Cheapest way

[JPlendPhoto]

I really want to go full frame by the end of June as I am the photographer for a wedding at the end of that month, but I am on a very tight budget. I would like to buy the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the 24-105mm lens; I live in the UK and would like to know the best way/places of getting this camera and lens at the cheapest price possible. Yes I understand this may mean not getting this equipment new.

Thanks very much!

 

[Zv]

You could try ebay or amazon marketplace. Also check out Preloved. Just how tight is your budget?

 

[JPlendPhoto]

Thanks, I'll have a look at them. I would say my budget is around £1,200-1,500
I see that DigitalRev sell the 24-105mm for £590, that seems like a good price considering it's new, I have not seen anywhere else selling it new at that price.
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-ef-24-105mm-f/ODY4

 

[robbymack]

The cheapest would be to rent if possible. Seems since you're on a tight budget this would be the way to go.

 

[Zv]

I saw amazon has the 24-105 kit for £1799, second hand but sold through amazon. What lenses do you have currently? Do you need the 24-105? Have you got any good primes that could work with the body alone?

 

[Menace]

eBay or Amazon is probably the best bet as stated above. just make sure you give yourself enough time prior to the wedding to get used to the camera controls etc.

 

[JPlendPhoto]

I saw amazon has the 24-105 kit for £1799, second hand but sold through amazon. What lenses do you have currently? Do you need the 24-105? Have you got any good primes that could work with the body alone?

I'll keep on looking at Amazon to see if anything cheaper comes up

I currently have 3 lenses, 17-40mm f/4 L, 70-200mm f/4 L and 50mm f/1.8. I have a decent range covered but I thought having the 24-105 would be beneficial because 1- It has IS and 2- The distortion won’t be as bad at 24mm compared to zooming in to 24mm with the 17-40mm lens.

So I only have one prime, the 50mm f/1.8. Should I be looking more at prime lenses rarther than zooms?

eBay or Amazon is probably the best bet as stated above. just make sure you give yourself enough time prior to the wedding to get used to the camera controls etc.

Ok thanks I already have the Canon 450D and have used the 5D Mark II before so I should be ok with that. If I do buy the camera I ideally would like to get it one month before the wedding so I can get used to using full frame.

 

[Zv]

I saw amazon has the 24-105 kit for £1799, second hand but sold through amazon. What lenses do you have currently? Do you need the 24-105? Have you got any good primes that could work with the body alone?

I'll keep on looking at Amazon to see if anything cheaper comes up

I currently have 3 lenses, 17-40mm f/4 L, 70-200mm f/4 L and 50mm f/1.8. I have a decent range covered but I thought having the 24-105 would be beneficial because 1- It has IS and 2- The distortion won’t be as bad at 24mm compared to zooming in to 24mm with the 17-40mm lens.

So I only have one prime, the 50mm f/1.8. Should I be looking more at prime lenses rarther than zooms?





Yes! But wait and save up.

Ok so you have two very good, very useful lenses and one pretty good one. I think you could get away with buying the body only. You can shoot the wedding with just those three lenses. 70mm is actually kinda nice and not too tight on a FF in that you could shoot most of the event with just that lens. If you need low light help or shallow dof just switch to the 50mm.

Keep the 17-40 handy for any interior wide angle stuff and large group shots.

IS is only gong to be useful for stationary subjects in low light. How many people stay still at a wedding? Not many.

 

[JPlendPhoto]

Yes! But wait and save up.

Ok so you have two very good, very useful lenses and one pretty good one. I think you could get away with buying the body only. You can shoot the wedding with just those three lenses. 70mm is actually kinda nice and not too tight on a FF in that you could shoot most of the event with just that lens. If you need low light help or shallow dof just switch to the 50mm.

Keep the 17-40 handy for any interior wide angle stuff and large group shots.

IS is only gong to be useful for stationary subjects in low light. How many people stay still at a wedding? Not many.

Ok thank you very much for the advice!
What lens should I save up for? I have been looking at 85mm f/1.8, that looks like a good prime! Or maybe upgrade my 50mm f/1.8 to the f/1.4?

The other thing is to now find a good price for a used 5D Mark II which is in good condition! If I can get it new then that would be even better as that would do me for a number of years. By that point something like a 5D Mark IIII might be out and I hope to have a lot more money by then

 

[tomscott]

Digital Rev

saved £700 on my 5DMKIII 24-105mm and 100mm L, no import tax as its included and arrived in 3 days.

 

[JPlendPhoto]

Digital Rev

saved £700 on my 5DMKIII 24-105mm and 100mm L, no import tax as its included and arrived in 3 days.

I wish I had enough money for a 5D Mark III! So would you recommend Digital Rev, even though they are not UK based?

 

[Zv]

I wouldn't upgrade the 50mm 1.8 to the 1.4, there are rumors that the 1.4 is going to be replaced. Also it's not much of an upgrade. Keep the 50, it comes in handy now and again.

The 85mm is ok, plenty sharp and great IQ. Just has a lot of CA between f/1.8 and f/2.8 around f/4 its mint. I wish I hadn't bothered buying it and just invested in something like a 135L at the time.

Depending on what focal lengths you like to shoot at you should prob invest in a good prime at that range.

Now I don't bother with the in between upgrades, I save up for the best because eventually that is what you'll end up with!

 

[JPlendPhoto]

I wouldn't upgrade the 50mm 1.8 to the 1.4, there are rumors that the 1.4 is going to be replaced. Also it's not much of an upgrade. Keep the 50, it comes in handy now and again.

The 85mm is ok, plenty sharp and great IQ. Just has a lot of CA between f/1.8 and f/2.8 around f/4 its mint. I wish I hadn't bothered buying it and just invested in something like a 135L at the time.

Depending on what focal lengths you like to shoot at you should prob invest in a good prime at that range.

Now I don't bother with the in between upgrades, I save up for the best because eventually that is what you'll end up with!

Ok, thank you very much for all your advice!

 

[tomscott]

Yes like I said all the parts were UK spec came with a UK manual and plug. You pay no import tax to the UK because they have upped the price slightly from how they used to sometimes customs would stop your product meaning unhappy customers reduced sales. Now its included its a no brainer.

I got a 5DMKIII with a 24-105mm and the 100mm L macro for just under £3000

Prices have just gone up tho with Canons new lowest price BS.

The 5DMKIII kit is £2639 at the moment

It is £2979 at wilkinson cameras and calumet UK £350 you cant argue over.

 

[JPlendPhoto]

Yes like I said all the parts were UK spec came with a UK manual and plug. You pay no import tax to the UK because they have upped the price slightly from how they used to sometimes customs would stop your product meaning unhappy customers reduced sales. Now its included its a no brainer.

I got a 5DMKIII with a 24-105mm and the 100mm L macro for just under £3000

Prices have just gone up tho with Canons new lowest price BS.

The 5DMKIII kit is £2639 at the moment

It is £2979 at wilkinson cameras and calumet UK £350 you cant argue over.

Sounds good!

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

If you plan to go to FF and shoot a wedding a couple of days later, you might be unhappy with the results. Allow yourself plenty of time to use the camera and find out how it handles flash, low light, and do a AFMA on your lenses.
That pretty much goes for any new camera body, but moving to FF will require sone practice to get the best out of the camera.

 

[JPlendPhoto]

If you plan to go to FF and shoot a wedding a couple of days later, you might be unhappy with the results. Allow yourself plenty of time to use the camera and find out how it handles flash, low light, and do a AFMA on your lenses.
That pretty much goes for any new camera body, but moving to FF will require sone practice to get the best out of the camera.

Thanks for the advice

 

[scrup]

Consider a flash as well. I purchased a faster lens hoping to get more keepers for indoor shots and found bounced flash made more of a difference.

 

[JPlendPhoto]

Consider a flash as well. I purchased a faster lens hoping to get more keepers for indoor shots and found bounced flash made more of a difference.

I already have the Canon Speedlite 430ex ii

 

[Kernuak]

For used, have a look at MPB Photographics. Their prices tend to be lower than most and their descriptions are accurate.