Want to pull the FF trigger but on what? Help!!!!!

[tiger82]

new 5D2 - $1900, used 1Ds3 - $2500, new 5D3 - $3200

IF want to have a full frame body now rather than wait for what Canon may announce later, what are the merits of the 3 above? I can compare the specs directly but I'd appreciate this group's vast experience to provide insight beyond specs.

Thanks

 

[bdunbar79]

1Ds3: Unusable above ISO 800ish. Superb ISO 50-200. Not a low-light camera and old tech.
5D2: Great range, poor AF system. Good IQ up through ISO 6400.
5D3: Superior of the 3, great AF system, auto ISO in manual mode, in cam Multi-exposre, in-cam HDR, etc.

I've owned all 3. The 1Ds3 was really superb at low ISO but that fell apart really fast. I never bothered to shoot above ISO 800. It's also old technology, with Digic 3 processors. You can spot-meter thru active AF and is a superior landscape and well-lit scenery/portrait camera. It is NOT better than the 5D3 though, even in these conditions.

The 5D2 was great IQ-wise, but not as good as the 1Ds3 ISO 100-400. Beyond 400, the 5D2 looked much better, and was usuable at high ISO values. Very poor AF system, and only has 9 points.

The 5D3 is the clear winner. It has an advanced AF system and you can do auto ISO in manual mode. The noise performance is a bit better than the 5D2. Also has the newest technology. You can use the 5D3 in ANY condition, whereas the above 2 would have to be more specific.

You need to decide what features you need. I wouldn't recommend the 1Ds3 however, because there is better tech available now.

 

[Dylan777]

new 5D2 - $1900, used 1Ds3 - $2500, new 5D3 - $3200

IF want to have a full frame body now rather than wait for what Canon may announce later, what are the merits of the 3 above? I can compare the specs directly but I'd appreciate this group's vast experience to provide insight beyond specs.

Thanks

You forgot 1D X ;D

I have both 5D II + 5D III. The reasons I got 5D III: SUPER AF system, decent frame rate, and of course low light shooting. PLUS MUCH MORE............

 

[tiger82]

1Dx is nice but I'm not quite there yet with income. I think 5D3 is the direction I'm leaning. I found this seller on eBay. It looks like he breaks up the 5D3/24-105 kits and sells separately. <$3100? Usually, if it looks too good to be true, it isn't. It looks like he's sold quite a few.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-NEW-/150811558362?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item231d11c1da

Thanks

 

[preppyak]

1Dx is nice but I'm not quite there yet with income. I think 5D3 is the direction I'm leaning. I found this seller on eBay. It looks like he breaks up the 5D3/24-105 kits and sells separately. <$3100? Usually, if it looks too good to be true, it isn't. It looks like he's sold quite a few.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-Digital-SLR-Camera-Body-NEW-/150811558362?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item231d11c1da

Thanks

Canon has a specific list of retailers that are "authorized", meaning that you get the warranty for a full year. I know GetItDigital is not one of those, and many of the Ebay sellers are not either. For a $3000 item, not getting a warranty would be unacceptable to me. The list is at the bottom of this page: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/professional/standard_display/where-to-buy-pro

There are a few that are tricky (ASavings on Ebay is actually Focus Camera, which is authorized, for example), but for the most part if you don't see them on the list, the "warranty" they offer is dependent on them actually backing the product, not Canon.

It also appears that Ebay has authorized resellers pointed out, as they do in this listing in the top right corner: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-III-BODY-Digital-SLR-Camera-Canon-5260B002-NEW-/170846708911?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item27c741e4af

 

[pdirestajr]

Buy a 5DII and spend the rest of your "budget" on glass!

 

[tiger82]

I guess the best way to resolve this in my head is to use my CPS eval loans: 5D2 first, then 5D3. Then I can see if the wow factor is worth the extra $1500

 

[bdunbar79]

I guess the best way to resolve this in my head is to use my CPS eval loans: 5D2 first, then 5D3. Then I can see if the wow factor is worth the extra $1500

Good choice. But really to be down to earth, the advanced features of the 5D3 just plainly make it easier to use. It's just that. It's easier to use, especially in less than ideal situations, than either the 1Ds3 or 5D2. But do check them out, that's a smart idea.

 

[tiger82]

Cheaper than renting and CPS loans is probably the only way I'll shoot a 1Dx in the next couple of years.

 

[7enderbender]

The good thing is that you really can't go wrong either way. It depends mostly on budget and application.

I have the 5DII and I'm quite happy wiht it. I recently tried out the Mark III and it is indeed very very nice and they made all the right improvements. But the again: not nice enough to go sell my camera to upgrade to it. The Mark III I personally still find to expensive. The 5DII on the other hand is such a good value right now that I've been contemplating getting a second body for that money while it is still around.

The 1DsIII would be my top choice but I don't buy used digital camera bodies - especially not pro cameras that likely have seen a lot of abuse. And manufacturer support cycles for camera gear seems to become shorter and shorter, so you may end up with a nice paperweight in only a few years.

But again, these are my personal choices since I could usually care less about super-duper AF perfomance and high frame rates or even high ISO for that matter. Same with video. Never ever used it.

 

[crasher8]

I'm in the same boat, my shooting style has changed from a need for fps and reach to a need for IQ and res.
Wait for mystery body? 5D2/3? Selling my 7D and 10-22 can fund a 5D2 but a 3 is a credit card purchase, I try to keep those to a minimum and stay within budget! If a new body would help with income it would be more realistic but I'm just not selling that much right now. I guess I'm a hobbyist+, uberhobbyist? Semipro?
Well whatever I am I have appreciated the 7D's 'advanced' AF system and would consider a Mk2 a step down.

 

[LostArk]

I'm in the same boat, my shooting style has changed from a need for fps and reach to a need for IQ and res.
Wait for mystery body? 5D2/3? Selling my 7D and 10-22 can fund a 5D2 but a 3 is a credit card purchase, I try to keep those to a minimum and stay within budget! If a new body would help with income it would be more realistic but I'm just not selling that much right now. I guess I'm a hobbyist+, uberhobbyist? Semipro?
Well whatever I am I have appreciated the 7D's 'advanced' AF system and would consider a Mk2 a step down.

100% of all my best images have come from owning my 5D2 + 24 1.4 over the course of the past month, even after having used a 7D for the previous 7 months. The AF isn't as horrific as people make it out to be. The question you have to ask yourself is, "how many shots will I miss due to only being able to track with the center AF point?" If that number is acceptable to you, 5D2 all the way. Whenever I find myself lusting for a 5D3, I honestly ask myself if any particular shot would be impossible with a 5D2. I haven't thought of a situation like that yet. And I doubt such situations even exist. It just becomes a question of "how much easier would a ______ make the shot?"

 

[tiger82]

In my situation, I will have to sell my current backup, a 50D with 14,500 actuations, so the new FF will have to be my backup to my 7D for sports and primary for everything else. Is a 5D3 better suited for this role than a 5D2?

 

[LostArk]

In my situation, I will have to sell my current backup, a 50D with 14,500 actuations, so the new FF will have to be my backup to my 7D for sports and primary for everything else. Is a 5D3 better suited for this role than a 5D2?

7D + 5D2 + Glass > 5D3

 

[distant.star]

.
I have no idea where the "trigger" is, but the gunsight is obvious.

You clearly want a 5D3. Stop pissing around about it!

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

They are all winners, get the one that suits your needs.
I returned my 5D MK III because I was unable to use the AF points in low light. It makes no sense to have good AF if you cannot see the AF points. The much larger points on the 7D can be viewed in low light, but those tiny specks on the 5D Mark 3 were too difficult for me to see.
Otherwise, its worth $3,000 no more.
I repurchased a 5D MK II which I use up to ISO 6400. AF is excellent, fast, and accurate for the center point, which is all I use.

 

[bdunbar79]

In my situation, I will have to sell my current backup, a 50D with 14,500 actuations, so the new FF will have to be my backup to my 7D for sports and primary for everything else. Is a 5D3 better suited for this role than a 5D2?

7D + 5D2 + Glass > 5D3

5D3 + Glass > 5D2 + 7D + Glass

 

[tiger82]

Been setting aside money for a 5D2 for 2 years now and I finally got to $2200 and now I have to consider shelling out the extra $1300 for a 5D3. I thought getting to this point would be a no-brainer but I have to weigh what I need vs what I want by considering what I can use. Hence my dilemna. Anyone who has $ (but not enough) burning a hole in their pockets will probably understand. Not an easy decision, that's for sure.

 

[tiger82]

Okay, I'm on the edge looking hard at this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/170856832935?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 Any opinions or experience with this seller?

 

[EOBeav]

The AF on the 5D2 is NOT inferior. It's just not as good as the 5D3. There's a difference. Get the 5D2 before Canon pulls it in favor of this rumored "entry level" full frame body. It's going to be a Rebel with a big sensor, IMO. The 5D3 is not worth the extra $1500, also IMO.