7d+17-55 and 5d+70-200: does-it make any sense ?

[jm345]

7D+17-55/2.8IS and 5D+70-200/2.8IS II is an excellent combo which I use alot, especially indoors. When I am outside and need more range I put the 7D on a 100-400IS. Two cameras and three lenses get you 27-640mm with fantastic quality and minor lens swapping.

[Haydn1971]

It makes perfect sense until such time you have several months under your belt with the 7D & 5D to establish what you are missing in your photography - any half decent crop kit will have a great crop lens and a longer 70-x00/100-400mm zoom, I'm currently buying new lens at about a average rate of 1 per year, I'm currently short on really wide and pondering the 10-22 & 8-15, the latter doesn't make as much sense now, but may do in a few years should I go full frame, the former makes sense now, but what if my crop body breaks tommorrow, would I buy crop or full frame, I couldn't possibly answer that right now.

Photography is a hobby that many of us build upon over the years, it's nice to have a perfect kit, but it's nicer to ensure the bills are paid and you have a roof over your head.  Don't let folks on here tell you what you MUST have, just take the advice and work out what suits you for today.

[unkbob]

You say you have "several lenses" for your 7D. Are they all crop-only or will they work on the 5D3? You really don't want to buy a nice new FF camera and only have the option of using the 70-200 on it. I would sell the 17-55 and consider the current 24-70 L. It's a great lens, even if it's not as good as the very expensive new version, and you can use it on either camera. A 24-70 + 70-200 on 7D / 5D3 gives you a nice selection of focal lengths. It would be a real shame not to have something wide / medium for the 5D3, which is where FF really shines. A cheaper alternative to the 24-70 and still an indispensable asset in low light would be a 50 1.4. I prefer the Sigma to the Canon but either one is very handy and won't break the bank.

[ronderick]

Interesting.... I happen to know someone who simply refuses to change lens because of dust fear

Anyways, If you are going to buy the 5D3, I think the move to FF would be inevitable sooner or later. I'd say by the time you get the 5D3, you should be looking at the following setup:
1. 7D + 17-55
2. 5D3 + 70-200

Next, you should save up cash for either the 24-70 II or (possibly) a newer version of the 24-105. Once you get it, you'll have:
1. 7D + 70-200
2. 5D3 + 24-70 II or 24-105 (or newer version)

You can sell your 17-55 once you get the FF standard zoom.

[kimloris]

You say you have "several lenses" for your 7D. Are they all crop-only or will they work on the 5D3?

I have the 100L macro and the 70-200 4L IS (I know it is redundant with the 70-200 2.8L IS but I could not convince myself to sell it when I upgraded to the 70-200 2.8L: it is razor sharp and its light weight makes it a really nice lens for sunny day hikes)

I do really need a wider lens in my kit : maybe the 30 1.4 sigma + 50 1.4 : not too much money to put on the table once my 17-55 is sold.

[unkbob]

You say you have "several lenses" for your 7D. Are they all crop-only or will they work on the 5D3?

I have the 100L macro and the 70-200 4L IS (I know it is redundant with the 70-200 2.8L IS but I could not convince myself to sell it when I upgraded to the 70-200 2.8L: it is razor sharp and its light weight makes it a really nice lens for sunny day hikes)

I do really need a wider lens in my kit : maybe the 30 1.4 sigma + 50 1.4 : not too much money to put on the table once my 17-55 is sold.

Just bear in mind the Sigma 50 1.4 is FF, the Sigma 30 1.4 is crop only. Both great lenses, but I don't see the point of the 30 1.4 on your 7D when 50 1.4 will give you similar FOV and much better high ISO performance and DOF control on the 5D3.

I think you're bonkers to keep the 70-200 F4 IS at the expense of wider lenses, given your situation. If you want something long and light, you have the 100 L (at either 100 on FF or 160 equivalent on the 7d), and the 70-200 2.8 is there when you need it. I am biased as I love wide lenses, but something like the 35L on your 5D3 will blow your mind. Even the 24-70 is amazing on FF - you get similar shallow DOF with a 2.8 zoom lens on a FF as a 1.4 prime on a crop. And when you get up close to a scene, you have more control over composition and the pictures are more exciting, as a general rule. It depends on what you're shooting of course, and YMMV.

Just my 2c