Canon 30D to 5D Mark III - Too big of a jump? (advice please)

[Orion]

I have a 30D. . . . and I'll be shooting my first wedding this April!

I WILL purchase a 5DmkIII (or possibly rent a 1Dx)! Bringing 3 strobes too. . . maybe a Einstein with PLM (have to worry about shipping it with me???????????)

Since we have a mid to late March availability, I will go in-store to purchase instead of pre-order.

I'll try to do my best to compliment the style of Jeff Ascough (love it!), and will plan on practicing with the 5DmkIII for a couple of weeks just to get a sense and feel for menues and what to expect from ISO and AF, etc etc etc.

By all means jump right in and don't look back. . . .

 

[motorhead]

I sold my 30D and got a 5D mk2 in December. It has been a very easy transition with no big surprises.

 

[5dmk.iii]

This is a good problem to have. Apart from larger files and slower computer access, I do not see much in the way to be concerned. My problem with my current body 12mp is that if I load more that 100 RAW/s from my CF card on to Lightroom, all RAM isused up and system slows down as the swapfile on the HDD is used... Today I spent $120 and fixed that. I upgraded from 6GB RAM to 24GB.

Look at my name, .....

I used to be called a 20D before.

 

[Drama79]

I can't believe my post was deleted!

What I was trying to point out was that we didn't have enough info to help. BUT - as others have said - there's no such thing as "too big a jump". If it suits his needs (does he shoot video and pics? or just pics? landscapes? portraits? etc etc) then he should research the camera that suits him best, and if he has the cash, buy it. No one should be afraid of upgrading their kit because it might be hard to learn - that's half the fun of new kit!

Also, the point about related tech is good - ensure you have a PC / Mac and software that can handle the data you're creating.

Honestly, you try and have a little fun....!

 

[preppyak]

This is a very good point, but the recuring cost of an insurance policy should be considered as well

Yeah, and that insurance is cheap. It costs me about $50/yr to insure all of my equipment (about $5000 worth) through State Farm, so I'm not super worried about it breaking or being stolen. It would suck, but, I wouldn't be out that money.

 

[wickidwombat]

Ramon, I'm in the situation that is like your friend's. I am still planning to go 5d mkiii - it's the camera I will use for many years in the future, it's one hell of a camera (well, according to early reviews). The problem I face is that I'll have to adapt realizing that I will be carrying 4k$ worth of equipment around. I think that's the only trouble really. If he can afford it and feels comfortable carrying such expensive equipment around, he should definitely get it.

5d mk III >>> 30D

A good insurance policy makes you worry alot less

 

[darrellrhodesmiller]

i went from an Xsi to a 7D.. the learning curve on the 7D was substantial.. it took me much longer to adapt to it than i expected. i cant really explain it.. but the 7d seems much less forgiving than the xsi.. meaning i really have to meter correctly.. and have the settings right to get the shot i want... maybe the xsi was just as unforgiving and i just didnt notice.. also.. the 7D really does like or need good quality glass on it.. the 5D mkIII will be no different. lastly.. the RAW files on the 7D are significantly bigger than the Xsi's.. so my computer was capable.. but my storage needs required me to buy external storage..

i totally think going from the 30D to a 5dmkIII is fine.. but expect a learning curve.. dont plan on shooting a wedding the day after you receive it.. its going to take some practice and adjustment.

 

[Ryan708]

I went from a canon T1i to a 60d (not a huge jump) and was expecting it to be 2nd nature right away. It didnt take long for me to adjust, but I was actually mad at the way the 60d had no direct button to acess WB or picture style. I guess I'm expected to shoot in raw more often. I assigned the "set" button for picture style and left the "Q" button hovering over WB, and that got me on track, but it still took a week of use before I was not fumbling for where certain buttons used to be. I think no matter what UPGRADE I could make I would be happy! I sold my T1i to a friend and when I pick it up to play with it now "yuck" goes through my thoughts. (not outloud tho )

 

[mjp]

I went from a Pentax K10D to a 7D & 5DII and felt the learning curve wasn't too bad. The same basic functions will be there and from then on it is just a matter of getting comfortable with the feel and additional features and trying to create interesting photos. Is he certain the camera will be used often? I ask because it's a lot of money to spend on something you will use only a few times a month or on holidays. A less expensive option (60D, 7D) might be suitable if this is the case.

 

[YellowJersey]

I don't think it's too much of a jump. I went from a 10D to a 5D 1 and the transition was excellent. I'll be going from the 5D 1 to the 5D 3 and I'm quite pleased with the jump in specs.

If I were your friend, the only thing that would make me hesitate would be the price. You said your friend has just enough to buy the kit. If I were your friend, I'd also consider the 5D mkII kit as a potential alternative.

That being said, I have the 24-105 and I LOVE it. It's a fantastic lens.

 

[FyreStorm]

I"m jumping from 40D to 5D3...

 

[Mikedurg]

With the pricing of the new 5D Mark III, is it aimed more at professionals and less at hobbists/enthusiasts?

Maybe then 7D would be more suited for him or is there no such thing as an "over kill" of a camera?

I dont see why anyone cant buy any camera. Essentially the more expensive the camera the better the quality and the functionality

I dont see why he should buy a 7D just because he is an hobbyist/enthusiast - the size of his wallet dictates what he can/cant buy - and within his budget he can decide what is best for him.

Exactly. I bought the 5d mkii kit because that's what I wanted and that's what I could afford. It's my first DSLR. So no I don't think it's too big of a jump.

 

[LetTheRightLensIn]

I have a close friend who needs some advice about the possible purchase of the new 5D Mark III.

He currently has a Canon 30D and has been using it for quite some time, he has just enough in his bank savings for the 5D Mark III Kit.

Is it too much of a "jump" for him to purchase the 5D Mark III?

Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated.

Why would it be too much of a jump?

 

[NutsAndBolts]

Short answer is no. I am in the same boat and I did not hesitate to order an MK3. I will probably give my 30D to a friend who wants to start using DSLRs. All my lenses are EF, I do not own any EF-S lenses. I have had issues with the 30D's focus and I had it for 6 years, so I well overdue for an upgrade and I think MK3 is perfect fit for me.

I have a close friend who needs some advice about the possible purchase of the new 5D Mark III.

He currently has a Canon 30D and has been using it for quite some time, he has just enough in his bank savings for the 5D Mark III Kit.

Is it too much of a "jump" for him to purchase the 5D Mark III?

Your thoughts and advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Meh]

Go for it!

 

[AJ]

There's too little of a jump - not worth the upgrade, waste of money.

There's no such thing as too big of a jump.

 

[vuilang]

If you're thinking getting a 5d3, You'll get amazing result, stunning images. You will be sadly disappointed. photography depend largely on its lighting, techniques, user control of camera then gears (Lens>body). Just because you can buy it, Doesn't mean you should. Giving a Ferrari to someone who doesnt know how to shift will only make it go slower than a Camry.
BTW, Please, make sure you have a least some good glass going with it instead with some 17-55 kit lens.

 

[Hillsilly]

Why would it be too much of a jump?

My thoughts exactly. You press the button half way down for it to focus. Press it down further and it takes a photo. Its a camera and the basics concepts and methods of use would be the same.

Its not too much of a jump. In fact, I'd strongly advocate for an upgrade. I moved from an 8mp 30D to a 16mp 1Ds. I liked my 30D and really didn't think the change would be that noticeable. But the extra resolution adds a lot to your photos. If your mate is the sort of person that is going to hang onto his next camera for the next 6 years, and its in his budget, and he's got some lenses, understands that its the photographer that takes the photo and not the camera, likes the form factor of a DSLR, blah, blah, blah, a 5D Mk III would be the logical choice.

 

[Pyrenees]

Hmmm, I have the 30D. It's a fine camera. Still. Thing is, it's a bit awkward being restricted to ISO 400

The only reason I can think of that may make a switch to the 5D III too great a 'job' is if the said person has a heart condition or the like.

No, seriously, I can't think of any major issue. The 5DIII weighs 950g with battery versus 810g for the 30D. Also, the 30D has a smaller profile, and might be slightly easier to hold. I know it can be an issue with small-statured people.

I say: go for it !!!!!

 

[briansquibb]

If you're thinking getting a 5d3, You'll get amazing result, stunning images. You will be sadly disappointed. photography depend largely on its lighting, techniques, user control of camera then gears (Lens>body). Just because you can buy it, Doesn't mean you should. Giving a Ferrari to someone who doesnt know how to shift will only make it go slower than a Camry.
BTW, Please, make sure you have a least some good glass going with it instead with some 17-55 kit lens.

On the other hand once he has learnt to shift he will be a good driver in a very fine car and be faster than a top driver with a Camry.

Makes me sad to hear all the cries of 'you shouldn't buy expensive kit until you are a top pro on a 300D'. Dont people realise that a good IQ photo is one obstacle removed from becoming a good photographer, allowing the person to focus on composition and content.