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Archive 2012 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit

  
 
Sayeret18
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


So here's the challenge - build a decent, serious hobbyist's kit that includes all of the following for about $2,500.


  1. Camera body with decent AF and a frame rate of 5 fps or better
  2. Wide angle lens for landscapes
  3. Mid-range, walk-around zoom
  4. Telephoto lens (prime or zoom) for graduations, zoo trips, airshows and the like
  5. A protrait prime


I've recommended the following (all used):


  1. 50D
  2. Tokina 12-24
  3. Tamron 28-75
  4. 70-200 f4 IS plus 1.4x TC
  5. 85mm 1.8


What would you recommend? Thanks.



Nov 15, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Eric Gottesman
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


I'd get a flash before that Tokina lens. Off camera flash improves images so much.

I just got a 15-85 and it's early yet, but I have a feeling that it's a keeper for my needs. That would cover the Tokina and Tamron. Then get a wide-normal fast prime.




Nov 15, 2012 at 01:40 PM
Sjjindra
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


All items used on Buy and Sell Forum.
7D - $1,000
70-200 2.8 non-IS or 70-200 4 IS $850 (not prime, but covers portrait)
17-50 Tamron non-VC - $300 (wide and walk around mid)
2X (or 1.4X) II TC - $200 (for telephoto with 70-200)

Maybe EF40mm 2.8 Pancake for fun walk around with extra $150.




Nov 15, 2012 at 01:42 PM
umihoshijima
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


50d (500 on b/s?)
EF 10-22 (600) - only if they really want to go wide.
EF 70-200 non-IS or f/4IS ($850, according to Sjjindra)

Remaining 500 for the walkaround - which is probably the most personalizable option. I would say 30mm f/1.4 sigma or (cheating?) the Contax 35-70 f/3.4.



Nov 15, 2012 at 04:12 PM
BiggHarry
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


I think that this kit will be for NOT so serious hobbyist


Nov 15, 2012 at 04:23 PM
JustinR
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


I'd go with a 7D instead of a 50D, ditch the 12-24 and get a wider all-around zoom (either Tamron 17-50 non VC for ~$300 or Canon 15-85 for ~$600)


Nov 15, 2012 at 05:34 PM
dmcharg
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


50D+17-55 2.8+70-200F4L would be my choice. A really great 2 lens setup. By all means add a prime or TC later but this setup gives you the best of both worlds, excellent IQ and the flexibility of having a zoom. Oh and fewer lens to carry around as well. Either of these lens will deliver excellent portraits so forget the prime unless you need F1.8.


Nov 15, 2012 at 06:20 PM
JHC
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


My wife wished I stopped at $2,500....


Nov 15, 2012 at 10:32 PM
scottam10
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


umihoshijima wrote:
50d (500 on b/s?)
EF 10-22 (600) - only if they really want to go wide.
EF 70-200 non-IS or f/4IS ($850, according to Sjjindra)

Remaining 500 for the walkaround - which is probably the most personalizable option. I would say 30mm f/1.4 sigma or (cheating?) the Contax 35-70 f/3.4.


Good choice

The 10-22 gives you UW for landscapes, the 70-200 f/4L IS is a great all-round short tele.

I'd skip the 28-75 - it's not wide enough on an APS-C sensor
Instead I'd add a fast 50 and a flash. For low light and shallow DOF, I can't get by without my fast prime(s).

50D ($500)
EF-S 10-22mm ($600)
EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM ($850)
EF 50mm f/1.4 USM ($300)
Speedlite 430EX II ($250)

If you didn't need the ultra wide angle, you could replace the 10-22 with a 15-85mm for about the same price, which still offers a pretty decent wide angle



Nov 15, 2012 at 10:49 PM
Geoff D F
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


Kinda sad that $2500 doesn't go anywhere near to buying a new decent hobbiest kit.


Nov 15, 2012 at 10:54 PM
dwweiche
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


beetlefang wrote:
My wife wished I stopped at $2,500....

+1!



Nov 15, 2012 at 10:56 PM
Kmccarthy
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


7D $1000
Canon 15-85 IS $600 (covers wide and walk around)
Canon 70-200 F4 IS $900 (covers portrait and telephoto)

This is all you really need. For another $300 I would get the 70-300L instead of the 70-200,



Nov 15, 2012 at 10:58 PM
saneproduction
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


Used 5DII, 50 1.8 used, 85 1.8 used, 28 1.8 used, 70-200 f4L.


Nov 15, 2012 at 11:09 PM
robstein
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


50D - $600
70-200 f4 NON IS - $600
10-22 - $600
Tammy 28-75 - $400
Older 580 v1 or 550 flash (or Sigma super) - $200
50 f1.8 - $100
= $2500 ish (prob can do a tad better on some and worse on others)

That is where I swapped from film to the 20D a while back......



Nov 15, 2012 at 11:59 PM
AaronNegro
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


Nobody told you about the old 5D or the Rebels...

My choice in FF would still be valid for the 50D but not as wide. And in case of going for crop i would replace the ones marked:

FF setup in case frames are not that important

5d (600)
17-40L (600)*
70-200L f4 IS (900)
50mm 1.4 (400)*

Crop
50D (500)
Tokina 11-16 (600 new)
Tamron 17-50 non VC (300?)
Canon 70-200 f4 IS (900)
Bag
Tripod


I hope it helps
Aaron



Nov 16, 2012 at 04:16 AM
Steve Spencer
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


I have both a 5D classic and a 50D and I would much prefer the 5D classic. The autofocus performance is similar and although the 50D has a better frame rate, I think the full frame sensor has quite a few advantages. So my suggestion would be:

1. 5D Classic ($600)
2. Olympus OM 21mm f/3.5 and adapter ($300)
3. Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 ($300)
4. Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS ($1,050) (you are asking a lot of this lens so I think the versatility here is required)
5. Canon 85mm f/1.8 ($300)



Nov 16, 2012 at 07:37 AM
Sayeret18
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


Thanks everyone, this is helpful.


Nov 16, 2012 at 08:39 AM
jvincenc76
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


don' forget accessories: battery (or battery grip), memory card(s), tripod, flash, filter(s), remote control, bag, ...

For a serious hobbyist I would suggest a combination of cheaper used camera body (that will be replaced in 3 years) and fullframe lenses that can be used until canon changes EOS mount. I would go for EF 100mm F2.8 macro and 17-40 F4L for the start. Or 35mm F2.0 and 70-200 F2.8L (used non-IS). And then every year or two buy the lens you want/need.



Nov 16, 2012 at 09:01 AM
Gunzorro
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


Interesting that people on the forum don't place my importance on quality video.

I'd go with used gear, as I so often do.

60D* (or T4i for latest tech)
EF-S 15-85 IS*
EF-S 60/2.8 macro**
EF 70-200/4 L
EF 40/2.8 STM*

Probably have money left over for all the incidentals!

* currently own
** have owned, and loved

I shoot mostly full frame, but for personal stuff and general photography, I often take the 60D with the 15-85 mounted, and that's it. I've used this successfully for some event assignments with a 580EX flash. So, that would be the ultimate serious hobbyist kit for maybe $1200, without flash. Buy a 580 flash, after market battery grip, nice bag, 16GB Class 10 memory card, tripod and cable release -- you're good to go for around $1800.



Nov 16, 2012 at 10:02 AM
JustinR
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Build The Optimum Serious Hobbyist's $2,500 Kit


saneproduction wrote:
Used 5DII, 50 1.8 used, 85 1.8 used, 28 1.8 used, 70-200 f4L.


That's pretty close to where I'm heading. Already have a 50 f1.8 Mk I and 70-200 f4L, planning on selling the rest of my kit for either a 6D or 5D II (depending on reports once the 6D actually arrives and relative prices once I've saved my pennies) and then getting a 17-40 f4L and 85 f1.8.



Nov 16, 2012 at 10:26 AM
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