OK, I will give it a try. For me that would be a used 5D with an Ee-S screen and a shaved mirror -- I have seen them on the B & S board for $900. I would also want a 40D too because I really like shooting wildlife and could use the reach, I have seen those used for $600 on the B & S board. That is $1,500 on cameras. More than I would like to spend of the $4,000, but I think I would anyway. For lenses I would get:
Tamron adaptall mount 17mm f/3.5 - $250
Olympus 21mm f/3.5 - $350
Olympus OM Zuiko 24mm f/2.8 - $105
Olympus OM Zuiko 28mm f/3.5 - $45
Voigtlander 40mm f/2 - $400
Minolta Rokkor 58mm f/1.2 - $300
Leica 90mm f/2 (non-Asph) with Elpro 3 close up lens - $440
Carl Zeiss Jena 135mm f/3.5 MC - $75
Canon 300 f/4L (non- IS) - $535
I have all these lenses except the Tamron and the Oly 21 and the Voigtlander and the prices are what I actually paid for each. I assumed by kit you meant camera(s) and lenses but not other equipment.
I'll pretend that we are just talking glass and that the body is already in hand. For body, I would want a Canon 5D2...on my shopping list for some time next year barring layoffs.
I shoot mostly landscape and close-up with some unposed portraits, so the set below will somewhat reflect that. My dream kit is nearly all in hand.
Leica 19/2.8 3cam or ROM $900-1500 or
Zeiss 21/2.8 ZE $1500
Leica 35/2.8 $600 or
Nikon 35/1.4 $700
Minolta Rokkor 58/1.2 $500
Leica 100/2.8 APO macro/1:1 ext $1900
CZ Jena 180/2.8 $900
Canon 500D close up lens $250
Okay, true confessions...taking the most expensive of each option, the total comes to $5750 This is without even putting the Leica 280/2.8 APO beast on there that costs more than I could sell my car for. But you did say 'dream' kit. I would rather acquire the right pieces one at a time over as long a period of time as needed than buy a set of less than ideal ones and sell them and then buy others again and again.
Jim
P.S. All of you guys on this forum are a terrible influence.
The Rokinon does look very good. Maybe a little contrasty More photos would be required.
Anyway, I used to own the Leica, and have some absolutely fabulous shots with it, so if I were ever to return to a DSLR, it would be a no-brainer. I am not looking for a better lens, because the 80 Lux-R is one of my favorite lenses of all time. I also find the Rokinon a little tacky, with that typical Asian gold trim that I don't like. Not so important for the results, I realize, but then I am not trying to be fair.
