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Since I purchased my first Canon DSLR 400D, two lenses 17-85 and 10-22 two years ago, I made investment for two more DSLR bodies and lenses - a 5D and a 40D, three lenses 24-105/4, 16-35/2.8 II and 24/2.8.
While I am happy with the current setup, I decided to have a serious assessment how all these (3 Canon DSLR bodies and 5 lenses) can be further optimized for different circumstances and applications. Well, some configuration may look odd, but that is interesting and let me have a prospect of all possibilities.
Here comes an assessment chart. Obviously, I am not intended to have my EF lenses attached to the 400D, and the EFS lenses are not applicable for the FF 5D. Configurations are set in priority for my favorites from figures 1-7.
| 16-35 II | 24-105 | 24/2.8 | 10-22 | 17-85 |
| 5D | 1 | 2 | - | N.A. | N.A. |
| 40D | * | 3 | - | 5 | 6 |
| 400D | - | - | 4 | 8 | 7 |
1. 5D & 16-35 II
Usage rate is 30%, my most favorite setup, the 5D and 16-35 II serve me most of the time for landscape and dynamic wide shots in event and low light work. See Canon EOS 5D & EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L II USM - Dynamic Ultra Wide Photography.
2. 5D & 24-105
Usage rate is 20%, used for everyday work, specifically, I will add an external flash unit to this combo for wedding and other serious work. See Canon EOS 5D & EF 24-105/4L IS USM - A Magic Combo.
3. 40D & 24-105
Usage rate is 10%, this is the setup whenever I need a longer end. The 24-105 works as a 38-168 lens, I find it good for portrait and head hunting. With an close-up attachement lens, it may serve also as a combo for macro work.
4. 400D & 24/2.8
Usage rate is 40%, my surprise that it has such a high usable rate. I prefered to shoot with 5D and 40D, but after the 400D attached with a 24/2.8, I would prefer to bring this combo for quick snaps instead of a P&S camera, it is a real portable solution with fairly nice performance. See the story at Canon 400D & EF 24mm f/2.8 - Light & Compact Combo for Quick Snap.
5-6. 40D & EFS lenses
Now they serve me as backup to 5D and the EF lenses, 10-22 is very nice lens for wide end while 17-85 is good for walk around work. See Canon EOS 40D for Serious & Everyday Work.
7-8. 400D & EFS lenses
My wife find herself interested in photography, 400D and 17-85 are now here her new toy, maybe one day she would want to shoot wide with the 10-22 lens. See Canon EOS 400D Combo for Everyday Snaps.
* 40D & 16-35 II
The combo gives a focal range in 25-56 and 40D may produce some nicely cropped images that have better corners and edges result over 5D, the larger aperture at f/2.8 also makes this combo interesting. I have yet to try this configuration because I don't have a direct impression how this is to fit for specifically work. Probably I would set it for landscape, event and half-body portrait work.
What Next?
Though I don't like flash light work, an external flash unit is a must for my 5D & 24-105 combo in serious wedding events. The Speedlite 430EX II looks handy, but I prefer the 580EX II for better result in bounce instead of filled flash light.
If you have a collection of multiple camera bodies and lenses, make your own assessment!
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