If you could rebuy your gear would you change anything

[tphillips63]

I recently sold all my Canon gear with the exception of my 70-200 2.8. I was hoping to downgrade some of it since I am trying to cut back to more of a hobby rather than pursue photography professionally. I just do not have the time in my life so I got a chance to get all my money I paid for my gear and even made a little. The question is I still need a body and a mid zoom like 24-70 2.8 II and a prime. I just am torn if I should wait a few weeks or take advantage of the 1dx rebates and grab a 1dx now and the 24-70 and wait for the rest till the announcement. Either way I plan on saving some for a nice vacation with the family. Any help would be appreciated.

I'd go for the 1D X and 24-70 II while the getting is good. They're selling for insanely good prices compared to what most of us paid and unless you need lots of pixels or a smaller camera, I don't think you'll find a better camera than the 1D X. As for primes, that's a personal one, but the rebates are good on them as well.

+1

Another +1. I recently sold my 5D Mk III and bought a 1D X at the new lower prices and am 100% satisfied and feel with the pluses it has over the 5D Mk III that it is a lot better than it might look as far as the features go in real life useability, and better focusing.

 

[Machaon]

I chose the 70-200 mm f/4 IS over the 70-200 mm f/2.8 IS II, on the premise that the significant weight saving was more important than the extra stop of aperture. The f/4 is still a great lens.

Every now and then I wish I'd gone for the f/2.8 as it produces stunning images, but am then cured of my regrets after carrying my gear around for half an hour...

I sometimes wish I hadn't bought the 35 mm f/1.4, only because I don't use it enough. It's a nice lens so the problem is more with me than the optics. I need to shoot with it more than I do.

 

[Brymills]

I got a good deal part exchanging my 7D for a 5D 3, but I wish I'd kept the 7D as a second body, and not sold the 50mm prime after I bought a 24-70 2.8 II. I'd not have bothered buying a Panasonic GH2 for video. Great camera, but I don't have the computing kit to do justice to the editing.

 

[Tinky]

I started off using my Dads FTQL, then my sisters EOS 1000fn. Whilst a student I got a job in the old Jessops chain and was able to buy some great gear used, the EOS 5 (A2e) was like nothing else I'd ever seen, the Canon f2.5 macro pin sharp... the 70-210 f4, nice enough, slow to focus...

Then something silly happened. I went old school. I got the chance of a minolta x300 for pennies. Which I took. I got a Centon 18-28 for pennies. The manual bug bit. I sold my EOS gear and got into minolta manual gear, which even then, was dirt cheap, and I had some lovely lenses, the 85 1.7, the 50mm f1.2, the 45mm f2.0 pancake, the 50mm f3.5 macro and bellows, a beautiful sigma 28mm f1.8 (loved this lens) then an x-500, then an SR-T101, then an SR-T303. I really loved the manual gear. I was able to dabble in digital a wee bit at the same time. I had a sony mavica FD88 (1.3mp saved to a 3.5 floppy disc) I had a powershot s40 (I loved the build) I had a Konica Minolta Dimage A7 (loved the operation, hated anything above iso100) made the mistake of buying a GR-D (I had loved my film GR1s, same 8MP chip as A7, same problems, high noise, long RAWS) before getting a 400D and then back on track.

In that time in between I kept on using canon gear (we were able to borrow used gear) and sold loads, from D30's to 1D's. But I kind of wish I had just stuck to owning EOS gear all the way through, although, when I had my A2e Av mode was my bestest friend. Through the minolta x's and srs I mastered hyperfocal theory, became fairly competent at estimating exposure and really felt I was making the pictures. I guess this stood me in good stead for things to come, it's made me a manual die-hard (that and my video training) to this day, and besides, I paid far less for my 7D that the 300D cost at launch. And when I was working in the real world I could actually start to afford the gear I had previously been selling, I could never have afforded a 10D or similar when they were first out.

I guess everything happens for a reason.

 

[nc0b]

On the 70-200mm f/4 vs. f/2.8 II, it really depends on where you are shooting. I shoot indoor dance events, and the f2.8 is a big advantage. Outdoors I generally choose the f/4 since I rarely shoot at dusk or dawn.

 

[longdrive70]

I would have stuck with my point n shoot and saved $30K in gear

 

[mackguyver]

I would have stuck with my point n shoot and saved $30K in gear

LOL, I got the red ring fever, then the 5D diagnosis, then the big white infection, and finally the 1D dose of death.

I could probably do a lot more with a P & S with the things I've learned along the way

 

[IgotGASbadDude]

LOL, I got the red ring fever, then the 5D diagnosis, then the big white infection, and finally the 1D dose of death.

Using your verbiage: In 1982 I got the AE1 Program bug, then the Yashica 124G ache, then the 4x5 Rail Camera ailment. I was cured for about 15 years until 3 years ago when I got the Red D3200 rash, then the 7D kit + zoom itch, then the 5DIII diagnosis, then the red ring fever, and last month I got the 1DX dose of death.

If I could find a way to scrounge up 10.5K I'd gladly accept a big white infection . . . :

 

[Khnnielsen]

This might sound strange and out of place, but I would reinvest some of my money in analog gear, if I could go back in time.
10 years ago(or thereabouts), my 35mm point-and-shoot camera got replaced with a digital Pentax Optio S4. Later down the road I got my first DSLR. Today I have returned to film and I love it. Some of my favorite photos these days have been created with 35mm film.

I still shoot digitally, but if I had the chance I would have returned to film earlier and get some more nice glass for my Nikon F3. My local lab do a great job, and film do something for my creative process, which I really like.

Recently a shop have opened up which deal mostly in analog gear, and I try to do my best no to get sucked into medium format photography. Nothing really becomes affordable once you venture into the realm of medium format.

 

[bobby samat]

i kind of agree that you (along with most people) don't need 1dx. i would definitely take one, but i don't shoot anything that would warrant 14 fps.

if you are seriously considering waiting for the new camera announcements, but need a camera now, i would personally grab a 6d to save cash. even if you decide you don't need one of the new camera, you've still got yourself a 6d which sounds like it would be more than enough of a camera for the uses you specified.

as for myself, i spent money on the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM & EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. neither lens suited my needs and i learned not to buy variable f/ lens.

it also took me way too long to get a heavy duty tripod and serious tripod head. the head i use now is the manfrotto jr geared. it's built like a tank and works excellent along with the 17 & 24mm tse's.

 

[Jim K]

Well, since this has changed from what you asked in the post, what should you do, to what the title asks, what would I do, here is my list.

Replace 7Ds with 7DIIs
Replace 100-400 L with 100-400 L II

That's the short list then:
Replace 500 f/4L IS with 500 f/4L IS II
Replace 17-40 L with 16-35 L
Replace 1.4x TC II with 1.4x TC III
Buy a 2.0x TC III
Perhaps replace the 50D with SL1 or not replace it
Don't replace the 28-135

Keep the rest of my EOS equipment.

In the film department I should have kept the Rolleiflex 2.8E2 twin lens reflex (sold) and the Nikon SP rangefinder 35mm (stolen). Sold the rest of my Nikkor lenses.

 

[Dylan777]

I would have stuck with my point n shoot and saved $30K in gear

LOL, I got the red ring fever, then the 5D diagnosis, then the big white infection, and finally the 1D dose of death.

I could probably do a lot more with a P & S with the things I've learned along the way

LOL....good one mackguyver ;D

To be honest. If I ever decide to give up my big whites, I would rebuild my gear with FF mirrorless. Hoping by then Fuji would have FF same body style like x100 or xt1 series.

Until then, it's hard to give up the beefy 1dx and 200mm f2 IS

 

[Dylan777]

@ OP

If DSLR is still your thing, I would stay with 1DX, 24-70, 70-200 and 85L II for that special moments. I'm sure you already know what 1DX can do. 1DX II is more likely be up north $7k+.

I'm still carry my RX1 around. It's great light weight camera. I do wish for EVF though. Rumor RX1 II with curve sensor is right around the corner. I hope it will come with pop-up EVF like the RX100 III.

 

[Eagle Eye]

I'm confident most people won't agree with me, but I think my biggest mistake was starting out with L-glass for my 20d when I upgraded from an FD body in 2005. I expanded the L collection over time and went full frame with the 5d Mark II in early 2009 to get the most out of my lenses. Started shooting weddings to justify the cost, which was a horrible experience. If my whole kit got jacked tomorrow, I'd buy a used 40d, a 10-18mm, an 18-135mm, and a pair of pancakes. Along those lines, I bought a used but pristine 40d last night with 11,000 shutter actuations. I'm giving serious thought to just storing my main landscape kit and focusing on the 40d with a couple primes for the next year. I enjoyed photography the most in the years I shot with an A1 and a bag of primes.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

I know everyone keeps mentioning no need for the 1d and I agree but $2600 or $5,000 for the 1d. The 1d is the more capable body. For example for this village photoshoot they want me to get some pics of the bald eagles in our area and my kids and dog are active when playing or when my son does hockey. So i do have to capture those active moments also. I know as they get more involved with activities I will need to capture them aswell. Not trying to argue but I feel a fast camera like the 1d is good for an active family aswell. Overkill yeah but canon does not make a 5d size FF with 8-10 fps.

 

[adventureous]

6D and 7Dii might work for your village trip.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

6D and 7Dii might work for your village trip.

Yeah I will have to think abpit that combo. Would be cheaper.

 

[Vivid Color]

If I would have known that I would eventually get a full frame body, I would have bought Canon's 100mm macro lens instead of instead of Tamron's 60mm macro for crop bodies. I sold it for a pretty good price and bought the 100L. I love that lens!

If I could rebuy my gear today, I'd probably get pretty much the same as I have. I might think about getting the 24-70 f/4 instead of the 24-105L, but I'm not certain I'd do that.

I also might think about getting Sigma's super zoom instead of Tamron's for my T1i crop body. Or, I might get the smaller Tamron super zoom designed for my EOS-M. And now that I have the EOS-M, I would not re-buy the Canon s100 (or the updated version of it). And, since I have the EOS-M and the EF adapter, I might not replace the T1i. At least not until I have a definite need for a second DSLR body that functions as more than a backup.

 

[gregorywood]

Mine is simple...

I'd have just gone into debt for a 1D Mk 4, 70-200mm f/2.8L II and a 24-70mm f/2.8L II and been done with it.

It would have saved me a whole lot of time and energy.

I'd also have started taking classes years ago.

The rest is nebulous.

 

[Hjalmarg1]

I recently sold all my Canon gear with the exception of my 70-200 2.8. I was hoping to downgrade some of it since I am trying to cut back to more of a hobby rather than pursue photography professionally. I just do not have the time in my life so I got a chance to get all my money I paid for my gear and even made a little. The question is I still need a body and a mid zoom like 24-70 2.8 II and a prime. I just am torn if I should wait a few weeks or take advantage of the 1dx rebates and grab a 1dx now and the 24-70 and wait for the rest till the announcement. Either way I plan on saving some for a nice vacation with the family. Any help would be appreciated.

I'd take the 1Dx at the insane low prices now and the 24-70/II.

I have changed all my over time, I have bought and sold about 30 lenses over the last 4 years.
If I have to re-buy all my gear (and have the money) I'd buy the same except for the 24-70mm f/2.8L II instead of version I.
In my kit the three lenses that see most use are the 24-70/2.8L, 35/2 IS and 100/2.8L IS so, if you want a 24-70mm go for it.