Im looking to purchase gear for general use before and during a 6 week backpacking trip to India this winter. I'm no photography expert but i'm starting to become comfortable shooting in manual mode. I do not like using a flash so i'm looking for fast lenses.
I am planning on doing a lot of landscapes and street photography while i'm there. I've heard a lot of pros like to use 35mm, 85mm and 135mm lenses, are the non-l series lenses worth getting? I could get a used 1Ds or 5d and those three lenses for not much more than just the 85mm L alone and i really want to move up to full frame ASAP. Is this worth while and then upgrade later or should I just get one really nice one up front?
I'd say about $2k all told is what I have to spend on upgrading my camera and getting more lenses, right now i'm using a Rebel XT. Whats wrong with the 1Ds? I see that 1D mark II are also in my price range...
The main thing is to get something full frame and something a little more solid then what I have now, for under $1200 for a body.
I have just spent two weeks in India. One of the joys of photography there is shooting people and portraits. For this, on FF, you need focal lengths which are already covered by your excellent 70-200.
On the wider end, 24mm or even 35mm should be enough, because huge venues where you both need and can use ultra-wide are rare, relatively speaking.
And yes, low light situations require fast lenses.
So I would suggest getting a 5D and 35mm f:2.0 and 85mm f:1.8. If you can squeeze a 24mm f:2.8, even better. That will give you the best IQ for the money, but you will need to change lenses often and zoom with your feet. That would be my choice N°1. And yes these non-L lenses will deliver great IQ. My significant other used a 35mm f:2.0 on her 500D and got absolutely lovely shots.
Alternatively, still with a 5D, if you want a zoom, get either the Canon 17-40 f:4L or the cheap but nice Tamron 17-50 f:2.8, which offers better VFM IMHO and lets you buy a 85 f:1.8. That is possibility N°2.
Possibility N°3, if you want to keep it simple, get a 5D MkII with a 24-105 f:4L. Te high-ISO performance of the 5D MkII and the IS on the zoom make up for lack of lens speed. That is choice N°3 and includes your getting some video ability for short and simple clips.
In any case, have fun! It is such a great country, filled with such nice people. Faces from India Indian treasures
5d used... might find one for $1100
50 1.4, 85 1.8 are both economical and excellent, and eminently luggable in terms of weight and size. Not sure what kind of 35 to recommend since I don't have any experience with those but your budget should have room for one of those as well.
I would probably suggest getting a 17-40L also, coupled with your 70-200L you have a nice range.
You are missing 40-70 but that is covered by your 50, @F1.4
Get yourself a used 85 1.8 and a 135 2.8 and you're set. If you can manage replacing the 135 2.8 with the 2.0 would be a huge advantage but not in price. And adding a lowlight 24 1.4 I or 35 1.4 may also be a very good choice.
I would pick up a used 5D and a couple of primes, and (as Fred Lindsey said) a 17-40L if you can swing it. Getting a wide-angle view, especially on an FF body, will be great for both landscape and street photos.
Used 5D and 35 f2, 50 f1.4 and/or 85 1.8. If you're going for a zoom I'd pick a 24-105 over the 17-40 as its such a good walkaround for street shooting and IS adds massive flexibility. 17-40 is wider than you need for India IMO (24mm is pretty wide on FF).
