it is not nearly the POS a lot of people say it is imo. I did a side by side comparison to a 24-105L and the 28-135 had slightly worse bokeh and color renditions not quite as nice, but again, very nice lens IMO for a couple of hundred bucks...sharpness was basically identical between the two lenses I compared.  Last time I checked it was about $200 used on eBay. I'd rather have it than the 18-55 kit lens any day, but then I tend to like longer lenses. And it sounds like maybe you do as well, so it might be a fit for you in a pinch.

You aren't going to get the IQ of a 5D2 and 70-200 with an XTi and 28-135 for sure, but you'd probably be shocked at how close you do get with it. IQ and price is not a linear scale for sure...

If you really can't justify tying up that much money in camera gear right now but you want to keep shooting, there are a number of low $ options that will preserve your memories nicely.

[7enderbender]

If you had to start all over and have only one camera and one lens, what would it be?
 I'm selling my:
5d mkii
24-70 2.8
70-200 2.8
and my 580ex
      and using as little of that money to reduce my gear.

My family comes first and life isnt free, but i dont want to give up on photography, which has been my life since i was 17.

I know the overall "profit" ill make wont be a huge amount, but im 25 with a 9 month old and every penny counts right now.

I picked my current gear for landscapes and portraits. So that's what im looking to still be able to do. I probably cant have the best of both worlds, and something that does both, isnt likely to do it as well as what i have. but downgrading for money is looking to be my only option right now.

That's a tough but very responsible decision. Here's the thing though: with a 9-moth old around you want to take pictures of the little one. The landscapes will still be there later. Kids are only little once. I wish I had had a good digital camera around when mine were that little. Shot lots of film though and I glad I did.

Everything else depends on your style of shooting I suppose. I wouldn't sell the 5DII. At this point it's not worth it. Everything else can go and is still very good resale value.

I personally would want a fast 50. Either of them would do. However, you might consider keeping the 24-70. The 24-105 is not a good replacement in my opinion. At least not for gaining, what, 200 bucks or so?

Any chance you can make a few extra bucks otherwise?

And speaking of film: crazy thought but here is something I would consider if I had to give it all up and go really cheap. P&S or even anything APS-C wouldn't be an option for me at all. How much is a decent used medium format film camera with a 110 or 150mm lens?? Few hundred bucks? Plus the ongoing cost of film, developing and prints of course - which is a good motivation to think first and shoot later. I know, crazy.

[unfocused]

One more opinion:

I think this depends on how serious your financial concerns are. If you are in a situation where you really have to liquidate everything, I'd look at a high-end powershot (G1-X?) as a substitute. But, I agree with Neuro and others in that you are likely to take a bath on your current camera.

I'd suggest a refurbished 24-105 and sell your other two lenses, keeping the 580EX, the 5DII and the 50 1.8. This is the minimum compromise option. You'll be able to do 90% of what you were doing before, but net a little cash.

Option 3 (between the Powershot and keeping the 5DII) would be a T3i, a refurbished 15-85 EF-S and keep the 580EX and the 50 1.8. This is essentially the same "kit" as above except in an APS-C version. Would cost you about $1,100.

Option 3A: T3i kit with the 18-55 kit lens and the 55-250 zoom. Available for under $800. (The 55-250 is a very sharp lens. I'm not so sure about the 18-55, although I have heard that the current IS version is much improved over previous versions -- I don't own this lens).

With careful composition, holding the ISO to around 400 and keeping print sizes under 30" at the largest end, no one but you will ever know the shots were made on a crop camera instead of the 5DII.