2nd Body - your thoughts?

[Dylan777]

If you want to avoid swapping lenses surely you'll need another 5 bodies? 6 if you get your 400mm?

;D ;D ;D...about less swapping lenses

 

[Dylan777]

I'd get the 5DIII (or the 1D X). The better AF will be beneficial - especially with fast primes you'll want the f/2.8 crosses that the 6D doesn't have. Also, if you're carrying two bodies and switching between them as you shoot, ergonomics is important - having the same controls is preferable, rather than switching from the normal xD dial+joystick controls to the 60D-like dial of the 6D.

Neuro,
The reasons I want 6D are:
1. Price
2. Will use with f1.2 and f2 prime lenses. Therefore, 6D center AF might just be good enough for my needs. I don't even use the outer AF points on my 5D III with 50L, 85L II and 135L @ wide open.

 

[Dylan777]

Another 5D3 will just add to the muscle memory your probably built already. To me it's seemless to work with them as a pair.

All I need is BigValueInc sale, 5D III for $2500

 

[meenanm]

I have the 5DIII and the 1Dx. I do a good bit of sports. I like that the systems are very similar. I can switch between the two fairly effortlessly. I typically put the longer prime or large zoom on the 1Dx and put the general zoom or a 70-200 on the 5DII for close action. When I do portraits, the 5DII is the primary. I like its size and way it handles for that type of shooting.

If you can swing the diff, go the 1Dx. Fantastic body. I also have a 50D. It is in the closet somewhere, really it is. I am likely giving it to my daughter for college. It's focus system and crop make it such that I do not like using it any longer. It seems foreign to me now.

-M

 

[eml58]

My vote is the same camera as your backup, unless you can't afford it. Exact same menus, exact same everything. If you had a pair of 5D3's, each with a battery grip, you'd be all set.

Sound advice, 2 x 1Dx or 2 x 5DMKIII etc, I had a situation a year back where I tried the D800 (Please don't hate me), it was to see if the thing was any better in my Underwater Photography, with all the hype about DR etc I felt it was at least worth the effort, to try, I tried, for 6 months, the Camera was Ok, but no better than my Housed 5DMKIII, what was an absolute bummer was sitting on the bottom of the Ocean at 40 Meters trying to figure out how to get the next command input into a Camera that had clearly had the Menu system designed by a bunch of raving imbeciles (Just Joking Nikon), in the end I sold the D800, not because it wasn't a reasonable Camera, but because it wasn't better than what I had and I couldn't stand another minute with the Menu System being so different from my 1Dx & 5DMKIII.

Back to Bdunbar's advice, very sound advice.

 

[bdunbar79]

I actually had my 5D3 first. But for sports I was shooting with a 1Dx which I had just bought, and a 1D4 which I had had on the 70-200 lens (I was doing football and soccer). When I would grab the 1Dx or the 1D4, I was always like, "now wait a minute, what do I do?" No matter how many times I shot with each, lol.

So then I sold the 1D4, and bought another 1Dx with the rest of my money, and was recommended to an insane asylum. Insane may be, but the two systems are seamless from one cam to the other. All the while I'm forgoing vacation after vacation.............

 

[sjschall]

Wow, I was surprised to see so many people recommending a second MkIII. My vote would be for some variation if you're going to have two cams. I know you seemed set on no crop, but I love that having a full frame and 1.6x virtually doubles my lens choices, which is pretty cool. Whenever you find yourself in a dark situation that requires that little boost in low light performance, just shoot on the 5D.

 

[tron]

I like the idea of 2 5D3's. Right now I have one 5D3 and a 5D2. The problem is (being an amateur) I cannot justify a second 5D3.
My 5D2 has 15-20K clicks and I guess my 5D3 ~5K. (OK these numbers will increase alot during Summer... )

So if I get a second 5D3 chances are it will be practically unused when 5D4 arrives!

The other reason may seem a little silly to you:

I was able to do the following using Magic Lantern with my 5D2:

Bracketing: 2 shots. Distance apart 5EV. 1st shot (with the longer duration) with timer delay.

I cannot do exactly the same with 5D3.

Yes, I can set the bracketing to 2 shots. But, the timer delay is an all or nothing.
I need the second shot to be up to -5EV and be shot immediately the 1st which needs at least the timer
as it will use slow shutter speed and telephoto.

Maybe you think all these are crazy but I was able to take a succession of 2 photos that I merged in one
showing a moonrise near an ancient temple. -5EV set the moon at comparable brightness (it was one day past full moon) and the succession (almost) without delay made the merge easier.

So maybe it seems silly but I may need again this 5D2/ML feature. Maybe when ML is 100% functioning on a latest firmware 5D3 I will think again.

Other than that I am crazy with my 5D3

 

[tron]

I actually had my 5D3 first. But for sports I was shooting with a 1Dx which I had just bought, and a 1D4 which I had had on the 70-200 lens (I was doing football and soccer). When I would grab the 1Dx or the 1D4, I was always like, "now wait a minute, what do I do?" No matter how many times I shot with each, lol.

So then I sold the 1D4, and bought another 1Dx with the rest of my money, and was recommended to an insane asylum. Insane may be, but the two systems are seamless from one cam to the other. All the while I'm forgoing vacation after vacation.............

I understand. Even as an amateur who has 5D2 and 5D3 I know what you mean...
(For example when I power them on/off or trying to view photos using magnification...)

 

[nWmR12]

I would say yes to having two bodies. Identical...well that is up to if you want to spend that much money. I found it great to have another body although switching between the first 5D and the mk3 is sometimes is annoying. Besides that I can go from wide to tele with a simple swap.

The only problem I have is wanting to use three of my prime lenses and having to still switch...although it is usually from a UWA to a 35mm.

 

[Zv]

As someone who uses two bodies I would say get another 5DIII. Sounds like you can afford it and it will be less of a headache in the long run. Luckily both 7D and my 5D II are similar enough ergonomically that switching isn't too weird.

 

[AudioGlenn]

great thread. I'm considering a second body as well and I really want to have an identical camera but I think the 6d will do considering how much I'm NOT making from photography/video lately! (1st world problems...sheesh)

 

[J.R.]

It's easy ... get another 5D3.

That is what I wanted to do initially but then I just didn't want to put too much money in a second body, so I got a 6D. I primarily use the 6D with the standard / WA lenses while the 5D3 is used mostly at the tele end. The difference in the interface was initially a bother but I got used to it and have no problems shooting with both cameras side by side now.

Cheers ... J.R.

 

[Zv]

It's easy ... get another 5D3.

That is what I wanted to do initially but then I just didn't want to put too much money in a second body, so I got a 6D. I primarily use the 6D with the standard / WA lenses while the 5D3 is used mostly at the tele end. The difference in the interface was initially a bother but I got used to it and have no problems shooting with both cameras side by side now.

Cheers ... J.R.

Ah yes that makes sense. Keep the center AF point on the 6D with WA lens as the depth of field is larger and then use the 5D with the superior outer AF with tele lenses that need more precise AF control.

 

[Dylan777]

Wow, I was surprised to see so many people recommending a second MkIII. My vote would be for some variation if you're going to have two cams. I know you seemed set on no crop, but I love that having a full frame and 1.6x virtually doubles my lens choices, which is pretty cool. Whenever you find yourself in a dark situation that requires that little boost in low light performance, just shoot on the 5D.

As you can see, I do not own any flash. I shoot alot indoor, therefore FF + prime lenses are very important to me. The smallest aperture in my lenses is f2.8.

 

[Dylan777]

It's easy ... get another 5D3.

That is what I wanted to do initially but then I just didn't want to put too much money in a second body, so I got a 6D. I primarily use the 6D with the standard / WA lenses while the 5D3 is used mostly at the tele end. The difference in the interface was initially a bother but I got used to it and have no problems shooting with both cameras side by side now.

Cheers ... J.R.

JR,
Do you have any problem/issue shooting 6D with 50 f1.4 & 135L, AF center point?

thx
Dylan

 

[Random Orbits]

Another 5D3 will just add to the muscle memory your probably built already. To me it's seemless to work with them as a pair.

All I need is BigValueInc sale, 5D III for $2500

Yes, that was a very good price!

Unless you have a critical need for a second body now, I'd hold off and wait for this winter. Hopefully, prices will drop to that level again, or at least close to it. You could always get the 400 or 200-400 first. With those big lenses, no one will realize a second body dangling off the end of it! ;D

 

[tron]

Another 5D3 will just add to the muscle memory your probably built already. To me it's seemless to work with them as a pair.

All I need is BigValueInc sale, 5D III for $2500

Yes, that was a very good price!

Unless you have a critical need for a second body now, I'd hold off and wait for this winter. Hopefully, prices will drop to that level again, or at least close to it. You could always get the 400 or 200-400 first. With those big lenses, no one will realize a second body dangling off the end of it! ;D

For me, money spent on lenses is usually better well spent than on a camera. But of course this is NOT a rule!

The are professionals who cannot afford to fail, amateurs visiting once in a lifetime places, specific requirements to be met by any kind of photographer, etc.

 

[Dylan777]

Unless you have a critical need for a second body now, I'd hold off and wait for this winter. Hopefully, prices will drop to that level again, or at least close to it. You could always get the 400 or 200-400 first. With those big lenses, no one will realize a second body dangling off the end of it! ;D

For everydays shooting, I'm good with one body. For my daughter school events + others activities, I feel I missing alot of close-up shots for not having 2nd body.

For exp. my 4yrs daughter will graduate from pre-school next fri ;D. All students will be singing and dancing etc....having 2nd body for these moments is very handy.

I don't want to pay another $3200 for a camera that don't use much - hate that

It's nice to have another 5D III though - this camera is just PERFECT for my needs. Will see :-\ :-\ :-\

 

[tron]

Unless you have a critical need for a second body now, I'd hold off and wait for this winter. Hopefully, prices will drop to that level again, or at least close to it. You could always get the 400 or 200-400 first. With those big lenses, no one will realize a second body dangling off the end of it! ;D

For everydays shooting, I'm good with one body. For my daughter school events + others activities, I feel I missing alot of close-up shots for not having 2nd body.

For exp. my 4yrs daughter will graduate from pre-school next fri ;D. All students will be singing and dancing etc....having 2nd body for these moments is very handy.

I don't want to pay another $3200 for a camera that don't use much - hate that

It's nice to have another 5D III though - this camera is just PERFECT for my needs. Will see :-\ :-\ :-\

Having kids to photograph and wishing to not miss anything makes this wholly different.
I would definitely get a second 5D3.