Need seasoned advice - keep 5D Mark II or NO?

[DocMo]

Hey All,

I'm new to the forums here, so greetings. Ive enjoyed the discussions here quite a bit and wanted to toss this question out to the group.

I was able to pick up a 5D Mark II + 24-105 bundle when Fry's was clearing them out ($2100).

To this point, I shoot crop (T4i, 17-55), and I do have some lenses that are compatible with FF, so lenses are not a factor. I shoot family, kids, street/photojounalism, and a bit of landscape. No birding, no high speed sports. I post-process in Lightroom.

However, I'm grappling with the debate of whether to 1) keep the 5D II as an introduction to FF, or 2) return it and go 6D, OR 3) return it, wait a while, and then go 5D III.

I understand the spec differences between all three bodies, and the capabilities and limitations of all.

What are your thoughts? Will the 5DII provide an IQ experience different from my T4i? (notwithstanding focal differences, which I understand).

Would you, in this situation, be disappointed in the limitations of the 5DII?

Is the cost of investment in the 5DII at this time better leveraged with the 6D/5D III?

Thanks for reading. I'm well within my return period, so I just want ensure I'm making the most rational decisions of whether to keep or change my strategy.

 

[Drizzt321]

I say keep it and shoot with it, a lot, for most of the rest of the return period and evaluate when you have 2-3 days left on your return period. If you are finding it works well and gets you the images you want, keep it, and put the money towards more glass in the future with an eye towards upgrading the body in a 2+ years.

 

[Menace]

Keep the 5dII for awhile and get used to shooting FF - later you can always upgrade

Btw, I hope you are enjoying your 5d

 

[Dark Reality]

If you don't notice a difference between t4i and 5dii then it's unlikely you would notice the 6d or 5diii difference either. 5dii is a very nice camera, i love mine. It's on par with 6d and 5diii. For your stated uses, it is a very capable device. Keep and and use it, and like mentioned above, you have time to change your mind, but you won't gain as much going to 6d or 5diii, as you did by going full frame in the first place.

 

[Random Orbits]

There is a bigger IQ jump from the T4i to the 5D II than from the 5D II to the 6D/5D III. The 6D/5D III perform a little better at higher ISOs than the 5D II, but again, the difference is smaller compared to the T4i to FF jump.

Assuming that funds are a limiting factor, I'd suggest staying with the 5D II and spending money on glass. A fast 35, 50 or 85 will open new possibilities for you for shallower DOF and/or available light photography. You'd also want to consider replacing the 55-250 that you have with a FF 70-200 or 70-300.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

If you cannot see a difference between the images you get with your current camera and those from the 5D MK II, by all means sell it. Not everyone likes a FF camera, the shallow depth of field can be disconcerting after using a smaller sensor.

 

[BrandonKing96]

If you've already got the 5D II, don't bother going with the 6D (if you were choosing between the two, I'd recommend the 6D, but you already have the 5DII?). I'd wait for the 5D III as it's a better camera all round and you'll definitely enjoy it!

And your 40 f/2.8 STM would be pretty good on a full frame body for what you mentioned.

 

[colvinatch]

Stick with the 5D Mark II, it is a HUGE leap from the T4i in IQ, especially in low light / high ISO conditions. Spend the money you save on a good prime lens and enjoy taking great photos. The IQ jump from the 5D II to a 6D or a 5D III is nothing compared to having a great lens in front of your 5D II. Don't concern yourself with chasing the latest camera body, there will ALWAYS be one better than the one you are shooting with, concern yourself with your images.

 

[canonight]

Newbie on this board....my 2 cents :
return the 5D2 kit - you probably paid tax on it also. I would get the 6Dkit for $2450...not much more, and you get the latest model. The price difference is too small to warrant keeping the older model for me.

 

[noisejammer]

I'm something of a luddite - I figure that as long as my camera isn't the determining factor in my image quality, it doesn't need upgrading. Although I own a 1D4, my 5D2 gets far more use.

Beside this, after deducting the price of your 24-105 the 5D2 effectively cost you $1300... it isn't going to depreciate more than $300 over then next couple of years. Let's say you decide to upgrade then - you get the use of an excellent camera for 40 cents a day.... How can you go wrong? (I'm guessing here but I really expect the 6D and 5D3 to loose half their value over then next year or so - it happens when you buy things that are close to the bleeding edge.)

 

[Dylan777]

Sell your t4i and crop lenses. The IQ on FF is much better than crop in higher ISO - cleaner. Since you don't shoot anything fast, either 5D II or 6D will be fine in term of IQ.

If this is my money, I would take 6D over 5D II for few reasons:
1. 6D has true auto ISO in "M" mode. 5D II has fixed at 400ISO in "M' mode
2. Newer camera, newer tech, and extra features wifi etc....

Where are you located? I'm in Fountain Valley, zip 92708. I'm very close to Fry's in FV ;D

 

[Nitroman]

Stop worrying about upgrading your equipment and just go out and take great pictures !!!

The 5D2 is a fantastic camera and you'll notice little difference between it and the 6D or 5D3.

I have two 5D2's and they are perfect for professional quality results.

Save your money and have a nice holiday with the girlfriend (just don't tell the wife ...) lol

 

[charlesa]

Keep the 5D II, still a good body. Get better glass and enjoy shooting!

 

[JerryKnight]

I'm something of a luddite - I figure that as long as my camera isn't the determining factor in my image quality, it doesn't need upgrading.

I don't think this is being a luddite; I think it's being practical and resisting the natural technolust we all have. It's a very important principle - Don't upgrade until you reach the limits of what you have.

If you're just getting into full-frame, you probably won't notice the difference between a 5D2, 6D, 5D3, or 1DX. The 5D2 has been a workhorse camera for many years. It may be older, but it's been a powerful tool for countless pros during that time. For as many people that used a 5D2, there weren't a lot of complaints during its reign. Of course the newer models are better in many ways, but most of the improvements are expanding the limitations of the newer cameras, not fixing problems of the older 5D2. (Note: I said "most". They did fix a few of the 5D2's minor quirks.)

That said, my 5D2 is slated for an upgrade this year, probably to the 6D. It's my second body for wedding shooting, so the 6D's improved low-light performance and autofocus (I'm mostly a center-focus-point user anyways) will provide a big benefit over my 5D2. My primary body is a 5D3, and it has really shown the limitations of the 5D2 in my shooting, but it has taken many years for me to get to where I can tell the difference.

Stop worrying about upgrading your equipment and just go out and take great pictures !!!

The 5D2 is a fantastic camera and you'll notice little difference between it and the 6D or 5D3.

I have two 5D2's and they are perfect for professional quality results.

Save your money and have a nice holiday with the girlfriend (just don't tell the wife ...) lol

Keep the 5D II, still a good body. Get better glass and enjoy shooting!

+1000 each

 

[christianronnel]

You should return it and get the 6D kit for just a little bit more money. The 5DII and 6D will have very similar IQ. You'll get newer tech with the 6D. Upgrading from T4i means that you only have SD cards, if you get the 5DII you'll have to buy more expensive CF cards. The 5DII focusing is crap, the 6D even betters the 5DIII in low light situations. You don't need the 5DIII unless you're getting paid and need to shoot more efficiently.

 

[sagittariansrock]

Hey All,

I'm new to the forums here, so greetings. Ive enjoyed the discussions here quite a bit and wanted to toss this question out to the group.

I was able to pick up a 5D Mark II + 24-105 bundle when Fry's was clearing them out ($2100).

To this point, I shoot crop (T4i, 17-55), and I do have some lenses that are compatible with FF, so lenses are not a factor. I shoot family, kids, street/photojounalism, and a bit of landscape. No birding, no high speed sports. I post-process in Lightroom.

However, I'm grappling with the debate of whether to 1) keep the 5D II as an introduction to FF, or 2) return it and go 6D, OR 3) return it, wait a while, and then go 5D III.

I understand the spec differences between all three bodies, and the capabilities and limitations of all.

What are your thoughts? Will the 5DII provide an IQ experience different from my T4i? (notwithstanding focal differences, which I understand).

Would you, in this situation, be disappointed in the limitations of the 5DII?

Is the cost of investment in the 5DII at this time better leveraged with the 6D/5D III?

Thanks for reading. I'm well within my return period, so I just want ensure I'm making the most rational decisions of whether to keep or change my strategy.

It's not a question of photography but one of Psychology.
5DII for all purposes will be more than sufficient for a long, long time.
However, the fact that you settled for it and didn't go for the 6D will gnaw at the back of your head for almost as long. Every time you shoot in low light you'd wonder how the 6D would have been great here, and will hamper your focus as the 5DII's AF tries to do its job.
So return it while you can, and get the 6D. You'll forget the price difference much sooner than you'd have forgotten the (perceived) difference in capabilities of the two cameras.

 

[well_dunno]

It's not a question of photography but one of Psychology.
5DII for all purposes will be more than sufficient for a long, long time.
However, the fact that you settled for it and didn't go for the 6D will gnaw at the back of your head for almost as long. Every time you shoot in low light you'd wonder how the 6D would have been great here, and will hamper your focus as the 5DII's AF tries to do its job.
So return it while you can, and get the 6D. You'll forget the price difference much sooner than you'd have forgotten the (perceived) difference in capabilities of the two cameras.

Well said!

 

[JBeckwith]

It kills me how people tend to discount the 5DII now that there are newer, more expensive options available. All of a sudden it becomes an inadequate option.

This could not be further from the truth for me. I have a 5DII and I still love it. MANY professionals still use the 5DII for their work and have been doing so for many years.

You got a great deal on the 5DII and I would keep it and use the extra $ to go on an outing or something. But ultimately it's your choice and if you feel the extra $ is worth it for the new technology then go for it.

 

[uokhoj]

Another really happy user of 5d mkII. I 've got it since '08, and plan to have it till its dead. But if I was to buy now a new camera it would be mkIII, if I could afford it, of course.