Own a 5D3 - need a backup...

[Skirball]

The guy says he has a $700 limit and people are suggesting 6Ds, 7D2s, and jumping ship to a 800D.

 

[V8Beast]

For $700, you can't go wrong with a 5DC. Like RL said, even an OLD full-frame body like the 5DC crushes a 50D and 7D in terms of ISO, color depth, contrast, and overall IQ.

In fact, Canon has made very little improvement in IQ to its current flagship crop body (7D) versus it's OLD crop bodies (10D/20D). According to DxO:

20D
Overall Score: 62
Color Depth: 21.9
Dynamic Range: 11 EV
ISO: 721

7D
Overall Score: 66
Color Depth: 22
Dynamic Range: 11.7 EV
ISO: 854


Now compare this to the 5DC:

Overall Score 71
Color Depth: 22.9
Dynamic Range: 11.1 EV
ISO: 1368


Having shot with all three bodies before (20D, 7D, 5DC), DxO's ratings translate to field performance rather well. Interestingly, although the 7D has the edge over the 5DC in DR on paper, I find that the 5DC handles fine tonal gradations (especially grays and blacks) soooooo much better than the 7D that I don't care at all about it's .6 EV disadvantage. If you can put up with its horrific AF and antiquated screen, the 5DC still offers exceptional IQ.

 

[Hydrogen]

I realized I posted originally with $700 as my limit, but after losing two 5Dc opportunities on eBay - the good ones slipped away and I don't want a beat up and overly used camera, I saw that 5D2 refurbs were back in stock at Canon and pulled the trigger. Crazy, I know. But at least now I don't have to keep changing lenses on the 5D3 when I want to take a picture and the IQ will be practically the same.

Just wish Canon Direct didn't charge sales tax...

 

[RLPhoto]

I realized I posted originally with $700 as my limit, but after losing two 5Dc opportunities on eBay - the good ones slipped away and I don't want a beat up and overly used camera, I saw that 5D2 refurbs were back in stock at Canon and pulled the trigger. Crazy, I know. But at least now I don't have to keep changing lenses on the 5D3 when I want to take a picture and the IQ will be practically the same.

Just wish Canon Direct didn't charge sales tax...

These don't look too bad. Buy at your own discretion.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-5D-12-8-Megapixel-Camera-Body-Great-Camera-11701-/190811715422?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item2c6d43b75e

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-5D-12-8-MP-Digital-SLR-Body-w-BG-E4-Grip-/230944590575?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item35c55ecaef

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-5D-12-8-MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-Only-with-Extras-/390557381347?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item5aef08b2e3

The third one looks the best to me.

 

[crasher8]

Canon Loyalty Program would have saved you some dough as well on a 5D2.

 

[bdunbar79]

I realized I posted originally with $700 as my limit, but after losing two 5Dc opportunities on eBay - the good ones slipped away and I don't want a beat up and overly used camera, I saw that 5D2 refurbs were back in stock at Canon and pulled the trigger. Crazy, I know. But at least now I don't have to keep changing lenses on the 5D3 when I want to take a picture and the IQ will be practically the same.

Just wish Canon Direct didn't charge sales tax...

You'll be very happy with the 5D2. 5D3/5D2 combo makes a lot of sense to me. Just put one lens on the 5D3 and the other on the 5D2 and they are basically the same systems, so then just shoot away.

 

[Dim]

Hydrogen, what lenses will you put on your back up camera?
You can use 24-70 f2.8 on 5D3 and 85 f1,2 on 5Dc. It will be good and quality of pictures will not differ much I think.

And what about rent? I take lenses for rent and light sometimes besides fly-cam and scater-dolly.
It's very expensive to have everything for own.

 

[bdunbar79]

Hydrogen, what lenses will you put on your back up camera?
You can use 24-70 f2.8 on 5D3 and 85 f1,2 on 5Dc. It will be good and quality of pictures will not differ much I think.

And what about rent? I take lenses for rent and light sometimes besides fly-cam and scater-dolly.
It's very expensive to have everything for own.

Since he already bought a 5D2, the point is moot.

 

[SiliconVoid]

Skip the 50D, get a 40D if you aren't needing a current body.. Regardless of the spec sheets the 50D cannot match its older sibling. The micro adjustment for different lenses is nice to have in the 50D, but honestly I have not put a lens on my 40D that has needed any adjustment.