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

[ramon123]

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.

 

[nikkito]

Well it's a big jump but you ask as if that was a problem.
I wish my problems were like that ;D

 

[wickidwombat]

No way! its not too big at all
if he has the money and feels it will benefit him why not the kit with the 24-105 will be very capable
and also the 5D is not nearly as complicated settings wise as say the 1D. It will have alot more settings than a 30D but it will not take long for someone used to a 30D to familiarise themselves with it at all

 

[briansquibb]

No way! its not too big at all
if he has the money and feels it will benefit him why not the kit with the 24-105 will be very capable
and also the 5D is not nearly as complicated settings wise as say the 1D. It will have alot more settings than a 30D but it will not take long for someone used to a 30D to familiarise themselves with it at all

+1 My thoughts exactly

 

[ramon123]

ask:
"Can you afford it?"
IF YES: IF NO:
"Do you want it?" "Don't get it then, silly."
IF YES IF NO:
"Buy it then, dum-dum!" "Why are you asking me then? PS, can I borrom $3k?"


Happy to help.

Thanks for your post but really what I am needing to give over to my friend is proper sound advice based on people that know about certain cameras, and the decisions and thought processes involved in their purchase.

Please post if you have something constructive to add ;D


- Ramon

 

[rwmson]

The 5Dmk3 will almost triple the resolution (8MP -> 22 MP), MUCH better low-light performance, faster frame rate, better auto-focus, the list goes on. You will lose a built-in flash though.

 

[ramon123]

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?

 

[briansquibb]

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.

 

[keithfullermusic]

it depends on what lenses you already have, what type of photography you are doing, and how much $ you're looking to spend. I would say get the 5Diii if you have the dough. But if you do sports and have long zoom lenses that you love you might want a 7D which seems like the same camera but with more "reach" and higher pixel density.

 

[bakker]

I did the same thing: I now shoot with a 30D and I just ordered the 5D mark III.

 

[rpt]

Well, what does your friend want to photograph? A description of that would get you a more coherent and convincing answer. I use a Rebel 300D (since 2004 and proud of it [yes I am old!!!]) and except for kids, FAST sports, fighter jets and the need for ISO greater than 400 I think it is great!

 

[apeshot]

To get the answer you're looking for, you'll really need to provide more information on what your friend typically shoots, what lenses they have now, what the total budget is. If you only have ef-s lenses then you'll need to invest in new glass. If you already have ef mount glass, it will be an easier (cheaper) transition.

Your original quesiton is too vague--it's like asking, "My friend currently has a 2009 Toyota Camry, but wants to buy a Land Rover and has the money, should he do it?" Yes if he wants to climb mountains. No if he wants to race it in Monaco. Yes if he simply wants a top end luxury SUV no matter how he plans to use it. It depends on what he wants to do with it.

 

[Actionpix]

If you crop the image of the 5DII or III you get the image of the 30D. So what is the problem? Or is this to bold to state?

 

[zedarean]

Lol, I'm upgraded to 5mkIII from a 20d

 

[thure1982]

I'm going from my 40D. Whats the difference?

If "he" knows how to use M-mode, or even Av- and Tv- on "his" camera then it's fine.
But if "he" always use Auto then it's alot of money for a point and shoot.

 

[lexonio]

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

 

[Flake]

In what way might it be too big a jump? The basics of photography remain the same, so as long as he can control the 30D properly nothing much changes. He should be aware though that depth of field at f/4 is not the same on FF as it is on crop for a frame filling image, and all of us are going to have to learn the complexities of a very advanced auto focus system.

He should also be aware that this level of camera is not going to appreciate cheap lenses, so everything is going to cost a bit more. As has been said, no built in flash so better budget for one.

 

[awinphoto]

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.

If your friend is serious about photography and really want to get advanced, then yes, the 5d3 will be one heck of a jump and will be a lot to learn, but can do nothing but help him. If he's at all hesitant or more into photography as a hobby, the 7D or 5d2 would be plenty upgrade for him to develop his skills and prepare himself for a 5d3 or 5d4 down the road and allow him to allocate funds to picking up lenses as well.

 

[thehallway]

The problem I face is that I'll have to adapt realizing that I will be carrying 4k$ worth of equipment around.

My thoughts too I'm not a pro, but I just preordered the 5DIII to replace my 40D. I've been wanting to go full frame since the first year I had the 40D. It's a lot of money, but I know I won't need another camera for a long time. We also won't need to buy the HD video camera we've been thinking about getting. Selling the 40D and kit lens will hopefully put a small dent in the cost.

 

[Brendon]

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

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

Also, your friend should consider the potential cost of computer and storage upgrades that may be needed. If he/she was processing 30d photos with a 3 or 4 year old computer, they aren't going to be very happy when it takes 30 seconds to load a single 5diii image! Data storage/backup needs are going to go up by 3-4x too.