Okay, so I currently have the following equipment, and I believe I could possibly sell it for the corresponding sale prices. (All lenses are in mint/like-new condition.)

Canon EOS-20D: $250.00 USD
Canon EFS 10-22 Lens: $600.00 USD
Canon EFS 17-55 IS Lens: $800.00 USD
Canon EF 70-200 F4L IS Lens: $900.00 USD

Total Approx. Sale Value: $2550.00 USD

What kind of photographer am I?

Well, my employer benefits from my photography. (Note: This is NOT my day job but rather an added bonus that my employer receives from me.) I am often asked to take photos of events, exhibits, people, etc. While I consider myself to be a very serious amateur / very serious hobbyist, I would say my employer is happy with the photos they receive from me (at no extra cost).

What do I shoot?

Typically, portraits and landscapes. The former are often taken indoors / under less than ideal lighting conditions. I would probably benefit most from larger apertures and really good high ISO performance. I could probably benefit from the DoF from a FF camera, but I do not know this for sure as I have never really used one. This is simply conjecture. I also think I prefer "smooth as butter" images to those with grain/high pixel density. Speed (FPS) and reach are not typically a factor for me.

My 17-55 stays on the body for most of the time, but when I travel, I tend to use the 10-22 and 70-200 quite a bit. I want versatility and quality in a not TOO heavy bag. I also don't love switching lenses, but who does?

What happens to my photos?

Usually, they stay online. Some of the work photos do get printed in smaller formats (not to exceed 5x7). I sometimes like to print 8x10 for my own personal collection or for Blurb.com books I produce for friends and family. (Though I would not mind being able to print larger if they came out fine.)


So, I want to upgrade, but I am not sure how / to what. These are the options I am presently considering:

OPTION A) Sell the EOS-20D and collect $250.00 USD. Purchase the EOS-7D ($1700), a 35 1.4L ($1400), and maybe a 85 1.8 USM ($380). Total out-of-pocket cost is around $3230.

Pros: I get a new body and two great lenses to add to my collection.
Cons: I am still using an APS-C body. Isn't the world going to be ALL FF in 2-3 years? What about the DoF issue?

OPTION B) Sell ALL of my Canon equipment and collect $2550 USD. Purchase the Nikon D700 with the 70-300 VR kit lens ($2855), the Nikon 24-70 2.8 lens ($1770), and the Nikon 50 1.4G lens ($440). Total out-of-pocket cost is around $2515. This is (in theory) a savings of $715 over OPTION A!

Pros: Full-Frame!!! I saved money?
Cons: How good are those 70-300 VR and 50 1.4G lenses? I will certainly miss my Canon 70-200 F4L IS. No IS on the 24-70? No UWA lens to replace my EFS 10-22? (The Nikon 14-24 2.8 would have to wait a while until my wallet recovered.)

OPTION C) I continue to wait it out. Wait for Canon or Nikon to drop some sort of bomb? Like a Canon 3D that "merges" the best of the 7D and the 5DII for less than $2500? Even better, perhaps Canon will release a 3D+EF 24-70 F2.8L IS lens kit for less than $3000? (Yes, that is the IS lens!) Like a Canon Rebel T2i that puts the sensor, prism, and AF of the 7D into a Rebel body for around $1000? (Sounds impossible really.) Like a Nikon D900 that adds a few megapixels to the D700 but keeps the price below $2500 to compete with the Canon 3D? Perhaps Canon will introduce a EF 35 1.4L MkII soon? Perhaps Nikon will release a whole slew of really nice, high-value F4 lenses to compete with the 17-40 F4L and 70-200 F4L IS? I could go on and on here with the possibilities.

(I suppose I am really dreaming with Option C.)


When do I want to make a decision and buy?

I would like my new gear in hand by June/July of this year at the latest.


By the way, the main reasons why I am NOT considering the 5DMkII is because I feel that I would not be upgrading much in terms of AF from the 20D to the 5DMkII AND I really want the new electronic level on the D700/7D.

I also have my concerns about all the AF problems I keep reading about on the 7D.

I of course have considered all sorts of other combinations. For example, sell my EFS 10-22 and EFS 17-55 and buy the EFS 15-85?


Anyone have any input? Thanks.

Well, I was all set to recommend some upgrades but then read that most of your shots stay online, or get printed at smaller sizes. What you have is more than enough for that. It really sounds like you feel you "should" upgrade but don't really know WHY. If you have a couple of grand to toss around, why not spend them on a really memorable trip or two to somewhere special, and bring all your existing gear there? Chances are you'd enjoy the results from the gear you have in a great location far more than printing 5x7s of the same shots you do today out of a 18MP body.

Variation of Option A):
Keep the 20D (makes a good back up). Get the 7D and 85/1.8. Hold off on the 35L, or get a 35/2.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

Keep the 20D if you are only printing small and for web viewing. A good flash would be nice for events and portraits, and would help you learn and grow using it. 85 1.8 for portraits would also be a good addition.

Flash helps you drop the ISO and makes your files cleaner. The money outlay for an 85 1.8 and perhaps a Sigma 30 1.4 plus, say a 580 EX, bounce, cord would be about a grand. You can skip the 30 if you think F2.8 is good for you.

You look covered for landscape.

For option C I think you been smokin something a bit strong

I firmly believe that if you don't know precisely WHY you want to 'upgrade,' you don't need to 'upgrade!'

The only person why can answer your question is you. And if you don't know...
(Asking random people on the internet, "What camera should I buy?" is silly.)

Since you like landscapes, why not take the $ you'd otherwise squander on 'gears' and buy a nice trip to Timbuktu, Alaska, or wherever.