If you had to start from scratch all over again, what would you buy?

[tron]

I would get the same Canon gear minus some discontinued lenses.

 

[mb66energy]

Haves in black - new ones in red:

TOOLS:
EF-S 10-22 | 60 ||
EF-M 11-22

EF 2.8/24 | 2.8/40 | 2.8+2.0/100 | 4.0/70-200 | 5.6/400 ||
EF 2.8 24 IS | Sigma 1.4 50 Art | 2.8 100 IS Macro + 2.0 100 | 4.0 70-200 IS | 5.6 400

2 x 40D || 2x TC ||| 600D for video ||| EOS M + bunch of FD chrome rings
2 x 600D for video and photo + 2 x EOS M with EF adapter as intelligent back cap

Add a fast APS-C and/or a slow high MP 35mm camera

 

[ecka]

Here is a similar thread:
http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=20612.msg389798#msg389798

 

[cid]

It depends, if I should start from scratch, but with experiences I already have and let's say some unlimited budget ... then

5DmkIII (maaybe 1DX, bacause 12fps is tempting, but I like to crop)
1V - I want to buy this body for some film experiments
15mm Zeiss
24-70L mk II
55mm Zeiss
70-200L mk II IS
100L

aaaand

200L f/2 - I really really love it's bokeh
400L f/2.8 - to have some more serious reach

aaaand something portable

RX1

and then I put very satisfied smile on my face and pretend to be the happy buddha ;D

 

[PKinDenmark]

What a terrible situation to start this fantasy.
I am currently a very happy 6D-owner - 14 months on the meter right now.
I am definitely staying in the Canon-camp, as Canon has provided the growth-path, that I needed, since I started digital in 2004 (Canon G5, then 450D, now 6D), and I am very comfortable with the user-interface as a whole.

Should I have to re-start from scratch today, I would probably choose 6D again, as for me it is the perfect balance between IQ, other capabilites and size (I do not want anything bigger / heavier).
However that would change with timing, as we are now quite much into the 6D lifecycle. I know it is not near-term, but of course I would be happy to move into a 6D II or whatever such a thing would be named. The main improvement, that I would look for just now, is a more capable AF-system for action.
My set of lenses serves me well, too. I Intend to stay in the f/4 family (again my sort of compromise), as it becomes clearer, that there will be a strong range of f/4 quality lenses. Here some of the new tools look promising (16-35mm f/4 to replace my old 16-35 f/2.8 Mk I).
Ideas for some changes:
- 50mm f/1.4 upgrade to ... ? I would probably wait for Canon on that
- 100mm L 2.8 macro (bought it when on crop) - I might consider the longer 180mm
- upgrade on flash - from current 420EX to ...? Do not know just now
And then add something longer than my 70-200 L IS f/4.
- a new 100-400mm II ??
- a 150-600mm perhaps (would be my first non-Canon lens)

So overall: Should this ever happen (hope not), please wait a couple of years for some of the vapor to become solid, and for some sort of 6D upgrade to materialize.

 

[Skulker]

I don't think I would want to change. I'm very happy with the 1Dx and the 5D3. I don't think there is anything else out there that would tempt me, or is a better over all package.

I did consider changing to Nikon before the 1Dx came out but decided that Canon would probably catch up or overtake again. I know a lot of people will rattle on about DR or Mega pixels. Sure cleaner darks would be nice but its never really a problem unless I mess up with exposure. And I'm not really after extra megapxels.

Having said all that I have nothing against Nikon. If Canon wasn't there I would be very happy with Nikon.

The one thing I would like and don't have is a nice walk about camera. If I don't carry one the the above cameras then I use my phone. It would be nice to have something, but nothing avalible at the moment floats my boat.

 

[eml58]

Over the years I've tried a few different options alongside my Canon gear, D800, D3x, a7r, M9, but for what I currently like to Photograph ??

1Dx & my Big Whites, especially the 200-400f/4, 300f/2.8 II & 600f/4 II for anything that moves fast.

But for Landscape, Portraits, still life type Imaging ? Phase One IQ 280, as long as that Insurance Check was Reeeealy big, if it was less than reeeeealy big, maybe look at the soon to be released Pentax 645z.

The problem this introduces is then having to cart two systems every where you go, I mean, you have to take everything with you, right ??

 

[distant.star]

.
Simply replacing equipment would hardly be a "start from scratch all over again."

If I were to really start again, I'd go to a good school for videography and get whatever equipment made sense for that world.

 

[Don Haines]

I notice that nobody has said "I'll run out and get an iPad and a GoPro".... yet sadly enough, for what I need tomorrow night, that would be my first acquisition.....

 

[verysimplejason]

Canon 6D with 24-105L + 50mm F2 macro, + Go-Pro Hero 3+ with accessories, 3 flashes, YN remote triggers, other strobist accessories (umbrellas, lightstands, reflector, snoot), a very good but light tripod and a good waterproof, shockproof, light backpack bag to fit all of these. The rest of the money, I'll just invest on travelling. Depending on the place I'll visit, I'll hire a zoom lens. Life is too short to visit and experience all the wonderful places on earth.

 

[verysimplejason]

I notice that nobody has said "I'll run out and get an iPad and a GoPro".... yet sadly enough, for what I need tomorrow night, that would be my first acquisition.....

I've said Go Pro. I'm currently using an old G11 with underwater casing but I'd trade it gladly with a Go Pro with accessories.

 

[Ivan Muller]

The problem I have with jumping ship is that there is no perfect system out there and Canon may be 'down' in the megapixel race for now but what happens when they are ahead again at some later stage, do I jump ship again??

the fact is that my stuff does the job quite well at the moment as it is, and here I am talking about making a living from architecture, industrial, portrait, corporate and advertising photography. For the pro stuff I have never felt the need to jump ship. Its for my own personal photography where I am more critical and here I would love to have a denser sensor ( rhymes quite nicely...!)

I was quite keen on the A7r as a resolution solution (!) but have been put off reports of inferior sensor quality with third party wide angle lenses in the edges..but nothing is to say these problems wont be fixed in the future, perhaps even before we see this 'fabled' megapixel monster from our 'love to hate ' camera brand !

As business is not all that great at the moment I have no desire , (or money!), to buy anything 'better' in any case.

So for the moment if I want a bit higher resolution than my 6d can give I haul out my vintage 2006 Mamiya ZD!

Which makes me think that try as we might there isn't really just one camera solution out there and like the days of old when every photographer had 35mm, medium format and 4x5/8x10 camera systems, perhaps we should view the current camera offerings in the same light, a Sony compact for pocked duties, a CaNikonSony for everyday and the Pentax 645 for when that extra resolution jump is essential...of course those with deeper pockets list will have some more exotic brands on it!

 

[Hector1970]

It might be easier to list what I wouldn't buy:
But did.
Sigma 150-500
Canon 28mm 2.8
Sigma 10-20mm
Canon 70-300mm III
Lens baby
Zeiss? Pentacon six 50mm with tilt adapter
Canon 50mm 1.8
Samyang 8mm Fisheye(although it is good on an APS-C
Canon 85mm 1.2 L
Canon G12
I won't even mention the gadgets and triggers and flash modifiers I've wasted money on.
No wonder Garry Fong is so rich

I would rebuy
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 II
Canon 24mm TSe II
Canon 50mm 1.4
Samyang 14mm
Canon 24-105 F4l
Canon 100mm marcro
Canon 1.4 and 2x extensions
5D Mark III
580ex II flash

I'd replace 17-40 with a 16-35mm

I'd also rebuy the Fuji X100s.
It's a lovely camera to use (even though I don't think it's image quality is good as a Canon APS-C sensor
I'd rebuy a Gopro too for time lapsing
Lee filters I'd certainly rebuy.


No wonder people simplify later in life.
Too much gear not enough time taking photos

 

[mkabi]

I love my current gear.
Only thing that I would change is how I got to the current system.
I mean, I first bought a t3i, then a 60D... even some sigma lenses.... all of them, till this very point, were trade-ins and trade-ups, which obviously makes you lose money.

Future gear that I wouldn't mind adding to my current set of gear:
-A second 7D
-7DII/7DC or a 1DC
-BMCC (not 4K)
-100 f/2.8 L Macro
-70-200 f/2.8 L IS (MkI is fine)
-Custom Cine 85mm

 

[steliosk]

buy from scratch..
hmm

5D3 + 70-200 2.8 IS II for action

Nikon D800 or Sony a7R + Nikkor 14-24 + Nikkor 85 1.4G for landscape and portrait

big gap somewhere in between 24-70

The canon 24-70 2.8 II is way overpriced and no IS for that kind of money,
so the 40mm pancake might fill somehow. Cheap, sharp, small, lightweight!

I'd love some prime L glass such the 50L and 85L, but those lenses are soft, overpriced, slow focus (especially the 85L) and OLD

 

[lightthief]

I have now:
5DIII
50D
8-15 Fisheye
17-40 4.0
35 1.4
70-200 2.8 IS II
100 2.8 IS Makro
100-400 4.5-5.6 IS

I would buy:
5DIII
70D or 2nd 5DIII
8-15 Fisheye
16-35 4.0 IS
35 2.0 IS
70-200 2.8 IS II
100-400 II or 400 4.5 IS II
85 IS

I'm almost happy with what i have, i would only upgrade
The 100L is very good, but i do not much macro.

 

[dak723]

In a sense, I did start over again. I owned the original Digital Rebel, and after 9 years or so, looked to replace it. I checked out a few of the newer Canon crop cameras over the years, but there was just no noticeable (to me) increase in IQ. Finally, when my camera began having problems, I bought the 6D. While I was happy with the results for landscape work, the reduced zoom capabilities and the difference in DOF for close-up work prompted me to look into the new Micro Four Thirds cameras from Olympus. Ultimately, I bought the EM-1, the 14-54mm Zuiko 4/3 lens (plus converter) and the M. Zuiko 75-300mm zoom (150-600mm equivalent). I sold my Canon 100mm Macro (non L), and some other Canon kit lenses. So, now I have the Canon 6D with 24-105mm L for serious landscapes and the Olympus for everything else, including just general walk around use. The convenience of the smaller size of M4/3 system - especially the 75-300mm lens can not be overstated, in my opinion.

 

[DRR]

I'd still buy a Canon system. My gear is currently insured for a bit more than it's actually worth, primarily due to depreciation of the body, so if they cut me a check for full insured value I'd most likely replace all that I have right now, and possibly upgrade my 5DII to 5DIII.

Nikon makes a great system as well but I also think it's a case of "grass is always greener." I shoot a lot of portraits and I'd be concerned with skin tone quality. I don't need megapixels, anything over 16MP or so is overkill to me. I tend to think Nikon makes better sensors and optics overall but poorer ergonomics and less of a magical quality to images. Plus I don't want to learn a new system.

Tried m4/3 and I didn't like it. Pentax makes good stuff but I'd be concerned about the company behind it. Sony makes a nice system also, but I find the lens selection lacking.


Given a little bit more money my basic ideal kit is,

5D3
16-35 II
35L
85L
70-200 II

From there, if I were to add, I'd add 100mm Macro and probably a 17mm TS-E.

 

[f1rstx]

i have 5d3 - 24-70 II - 135L - 35A. Now i'd probably go for Fuji X-T1 - 18-55 2.8-4 - 35 1.4 - 56 1.2

 

[dgatwood]

Assuming they took everything, including my old camera bodies and lenses, I'd use the extra money off the loss of my EF-S gear to buy a 70D as by backup body. Then, I'd buy most of the rest of my gear as-is—a 6D, 24–105, 70–300L, a 16–35 L II (though I might consider the 16–35 f/4 L and use the cost difference to have a second 6D as my backup body), and my shorty forty.

Of course, this is a pretty unrealistic scenario. In the real world, if they stole all of my gear, including my old bodies and lenses, the value of my old gear would pay my $1,000 homeowner's insurance deductible.