5D2 new kit vs 5D2 refurb + what lens? Caution math involved!!

[kennephoto]

So as I have been reading on here Canon has the 5D2 refurb for 1700 or if you get the loyalty program I hear it's like 1500. So you can buy a new 5D2 kit with 24-105 for 2600 and you get a 1000 dollar lens meaning the camera is like 1600. So do you buy a kit or do you buy a refurb and a lens? But a new 5D2 is 2000 so if you get the kit you get a 1000 dollar lens for  600. Does anyone see these numbers the same as me? I'm very confused but I really want a full frame and I tried the 5d2 with 24-105 and it was better than my 50d with 17-55 2.8 IS!!! My 50d is so grainy at ISO 800.

[preppyak]

Actually, the 5dII kit (w/ 24-105) has gone as low as $2400 or so; but its more regular to find it in the $2600 range.

But, yes, your math makes sense, it just depends on what you are willing to spend on. The 5dII I believe is now 10% off through Canon Loyalty, which makes it $1580+tax. So, probably $1650-1700 after tax. And its pretty easy to find someone selling the 24-105 new out of their kit for $800 or so. But, that leaves you at $2500 with a 90 day warranty on your camera, and no warranty on your lens.

So, if you think you'll want the 24-105 for the camera, I'd get the kit, as for that extra little money, you'll have a 1yr warranty on everything

[distant.star]

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Since I was an English major who thought a Journalism Masters made sense, I wouldn't trust my math. That's what we have Big Brain here for.

On the surface, your simple analysis makes sense. Based on that, I'd put out the $2600 for the kit. To further complicate things, going refurb through Canon is going to add shipping and taxes -- and they are real dollars. B&H will send what you want with no shipping. And if you're not in NY and are willing to possibly flaunt your state taxes (if applicable) you get it today (or in a couple of days) for $2639 out the door (as the car salesmen say!).

[scrappydog]

I bought my 5DII via the CLP for just a tad less than $1,500 a couple months ago.  The 24-105 is available as a refurb at Canon for less than $800:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_263354_-1?WT.mc_id=C126149

Presumably the 24-105 should be available to you via CLP with the camera at 20% off the refurb price.  Having come from a 60D, I can assure you that you will be amazed by the lower noise profile of the 5DII at much higher ISOs.  The way it captures light... it is worth it.

[kennephoto]

It appears that what my brain was thinking made sense to you guys too which is awesome feeling! And it would seem that the 5d2 kit is a good deal,  and very good point about the warranty of the kit vs refurb! I never thought about the warranty aspect. And as my own tests found the 24-105 on FF gave me more desirable results than the 17-55 2.8 on my crop camera. OOF elements and obviously the 5d2 smokes the 50d in low light situations without flash were way better on FF.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

The 24-105mmL is a excellent match for the 5D Mark II, or pretty much any camera.
The kit lenses can be sold for about 750 -800, so you would be paying $1800 for the body.
I'd buy the kit, since the canon warranty on both kit and lens is valuable.
I bought the 5D MK II on canon CLP, it had about 400 actuations or less, so it was essentially new.

[tiger82]

Since I have the 24-70/2.8L, the 24-105 kit made no sense to me so I went with a refurb.  Otherwise, I would have bought a new kit.

[kennephoto]

I'm still stuck with some EF-s lenses but I sure did like the 24-105, I've used the 24-70 but that thing is goofy when it extends to get wide! And I really like the 1 year warranty vs the 90 day, I've never bought a new DSLR before so I am kind of excited. The kit just seems like a really good deal even compared to used 5d2's that I've seen range from 1500-1900 locally. Hard to justify used or refurb when I could buy the kit and get new for basically the same price.

[tiger82]

If you can use the lens, it's the way to go.  One option I toyed with was selling my still newish 24-70 2.8L then buying the kit, then the refurb showed up in stock.

[tiger82]

Buying the kit would mean the lens and warranty cost is $944.  If I can net $1100 from my 24-70, I would be ahead money wise and I trade reach, warranty, and IS for aperture.  The first wild card is my Amex which is supposed to add a year to my warranty or at least double it to 180 days.  The second wild card is CPS who I will use to checkout the camera before my original warranty expires.  And after the warranty (Canon's and Amex's) expires, I get 30% or 60% off repairs.  So the warranty issue is taken out of my math.  Refurb 5D2 it is and I have $2000 plus proceeds from my 50D sale to put into the kitty of my 1D4 or 1Dx in a year or two.

[zim]

So as I have been reading on here Canon has the 5D2 refurb for 1700 or if you get the loyalty program I hear it's like 1500. So you can buy a new 5D2 kit with 24-105 for 2600 and you get a 1000 dollar lens meaning the camera is like 1600. So do you buy a kit or do you buy a refurb and a lens? But a new 5D2 is 2000 so if you get the kit you get a 1000 dollar lens for  600. Does anyone see these numbers the same as me? I'm very confused but I really want a full frame and I tried the 5d2 with 24-105 and it was better than my 50d with 17-55 2.8 IS!!! My 50d is so grainy at ISO 800.

That's just a big blurry thing hic!

[iaind]

If you need the 24-105 buy the kit new otherwise get a refurbished body

[tiger82]

EF-S lenses and 5D2 don't mix, you need a good EF lens.  Buy the kit.