Camera Labs

So the time is coming to upgrade my trusty XTi/400D to something else.
I have been saving up for a 5DIII as well as letting prices come down a bit.

The main problem I am debating right now is I just found a used 5DII for 1/3rd of the cost.
I am tempted to get a 5DII for around 2-3 years and then pick up a 5DIII at that time for less money.

I do not care about video. I want better image quality than my current camera and a lot better low light performance. Most of my lenses are full frame anyways and lately I rarely go beyond 85mm.

While I do not need all the focusing capability of the 5DIII now, I do see myself needing that in 2-3 years.

_________________
Canon Rebel XTi, BG-E3 Grip
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes

If you think the 5D2 is in good condition, why not. As the 5D3 slowly depreciates, so will the 5D2 to some extent. Sell the 5D2 when you're ready for the 5D3 and it becomes a cheap rental.

Missed the opportunity. Oh well, might catch the next one.

_________________
Canon Rebel XTi, BG-E3 Grip
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes

Well, until the next opportunity presents itself, consider that the 5D3 seems to have a major advantage that I had not remembered seeing mentioned in print: the area at the base of the hot shoe mount is shaped to accomodate the increased weather sealing around the mounting foot of the 580EX II flashguns. (Presumably, the 600EX-RT has this same weather seal; I am not sure about the 430EX II.) I noticed this when examining a 5D3 at a local camera store. This is a feature that has trickled-down from the 1D series, that outdoor photographers, who use flash, should consider. If I recall correctly, the 5D3 also has better gasketing, overall, than the 5D2.

The chorus of 5D2-owning photographers wishing for better AF was also a factor. Though I find the AF of a 5D1 to be quite good, for most of my shooting, the 7D is notably better in some conditions, so that is another reason to favor the 5D3 over the 5D2. (As I understand it, the AF of the 5D1 and 5D2 are very similar, of not the same.) While the 5D3 is not marketed as a camera for shooting action, it is probably better than the 5D Marks I and II.

The very attractive prices of new and pre-owned 5D2 cameras certainly had me considering the purchase of a 5D2, rather than skipping the second generation, as I had planned, but now I am back on-course toward a 5D3, or perhaps a pre-owned 1D Mark IV.

_________________
Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro