Of the kit you currently have, I would certainly keep the 100mm macro and the 550 flash.
Depending on whether you have a good copy or not so good copy of the EF 28-135 IS, it might be a keeper as well. On the other hand, it is being bundled with the 40D now, so I expect the resale value on the second-hand market to dwindle somewhat. I borrowed the 100-400 from a fellow photographer once, but I didn't like the handling, so I can understand what you say about the 100-400 being a mistake. Now the question is probably do you want to go full frame (5D), or 1.6x crop (40D)? The 40D is a very recent breed, 6.5 shots per sec, lifeview, etc. in a 10 Mpixel package. The 5D is much slower (2.5 shots per sec I think), full-frame, and an "older" design which is probably going to be replaced by a new model in Feb 2008 (The recent price drop combined with the "age" of the 5D is a good indication if history repeats itself.) Considering what you photograph (children, critters, ...) the 40D probably fits your bill better. The 5D would really shine when it comes to wide-angle photography. > should I go back to my first love the EF 3000mm f/4 L IS? I would buy one too, but at 750mm diameter the cost for the screw-on filters would be prohibitive ;-) > new 200mm f/2.8 L II USM even though it doesn't have the IS? Or any > other ideas? While one has to pay a premium for IS, it is good to have available when needed. I upgraded from 70-200 2.8 non-IS to IS, and I don't want to miss IS now. > My budget will probably be about $3,500 for the above. My wife thinks > I should just keep all my lenses and just buy a 5D instead. She > thinks the lens conversions and the small sensor is not worth the > money because "it will get obsolete quicker". The life cycle for the 1.6x crop cameras is shorter than that for the 5D or "1" series" cameras. So your wife is correct. On the other hand, one can buy nearly two 40D for the price of one 5D. It boils down to what features you want more, lifeview and high fps - or full frame. Lars PS: I have owned 1.6x cameras (D30, D60, 10D, 20D), but I currently happy owning a 5D. I capture indoor panoramas, so wideangle capabilities are important. -- .~. Lars Michael /V\ [EMAIL PROTECTED] /(_)\ http://www.larsmichael.com/ ^^ ^^ * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
