Thinking of downgrading my 5d3 system

[KKCFamilyman]

I have been considering selling my setup

5d3
24-70 2.8 mkii
70-200 2.8 is mkii
Cf cards
600 exrt speedlite

To get a 6d
24-70 f4 is
70-300l
Newer speedlite 430ex ii replacement

I just spent thousands of dollars this year and have hardly used the gear. When I do its for candids or vacations. I wonder if I am wasting the money and should sell it to downgrade to something more enthusiast level and cheaper. Also it's just so much to lug around. Just not sure and wanted some opinions.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Its easy to get sucked into buying something you don't need when you listen to the hype. At this point, it might not be a good idea to trade down to a 6D, used MK III's run about $2300, you might only save $300 - 400 by going to a 6D.
The price of the MK III is going to rise now that Christmas sales are over. Spring is the best time to sell during ordinary times, but nothing seems ordinary right now.

 

[KKCFamilyman]

I was thinking about that. The crazy thing is part of me wants to continue with a 35l prime and some studio lights. But it seems too expensive to do for a hobby. So I was thinking get out while you can but retain some system.

 

[Standard]

If you're only using your gear sparingly but still love to shoot and don't want to lug a giant dslr around, a great option is to either go with a basic Leica setup like a Leica X2 (or even an older X1), a Fujifilm system like a Fujifilm X-E1( X-Pro 1 or X100) with one or two interchangeable lens, or a Sony RX100. Anyone of these are superb cameras that are much smaller, lighter and more discreet.

 

[Botts]

I have been considering selling my setup

5d3
24-70 2.8 mkii
70-200 2.8 is mkii
Cf cards
600 exrt speedlite

To get a 6d
24-70 f4 is
70-300l
Newer speedlite 430ex ii replacement

I just spent thousands of dollars this year and have hardly used the gear. When I do its for candids or vacations. I wonder if I am wasting the money and should sell it to downgrade to something more enthusiast level and cheaper. Also it's just so much to lug around. Just not sure and wanted some opinions.

If you want to stay SLR, you may want to wait for the 6D w/ 24-70 IS kit to arrive and prices to have a rebate.

Right now, you'd probably get $2,300 for the 5D3, and pay $1,899 for the 6D body. If you could get a good deal with a 6D/24-70IS kit on rebate, it may be worth the change.


For the lenses, you could even sell those now, and make not bad money. The 24-105mm used is sub $800, you could probably sell one in 6 months to a year for a negligible drop from there. I'd seriously consider doing this, and then downgrading the 600RT for a used 430EX. The 70-200 f/2.8 II is also going to net you some cash when downgrading to the 70-300L.

The CF cards are likely going to be something of a write off on the used market.

All in all, I'd consider selling the lenses and flash, but keep the body until you can get a cheaper 6D & 24-70IS kit, if you are set on the 24-70.

 

[drmikeinpdx]

I know what you mean about being too much to carry around when on vacation or even just walking around. I think people who carry big cameras and lenses when they are trying to enjoy a vacation are either crazy or way more manly than I am! LOL

What I did was pick up a cheap T2i with the stabilized kit lens (18-50). It is perfect for vacation pictures and weighs next to nothing compared with my 5D3 and a fast lens. With a bit of photography skill it takes great vacation pix and I am giving it a try for street photography, something which I have been wanting to explore.

You can get a T2i really cheap from the Canon refurbished web site. No need to sell the 5D3. Your Mark 3 will still be a great camera in five years that will do anything you need. I suspect that you will regain your interest in high level photography eventually and you will wish you still had your Mark 3.

 

[Dylan777]

Unless you REALLY REALLY need the cash....WHY 6D, 24-70 F4 IS????????????????????

Don't listen to what people said about 6D + 24-70 f4 IS. Most of these people came from T3i & t4i to FF.

To remind you, this is why we buy 5D III + 24-70 f2.8 II
http://albums.phanfare.com/isolated/zI4RaRdU/1/5903066

6D + 24-70 f4 IS is great for shooting 90yrs old man crossing the street

 

[EvilTed]

Keep the 5D MK3 and all your gear - you may get back into it.

Go out and buy a Fuji XE-1 and the 35mm F/1.4 and enjoy taking photos again

ET

 

[Rocky]

I have been considering selling my setup

5d3
24-70 2.8 mkii
70-200 2.8 is mkii
Cf cards
600 exrt speedlite

To get a 6d
24-70 f4 is
70-300l
Newer speedlite 430ex ii replacement

I just spent thousands of dollars this year and have hardly used the gear. When I do its for candids or vacations. I wonder if I am wasting the money and should sell it to downgrade to something more enthusiast level and cheaper. Also it's just so much to lug around. Just not sure and wanted some opinions.

If you want a "light weight" vacation, sell everything you got and get a Sony RX 100. Its AF is almost as fast as a DSLR and the picture quality is also as good as a DSLR. Panasonic LX-7 is my second choice.
As for changing from your original list to the proposed list , you will stil end up a slightly less weight and a slightly smaller bag. But it is not substantial. It is not my kind of change over.

 

[knifez]

If you decide to continue using a dslr, I would

- sell the 600 as its big and you probably don't need it.
- sell the 70-200 as its a big white beast that scares children.
the 70-300 is more discrete, with more range... and you'll be more likely to take it on travels.

- keep the 5D.
The AF system with 61 af points is enough a reason to never go back to a 9 or 11 point af system
less re-compositing = more pics in focus.

I don't think you'd really save that much by switching now anyway, the 5D price has dropped quite a bit, while the 6D hasn't.

cheers!

 

[x-vision]

I have been considering selling my setup

Replace your lenses first and then decide whether to keep or replace the 5DIII.

Getting the new 24-70/4L is a very good idea but you might want to reconsider getting the 70-300L.
Why don't you get a prime to complement the 24-70/4L? Like the 100/2 or maybe the 135/2.
This will considerably reduce the size/weight of your kit.

Or maybe get the 70-200/4L IS instead of the 70-300L.

Going from the 5DIII to the 6D is not such a big saving in terms of size/weight, so I wouldn't do it if I were you.

 

[Eli]

If it were me, I'd sell the lenses, and get a 24-105 for travel and some primes that'll spark your photography interest; get the 35mm 1.4! Don't sell the body, you won't recoup much money from it. Even a 5d + 35mm setup would be great for all purpose and not too heavy to lug around. Blackrapid + general purpose kit = win.

 

[esaleris]

I have the same conundrum. It's incredibly hard to justify the expenditure (note I do not say investment, since I am not a professional and do not earn money with photography) when it is just a hobby. I ordered a 5D Mark III over the holidays but am inclined to return it without opening.

I am a believer that usefulness resides in the extremes. If you're taking candids and vacation photos, would an EOS M work? It's completely different from a 5D, not FF, etc., but would be infinitely more portable. A 6D doesn't seem incrementally lighter or easier to carry than a 5D in reality, but a EOS M would make the experience completely different.

 

[hawaiisunsetphoto]

I don't think that you should make radical changes. I think that you get the most bang for the buck by selling the 70-200mm f/2.8L II, which has held it's value pretty well, and pick up the MUCH lighter and cheaper, and still sharp-as-a-tack 70-200mm f/4L (non-IS) -- which can be had used for about $450 and new for around $550. You'd take about $1300 -$1400 out of the deal. It's a fine lens. You'd still have one very versatile, fast lens (24-70mm f/2.8 II) for portraits, people, and lower light; I think that's worth keeping. You don't gain much by moving down to the 6D, I'd keep the 5D Mark III.....

 

[hawaiisunsetphoto]

And, check out the new Sigma 35mm.....

 

[knifez]

+1 on a 35mm lens. It was one of the first primes I purchased which got me back into enjoying photography. Before that I used zooms and they lacked the magic of a prime. Maybe changing the zooms for other zooms isn't the solution :-\ But it's a matter or personal choice and style. Good luck with your decision

 

[M.ST]

A lot of people buy professional gear, but don´t really need it.

If you have a lot of expensive CF cards and want to track subjects, stay with the 5D Mark III.

For private use you don´t need the 600 flash or the EF 70-200 2.8 II. Sell it and get the EF 70-300L if you don´t want to shoot portraits with it.

I highly recommend the EF 24-70 2.8 II. You are more flexible in low light conditions with this lens.

 

[Marsu42]

I have been considering selling my setup

Interesting and refreshing anti "just get the best" post ... the cf/sd card problem has been mentioned, but I also think that the 70-200is2 is over the top (price, size, weight) for many people and applications (look at your stats how often you needed f2.8 @200mm).

Personally, for the current price difference I'd keep the 24-70ii, except if you want the semi-macro capability that badly - but you can also do large magnifications with the tele zoom. As written above, you might loose some low light capability with the 70-300L, so it might be smart to keep f2.8 @70mm. If you want to replace your expensive standard zoom and save money, rather look at the Tamron.

I wouldn't recommend dumping your large flash, just get an additional one (maybe the 430ex2 replacement) because two real flashes allow for so much more creativity and the larger flash makes a big difference in reach outdoors (more power, 200mm reflector) and recycling time when bouncing. The on-flash menu system is also a big plus since you don't need to wade through the camera's flash menu.

The AF system with 61 af points is enough a reason to never go back to a 9 or 11 point af system
less re-compositing = more pics in focus.

... that is if you're not the focus & recompose type, the op will know. But the main advantage of the 5d3 is that the af is more precise with current lenses than the 6d, no matter how many af points are used.

I don't think you'd really save that much by switching now anyway, the 5D price has dropped quite a bit, while the 6D hasn't.

However, the 6d won't drop as much as the 5d3 because a) it isn't as overpriced to begin with and b) it is simply cheaper in absolute terms, so personally I plan to buy a 6d after the early adopters fee has been cut.

 

[MintMark]

Nobody else has suggested it yet... how about the 40mm pancake lens?

It's cheap, sharp and changes any DSLR into something more portable.

 

[Stu_bert]

I think what you haven't mentioned, which has a lot of implications, is when you bought all that kit, what did you intend to do with it? What style of photography and where? And why do you feel you are not able to do it? Is it solely the weight?

When I do vacations with family I tend to do sunrise & sunset by myself, and during the day stay with family (while scouting locations for sunset / sunrise).

Before you change anything, I think you need to look at what is preventing you from achieving your original aims with the MK III