ASU2003

I'm thinking about getting this camera as well. Should I only get the 24-105mm L f/4 lens or the 24-75 f/2.8 one (I worry about it not having image stabilization, it would be a no-brainer if it had IS)? I've used a 50mm L f/1.2 on a 50D before and it was a little zoomed in at the 1.6x crop. But, I'm not sure how often I would need anything under f/1.8 for the pictures I take. f/2.8 would probably be rarely used as well I fear, but at the same time I'm a little worried about not having a low f-stop lens (maybe it will be an excuse to buy a third lens). I am also thinking about getting the 100-400mm lens, but not right away. I'm not sure how much I will need the high zoom capabilities in the next few trips I have planned (Grand Canyon/Zion/Yosemite/Vegas/Southwest/Mountains, Midwest Fall Colors, Washington DC, Holiday Pictures, Winter Olympics?, Star/Space on cold dark nights) I could use the zoom on the last one actually.

I should see if I can sort my recent pictures in terms of focal length and f-stop. I would think I used the 10x zoom (280mm supposedly) about 20% of the time, but I also had to switch back to 28mm quickly and that might have to be taken into account as well.

And I've read a lot of reviews and they all say great things about this camera, but I'm worried about some of the sharpness when digitally zooming in or cropping an image. And maybe it was just the pictures I've seen, or their equipment/conditions weren't as good as the day they tested the Canon 500D (T1i). And with only having a 105mm telephoto max, I would have to crop. And is there a 5D mark 3 coming out in October? The rumor sites haven't said anything, and I'm not sure what they would change. If they added more pixels they would reduce the amount of light hitting each pixel. That is the problem with my Panasonic point & shoot, the pictures all have noise @ 100% even on a perfect sunny day. But, I have to keep this camera for 15-25 years for me to justify spending 10x more than I have ever spent on a camera before, but I'm thinking that if it takes perfect pictures today, it will take perfect pictures 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now as well. They might make things smaller and faster in the future (or come out with bigger sensors than full frame), but I'm thinking that this would be a camera you get and it will do everything you need. It comes down to the skill of the photog and getting in the right place, right locations, at the right time now.

Well, I have a few weeks before I have to decide, so we will see what happens. I'm saving my pennies just in case though. Where did you find the kit for $3200, they have a rebate now, but I think it gave them an excuse to raise the price as well.