"Honey, I'vs never seen it this hard before..."

[strangelove]

My wife commented, before she asked me why I was having such a tough time choosing a camera.

You see, I was a Nikon shooter for several years, and owned everything from a D70, all the way through to a d700. I finally jumped ship a couple of years ago and got a 5D mark III.

I'm certainly not a pro, well I am, a pro high school teacher, but not a pro photographer. I used to shoot 10,000-15,000 shots a year for the district. Sports, events, portraits, you name it. Funds were short a few months ago and I had to sell my 5d, with the understanding that I'd replace it when we had the money. Now we have the money.

These days I run a program, and my shooting needs have gone way down. I do however have an 8 month old that refuses to sit still and an apartment with no overheads that seems to be dim and dingy no matter how many lamps I add.

So, here's the actual question part:

As a Nikon shooter, I never even questioned that I'd have a few cross type points to be able to use to accurately compose a shot as I saw it in my mind. Now, I no longer really need the bad-ass 5d3 61 spread AF system. But I rented a 6d and, well, frankly, it blows.

No offense to anyone, if I shot landscapes, I'd love it. But I can't quite believe that I can't compose a shot unless I use the center point. I have to shoot at mainly f1.4-f2 in my apartment, and with that sort of thin DOF, focus and recompose just isn't going to cut it with a moving kid.

So, in short-- I guess I can't quite believe that to get a FF camera with more than 1 cross-type point, I have to spend $3300.

I think a lot of Canon users are ok with it because, prior to the 7d certainly, it was sort of the norm for Canon AF. In fact it still is for the rebel crowd.

Coming from Nikon however, it's like asking a surgeon to perform a transplant with a butter knife.

My wife has a 70d for video of the kid, and we have a 24-105 and a 40mm 2.8. No other investment in Canon glass.

I guess my options are:

1. Suck it up and drop $3300 on a semi-pro 5d, just to get say 5 or 6 more accurate cross-type points across the frame.
2. Stop being an AF namby pamby, and just man up, get a 6d, because "real men do it by hand anyway"!
3. Grab one of those mighty tempting D700's on CL that go for around $1100 (in which the sensor still out performs anything from Canon) grab a couple of primes and go on my way, using the 70 as my video cam.
4. Do something really cool that I never thought of that you all are about to suggest to me.

I'd appreciate any input you guys might have...

 

[Random Orbits]

So you say you have a 5D III

You see, I was a Nikon shooter for several years, and owned everything from a D70, all the way through to a d700. I finally jumped ship a couple of years ago and got a 5D mark III.

and then you're asking about getting a 5D III?

 

[m]

4. buy a flash

Af assist beam
+ the ability to make more out of your not so nice ambient light

on a side note: a 5D is "semi pro" ???

 

[Albi86]

So you say you have a 5D III

You see, I was a Nikon shooter for several years, and owned everything from a D70, all the way through to a d700. I finally jumped ship a couple of years ago and got a 5D mark III.

and then you're asking about getting a 5D III?

You should read the whole post. The OP had to sell it.

Back OT: with Canon you have to pay dearly to get the good stuff. As you said, the 6D blows in terms of AF. Just so you know, saying that will not buy friends : The latest fashion in here is praising the 6D for having better low-light capabilities and DR than the 5D3 :

If you want to stay with Canon without spending too much, your best shot is a 70D. Sure, you have to give up on the FF part.

Otherwise, yes, your best shot overall is buying a used D700 or a D610. The latter's AF doesn't work too great in low light on its own, but it has an AF assist lamp that for your shooting conditions will make it perfectly suitable.

My choice would be the D610 if money is tight, buy another 5D3 is you prefer the peace of mind.

 

[mkabi]

So you say you have a 5D III

You see, I was a Nikon shooter for several years, and owned everything from a D70, all the way through to a d700. I finally jumped ship a couple of years ago and got a 5D mark III.

and then you're asking about getting a 5D III?

Come on, bros... read... it says that he sold the 5DIII.

What I don't get is that the 5DIII has only been out there for a couple of years, and this guy got it and got rid of it within 2 years?

I suggest that you save your money and get a 1DX.
You want better, thats where you got to go... or wait for the 5D4... or jump ship again and get a D800 or something.

 

[privatebydesign]

Spend $2,000 on a 1Ds MkIII. AF up the wazoo, but limited high iso performance. It will focus off center at 1.4 in low light all day long though.

 

[Random Orbits]

So you say you have a 5D III

You see, I was a Nikon shooter for several years, and owned everything from a D70, all the way through to a d700. I finally jumped ship a couple of years ago and got a 5D mark III.

and then you're asking about getting a 5D III?

You should read the whole post. The OP had to sell it.

Back OT: with Canon you have to pay dearly to get the good stuff. As you said, the 6D blows in terms of AF. Just so you know, saying that will not buy friends : The latest fashion in here is praising the 6D for having better low-light capabilities and DR than the 5D3 :

If you want to stay with Canon without spending too much, your best shot is a 70D. Sure, you have to give up on the FF part.

Otherwise, yes, your best shot overall is buying a used D700 or a D610. The latter's AF doesn't work too great in low light on its own, but it has an AF assist lamp that for your shooting conditions will make it perfectly suitable.

My choice would be the D610 if money is tight, buy another 5D3 is you prefer the peace of mind.

Ummm... hello. That was not in the original post. The OP edited it.

 

[East Wind Photography]

Just get the 5diii. You get a LOT more than just more cross type af points. You can run the iso easily up to 3200 and probably still never need to go below f4 in your apartment.

Im not even sure why you are even asking this since you already owned one and know what its capable of. If you want a point and shoot to photograph the kids then buy a powershot or an M.

 

[ajfotofilmagem]

Really weird ask for advice on a camera that you had already used, and has sold. It seems that he did not like 5D mark iii, then I recommend trying 1DX. Or maybe try Nikon DF, because someone on this planet should be the target buyer of this thing. Who knows if that person is you?

 

[docsmith]

I wouldn't get the Nikon. I am not one of the anti-Nikon lot, but you already have a 70D and plan to keep it. As you are an amateur, I don't see the reason to have two camera systems in one house. It would be great to be able to swap out lenses between the 70D and a FF Canon camera while you are on vacation, or something like that.

Have you thought about investing in glass and putting the new glass on the 70D? I'd be tempted by that as a first step. The 70D is a solid camera. But, having seen FF, you may not want to go back. But only you can answer the question: 6D or 5DIII? You've had a 5DIII, you know what it can do. If that is what you want, spend the money and be happy. I have a 5DIII and it is amazing. But I know a lot of people with the 6D and they are very happy. A lot of people shot with the 5DII mostly with the center point.

So, based on what you wrote, I'd first look at glass for the 70D. If that isn't going to work for you, I'd likely buy the 5DIII as you know you like it. Spend the ~$3k and be happy rather than spend $1,800 and be unhappy.

 

[strangelove]

People are so funny when you combine the feeling that they're being personally attacked by virtue of someone not feeling as they do, with the false perception that public forums offer you anonymity.

I did edit my post, but only for a couple of minor grammar issues, I didn't add the part about selling the 5d.

When you really think about it, and try to be objective, is ot really that much to ask for a camera that has a handful of af cross points and a full frame sensor for less than $3300?

I keep reading people saying things like "well it depends what you shoot, it's fine for me..." But do you really only shoot a single type of thing?

I don't shoot pro sports and so don't think I should have to buy a pro sports camera to shoot my son and dog playing in the park with reasonable confidence that the af system will reliably work.

 

[Arctic Photo]

4. buy a flash

Af assist beam
+ the ability to make more out of your not so nice ambient light

on a side note: a 5D is "semi pro" ???

Exactly. buy a flash, any excess funds could go to another lens.

 

[strangelove]

Just to be clear- I know what the 5d3 can do, I'm not asking for that.

When I had one, my needs were near pro level needs. Events, portraits, thousands of shots each month.

My issue, and question is simply that I'm blown away that I need to buy the same gear to shoot a few sharp pics of my son!

That's all...

 

[9VIII]

Just get the D700. If in your mind it has better IQ than the 6D and you can get it for half the price then it sounds like the way to go.

 

[J.R.]

My issue, and question is simply that I'm blown away that I need to buy the same gear to shoot a few sharp pics of my son!

That's all...

I don't understand why you need to get a FF if that is all that you are going to shoot.

If you do really want a FF, get a 6D, use focus with the center point and crop - with the high MP sensors these days, it works well enough for family photos (I don't suppose you are not going in for very large prints for what you say you are going to shoot).

Cameras are just tools, see what you are going to shoot and get the gear accordingly. For simple family photos, why not simply stick to the 70D ... the AF is good enough, isn't it?

 

[J.R.]

Just get the D700. If it your mind it has better IQ than the 6D and you can get it for half the price then it sounds like the way to go.

+1 ... additionally, sell the Canon gear you are using for video and get a camcorder.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I don't shoot pro sports and so don't think I should have to buy a pro sports camera to shoot my son and dog playing in the park with reasonable confidence that the af system will reliably work.

A used 1D MK III is pretty reasonably priced (Under $900). It has a bigger sensor than the rebels, but not FF. Mine had excellent focusing and low light performance.
If you are looking for the best you can get for the price, its a option. It will hold its value batter as well, since its pretty much depreciated already.

Fred Miranda is a good place to buy used.

Another option is to buy a Canon refurb. They have a 1 yr warranty, and you have 14 days to return it if you don't like it. You can save 10-20% on most bodies by trading in a old broken Canon P&S or film SLR through the Canon loyalty program. High end bodies are usually excluded, but ask, since it changes from time to time.
Inventory of refurbs also changes, and its renewed about every 2-4 weeks. The 5D MK III is out of stock now, but it will be back. Some have said you can add a refurb lens and still get the 20% off, but I didn't ask with my last purchase there. I've bought multiple refurb bodies and lenses, and they were as good or better than new.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/ProductListingViewAll_10051_10051_-1_244763#

 

[m]

Events, portraits, thousands of shots each month.

My issue, and question is simply that I'm blown away that I need to buy the same gear to shoot a few sharp pics of my son!

If the lighting conditions are similar (and from what you describe in your entry post, they are) the same gear is required.
I'm not sure what's so surprising about that.

Again, a flash seems to be a cheaper alternative, providing a solution to the problem at hand but also providing creative possibilities in the future.

 

[Northstar]

Re: "Honey, I'vs never seen it this hard before..."

Sounds like a good problem to have? ;D

Try a few of these around the house to brighten up those lamps. They also have 50-150-250 and you can just keep the lamps on 50 for normal use, and then switch to 250 or 300 when u need some light

GE 41459 - 100/200/300 Watt

http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/54184/IN-41459.html

 

[bholliman]

+1 to the suggestions to buy one or more speedlites.

I have to shoot at mainly f1.4-f2 in my apartment, and with that sort of thin DOF, focus and recompose just isn't going to cut it with a moving kid.
So, in short-- I guess I can't quite believe that to get a FF camera with more than 1 cross-type point, I have to spend $3300.

I shoot my two kids indoors all time with my 6D and don't have to resort to apertures below f/2. The 6D's high ISO capacities allow a range of aperture settings. I also use flash if I don't like the ambient lighting or if I want to avoid really high ISO's.