The prices I paid to enter into eos system in 2008 are different than yours:
All but one item bought brand new using instant cash off rebates and PMA discounts via B&H and Cameta.
5D $1,750 on 6-26-08
70-200mm 2.8 IS L $1469
16-35mm 2.8L $1209
50mm 2.5 Macro $250
100mm 2.8 Macro $429
TC1.4x II $290 with full af and metering
TC2xII $290 with full af and metering
Fast aperture focus screen $34.95
Slow aperture focus screen w/ grid lines $34.95
12mm Extention tube with full af and metering $40, like new "used"
25mm Extention Tube with full af and metering $139.95
Initial Grand Total $5,936.85, but since my wife now shoots Eos 5D Full Frame dslr also you can add in what I paid for her stuff:
A second brand new 5D $2,050 bought in May 2008 before 5D instant cash off deals launched for Summer.
Grand Total $7,986.85 for everything & ALL items Made in Japan still.
I've used Pentax for 6 years and digital K Mount for three years and finally with the instant cash off and instant cash off PMA discounts I bought into eos and then went ahead and completed my eos dream kit inleiu of wondering if another year or several more years would pass before Pentax or Now Pentax owned by Hoya would offer a full frame dslr, or reissue an improved upon 80-200mm 2.8, or create a fast aperture f2.8 superwide angle zoom, or make Two fully functional af teleconverters, or make Two fully functional af extention tubes?
For me I have no regrets, instead I'm quite happy that I added Eos to my tools kit while I'm still young enough to enjoy it all. I had planned to keep my Pentax FA and KA lenses due to numerous full frame rumours on this forum but now with no full frame in Hoya Pentax Business plan I'll likely sell it all and "Move On". I've enjoyed the images I've gotten via K Mount, I just wanted specific tools which Pentax can not provide, and I'm certain now with Hoya at the Helm, Pentax will not make these specific tools in forseeable future.
Originally posted by Art Vandelay II That could very well be the case, and truth be told I'd probably buy a 35mm camera if they were the exact same price as APS-C since I personally rarely ever shoot telephoto. However, as it is now for $3500 (the price of the 5D + 24-105mm) I could get:
K20D - $1000
Pentax DA 17-70mm f/4 SDM - $530
Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG HSM- $750
Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited - $480
Pentax DA 70mm f/2.5 Limited- $460
Pentax AF 360FGZ Flash - $200
Total: $3,420
I know the 5D has better IQ, but man which of those two options will yield me more quality pics? Which is ultimately the goal here less we forget.