Buying a used 5D mk2, 24-70L, 580EX: What to check??

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Hello folks,

really need some quick-ish advice here. I'm buying a second hand Canon 5D mk 2, Canon 24 - 70mm f2.8 lens, and Canon Speedlight 580 EX 2 on tuesday. I currently have 450D but I'm not familiar with the far more sophisticated items I'm about to buy. The camera has a shutter count of 22,000 and it is all about a year old, with boxes and receipts from new, etc. I am meeting to buy this for cash, face to face, and he seems a decent sounding guy on the phone.

What are the essential things I need to check in the limited time I'll have before handing over the vast quantities of hard-earned money? Given that I won't be familiar with arcane menu settings and features, and will be generally a 'bit overwhelmed' - What are the real deal breakers?

Thanks!
 
On the body check for;

The rear screen is scratch-free and hasn't got any moisture trapped behind it
The top LCD shows all the icons
The grips aren't peeling
The card door and battery door close properly
The pins in the CF chamber are all straight
No cracks on the prism
The joystick works to control the AF points
The scroll wheels runs smoothly
The lens mount is in good condition
Diopter is working
All buttons do what they should
The AF works
The shutter works
The camera exposes correctly
The hotshot is in good nick

With regard to the flash the zoom should be audible when it zooms and the flip-out diffuser and bounce card are intact. Also, check the flash fires on the camera when tilted - we've had numerous issues with the 580EX having a loose fitting on the camera hotshot because the springs in the hotshot are worn and contact is lost.

Take some test shots with a card you provide - take a laptop along if needs be to check the images on screen. Dust and a sensor clean isn't the end of the world but images should be sharp - try taking shots are a variety of apertures to test the lens is working and there are no mis-aligned elements within the lens.

The lens should zoom and manually focus smoothly.... jerking or sticking could indicate grit or dirt in the lens.

Look through the lens into a light source to check for dust, fungus and moisture build-up inside the lens. Obviosuly check for scratches on both the front and rear elements. Check the AF/MF switch works. Check for wobble in the barrel of the lens when fully extended.
 
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Bring a laptop with you and do some test shots and check on the laptop screen.

Check the lens is focus correctly, can be done by taking pictures of Ruler.

Test wide open and step down to f8 and f16.

Gentle shake check no loose parts.

Shoot f16 to a pure white surface to check the sensor.
 
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