How to spend money

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kyamon

Oct 18, 2012
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#1
I know this question has been asked many times already, but I would like to hear a new answer :)

I currently have a 7D and some (mostly L-) glass (8-15, 16-35, 50 f/1.4, 100 f/2.8 macro, 24-70, 70-200f/2.8 IS, 2xIII). I am a hobbyist with enough money to spare to get these lenses 2nd hand (I was very happy to see that this in the end almost comes cheaper than getting lower-quality lenses AND gives you higher satisfaction... If you have enough money on the side :) ), and in some cases new.
I mostly take pics of moving things (sports, children, animals - BIF in particular), but also portraits and stills at times. I sell nothing, but I obviously like the highest possible quality.

So here is my question: Assume I have up to 10k that are just sitting on the bank and I want to invest into photo gear, what would you do with it?

Basically I have two problems:
I really want a 1DX. It is total overkill, and I would only use some of the features - I know that. But I really want the AF system (the 7D is somewhat limited for my use), I like the speed, the high ISO, FF, etc., etc.
And I had rented a 300 f/2.8 IS II a couple of times and was blown out of my pants by the IQ and focusing speed of this thing. I would never have expected a lens to be so good, and I finally understood why people are willing to pay that much for glass. And now I want one. :(

The solutions would be
1. get a 1DX and be happy with it. That leaves money to either buy a used 300 f/2.8 IS Mark I, or to rent the Mark II for several weeks.
2. get the lens and be happy with the 7D.
3. get a 5Diii, admit that there is absolutely no need for 12 fps, and add a 300 f/4.0
4. save some more money and get a 400 f/2.8 IS II
5. keep the gear I have and get my wife a diamond ring (that she would hate, actually)

I look forward to your opinions.
 
#8
What about getting a used 1D4 and a used 400 2.8? I love my 1D4 and am actually saving up myself to hopefully find a 2nd with a low shutter count.

The other thing I would do is pick up a 300 or 400 f/2.8 (used or new) and then save up and hope that Canon brings out the 7D2 soon. I am waiting to see what that will bring myself. I am very attached to the 1D bodies but didn't like the way the 1Dx felt in my hands.

Glass will always last you longer than a body and wont become dated as quick.
 
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#9
kyamon said:
neuroanatomist said:
How about a 5DIII and a 300/2.8L IS II? :)
Click to expand...

I would have to wait for used 300/2.8 IS II's to pop up I am afraid... :)
Click to expand...

But...

kyamon said:
Assume I have up to 10k that are just sitting on the bank
Click to expand...

5DIII: $2,949 (current 'price in cart', B&H)
300/2.8L IS II: $6,799 (B&H)

My rudimentary math puts the total at $9,748 (with free shipping), and I do believe that $9,748 < $10K. So either my math is flawed, or you put forth a false assumption. Just sayin'. ;)
 
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#11
1DX would definitely be overkill unless you need it or you REALLLLLLLLLYYYY want it. I'd go with the 5DIII since you already have the 7D and a lovely set of lenses. The 300mm f/2.8 would be cool to have, but I'd probably hold off on that. I can't imagine the weight of your bag if you bring the 300 with the rest of your gear. I wouldn't be able to handle more than 2 bodies and 3-4 lenses, unless I had like a roller case. Maybe invest in a flash unit or two? You'll still have a handfull of money left over... enough for a vacation perhaps?
 
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#12
neuroanatomist said:
kyamon said:
neuroanatomist said:
How about a 5DIII and a 300/2.8L IS II? :)
Click to expand...

I would have to wait for used 300/2.8 IS II's to pop up I am afraid... :)
Click to expand...

But...

kyamon said:
Assume I have up to 10k that are just sitting on the bank
Click to expand...

5DIII: $2,949 (current 'price in cart', B&H)
300/2.8L IS II: $6,799 (B&H)

My rudimentary math puts the total at $9,748 (with free shipping), and I do believe that $9,748 < $10K. So either my math is flawed, or you put forth a false assumption. Just sayin'. ;)
Click to expand...

Well spotted :) I was wondering if someone would point that out. The key is the "up to", and that I am not in the US but in Switzerland where the 5d iii (plus BG) goes for around 3.2k, and the 300/2.8 for 7.5k. I guess I should just come to the US and get it there...
 
Upvote 0
#13
neuroanatomist said:
How about a 5DIII and a 300/2.8L IS II? :)
Click to expand...

+1

sounds like you want to splurge a little on the 1DX (which I think is totally fine if you have the money for it). If you want an immediate upgrade, I think the mk3 would make you happy too....I'd get the mk3 and the 300 2.8 IS II and save up for a 1DX AS WELL! =) happy shopping.

btw, get the wife a little something that she would like while you're at it.
 
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#14
drock1317 said:
1DX would definitely be overkill unless you need it or you REALLLLLLLLLYYYY want it. I'd go with the 5DIII since you already have the 7D and a lovely set of lenses. The 300mm f/2.8 would be cool to have, but I'd probably hold off on that. I can't imagine the weight of your bag if you bring the 300 with the rest of your gear. I wouldn't be able to handle more than 2 bodies and 3-4 lenses, unless I had like a roller case. Maybe invest in a flash unit or two? You'll still have a handfull of money left over... enough for a vacation perhaps?
Click to expand...

I want the 1DX really baldy. But the same way I wanted a Tesla Roadster. I think you hit the nail on the head by saying that it would be cool to have - that holds for both the lens and the 1DX. But the lens would certainly be used considerably less than the camera (to complete that - I have taken 35k images on my 7D in the last 3 years - on any 1D body I would probably never get anywhere close to even warming the release mechanism...).
I imagine that in 3-4 years the 1DX can still be sold for over 3k (similar to the 1DIV when the 1DX came on the market), while the 5DIII will be at 1k. If I look at it like that then I would have spent 2-3k in both cases.

The 300/2.8 is heavy, but I took it on a 10h hike in the Swiss alps last summer (albeit an easy one), and I survived. But I only took the extender, the 24-70, and the 300.
The old 400/2.8 would be too heavy, though - and I can barely hand-hold that one for more than a minute...
 
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#15
Unless there's something specific in the 1Dx, I'm another one for the 5DIII . . .

What are you running up against with the 7D AF that's problematic? I've had little trouble with sports/dance with the 60D/5DmkII for AF/FPS, but I try to bring my real shooting skills to that to 'ambush' my shot.

I hear you on high-iso, my mkII really took my fear of away; I want a mkIII, but after I got news that my baby needs a new transmission yesterday, I will NOT be pushing my luck this year :'(

I highly suspect the 7DII is going to be superior in some 'sports shooting' way the same way the 7D was over the 5DmkII/1Div . . . but you don't seem like you want to wait ;D
 
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#16
I am having to agree with people here that the 5D3 would be a great body to get if you really feel you need a new body. Looking at what you shoot I still feel that you are lacking reach and although you can always rent the glass you need there's nothing like being able to pull out your own super telephoto to just play around with when bored (at least it's nice for me). I have heard some great things about the 5D3 from others that use it for BIF.

dstppy said:
I highly suspect the 7DII is going to be superior in some 'sports shooting' way the same way the 7D was over the 5DmkII/1Div . . . but you don't seem like you want to wait ;D
Click to expand...

I am sorry to get off topic here but in what way is the 7D more superior than the 1DIV?
 
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#18
Just moved from the 7D to the 5DIII myself. The difference is noticable. Actually, I just got back from a trip where I used both bodies and my wife noticed the difference in the images. I believe her comment was "the 5 camera does a lot better in low light, doesn't it?"

AF of the 5DIII is significantly better than the 7D. After several days of shooting, it was actually a little painful to go back to the 7D.

So, my advice, get 5DIII and either put the rest aside to save for a lens/tripod or buy something nice for your wife. If she let you get your current gear, my guess is that she is a keeper.
 
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#19
with the lenses that you have, its surprising you haven't gone full frame already. I suppose the real question is do YOU feel the 1Dx is overkill for an amateur? Obviously the best camera in the Canon range, so would you be able to make do with the 5D mk3 instead?..... there are a lot of people who would love to have this dilemma!!!!
 
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#20
crbeveri said:
dstppy said:
I highly suspect the 7DII is going to be superior in some 'sports shooting' way the same way the 7D was over the 5DmkII/1Div . . . but you don't seem like you want to wait ;D
Click to expand...

I am sorry to get off topic here but in what way is the 7D more superior than the 1DIV?
Click to expand...

I'm trying to find some information on it (thought I read it somewhere); this was the best that I could find quickly:
"With these densely-packed AF points, new features have become a reality. In many ways, this is the most sophisticated AF system ever in an EOS digital SLR, in some ways surpassing the flexibility of Canon’s top-of-the-line EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds series cameras."

From here:
http://www.learn.usa.canon.com/resources/articles/2011/whats_news_eos7d_article.shtml
(click on show-all for page number)

Other pages I found said that the 1d4 was better . . . so I could very well be mistaken.
 
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