5d mkiii or 1dx? lens help?

[stilscream]

I am a 7d owner who loves taking pics of hawks and sunsets on my weekends. I am 35yo and have been trying to self teach myself for about a year and a half. I possibly may want to do some portrait work in the future. I have a couple of L series lenses already (70-200 2.8 is ii usm, 35 1.4, 300f4 is usm). I just inherrited $10-20k I can use to play with after my mother's house (whom passed away from ovarian cancer) is selling. The rest, I am investing.

Here is my question: How many hobbyists out there think that the 1dx is worth the extra $3k. I know the life cycle is 400k shutter vs 150k shutter movement rated, and the extra weather sealing, etc...14fps would be nice for capturing the hawks fly.

I am planning on getting a 600 f4 is usm or maybe 600 f4 is ii usm and a tripod system to hold it.
I wish to be vacationing at the grand canyon this summer and perhaps other national parks soon. so, 14mm L series lens methinks would be wise? I might also consider be getting a 24-70 is ii usm and flash since I am doing my friend's wedding in Oct. 2012. Any comments on lenses would also be helpful.

[neuroanatomist]

Good choices on gear.  Going with the 1D X personally, but keeping the 7D because a 600/4 isn't in the cards (probably never, a 500/4 is my preference for portability, such as it is).  24-70 II is a great choice, I'd consider the TS-E 17mm over the 14 L.

Gitzo 5-series legs and a Wimberley II to hold the 600mm.

One comment about the friend's wedding. Good friend, or someone you hate?  If the former, pay someone else to shoot it, or best case you aren't a wedding guest and you miss it and they miss out on your participation, worst case (which is pretty likely in the 'I've got pro gear so I'm off to shoot a wedding' scenario) is that good friend ends up hating you.  Now, if and only if there will be an actual pro shooting it and you're just bringing your camera too, disregard the previous, but do introduce yourself to the pro, then stay out of his/her way...

[stilscream]

Thanks for the advice!

My former co-worker (someone like me who makes <S12k/year) who can't afford a pro's $1500 rate. She knows I am still learning. I am planning on teaming up with my sister who is experienced or our mutual experienced friend at some discounted rate we can work out. I would do it for basically free since I am not experienced, but...we're still ironing out the details.

[Seamus]

Both are great camera choices, it will be up to you to decide how much to spend on your hobby. Either camera should provide you with years of great photos. I chose to go with the 5d mkiii, Neuro the 1dx. Budget wise I could have gone either way and the mkiii features seem to fit my needs, at least as far as I can tell without being able to try either camera yet. For the lenses, I think you need to cover the wide end, the 24-70 mkii is a great choice and the TS-E 17mm will get you really wide. Neuro has great comments about the wedding, I wouldn't want to work a friends wedding unless I was very comfortable with their expectations.

[stilscream]

17mm tse vs 14mm L ...doesn't Editting software correct wide angle lens curving, why do people pay for that to be corrected in camera outside of lens Editting time done in front of your laptop? Am I missing anything else it does better?

[neuroanatomist]

17mm tse vs 14mm L ...doesn't Editting software correct wide angle lens curving, why do people pay for that to be corrected in camera outside of lens Editting time done in front of your laptop? Am I missing anything else it does better?

It's not about the barrel distortion, which as you say is easily corrected.  Shift corrects for perspective distortion - keystoning.  While that can also be corrected in post, the cost in terms of framing and corner sharpness is a lot higher. But what you can't duplicate in post, that's particularly relevant for landscape shooting, is the control over DoF you get with tilt.

[stilscream]

So, decided to try a $650 used Tamron 200-500 first before blowing $13 on the 600f4 is ii, so I could afford a 1 dx and a 24-70 ii. I felt $20 was too much for a hobby when I drive a $3k car. Is this a crap lens?

I thought $13k lens with a 7d? No, I just can't swallow spending that much cash on any one thing. My most expensive car was $3500.
1dx with an old hard to find 600f4 is USM for $7,000 ea -good, but then no 24-70 $ left
I like the 5d mk iii, but I wonder what it will lack for $3k less. I am still tossing and turning at night debating this.

The smart thing would be to not buy any of the above and wait until after I replace my '00 Toyota Echo car, but I love the mpg. It has 160,000 mi on it.