Just got my 5DIII, should i keep 60D?

[Dave of Finland]

I just spent my first night taking photos with my new 5D III. I don't care what anyone says, it's a wonderful camera. Specifically, i'm loving the silent shutter and the high iso performance. Those features plus the build quality are a huge improvement over my 60D.

That noted, i'm thinking that even though i'm not a pro photographer it might make sense for me to keep my 60D. For what i would get for selling it i think i'm better off using it to extend the range on my 70-200 2.8 ii.

In other words, won't i get better results with the 60D at 200mm than i would with the 5diii and a teleconverter (which i would have to buy if i sold the 60D)? If it's even close, i'd obviously prefer to have the flexibility of a backup camera and the fold out LCD for video.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[iso79]

It's up to you. Unless you're strapped for cash, it's nice to have a second body. I'm keeping my 5D MKII.

 

[1sicknickel]

I personally would say keep it because you never know when you need a B camera for shoots. I personally always have to have 2 cameras because freak accidents always happen on shoots.

 

[ctmike]

I'd love to take it off your hands. I just don't have any money to offer. Congrats on the new 5DIII.

 

[Cali_PH]

I agree with the others, I say keep it as a backup unless you need the money. I actually bought a 60D a bit ago as a planned backup to an eventual 5DmkIII purchase, since they have the same battery and my T2i has been acting up. Plus the added reach may sometimes come in handy.

 

[fotoworx]

i'm loving the silent shutter and the high iso performance.

How quickly people change. I've read this numerous times on numerous forums.

It seems like only yesterday that people were commenting and loving the loud "clunk" of the 5D2 !!

 

[magus424]

I also went from 60D to 5Dm3 and I'm going to have my 60D converted to full-spectrum to fiddle with - then I can do IR, H-alpha for astro, and even put a uv/ir block on to revert it to visible light.

 

[katwil]

I did something similar with an old 20D, converting it to IR.

I’m a proponent of having a back-up camera. The combination of FF and APS-C bodies will give you greater range with your lenses. Don’t forget that the Canon extenders don’t work with every Canon L lens. If you can turn the 60D into a lens that you wouldn’t be able to acquire otherwise, that might merit consideration, but I wouldn’t trade a 60D for an extender plus a little cash.

 

[MazV-L]

I don't have a 60D but I'll be keeping my 50D when I get my 5Diii. Here's why: I like the crop factor for wildlife/bird photos, I also prefer it for macro to my FF - a) because the subject appears closer, b) because in macro the larger DOF is an advantage.

 

[RC]

Keep your 60D.

Same strategy here but delayed. I've got a 7D and I'm planning to add a 5D3 hopefully in about a year . I'll have my sports-wildlife setup plus landscape-portrait-low light setup; best of both world.

I always had 2 bodies in the film days for multiple ISO and I want two bodies today for the reasons listed above.

 

[prestonpalmer]

If you are not a professional photographer, and have no reason to use two cameras simultaneously, or have no critical reason to keep the 60D as an emergency backup (IE, expensive paying client!) Then I would totally suggest you sell that camera and pickup another nice lens for your 5DIII!!! Really I think this might be the way for you if your not actively shooting professionally. Investing in good L series glass is a better investment in the long run than holding onto a body you will rarely use. The only reason some of us professional photographers keep extra camera bodies is in the event of a camera emergency. Ive had cameras go down on me before. Rather than troubleshoot, I grab a backup body and worry about it later.

Ive got 2x5D3's, a 5D2, 7D, and even a 40D crammed in the back of my camera bag somewhere. The 5D2's and 7D are video cameras, the 5D3's my primary cameras. I always carry 2 bodies with different lenses for wedding photography.