Wait or Bite?

[blacktiger0802]

So I have had a Canon XT for some time now (4 years) and I'm ready to upgrade to maybe a 60D or a 7D. I have been watching the prices go up steadily for the past months and was curious when should I buy a new Canon camera?

I have 3-4 EF-S lenses and was thinking if I could save up the money, I could go for the 5D mkII yet according to the recent rumors it won't come out until next year?

I plan on buying a new Canon over the summer (before my trip to Europe) but if there is something coming out late august, I could hold on until then because my college doesn't start until mid september and I would have saved up enough until then.

What do you guys think?

 

[jsixpack]

Given the state of Rumors, I'd bite on either the 7d (what I have) or the 60d. It's looking like 6 months out for just the announcement of the next generation, plus manufacturing time, you'll get at least a good year out of whatever you buy today.

A

 

[awinphoto]

There has been a lot of people on these forums over the last week asking your exact same question. The overall consensus is A) we cant guarantee or foresee price decreases any time soon given stock issues and in many cases some stores may run into shortages waiting for new inventory, and B) given the above statement, new releases are likely to be delayed until late 2011 or 2012. If you have the money, buy it now and at the very least, rest assure with your purchase you're contributing a tad to help the economy.

p.s. god forbid a new camera comes out before too long, you can always throw your camera on craigslist or ebay and should make up most your money given it would be less than a year old or such... Just some food for thought. That's what I did from my 50D to 7D... some stupid person wayyyy over paid for the camera and I paid little out of pocket for the 7D =)

 

[stan_tall_man]

I recently had the same internal debate on which camera to get and I just got my 60d and I'm blown away by it. It's obviously not as good as the 5d but I have a good collection of lenses but some of my favorites are only for crop bodies (sigma 10-20). I upgraded from a 40d and I'm blown away by the 60d. Not just by the video and wireless flash, but the lcd is amazing and the iso performance is way way better than i thought it'd be. I'm using iso 3200-6400 and i'm amazed how good it looks after being run through a noise filter in photoshop. From what I read the 60d has the same sensor as the 7d so the image quality is almost the same, it's just a matter of features and speed. I didn't need the speed of the 7d and I'm happy with the speed of the 60d. Some say it has a cheaper feel and I disagree. It's not quite as "solid" as my 40d felt but I was playing with a t3i in the store the other day and the 60d feels way better than the rebel line. My point in all this is that the 60d is still a heck of a camera and I'm impressed by it... especially upgrading from an older camera and having several years of technology to catch up with.

 

[blacktiger0802]

I was looking at the prices on my local craigslist and these are the options I have. I think I'll just forget about waiting for a 5Dmk2 or a new 7D (unless I want to wait until Christmas :)

1. Canon EOS 5D Mark II (5 shutter clicks)
Comes with battery, canon disc, 8GB card
$2200

2. 5D Mark II (6700 actuations)
$2350

3. Canon 5D Mark I
$1300

4. Or a 60D body
$1000

Surprisingly, no used 7D postings :'(
I am highly suspicious of the #1 but should I go with either of the 4 used ones or buy a new 7D? My photography is more landscape and portraits. Occasionally I do night photography as well as wildlife. In the future, I would like to print photos (not too big) but my current XT won't let me print any bigger than 8x11.

 

[gene_can_sing]

Used market is really expensive in general IMO. A new 5d is about $2700. You save about 300 to 400 dollars. Not really a bargain considering it's a used camera without warranty and you have no idea how it's been treated.

Same with lenses. The used market on EBAY, after all the bidding, you save about 15% to maybe 20%, not really worth it for a used lens when you can just spend an extra $100 or so and get it brand new.

 

[steven63]

You say you have 3-4 EF-S lenses. If this is correct you can't use them on a 5dMKII. They are not made to use on a full frame camera. That leaves you with either the 7D or the 60D.

 

[blacktiger0802]

I could always sell and repurchase lenses though...

 

[steven63]

You could purchase new lenses to fit a 5dMkii but if you're waiting for the iii it probably won't come out before your trip.

I own the 7d and If I were planning a trip to Europe I'd rather go with a full frame camera than a crop sensor. But I wouldn't sell the 7d to get it...I'm that happy with the 7d.

 

[Picsfor]

With either camera, you need good glass other wise the sensors will expose it.

If you have ef-0s lenses then realistically the 7D is your only option. The 5D2 doesn't take ef-s lenses so you'd need to get some ef lenses - and realistically your best bet would be with the 24-105 kit lens.

The 5D2 does take some stunning pics and givbes much better higher iso qulaity, but really - the 7D will more than do the same job if it feels good in your hand...

 

[HughHowey]

I'd go with a 60D or 7D if you want to keep using your lenses. Me, I'm thinking of doing something crazy because of these delays. I'm considering a 70-200 of some flavor, using money I've set aside for the 5D3, and starting to save up again for the body purchase in mid-2012 (even if it comes out sooner).

 

[blacktiger0802]

If I'm going to choose between 60D and 7D for landscape then i can see that the 7D would be a waste. But I'm still seriously considering the 5D mk2. Its just a matter of whether it would be worth it. My trip to europe got cancelled so if I have all summer free (until September) before my college starts. If i wait until then then I'm wasting all my time i could be using shooting with a new camera.

I'll be going to india over winter break so I could wait until then and just buy some LEE filters and and a nice tripod.

Still so confused

 

[danski0224]

7D 5D II

I have a 7D, and it takes some nice pictures. I'm not really into all of the technical stuff or processing, yet. The Canon 16 - 35 fits this camera very well for my purposes. The Tokina 11-16 is also nice. I have some nice pictures from the Grand Canyon that I never would have taken with a point & shoot.

A long time ago, I really liked taking pictures with my Eos 620.... so I know what is missing in the 7D viewfinder.

So I ordered a 5DII.

I put the 16-35 on it, and what a difference. Almost 35 on the 5D = 16 on the 7D. It means more through the viewfinder, the numbers don't convey it.

Initial impression is the 7D feels more solid.

But, if you want to take landscape pictures, you need the full frame camera.

 

[blacktiger0802]

Yes I will need a full frame but my plan is to keep my XT until the end of summer I guess :]

I'm going to go ahead and purchase the filters and a nice tripod though.

Any tripod recommendations? Price range is $100-$200.

 

[ronderick]

If you are serious about landscape photography, I'd suggest you go all the way on tripod and head. A good tripod combined with a good ballhead can last you years and is a worthy investment. (At least it's more of a sure bet than on the volatile and unpredictable camera market).

If you can afford it, a Gitzo tripod and either Arcaswiss or RRS ballhead.

Since there's so much in doubt over the camera release schedule and supply, I'd suggest just keep using ur XT and lens for the time being. Having the gear to take photos is the first priority; with that taken care of, I think waiting would give you more time to factor in new announcements, plan ur strategy (whether u really want to go FF, and if so, sell ur gears and replace them with EF lenses), and save up.

 

[1nsanity]

I can only second what other posters have said.

While the photograph really represent the key factor in taking beautiful pictures, getting a 5DII was the second smartest decision I have ever done for my photography. Like you I mostly take pictures of landscapes and portraits. The 5DII has significantly help me improved my photography, or maybe it has helped me love photography even more, nonetheless I have 0 buyer's remorse.

Then on my #1 best decision, the tripod! I agree with ronderick. Investing in a good tripod combo, with a good head would be a wise decision.

Last year I was faced with that decision. I had a manfrotto tripod which was great and at 300$ (including the head) it was doing an ok job. However, it was big, a bit awkward and I really wasn't enjoying the exercise of both carrying and using it.

I finally decided a worthy tripod combo was worth it. You see, I moved to New Zealand, and loving the outdoors I wanted a tripod that was light, solid and above all else that gave me the flexibility I needed for landscape photography. I bit the bullet and purchased a gitzo Series 1 tripod the 1541T and got a Markins Q3T to complement it. the combo weights in at 1.25kg. I also purchased a kirk L plate. This setup helped me improving my landscape photography and above all else made the usage of my tripod a pleasant experience. It's not cheap, the entire setup set me 1100$. Again I have no regrets.

Invest wisely in your equipement, but again as many have said, the internet is your friend, sell it, someone will always be interested.

 

[K3nt]

Seems a bit of a waste to get rid of all your EF-S glass. I'm very happy with my 7D for most any application. My next purchase will be the X1 Brian tripod kit from 3leggedthing.com, does anything I can possibly want it to and comes with a good versatile ballhead too.
Waiting for the 5D MKIII seems like waiting for the next processor upgrade for your computer, ther's always going to be a faster, better, cheaper one just around the corner. Just go with what you need and don't wait too long, there's too many pictures waiting to be taken.

 

[blacktiger0802]

I've decided to settle on the 5D original. That way, I can build up my lens collection and when the 5Dmk3 comes out, the 5D price won't be affected by it ;D

And for my landscape photography, I think full-frame is the way to go. Now I just need to find a good unused 5D body

But I heard one of the complaints of the 5D is that dust is an issue?

 

[ronderick]

I've decided to settle on the 5D original. That way, I can build up my lens collection and when the 5Dmk3 comes out, the 5D price won't be affected by it ;D

And for my landscape photography, I think full-frame is the way to go. Now I just need to find a good unused 5D body

But I heard one of the complaints of the 5D is that dust is an issue?

If you do invest in a 5D, you might want to keep an eye out for the problem with the reflector mirror coming loose. I believe a recall was issued for the 5D back in 2009.