Stolen gear replacement suggestions

[godzilabob]

Hey all...
In advance, thanks for your suggestions.
I'm a recreational shooter who shoots mainly while traveling and family stuff. This entails mainly city shots, landscape shots, and occasional fast moving stuff (sports/dog). I love smooth bokeh.

30d, 430ex, 17-55 2.8is, nifty 50, 70-200 2.8is, cf cards, bg e2, bag etc. were stolen a while ago.
It is now time to replace them...
I've done TONS of research and have narrowed down options to:
1. 5dii 24-105 kit OR refurb 5dii 24-70 OR 7d/50d +17-55is
2. 70-200 2.8is OR $$$ equivalent in primes.
3. 580ex OR 430ex
4. best bang for the buck tripod/ball head.

Suggestions for 1.2.3.&4.?
Thank you.

[felix.reichardt]

1. Get a 7D ... 5D II is probably overkill for recreational shooter and is not for fast moving stuff , for the money you save get good lenses instead. If you have too much money or want FF for wide landscape shots ... get the 5D II.
2. 70-200 2.8IS (7D/5DII) + 17-55 IS (7D) / 24-70 (5DII) + maybe 50 f/1.4 (7D/5DII) all exeptional lenses.
3. 430ex should be good enough for family pics but of course the 580 is better ...

[Dirk]

Sad to hear that your gear was stolen ..

Do you really need a 7D? is it not just wiser to buy not the latest model but a 2 step down, and invest in good glass and insurance and a good bag ?

I shoot with a canon eos 300d (no body wants to steal it ) and a simple 18-55IS and a Goldfinger 24-85 usm and also use nikon D50 and Nikon D70.

with the nikons i have more flexibilty because you can set more things in the menu , the eos 300d is straight forward , you can set some things in the menu but not 1/3 of what is possible with nikon

on the glass section there is a 18-55vr, 18-70 dx ed etc , 18-105 vr, 70-300g, 28-200xr (tamron)
28-105 uc III sigma (perhaps i sell it) and a 28-80 nikon (think of selling that too)

i know that i shoot with antique gear in most of the people's mind here but i simply do not have the cash to buy a 7d ..

in my mind there is something that says why not a good second hand buy ? i know it may not smell new , but it saves you from a rainy day .. and saves money ..

[20DNewbie]

1. I'd go for the 50D and put the difference towards glass or support.

2. For your needs I'd go for the 70-200, that said if most of your shooting is going to be in decent light I'd opt for the f/4L IS and again put the difference into more glass/better support.

3. 580EX just for the option of using multiple flash in the future.

4. Can't really comment, I got sick of spending money on the less expensive stuff and went straight to a Gitzo 3541LS/Markins M20 set up.

[Supa Lao]

I'd try and find a used 5D and get the 24-70L and the 70-200 f4is. It sounds like you won't be taking pics of fast moving objects much and it looks like FF would benefit you more.

[bluefox9er]

i'd get a 7d over a 5d, as i like s-p-e-e-d but in studio 5dmkII is tough to beat.

invest in the fastest lenses you can afford. perhaps a used 1dmkII would be a good choice?

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by godzilabob

Suggestions for 1.2.3.&4.?
Thank you.

Suggestion #1 is have your gear insured. Although you're not a pro shooter, the amount of gear you have more than justifies an insurance policy. You can typically get a rider on your homeowner's insurance that's quite reasonable. Don't leave home without it.

[R-V]

I you have any chargers or batteries for 30d they will no work with 5dii and 7d.

I shoot the 50d and love it. but good glass makes most carmas better. I would sure buy good glass of the latest and greated body.