How often do you go through a body? Why do you upgrade?

[wickidwombat]

I am currently contemplating getting a 5D Mark II (as III doesn't
seem to be around the corner)...

thats what I did I got sick of waiting for them to announce what they were doing so i figured i'll just get the 5D2s and I'll probably get at least a solid year of use out of them then if something really amazing finally comes up its going to have one hell of a waitlist. I think if you keep waiting for the next big thing you will never get anything and currently the 5D2 is really good bang for buck.

 

[alipaulphotography]

Of digital SLR bodies I've had and used, I've had the D30, 10D, Digital Rebel, Digital Rebel XT, Digital Rebel XTi, 20D, 30D, 40D, 1D MK II, 1D MK III, 5D, 5D MK II, and the 7D over the past 10 years. Usually at least two at the same time. Most of them I bought used and sold them after a year for more than I paid, but my 5D MK II will be three years old in about three weeks. I also had a Kodak DCS 620, but it was mostly as a collectible, and not used other than to test.

In order of IQ, I'd say 5D MK II, 1D MK III, 7D, 1D MK II was what I saw. Certainly the 1 series cameras have a lot more going for them besides IQ, the ability to AF at F/8 or even f/11 (with stacked TC's) is a huge plus, and will be missed with the 1Dx, if I decide to get one.

The other interesting point is what number of releases people are getting on their shutters - it is always a matter of debate how long a shutter is likely to live relative to the spec given by the manufacturer. I have seen references to 5DIIs doing over 1 million shutter releases, but have not seen anything to corroborate the accuracy of that information.
Given how long it has been since the 5D was introduced, it would be interesting to know how many clicks some of the (still) hard working 5Ds have on them..

I'm not sure if there is any software that I know of that can tell you the clicks on the old 5D. Correct me if I'm wrong as I'd be interested to know. I have used files from the 5D and the MKII and strangely enough - apart from in low light the original has superior skin tones. I am looking forward to experimenting with video though. Not buying a mk II this close to a mk III release unless I specifically needed it.

 

[KyleSTL]

Here's my timeline:

• Fall 2000 - Nikon FM (Art Photography I, II and III classes in HS) my dad's old film camera
• December 2002 - Sony P71 P&S
• May 2006 - Canon SD600 P&S
• February 2010 - Canon Rebel XT and kit lens (used)
• September 2011 - Canon Rebel XTi (purchased broken; fixed, and sold XT for more than purchase price)

Since Feb 2010, I have spent a total of just under $1000 for all my photo gear (see signature), most of it was really good used deals, and the rest broken and fixed. I have also sold 2 lenses and 2 bodies that I fixed (thanks, Craigslist!). I've profitted a couple hundred from my little projects, so I've spent about $800 net.

I would love to step up to a newer body (primarily for ISO >1600 and a better OVF), but have not done it yet. The 60D would be perfect (love the size). If Canon were to release an entry-level FF camera in a body the size of the 60D I would pull every string to convince my wife for the upgrade. I would not be interested in a body the size of the 5D or 1D series.

Most likely I'll upgrade the next time I find a killer deal on CL, or a broken camera to fix.

 

[willrobb]

Got a 30D, then a 40D as well when i had a wedding to do. Looked at doing stock photography for where my wife worked and struggled with the requirements of the agencies, getting too many shots rejected on quality to despite using tripod and L glass. This was just as the 5D2 came out, so my wife sanctioned the upgrade to a 5D2 as a replacement to the 30D.

Seems like the stock agency requirements has made a few people upgrade. It helped sway my decision as well, but I really cut down on my stock agency work a lot, a hard market these days. I still do t when I travel though, it's good to get access to some places

 

[pwp]

Some extreme cases of "Upgraditus" should be referred to Health Authorities. For most of us a new body may mean keeping a newer kit than the art director, performance requirements for particular clients or just the plain good fun you have unboxing the latest, running tests, pixel peeping, being amazed by performance gains over the old bodies and in the best case scenario realizing you can come up with shots that were previously impossible. The MkIV was like this for me.

As long as a body delivers the shots without anxieties that will undermine the creative process, I'll keep it. I still pull out my 5D classic from time to time. Shooting action and needing a second body I love charging up the batteries on my astoundingly responsive 1DMkIIn.

There are gear nuts out there who pickup every new upgrade/update that comes along. I know a cashed up hobbyist who is Canon obsessed and is always the first with the latest gear. Can't say I've seen too many of his photos though.

Early in the digital history each upgrade tended to deliver massive evolutionary improvements, and to stay competitive in business, short-cycle updates were a must, regardless of the expense. Now it's all smoothing out. If a 5D classic delivers the shots for you then keep it until it falls apart.

What's it all about after all? The creative process & the images or the hardware? For my friend the cashed up hobbyist it's the hardware. For others it's the image that has the power to amaze.

Paul Wright

 

[te4o]

I find this thread very comforting - I see many people sticking to their working "bodies" and not jumping up every six months. This makes me re-bonding to my old 40D easier. Very nice, thanks!
From a D30 1999 I jumped to 40D in 2008. No more. Waiting for a FF better in IQ and noise than the current ones.
I went from kit lenses in 1999 to 17-55+70-200/4 IS and sold them for 4xCarl Zeiss primes. 580II and minor things.
BUT, I updated the computer gear substantially since 1999 - this was the biggest jump: from a 486 Pentium which just hold copies of my jpegs I went through a major metamorphosis and ended up with a 2010 6 core MacPro 24GB with a OWC SSD and 8 TB in Raid 0 for running photo and film productions.... The software I use now to add punch is so much better than 1999 that I recently forgot about the Canon-Wait and focused on reworking my libraries - that's fun.
And for more fun I'll get a Fuji X10 as a distraction from waiting for the 5D3... when it comes out.
Cheers

 

[papa-razzi]

For me, this is all just a hobby. People that make money with their camera would be much different I'm sure.
Sorry for the long post, but this is a fun topic to comment on.

Pentax K-1000 in 1982. Still have it. Still works great.
Rebel XSi - Sept '2008. Gave it to my Daughter after I got the 7D
7D - Oct 2010

XSi was my first Digital SLR, and re-entry into my photography hobby beyond the powershots. It took me the first year to get really familiar with all the camera could do. The XSi was great for most things I shot, but I started shooting a lot of indoor sports, and the XSi just didn't cut it. When the 7D came out, I knew that would be a great fit for me.

I upgraded to the 7D for better AF, and better ISO performance, and faster FPS. I really love it. It fits me perfectly.

Since then I have been more interested in glass, and it seems like there is always one more lens I want.
Sept 2008 - EF-S 18-55 (gave away w/ XSi)
June 2009 - EF-S 55-250 I wanted to try something long, OK in good light with still subjects, otherwise no. Not so good for action.
June 2010 - EF 50 f/1.4 - first fast lens, use this for volleyball, and basketball when I can get close enough. Focuses slow and soft wide open.
Oct. 2010 - EF 85 f/1.8 - Awesome for Volleyball. This is my main lens for this.
Dec. 2010 - EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS - should have gotten this much sooner than I did. Best all-round lens for APC
Mar. 2011 - EF 24-105 f/4L IS - use this one for kid's soccer, not much else. Thought I would use it much more.
Sept 2011 - EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS I (used) - for track & cross country, to replace 55-250(which I am selling). Not really what I needed for outdoor track, but I got a good deal on it. Thinking of selling it at some point to get one of the lenses on my wish list.

I still want EF 70-300L or 100-400L, a wide prime, and a EF 135 f/2L (if I sell the EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS).
So I guess I'm a lens junkie.

I'm pretty happy with the 7D, so it will take a big improvement at a similar price point to the current 7D to get me to prioritize a new body over more lenses. I likely won't upgrade bodies unless the 7DII has significantly improved ISO and IQ. And I would wait a while after it ships for the price to come down a bit.

I have always wanted a FF just to experience that and maybe expand my photography experience, so I am tempted to get a used 5DII when the 5DIII comes out and people are selling their 5DII to get the new model.

 

[Wrathwilde]

I take photographs for about 25 years now. Bodies during this time: T70, T90, 40D. That's it. Strange.

Best regards
Eisbaer

27 years here. Bodies T70 (1984-1987), T90 - 2 bodies (1987-2011), 7D (2011)... 1D X (As soon as it's released).

The T90 still works like a champ. The 7D is nice, but will become a back up camera for the 1D X... until the 5DMk3 comes out.

Cheers,
Wrathwilde

 

[Hillsilly]

My purchase history and general reason for buying: -

1982 - Yaschica Electro GSN - Had to start somewhere, so I started here
1985 - Canon AE-1 Program - Getting a bit more serious
1993 - Canon 1000FN - Wow - the camera focuses on its own
1995 - Mamiya RB67 - Moved to medium format - The negatives are bigger and easier to enlarge
2000 - Canon 3000 - On sale with massive discount
2002 - Canon Elan 7E - More autofocus point, more FPS, eye control
2006 - Minolta SRT101 - There was so much cheap Minolta glass around
2006 - Minolta X-700 - As above, this is a more advanced body
2009 - Canon 30D - Was getting curious about digital so picked up a second hand body to see what its all about
2010 - Mamiya 6 - Had always wanted one. Its a lot lighter than the RB67, but not as versatile
2011 - Olympus EPL-1 - Small and has video
2011 - Canon 1Ds Mk ii - Wanted to see what FF is all about. Was thinking of waiting for a 5Diii, but this was going cheap.

Except for the AE-1 (which was sold to fund the move to EF), still have them all. Currently, the ones that getting a lot of regular use are the Mamiya 6, 30D, and EPL-1.

 

[King Conquer]

2010: Rebel XS - I just started and quickly realised i loved photography and sold it for a better one.
2010: Bought a T1i - quickly realied i liked this alot more than just a usual hobby and eventually sold it
2011: Bought 60D
2011 Bought 5DMKII - No regrets

 

[Ghostdive]

2007 400D
2011 60D -- need fast something new.
2012 maybe 1Dx much good specs, which i love, but the price ;D
then the next years nothing.

 

[sct69]

Pre 2005 a couple of cheap point and shoot film cameras
2006 a Fuji film point and shoot digital camera
2007 My first DSLR being a 400D which I sold 12mths later for a good price to buy a 40D in 2008. I still use this camera and its currently my only camera body.
2011/2012 I'm dreaming of another body to upgrade from the 40D though its still a great camera.

 

[briansquibb]

Moved from film (EOS 100) to digital in 2009 with secondhand 40D (still have, still use)

May 2009 - 50D
Jan 2010 - 5D
Jan 2011 - 5DII
Sept 2011 - 2 x 7D
Sept 2011 Sold 50D, 5D
Nov 2011 - 1D4

As my photography has progressed then I have upgraded appropriately.

 

[the-ninth]

I am still with my first DSLR-body, a 30D from 2005. So far I don't see any of the new bodies being worth the upgrade. If the 5D Mark III will have a significantly better autofocus than the Mark II, I'll go for it.

Cheers, Robert

 

[RC]

Fun and interesting thread, hope it is ok to a take little departure from the original subject. Photography for me is a (obsessive) hobby and escape, not making a living from it or any money--maybe someday though.

SLRs
1981 - Olympus OM10 w/ 50 1.8 (those of you old enough and in the US should recall those Cheryl Tieggs comercials)
1983 - Olympus OM2n w/50 1.4 (love photography, learning a lot--must have a manual camera, sold the OM10)
1985 - Olympus OM4 (very cool, built in spot meter--must have camera. Lots and lots of gear throughout the 80s and into the 90s)
1990s - mostly absent from photography, married, kids, work--life is hectic.
2000s - life is more hectic, teenage girls , need an escape must get back into photography. Sold all film gear.
2010 - 7D (about a year of research and saving money, was actually waiting for the 60D to be announced [which is how I found this site about 2 years ago], disappointed in 60D specs, ordered my 7D. Absolutely love it! Thank you Canon for pushing me to the 7D. Only thing I miss is interchangeable focus screens.
2010 - Canon AE-1 Film camera for my daughter's photography class

Wishlist as of today (somewhat in order)
- 24-105 f4L or 24-70 2.8L (selling 15-85)
- 35 1.4L
- 50 1.4II (want ring USM)
- 5D III (addition not replacement)
- 85 1.8
- TBD


Point N Shoot
Olympus Stylus
Minolta something - hated it
Canon APS - needed a tiny camera for mountain biking which wouldn't make me cry if I crashed and crushed it.
2000 - Canon A20 (first digital)
2005 - S80
2012 - S100 must get before March

First ever camera, great grandfather gave me a Kodak Brownie, never found any film for it. Graduated to a Vivitar 110 with "flip flash"--Ok now I have dated myself ???

 

[mikeyL]

Well I am an amateur as well, so my path has been like this:

- Original film shooter with a Canon AT-1 and then eventually with an Olympus OM-2 way back in the 70s and 80s. Eventually drifted away from photography for a long time.

- Got back interested in 2006, and bought a Canon 350D. Great camera. My daughter was playing competitive club volleyball so shot a lot of that plus a 3 week trip to Europe and other trips/travel.

- Eventually wanted something with better AF for sports, and with live view for astrophotography. Bought a Canon 40D in Jan of 2008. Has been a fabulous body. It is still my current camera today and I have shot lots of vball, landscape, travel, and a little bit of astrophotography with it. (astro shooting is VERY challenging )

- In Sept. 2009 I got to play with a friend's Nikon D700, and since I had settled into landscape shooting as my favorite thing to shoot (and my daughter's vball career was over) I decided I wanted to go FF. At that time I couldn't afford to upgrade, so I waited. Since about the beginning/middle of 2011 I have had the money to upgrade, but by then it seemed like the successor to the 5D MkII was 'just around the corner. Now I have waited so long that it is the principle of the thing that I don't want to buy a new body just to have it superseded immediately. I am not likely to be in a position to upgrade again for maybe quite a while.

I suppose I could have been shooting the 5D MkII now for half a year, with who knows how much longer from now until an upgrade path is available for it. But in any case, I am now committed to waiting for the next gen of whatever they decide to make to upgrade the small form factor FF body style. I cannot afford a 1D class body, I no longer need the fps they offer, and I don't want to extra bulk and weight in any case.

ML

 

[rossbeckernz]

1 1965 - Olympus half frame rangefinder
2 1971 - Canon FT QL w/ 50mm f1.4 (first SLR & what an upgrade). Then bought (second hand) an FLM50mm f3.5 macro with lifesize adapter (still have it & use it on the m4/3 Lumix G3). A year later an FL-F 300mm f5.6 flourite (Canon's first flourite lens, still have it, now with an EF mount. The resolution & pic quality of this lens still blows me away).
3 1976 - Canon F1 & FD35mm f2
4 1987 - Canon EOS 650 & EF28-105, EF100-300
5 1992 - Canon EOS 5 (with eye-controlled focus-fantastic) & EF 20-35mm f2.8L (still use it)
6 2004 - Canon EOS 10D (gave it to my daughter)
7 2008 - Canon EOS 1D Mk III
8 2010 - Canon EOS 1D Mk IV
9 2011 - Canon EOS 1D Mk IV
I use all 3 1D bodies at times & my 5 "L" lenses. But mostly on assigment use the 2 1D4s with a Black Rapid double harness, 1 with a modified EF-S 10-22mm & the other with an EF 80-200 f2.8L (the magic drainpipe).

 

[Picsfor]

Didn't realise we were including film cameras as well.

1986 - OK, Praktica something or other with sirius 28-200 (both broken when dropped from a locomotive cab)
1986 - Canon AE1 P + 50mm f1.8 (purchased with insurance money!)
1987 - A1 + Sirius 28-200 Canon Mount
1988 - second A1 with power winder (5fps) and portrait mode, and 24mm wide angle
1989 Traded AE1 P for 3rd A1 body to ensure standard set up through out.
2 x Sunpac flash guns, 1 fill in, 1 full flash
Tripod and cable release

 

[CatfishSoupFTW]

when starting photography, my brother purchased the 40D and did photography, however somehow, there was some transition and next thing you know, I am using it, and studying photography and making it a career. I still use the 40D, we got it when it came out.

i havent bought anything else, i have the 40D 17-85 EFS lens, 70-300 EF lens and a 50mm 1.8. now, my plans though would be maybe the 7D, but i am waiting on the 7D II if it comes out in 2012 or some good aps-c camera or maybe a fast APS camera. I hate the noise on my 40D and would love a better camera, but i like FF but they are slow in fps and not many AF points unlike what you usually get in an APS-C or APS-H. so im waiting to see what canon releases to meet my needs and budget.

the 1D X does actually meet these needs but way to epensive. maybe later on down the road when I am more of a professional and not a student. Though I am impatient on replacing my 40D.

i dislike rebels, 60D has a dumb layout, 50D , is a small useless upgrade, and 7D may see a replacement soon so all i can do is play the waiting game -_- wish i had cash though for a 1DX

 

[K-amps]

I suppose I could have been shooting the 5D MkII now for half a year, with who knows how much longer from now until an upgrade path is available for it. But in any case, I am now committed to waiting for the next gen of whatever they decide to make to upgrade the small form factor FF body style. I cannot afford a 1D class body, I no longer need the fps they offer, and I don't want to extra bulk and weight in any case.

ML

Was in same boat as you around Summer. So decided to get a used 5D1 and sell it when the 5d3 comes. Have been shooting with it for a few months and like it very much. If 5d3 is no good then might jump to a good deal on 5d2. (Since it uses the Magic lantern Firmware which gives me +/-7 AEB)