To 5dmkii or not to 5dmkii

[jwmrks]

Ok, I have my 5d mkiii fund started. The plan is that my fund + my tax money next spring will net me a 5dmkiii (assuming Canon's actually released it by then ). Right now I have a T1i with the 18-55 and 55-250 kit lenses which is working well for now, but it seems like I've been doing a lot of lens swapping as I tend to work at either the long end of the 18-55 or the near end of the 55-250 about 85-90% of the time. As such, I was thinking about getting the EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens in time for the holidays and use it with my T1i and then just go body only on the 5d next spring. I know when you buy the 5d 'kit' you can get the lens/camera cheaper than buying them separate so wanted to know how much I'd end up costing myself by getting the lens now, and ran across a deal at Amazon for the 5dmkii and the 24-105 lens at $2750. I know that's only a few hundred bucks off the normal package, but going with this package vs lens now and camera later is a savings of about $500 (assuming prices stay the same).

I'm torn between three possibilities:

1-Get a cheaper lens (maybe a higher quality EF-S) in the same zoom range for the holidays?

2-Go ahead and get the L glass now as the lens may hold it's value, but wait for the mkiii to come up and go with that (or pick up a mkii at a closeout price so I don't feel like I'm throwing money away now)?

3-Consider this package a good enough price to think about upgrading early and hope I'm not sorry when I see the mkiiis specs?

The adult in me is leaning towards option 1, but the kid in me wants #3. Any opinions from neutral parties would be greatly appreciated.

[mrteacherdude]

It sounds to me like your plan is to definitely end up with a FF of some sort. If that is the case, than option 1 (EF-S) might not be the way to go as you will not be able to use it on that body.

If you're hot to get a new lens that is better quality than your existing zooms, will be able to use it on your FF (when you get it), won't break your bank account, and you're not opposed to using foot zoom, you might consider one of the good quality primes such as the 85mm f1.8. It's not "L," but it's pretty darn good, and it's fast. If you find that you tend to shoot more toward the 100mm range, there is also the 100mm f/2.0.

[jwmrks]

Originally Posted by mrteacherdude

It sounds to me like your plan is to definitely end up with a FF of some sort. If that is the case, than option 1 (EF-S) might not be the way to go as you will not be able to use it on that body.

If you're hot to get a new lens that is better quality than your existing zooms, will be able to use it on your FF (when you get it), won't break your bank account, and you're not opposed to using foot zoom, you might consider one of the good quality primes such as the 85mm f1.8. It's not "L," but it's pretty darn good, and it's fast. If you find that you tend to shoot more toward the 100mm range, there is also the 100mm f/2.0.

Thanks for the reply. I would like to get a couple of good primes (50mm f1.4 is on the top of my list followed by the 85mm 1.8). However, I haven't gotten to the point where I'm frustrated with my current lenses at those focal lengths but have been frustrated with swapping lenses so often. I don't mind zooming with my feet, but lately I've been taking lots of pictures of people and animals and since I like to get candid snaps rather than staged pictures I like being able to quickly zoom in and out to catch the moment be it next to me, across the room, or across the yard. It just seems that whichever lens I happen to have on either falls a bit shorter than what I wanted, or won't get wide enough at the right moment. I do have a couple of stereoscopic lenses that are fixed and find I draw lots more attention when zooming with my feet and lose the moment when the subjects focus on me. The more I think about it, though, going with th EF-S lens does seem like it would be more of a waste in the long run. Even if I decide to sell it once I get the FF lens I'll take a hit.

Maybe I should just keep the 18-55 on the camera during the holidays and work on my sneaking skills so I can inconspicuously zoom with my feet. That would help me work off all the holiday treats as well.

[mrteacherdude]

Originally Posted by jwmrks

However, I haven't gotten to the point where I'm frustrated with my current lenses at those focal lengths but have been frustrated with swapping lenses so often.

Maybe I should just keep the 18-55 on the camera during the holidays and work on my sneaking skills so I can inconspicuously zoom with my feet. That would help me work off all the holiday treats as well.

I can relate to what you're saying about swapping lenses, it gets old. So your original thought about the 24-105 might be a good way for you to go - excellent quality lens, good focal length range to cover just about everything you've been shooting (and you don't necessarily have to be sneaky), and compatible with the FF when you get it. If you are just looking for something to get you through the holidays, try it and see if you like it type of thing, and don't mind spending a little money on a lens that you're not going to keep, you could rent one to see if it suits you. I've done this with a couple of different lenses, and it has helped me decide which way I want to go when I do have the cash to start seriously investing.

Oh - and about your original post... option #3 sounded really good to the kid in me too