Only 1 lens

[RustyTheGeek]

It's all been said by now. My take is pretty close to neuro's...

If possible, keep the 5D2. (5D2 is worth ~$1K or more used maybe, IYL.) You'll likely regret giving up FF. Sell everything else. If you must sell the 5D2, get a 5D Classic instead. (5D is worth ~$600 or less, IYL.) I've shot with one for years and it's a great camera.

Lens? Well, if we are going for max $$ savings, keep the 50mm/1.8 and get one of these...

20-35 f/2.8 for wider indoor and lanscapes or one of the less expensive normal zooms mentioned already. I'm sure the 24-105 is ideal but if it's too much $$, just get anything that works for what you're willing to spend.

After all, when push comes to shove, RLPhoto has a good point - 5D2 (or 5D) + 50/1.4 (or your 50/1.8 ) would do you fine. No fuss, no muss. Heck, if it were me, I could probably live with my 5D + my trusty 16-35/2.8, 24-105 and 50/1.4 forever. In that order. Sometimes I think that's what I should do too. Dump it all and simplify!!

And I've used a Sunpak RD2000 with the Sto-Fen diffuser walking around for years. Less than $100 and works great. Yeah, I've got all the big flashes, but the RD2000 lives on my FF camera for fill.

Enjoy your family, your health and your love of photography. Good luck with your decisions. Please let us know what you decide. I'm sure we can all relate and we all wonder what will happen!

 

[ChilledXpress]

I've got an XS that Ill give you !!! Sell it, use it... whatever. Hit me up.

I have a few photographer friends that use only an iPhone. I know this is all DSLR-centric but I've heard it said many time before...

"The best camera in the world... is the one you have in hand when you need it."

 

[ScottyP]

Congratulations on your 9-month-old! And congratulations on having the instincts of a good father!

I am older than you, but I sold my 2-year old Harley Davidson the week after my 2nd daughter was born, and now I have 3rd baby! Funny thing is, it hurt a little at the moment because of my pride, but given the joy of the kids I honestly never (almost) miss it.

The thing is, your main photo interest has kind of changed too. I found that having a baby around seriously decreased my interest in landscapes (and travel shots!). You need at bare minimum a kit capable of taking great baby shots. You will NEVER get those precious days and months back ever. And at 25 with a baby it probably doesn't seem like it, but you WILL have money again some day! Honestly!

I agree with Neuro that you won't get a lot for a used 5D2 nowadays. I'd be inclined to keep it for that reason, but if not, then a T3i (also as Neuro said) or even a T2i, would be great with your nifty fifty for baby portraits. If you kept your 5D2, maybe an 85mm f/1.8 or a 135mm 2.0?

Bright side: The way bodies depreciate, and lenses stay theh same, you can sit out for a few years, then buy a new design body that kicks the butt of current cameras, and you can re-buy the lenses for the same price you sold yours!

Merry Christmas!

 

[sanj]

I'd keep the 5DII, sell both lenses and the 580, get a used 24-105L, a used 430 flash, and a used 50/1.8 II. I think that could net you $1500 and leave you with a very good kit for landscapes and portraits.

Agree totally. Used 50 or 35 your choice. A tripod to this list would help lots.
The 9 month old is lucky as he/she has a responsible father!

 

[Phenix205]

If you can keep the 5D2 and 24-70. Also keep the 580 if possible. You are going to need a nice flash for taking photos of your baby.

 

[bycostello]

100m macro.... i think now....

 

[koolman]

The street value of your used equipment should be something like:

5d2 = 1,200

24-70 mark1 = 1,000

70-200 = no IS = 800 yes IS mark1 = 1,200

speedlight = 200 ?

Total = $3,600 on a good day.

Get a t3i + kit + save your 50mm 1.8 = $600

http://www.adorama.com/ICAT3IK.html

Savings opx $3,000

 

[Dark Reality]

Thank you all so much for the encouragement.
I kept the 5d2, 50 1.8, and 70-200 2.8 ( it is the non IS, so value was not as high as I would have liked. Plus, 75% of my portraits are with this lens. )

One thing I completely forgot to mention, was my gitzo tripod and rrs ballhead, and a few other rrs accessories, which just took up space.

The lens and tripod, plus a few other things, filters, macro rail, etc.. Made me 2700$ so my child will be okay and I'm still in the photography game

To those who asked about if I make money with photography, the short answer is yes, but its not a constant paycheck and and my family has the bad habit of constantly needing to eat, lol.

because of the helpful responses from people, ill probably be on the forums more often and maybe ill even be able to help a few people. Thanks again everyone.

 

[dswatson83]

24-70 f/2.8. My personal recommendation would be to get the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 VC as the VC is great for video and f/2.8 is wide enough for indoors and portraits and use the money you save over the Canon 24-70 f/2.8 to get one nice prime. I'd go with the 85mm f/1.8 if you do mostly portraits or the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 if you do more landscapes, indoors, or wider shots. The Sigma 35mm is absolutely amazing too:
http://learningcameras.com/reviews/7-lenses/86-sigma-35mm-f14-review

 

[KyleSTL]

Thank you all so much for the encouragement.
I kept the 5d2, 50 1.8, and 70-200 2.8 ( it is the non IS, so value was not as high as I would have liked. Plus, 75% of my portraits are with this lens. )

One thing I completely forgot to mention, was my gitzo tripod and rrs ballhead, and a few other rrs accessories, which just took up space.

The lens and tripod, plus a few other things, filters, macro rail, etc.. Made me 2700$ so my child will be okay and I'm still in the photography game

To those who asked about if I make money with photography, the short answer is yes, but its not a constant paycheck and and my family has the bad habit of constantly needing to eat, lol.

because of the helpful responses from people, ill probably be on the forums more often and maybe ill even be able to help a few people. Thanks again everyone.

I'm glad to hear everything has worked out, and that you haven't given up all your gear. Enjoy the time with your baby, and hope you get plenty of beautiful and memorable shots. When you get back on your feet, keep in mind the suggestions in this thread, as a very versatile and reasonably price kit can be put together with non-L lenses (in a perfect world we would all be able to afford the newest and best gear, but that is not reality).

 

[Rat]

I'm glad to hear everything has worked out, and that you haven't given up all your gear. Enjoy the time with your baby, and hope you get plenty of beautiful and memorable shots.

+1

 

[7enderbender]

I'm glad to hear everything has worked out, and that you haven't given up all your gear. Enjoy the time with your baby, and hope you get plenty of beautiful and memorable shots.

+1

Same here. 70-200 should be great for taking pictures of your kid and a bunch of other things. Enjoy. You've heard this before but they really grow up extremely fast.

 

[EOBeav]

Keep the 5DmkII and the 50mm f/1.8. Sell the rest. You'll be able to keep shooting while bringing in a positive cash flow.

 

[jcollett]

Any consideration of going back to film? *GASP*

I picked up Rebel 2000 and EOS 3 cameras off of CL for $125.

Consider xxD cameras if Rebels are a conderation; the ergonomics of the xxD series are much closer to the 5DII than the Rebel series.

Don't be afraid of the used market. Many good deals can be had for equipment.

Had found a brand new 28 - 135 lens on CL off of a 7D kit for $200. This is a good recommendation if you keep your 5DII. If you go crop, the 18 - 135 is a very capable all-in-one lens for crop sensor bodies.

Hope your money troubles pass soon. Don't give up your passion.

 

[verysimplejason]

Thank you all so much for the encouragement.
I kept the 5d2, 50 1.8, and 70-200 2.8 ( it is the non IS, so value was not as high as I would have liked. Plus, 75% of my portraits are with this lens. )

One thing I completely forgot to mention, was my gitzo tripod and rrs ballhead, and a few other rrs accessories, which just took up space.

The lens and tripod, plus a few other things, filters, macro rail, etc.. Made me 2700$ so my child will be okay and I'm still in the photography game

To those who asked about if I make money with photography, the short answer is yes, but its not a constant paycheck and and my family has the bad habit of constantly needing to eat, lol.

because of the helpful responses from people, ill probably be on the forums more often and maybe ill even be able to help a few people. Thanks again everyone.

Great choice of lenses. You can get a cheap flash to go with those for the meantime. Congratulations on your new baby!

 

[revup67]

Yep I agree with Dylan. Take care of that baby first and get yourself a good point and shoot you can live with. Think of it this way, if you sell all your gear now while it is still working you will get the most cash, if that camera breaks it is worthless as well as the lenses and they all will go at some point..focus motor, shutter, etc.

Best to get as much cash as you can while it all functions properly. Don't worry about all that gear - it will be available when you get things squared away its not going anywhere. You could always rent for a day or have a friend with decent gear perhaps assist with shots. There's alternatives for you. All the best to you and your family for the holidays.