Advice 5D MKIII

the_monkey

Hi,
need some advice, I was thinking of upgrading my 5dii - 5diii

I have a 70-200 f2.8 L IS and ashamedly i dont use it much at all since i got
the 100-400 L , I have a 24-70 F2.8 L , and 100 f2.8L MAcro - so most of the range is covered ... so really I should sell the 70-200 f2.8L ?

thing is i stubbornly wanna hold on to that lens as it's so good, and i think
I might force myself to use it, but as you can see from the lenses above,
i have the range more or less covered.

If I sell the 5D MKII + 70-200 f2.8L IS , It could take a big (2k) bite out of the 5d MKIII price ....


Then again, this could be compulsive buying, I like landscape shots, Im not into low light shots or fast/sporty shots ... so mkii should be enough - and v happy with it - ok the AF is poor - but 3.2K is a lot of money ...

Ballyman

You could sell the 5D MKII + 70-200 f2.8L IS + 24-70 f2.8 and if you added about €700 would replace them with the 5D MkIII + 24-105 f4. The 24-105 and 100-400 would cover all your bases as the high ISO is so good on the MkIII that you no longer need f2.8 on the 24-70 for low light so the f4 is perfect for it. The focussing is superior to all current 1D cameras and it has dual card slots. It's an absolutely phenomenal camera.

It will actually make you a better photographer. How? Because you no longer have to worry about focussing or exposing in low light due to the new focussing system and incredibly high ISO so you can spend more time on getting the composition right etc.

But you don't need it If you are only interested in landscapes then it's a complete waste of money as you don't need any of the above features and the file size is pretty much the same as the MkII so there is no benefit there either.

the_monkey

My God , you're right !!! that is tempting me more .....

Kenny_D

I've a similar dilemma, looking to upgrade from a 550D to a 5d Mk ii/iii. Could get a used mk ii and 2-3 good lenses (24-70, 70-200 2.8, 85mm 1.2 or 50mm 1.4) or go for a new mk iii with just a 24-105 (i'd rather the 24-70). Both routes would work out at a similar price I think.

I've sent you a pm monkey anyway if you decide to sell the mk ii as i'd be interested in it plus the 24-70 and 70-200.

Ballyman

Kenny_D wrote: »

go for a new mk iii with just a 24-105 (i'd rather the 24-70). Both routes would work out at a similar price I think.

Kenny, I have both the 24-70 and the 24-105 and the 5D Mkiii makes the 24-70 pretty much redundant for me. The bokeh difference between f4 and f2.8 is negligible and the high ISO capabilities of the Mkiii means you don't need f2.8 unless you are in a cave. The 24-70 is bigger and much heavier as well
I have pics from the first dance at a wedding where I was using ISO12800 and f4 and it's fabulous!!!

Kenny_D

Cheers Ballyman, only thing with the 5d iii is because of the price I'd be left with the single 24-105 lens for quite a while. If I go the mk ii route I can add some really nice glass like the 70-200 2.8 and 85 1.2 (did you go view those ones yet in clondalkin btw?).

The reason for the upgrade is I've been asked to shoot 3 weddings in the next year for friends/family and right now I wouldn't trust my current gear to do a good enough job with the shooting conditions. For the same price as the mk iii + 24-105 I could get a used mk ii, 580ex speedlite, 70-200 2.8, 24-70, 50mm 1.4 and I already have a tamron 90mm 2.8 macro which doubles as a nice/sharp portrait lens.

I'd be tempted to know if you think I'd get away with shooting a whole wedding with just the mk iii and a 24-105 (I assume the answer will be no)

Kenny_D

Kenny_D wrote: »

I'd be tempted to know if you think I'd get away with shooting a whole wedding with just the mk iii and a 24-105 (I assume the answer will be no)

Can't speak for him, but if I could chime in, I'd say you'd be leaving yourself wide open for a "bollox anyway!" moment, when you realise 105 won't get you anywhere nearly close enough to the altar.

There's nothing wrong with a 5DII and I'd definitely argue against anyone who says a 5DIII will make you a better photographer.

I haven't used the 5DII but if the focus is as bad as people say, surely this can be compensated for by taking multiple shots or just spending a lot of time with the camera and trying to work it to your advantages?


Personally, whilst I wouldn't mind having a full frame camera for the novelty of it, I use a 7D and I love it. For the money you're spending, would you not considering picking up two 7Ds or a 7D and a 5DI?

If you have multiple lenses at a wedding and you drop one and it breaks, you can always mount another one, but if you've only one camera and it takes a tumble, it doesn't matter how many flash units, memory cards, lenses or ideas you have: You're fecked!

When making your purchasing decision, if it involves a wedding, include a second body! A 20D makes for a fine backup body. Bit old, but runs like a tank and never gives out. These can be gotten for €200-250 second hand, so well worth keeping an eye out for.

Kenny_D

Good point, I might hang onto my 550D as a backup, my 15-85mm is a nice sharp lens (similar to the infamous 17-55).

I can get a barely used 5d mk ii for €1300 from a friend I spoke to yesterday so I might start by picking that up and then look at getting a 24-70, 70-200 f/2.8 and a flash.

sebphoto

Kenny_D wrote: »

Good point, I might hang onto my 550D as a backup, my 15-85mm is a nice sharp lens (similar to the infamous 17-55).

Since when 17-55 is infamous?
Could you share some thoughts regarding sharpness of 15-85?
Did you had a chance to use a bit 17-55?

Kenny_D

The 17-55 is regarded as one of the best walkaround lenses for an aps-c camera. The 15-85 is up there with the 17-55 and approaches L quality. The 17-55 is expensive and a heavy lens, the 15-85 gives a little more range and has been my favourite purchase for my 550D.

The 15-85 is very sharp, you can see some of the pics I took with it on my flickr. Do a general search for reviews on the 15-85 and 17-55 for some more samples. They're both really great lenses.

On another note, I'm getting my 5D mk II on wednesday, woohoo

the_monkey

http://www.tagoreandorra.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=1346

Too good to be true??

jcf

hmmmmmmm , if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it is a _____