If you had to start from scratch all over again, what would you buy?

[Harry Muff]

What with all the Canon bashing ("they're taking too long, not giving us the megapixels we want, why aren't they upgrading the lenses I like?, I'm jumping ship to Niko/Fuji/Sony etc."), I had a thought...




If the unthinkable happened and you lost all your gear, but it was fully insured, leaving you with a nice fat cheque to go out and build a new system, which company and camera system would you invest in for your needs now that you aren't tied down by lenses and accessories?




Me? It would be a tough call. I love my 5D3 and my handful of lenses, but I'd have a long hard look at the D800e, maybe even the new 645z.






So would you use it as an opportunity to move over, or would it be a simple case of buying the same gear again?






Over to you chaps.

 

[Random Orbits]

I think I would stay with pretty much what I have: 5D III/EOS-M and a bunch of lenses and flashes. Canon has lost the lead at some focal lengths, but what other company has the breadth of what Canon offers? Plus, Canon's recent releases (24-70 II, 24 IS, 28 IS and 35 IS) all have been in the right direction and it looks like the 16-24 f/4 IS may also be a top notch lens as well. I really like the 5DIII's AF system and high ISO performance, and Canon's RT system just works.

Lenses that I'd consider over what I have:
1. 35A versus 35L: 35L was my first fast prime, and I was hooked. I'm expecting the 35L II to be better, but if I'm starting from scratch, the 35A is definitely a consideration given it's lower price.
2. 50A versus 50L: 50L's AF works. I haven't tried the 50A, but reports that it's IQ is high but AF troublesome is holding me back.
3. Tamron 150-600 versus 100-400L.

More MP might be nice, but I'm happy with how many the 5D III has. I'm just hoping that there will be a high MP option that has a cost in the 5D range rather than the 1D line.

 

[JPAZ]

Great topic.

To be honest, I have become so accustomed to the menu system and nuances of Canon that "jumping ship" might be difficult. Whatever I decided on would need to at least match the capabilities I've got (or better them). Then I'd think about things like what it weighs, how it handles, and, of course, price. In the end, I'd likely go with the Canon lineup, again. But, I might go with a different equipment lineup (1D something instead of the 5, different lens lineup although I kind of like the combo I've got until GAS strikes).

 

[mackguyver]

That's a dangerous question...but here goes:

1D X
5DIII
16-35 f/4 IS
24-70 f/2.8 II
70-200 f/2.8 IS II
85 f/1.2 II
300 f/2.8 IS II
600 f/4 IS II
1.4x III
2x III
TS-E 17
TS-E 24 II
100 f/2.8L macro

That list is actually what I have with the exception of not owning the 600 f/4 II IS or 100L macro (I have the 180L macro), and I also own the 24L II and 50L.

 

[jdramirez]

I dance with the devil I know. The gas may be greener, but just having familiarity with the control makes me a better photographer on the fly.

 

[Botts]

I'd buy Canon for my primary system:

Canon 5D3
Canon 24L
Sigma 35A
Canon 70-200/2.8L II
Canon 500/4L II

My personal photography setup:

Sony A7s
Metabones EF Adapter
Zeiss 35/2.8
Fuji X100S

 

[Deleted member 91053]

I would go for pretty much what I have, perhaps change the 25-105 and 17-40 into a 24-70 Mk2.
I certainly wouldn't change brands as I mainly use long lenses and the only alternative is Nikon and theirs are not quite as good plus I much prefer the 1DX to the D4/D4s.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Folks.
I'm fairly sure I would use the opportunity to go FF, no way I'd leave Canon, just too familiar and I once tried to help someone find a setting on a Nikon, it is one button push on the canon, never did find it on the Nikon, the sun carried on setting and I didn't want to miss it too!
Probably wouldn't head straight for Sigma lenses, I would consider trying Canon and waiting to afford them!
I do like the build, frame rate and focus points of my 7D but not the noise at higher iso's. It also fits my hands well, any replacement would have to be as good or better to hold!

Cheers Graham.

 

[tolusina]

I had essentially that choice, jumped with both feet, eyes wide open into this here Canon camp last July.
I chose a 6D, have only two lenses so far, mostly use only the 40mm. Have two 600s plus remote, Pro 100, Gitzo, Acratech, Really Right Stuff, a custom built ASUS motherboard monster PC, an ASUS tablet, bunch of other little things.
Oh yeah, and an UpStrap!! Minimalist plus Kevlar.
---
Anyway, there are a lot of things about Nikons that I far prefer over Canon, a whole lot about Canon that annoys me starting with folder naming and reviewing, I can go on but I won't.
There sure was enough about Nikon that made me want to switch though. At this point, I hope to never own another Nikon, there on my neverbuy list with HP and a few others.
If I directed the camera gods, I'd have them build Canons that handle like Nikons, nope, absolutely not Nikons that handle like Canons.
Meanwhile, the 6D delights me, a lot.
---
About the 6D.
Over on the 70D vs 6D thread, one of this forums newer members has summed up about the 6D very well, he wrote...

....I'm really not sure how much more I could expect from a camera...every mistake I've ever seen in a shot is mine, not the cameras...I would never give up the low light capabilities or full frame...

---
Or, for one of those thousand word thingies, ponder the why of this..........

Sure, I know CPS likely loaned all those, but weren't all those guys Canon shooters already?



.

 

[privatebydesign]

Or, for one of those thousand word thingies, ponder the why of this..........

Sure, I know CPS likely loaned all those, but weren't all those guys Canon shooters already?



.

Not necessarily, particularly if it is a Canon sponsored event. When the full CPS circus rolls to an event anybody with photo credentials can borrow anything subject to availability for zero cost, no CPS membership, no Canon shooter requirements etc.

But there can be no doubt that with the 1DX and the MkII superteles Canon have put the bad old 1D MkIII days firmly behind them.

 

[IMG_0001]

The check would not be that big... Probably just covering for a 6d + 24-105 and a 35A or tamron 150-600. I'd probably go for the supertelezoom and pocket out the money for a 50mm f1.8 until I could afford more primes.

If I was to jump ship, I might have a look at the fuji rangefinders and change my shooting style. I like challenges...

 

[Hjalmarg1]

Starting from scratch, uuummmm. Well, I think i'd stick to Canon and have most of whatever I have now since I am a hobbyist only and I can't afford some very expensive glasses. However, this is my wishlist:

Canon 1Dx (Vs Canon 5D3)
Canon 24-70 f2.8L II
Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II
Canon 16-35 f4L IS (Vs f2.8L II)
Canon 100 f2.8L IS
Sigma 35A (Vs 35 f2 IS or 35L 1.4)
Canon 8-15 f4L (Vs 15 f2.8)
Canon 1.4X III (Vs Mark II)
Canon 2X III (Vs Mark II)
Canon 400L f2.8L IS II
Canon 200-400 f4L IS 1.4X

 

[kaihp]

I would probably consider a 1Dx over my 5D3 for a very long time. Keep my current lenses, maybe except for the 17-40/4L (now that the 16-35/4L IS is coming).

I'm lusting for a 85mm with a 1.2-1.4 aperture, but that's a separate topic.
Oh, and at some point I'd try a TS-E. But that would be "new" money.

 

[Dylan777]

For the lenses, I would buy exact of what I have, plus decent UWA zoom(16-35 f4 IS looks very promise)

Bodies? must be FF with 5D III features, at least. Maybe 1DX. Oh well, bodies come and go.

Wish list....Canon FF mirrorless, so I don't have to add Sony/Zeiss stuff to my gear.

 

[expatinasia]

I would also buy almost exactly what I have now. I may swap the 17-40L for the new 16-35L iii that is just about to come out, probably would not get the 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM, but I would never (until they launch a new version) want to be separated from my 1D X. The camera is just too good.

 

[expatinasia]

I would also buy almost exactly what I have now. I may swap the 17-40L for the new 16-35L iii that is just about to come out, probably would not get the 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM. All my other lenses would remain.

I would never (until they launch a new version) want to be separated from my 1D X though. The camera is just too good.

 

[justaCanonuser]

If the unthinkable happened and you lost all your gear, but it was fully insured, leaving you with a nice fat cheque to go out and build a new system, which company and camera system would you invest in for your needs now that you aren't tied down by lenses and accessories?

If I wouldn't decide to concentrate on landscape & portrait and change to mid format, I'd rebuy 70 % of my Canon gear. Overall I am still happy with my 5D3 (such a good workhorse) and I love in particular my 85/1.2, the NikoSony system doesn't such fast lenses with such a superb bokeh. But I might save some budget and invest it in a A7R + a good EF/Sony adaptor for landscape shooting, this little great Sony is an intriguing camera.

 

[Hillsilly]

I only stick with Canon because I'm heavily invested in lenses. If the cheque arrived, I'd probably just buy a 7D or 5D3, a 135mm, a used 300/2.8 and a 1.4 extender. I'd spend the rest on Fuji gear.

 

[wsmith96]

Interesting question. When I started with my photography hobby, I was being mentored by one of my employees on what gear I should get to start with. Unfortunately for me, I didn't stick with his recommendations and bought a rebel rather than the 50d he had recommended. Nothing against the rebels, but knowing now what I should have listened too then would have me much happier today. I still have that rebel and it does take pictures equally as good as that 50d would (given certain circumstances), but I'm wanting more out of the camera than it can give.

Now of course I would love to have a 1dx with all of the bells and whistles to go with it, but being honest with myself and my photography goals I would be just as happy with a 7d or 70d and my 10-22/17-55/60macro/and 70-200mkii. I'd like to throw in a 1.4 Mk iii teleconverter and a 6d too. But that's me. If my living depended upon my photography, then top of the line canon - no question.

 

[FTb-n]

I wouldn't stray far from what I have. First the workhorse system:

5D3 with 70-200 f2.8 IS II
5D3 with 24-70 f2.8 II

Then add secondary gear:

35 f2 IS
40 f2.8 (ok, not essential, but cheap and fun)
50 f1.4 IS (if Canon ever introduces it)

Gear I'd be tempted to buy:

7D
24-105 f4 IS

I went the 7D route before the 5D3 was available and I still use it for outdoor sports. (It's alse a "trainer" body for my kids.) Now that I have both the 7D and the 5D3, I know that I don't really need the 7D. But, if I never used one, I might be tempted.

Same holds true for the 24-105. This lens still gets use because I like the IS. Still, I'm finding less need for it now that I have the 24-70 f2.8. The latter is not only better in low light, but seems to focus quicker (maybe because ofits larger aperature). Still, if i didn't own the 24-105, I'd be tempted by the IS. But, the 35 IS and the future 50 IS would mitigate the need for 24-105 for its IS.

As for a "pocket" camera, I'd probably go for the G16 over another S100. I know it isn't as pocketable, but it's still small and better in low light throughout its zoom range.