What would you do if you had $2000, a 5DII and no lenses?

[jabbott]

I'm going to give a non-conventional answer: buy the 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens for $150 first (which is sharper than the 24-70 f/2.8L v1), shoot a bunch with that and then use that to determine your next purchase. You'll find one of a few things: 1) you'll want to go wider; 2) you'll want to go more telephoto; 3) you'll want to do both; 4) you'll want a wider aperture for lower light; 5) you'll want something that focuses faster; 6) you'll decide that a prime lens just isn't what you want, and you can recoup most of your small lens investment by selling it; or 7) you'll be completely content shooting with the 40mm. In any case, for $150 you'll gain a much more informed opinion about where you'd like to go next.

 

[bholliman]

Somebody else mentioned this, but it depends on if you are spending $2K now with the expectation of buying more lenses later, or if $2K was you total budget for lenses.

If $2k now and more later, I would start with a 24-70 2.8 II. Awesome lens and this focal range will cover most of what you need. Later I would add a 70-200 or 70-300 and some fast primes for low light (35 1.4L and 135L come to mind).

If $2K was my total budget, I'd get the following:

24-105L
50 1.4
70-200 4.0 IS

 

[Caps18]

I'd get the 16-35mm f/2.8 and a tripod.

Maybe a flash of some kind too.

And a Pelican case to hold it all.

 

[dickgrafixstop]

I'd buy a 35mm f2.0 non-is for about $300, the 85mm f1.8 for about $350.00 and I'd save the rest until I knew
what I was doing and what I couldn't shoot the way I wanted to with the equipment I had.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Like others, I recommend the 24-105mmL. Use it and find out if it does not cover all the focal lengths you need. In the event that you need a low light lens, then get a prime lens in the focal length that you use most in low light.
Presumably, you will want to also get a good tripod, head, and a couple of flash units too. Those things eat up cash.

 

[ScottyP]

C'mon! NOBODY is going to chime in with "Sell the body and take the golden opportunity to switch to a Nikon system"???? The trolls must be out enjoying the nice weather or something.

 

[RLPhoto]

This would be the time to switch to nikon. You have no commitments and you can always come back to CR and discuss how much DR your nikon has.

 

[yogi]

I know what i should do. Fix my leaky roof. Nah. Thats what pots are for. Make a deposit on a 200L/f2.

 

[yogi]

When faced with a difficult decision and not sure what direction to go in, these wise words from the great Yogi Berra come to mind: " When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It!"

 

[brad goda]

sell 5DII
buy Fuji X100s

 

[Chosenbydestiny]

If it was me starting over again I'd sell the 5D II and get a 5D mark III kit. If it's you I'd just add the lenses within budget to cover the focal lengths, primes should be okay since most of your uses are controlled situations.

 

[Niki]

85mm L 1.2...an old film camera..some film...mix it up a little

 

[noisejammer]

At the risk of Scotty accusing me of trolling...

I shoot mostly landscapes and architecture but recently picked up a Fuji kit - the image quality is comparable with my 5D2 / Zeiss set but it's half the size and about a quarter of the weight. This matters to me...

Given your budget and interests, I'd sell the 5D2 and jump on the current special. Buy a X-Pro1 (or X-E1) and ignore the 14mm, you could then get the 18-55, 35/1.4 and either the 60/2.4 or 55-200. This would leave you with about $600 in your pocket - so a license for Lightroom, a license for the Nik suite, an inconspicuous bag and a small flash would round out your kit.

 

[mycanonphotos]

Put the rest on a CC and get the 5DIII, along with a 24-105L and a wide angle from Sigma or Tokina...Done..

 

[sandymandy]

Get a prime L lense and save the rest for holiday to make use of the lens much.

 

[Aglet]

Sell the 5D2, especially if it's one of the banding-prone early models.
buy a refurb D800 and a new Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC and have more fun w immensely better IQ.
-

 

[Rams_eos]

I have a 600D, 18-55, 40mm, 100mm macroL and 20-200 F4L.

I would sell the 5D2 and purchase the 6D + 24-105. Low light is a plus in many situations even if the ergonomic is lower.
I would also get the 40mm which I love. For really cheap you get a sharp lens that is light and not intrusive. It is now attached to my small body most of the time. IQ is great (for 149$ )

 

[yogi]

C'mon! NOBODY is going to chime in with "Sell the body and take the golden opportunity to switch to a Nikon system"???? The trolls must be out enjoying the nice weather or something.

Well, it has happened. Though not from a troll, i guess?. :-\

Sell the 5D2, especially if it's one of the banding-prone early models.
buy a refurb D800 and a new Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC and have more fun w immensely better IQ.
-

Though if a 5dII is all he has, this would be a good time to move if considering Nikon. If i wasnt already invested in so many Canon mount lenses, I might try the Nikon d800e. Or if I was rich. If I was rich, I would still keep all my Canon gear though. Besides, I am thinking there is a good chance of Canon releasing higher mp, better sensors in the next year or two. Not psychic, just an uneducated guess. Nothing personal Aglet. I have been very impressed with the D800 images, and as you can see, i own other brands of lenses. But am still very satisfied with my Canon gear, and still a fan (not "fanboy"). Come on powerball!

 

[greger]

I like to take pics of BIF. Any airplanes that fly overhead. A coyote trotting along the river bank. In the fall, Coho Salmon returning to the creek where they were released. Spiders on their webs, Flowers in Spring and anything that catches my eye.
THe 5Dll is a good camera. You should keep it until it costs too much to repair. Buy a lens or two that you want to go with your camera so you can take pictures that you are interested in.

 

[pini]

I couldn't believe I had so many answers!!! They were so much helpful, thanks a lot everyone, really!

For those who said I should buy a cheap prime and "start shooting", I already did that six months ago, since then I am shooting with a 50 1.4, which is a pretty nice lens, I really like it, but I will sell it (because I can sell it used for $400 in Brazil, believe me!) and then I will have about 2K to spend in US.

Right now, I would love to shoot a 35, 85 and 135, I really enjoy shooting with primes; but sometimes when I'm traveling around I feel like there is not too much time for changing lenses, and since "people working" can go from a close portrait to a wide scene very fast, I am thinking about getting a standard zoom (a Canon mkii If I have enough money, or a Tamron if I dont).

About the big whites, as someone said, they are too big and look too expensive to walk around alone, away from big centers and etc, as I like to do. I wouldn't feel comfortable I guess.

I think I'll just have to live with my dilemma, primes or zoom.

Thanks a lot. Hope you are having good news from Brazil, protests have started, people are tired of being fooled by government, we are living a moment of hope in real change. 90.000 on the streets of São Paulo yesterday, It was beautiful.

Peace.