First Full Frame...on a budget.

[Philshoz]

I always like the feedback you guys give on here.

I have a 7D and 40D and want to know what you would recommend for a lower priced first full frame body please.

Don't need video, fast fps or high ISO, just want it for good light landscapes.

I was thinking a 5D MKII.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mrzero]

On a budget, you only have three Canon options. 6D, 5DII, or the original 5D. If you can afford the 6D, get it. The 5DII is great but the 6D does all that and then some. Prices for the 6D right now are at an all-time low.

Some think the 6D Mark II is coming soon but I doubt it, and when it does arrive, it will be much more expensive. Also, I expect the prices for the original 6D will tick back up a little bit when that happens. So, go for it now.

If you can't afford that, then a used 5DII is the next best option. I haven't priced them out lately but I don't know that you'll save that much, and a new 6D will last longer anyway.

 

[DRR]

I'm a proud owner of a 5DII and it's a great camera, but I will say that right now, a used 6D represents the best value in the category. I've seen used 6D's for as low as $1100 (and to be honest I don't even look that hard). 5DII's seem to be in the $900-1000 range. This is just from anecdotal observation.

Another $100-200 for the extras and improvements that the 6D offers, would seem well worth it to me.

5D is a good choice too at $400-500 but just know this is a 10 year old camera. For landscapes though, it's still a great camera, and would be a good choice to add to your kit if you want a FF option without selling what you have.

You could reasonably sell your 40D and get a 5D for a very minimal investment, and then you have two very complementary bodies in your kit.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Philshoz.
I have the same gear and have aso been wondering about FF on a budget, but was looking at the 1Ds range and wondering which would give more bang for buck, assuming I can raise the bucks!
Not keen on the idea of a 6D due to the different ergonomics, 7D and 40D are very similar, as I'm sure you are aware, making for easy transition between the two, I would like to maintain that condition if at all possible.
Hope you don't consider this a hijack, not my intention, rather hoping it is adding to the discussion.

Cheers, Graham.

 

[unfocused]

Are you in the U.S.?

Canon Price Watch street price on the 6D is $1,249.

http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/04039/Canon-EOS-6D-price.html

You didn't say what lenses you have. If you don't have an all around lens for full frame, you can get the 6D/ 24-105mm STM kit for $1,549 on the CPW street price offer.

http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/05643/Canon-EOS-6D-with-24-105mm-f3.5-5.6-IS-STM-Kit-price.html

Or, you can get it with the 24-105 "L" for $1,799.

http://www.canonpricewatch.com/product/04043/Canon-EOS-6D-with-24-105mm-f4L-Kit-price.html

 

[RLPhoto]

I regularly see 5d2 and 5dc for 900$ & 400$. I'd definitely look into Craigslist to find some deals.

 

[Philshoz]

Great input guys, thanks a lot.

To answer a couple of questions: I live in France and regularly use a site called Leboncoin.fr so lots of bargains to be had on there e.g.: 5d II 900€. Just checked out the 6D and they are on there for about 200€ more, so that could be the way to go.

As for my kit: 24-105 f4, 50 f1.4, 100-400 mk1, 100 macro 2.8 mk1 and a Tamron 11-18.

I shoot mainly landscapes and surfing.

 

[Sporgon]

Cheapest option : 5D - still very good at low ISO, 13 mp produces superb resolution when used properly, but in terms of operating system, battery etc it is out of date.

Used 5DII and used 6D seem to be about the same price ( in the UK at least - 5DII holding, 6D coming down). IMO the only reason to get a 6D over a 5DII is high ISO performance. If you want high ISO ( over 400) the 6D wins hands down. I would also say that with modern lenses the 6D AF is more accurate, or at least more consistently accurate. However you say high ISO performance and AF are not a priority, so if it were me I'd get a 5DII.

Unlike the 5D, the 5DII is still 'up to date' in terms of operating system, rear LCD, battery etc.

 

[Philshoz]

Thanks Sporgon. Nice link to your photos. I was at Ayesgarth last September, not a lot of water though.

Cheapest option : 5D - still very good at low ISO, 13 mp produces superb resolution when used properly, but in terms of operating system, battery etc it is out of date.

Used 5DII and used 6D seem to be about the same price ( in the UK at least - 5DII holding, 6D coming down). IMO the only reason to get a 6D over a 5DII is high ISO performance. If you want high ISO ( over 400) the 6D wins hands down. I would also say that with modern lenses the 6D AF is more accurate, or at least more consistently accurate. However you say high ISO performance and AF are not a priority, so if it were me I'd get a 5DII.

Unlike the 5D, the 5DII is still 'up to date' in terms of operating system, rear LCD, battery etc.

 

[Marsu42]

I was thinking a 5D MKII.

Nice camera, but you have to look for a really competitive used price now that the 6d is so cheap (including warranty!).

The sensor of the 6d is bumped up significantly concerning the banding even on low iso, and has better dynamic range (well, better for Canon that is). Unless you want 1/8k speed, more durable shutter and the larger 5d grip I'd say go 6d. Or, my real landscape recommendation, look for a used d800 if consider switching systems.

 

[privatebydesign]

On a budget (that is subjective) but for outright IQ 6D, bang for the buck 1Ds MkIII.

 

[Sporgon]

Thanks Sporgon. Nice link to your photos. I was at Ayesgarth last September, not a lot of water though.

Thanks for that. My Aysgarth pictures were taken on the 6D

The sensor of the 6d is bumped up significantly concerning the banding even on low iso, and has better dynamic range (well, better for Canon that is

I can honestly sat that I have never had issues with banding on the 5DII. In practical use I find virtually no difference between the 5DII and the 6D at low ISO, the tiny difference being not dynamic range, which I would say is identical, but the 6D has a little more shadow latitude.

On a budget (that is subjective) but for outright IQ 6D, bang for the buck 1Ds MkIII.

When I read your post I thought 1DsIII in the UK would about £500 more than a used 6D, so I had a quick look on e bay and they have come down a fair bit now, much closer to those cameras in used prices. You've given me the idea

 

[lintoni]

Yes, I've been looking at 1DsIII prices over the last month or two. I'm thinking that a few more might hit the market once the 5Ds/5DsR become available...

 

[martti]

The 5DIII is already below the 2000 dollar limit and it will go further down pretty soon.
If it is beyond your scope, the 6D is your only reasonable choice. You do not want yesterday's technology.

 

[privatebydesign]

The 5DIII is already below the 2000 dollar limit and it will go further down pretty soon.
If it is beyond your scope, the 6D is your only reasonable choice. You do not want yesterday's technology.

Stop talking nonesense. The 1DS MkIII might well be 'yesterdays technology' but how many files from them have you worked? The sensor gives absolutely nothing away to the modern cameras other than high iso capabilities, indeed at the low end they are still regarded as the best IQ Canon has ever made. The AF system is leagues above the 6D system and the metering, viewfinder, build quality, and battery, amongst other things, betters both the 6D and the 5D MkIII. It is also much cheaper than a naked 5D MkIII and includes a grip.

 

[Philshoz]

Thanks for more info but as it says in the title...."on a budget"

A secondhand 5D III over here will be at least 2,000€ in top condition.

I want to spend 1,000€ max, that's just over 1k $ right now.

I have pointed out in other posts you are lucky in the US to get fantastic value for money when buying your kit. Spare a moment for poor old France with it's terrible €uro rates...!!

As for switching to Nikon, yikes.

 

[martti]

1.4 kg of technology from 2008

 

[martti]

Oui, la France...ici, on peut trouver, a ce prix-la, un 5DII si le vendeur est deseperé...
Un 5D, j'ai vu sur Leboncoin a 500 euros. On peut toujours discuter, celui avec le fric c'est lui le roi...

 

[privatebydesign]

1.4 kg of technology from 2008

And clearly you are not considering the 'budget' part of the question and you have never worked with 1Ds MkIII files.

 

[Marsu42]

The sensor of the 6d is bumped up significantly concerning the banding even on low iso, and has better dynamic range (well, better for Canon that is

I can honestly sat that I have never had issues with banding on the 5DII. In practical use I find virtually no difference between the 5DII and the 6D at low ISO, the tiny difference being not dynamic range, which I would say is identical, but the 6D has a little more shadow latitude.

To clarify: I didn't say it's an "issue", but that it's "significant" . That's to me, of course, depending on shooting and post style, if you can bracket or not, ymmv.

When I had a 5d2 loan for a day and worked with the files I was very surprised that the pattern banding is just as I remember it from my 60d - if you raise shadows moderately, it shows, and if you raise 'em a lot you're a dead duck.

Say what you will about the 6d, and I'm rather critic of it - but if any data is there at the left edge of the histogram, you can expect to be able to use it. The only limit is the lack of shadow *resolution" and not noise or banding.