I suppose the answer will almost overwhelmingly be the former, which is certainly a lot more expensive, but I would love to hear opinions and see the pics to back up people's thoughts. I currently have the 10-22, and have wanted to go FF forever, but picking up a 7D and the 15-85, selling my 17-55, and walking around with the 10-22, 15-85, and 70-200 F4IS would be interesting and a lot cheaper than walking around with a 5Dii, 17-40, 24-105, and 70-200 F4IS. I would love to hear opinions/thoughts.

I do travel photography (mostly landscapes and portraits).

Thanks in advance,

Cheers,

-TBri

if going for the 7D Sell the
400D
canon 50 1.4
canon 70-300 IS
Tamron 18-250

and picking up a 7D 70-200mm 4IS would be good - I would keep the 17-55 2.8IS rather than swop it for a 15-85

Landscapes and people does tend to lend itself well to 5D though a tough call

For several years my travel kit was a 20D with the 10-22 and 17-40. I was always pleased with that setup, the 10-22 was actually very good in terms of IQ.

As you implied the 5D2 setup with L glass is going to be 'better' in a lot of ways but also a lot more $$$.

I tend to travel for landscape shooting so for me the choice of 5D2 and L glass made sense once I had the cash. If you are just 'documenting' your travels then the 7D kit will more than do the trick. If you figure you will be looking for 'grand landscapes' than nothing, at this time, beats the 5D2 kit with L glass.

The key is that the EF-S lens - while good - are limited to crop bodies. The L glass is more universal. The 700-200 f/4L IS is a great choice with either body. My wife uses the 17-85 EF-S and loves it so I am sure the 15-85 is a wise choice for travel.

One thing to consider is a low light lens, a 50 f/1.4 or 1.8. They are not too spendy and the fast glass comes in handy in a lot of situations. On the 7D they are a bit long for general shooting though.

I actually have the 50 1.4 which will be part of either set. Considered the 135L instead of (or with) the 70-200, but decided on less lenses and just the zoom.

Another thing to consider is weight. The 5D2 kit with L glass will be heavier than the 7D kit. If you are carrying all day when out and about that can quickly become a factor.

If I spend the day at an event ( wedding ) at times I wish I had lighter gear. If packing gear in on a day hike though - a good backpack goes a long way to making the weight a non factor.

If you travel 'camera 'round neck' then I can tell you the weight of the 7D +15-85 is much better for day long trips than the 5D2 with 24-105.

The 7D actually weighs as much or more than the 5Dii. I never carry the cameras around my neck, always in a holster or in my pack, and I have very good traveling/backpacking gear (although I am always looking for ways for my camera gear to compliment my trekking gear better, new holster systems etc). True though, and a good point.

I think for your needs, the 5D II + 24-105 + 70-200 f/4L IS would be a a great choice for walk around and landscape. I'd probably add an 85 f/1.8 for portrait work at some time and a 17-40/16-35 down the track for landscape if you find 24mm too long.

7D + 17-55 2.8 + 70-200 2.8

or

5D2 + 24-70 + 70-200 2.8

anything can be a walkaround rig.

5d2 + 16-35 + portrait lens.

I went with the 5DmkII, 17-40, 24-105, 100-400, 1.4 ext. and never looked back..