Camera Labs

Hi everyone! I have been noticing a lot of rumours about a new Canon full frame camera which will be priced similar to the 5D2 to be announced around August/September. This camera which I presume would be called something like the 6D would be a cheaper full frame camera than the 5D3. I guess it would have some of the same features and take off a few. Hopefully it will have a similar sensor and autofocus to the 5D3 and maybe lower the fps and a few other things. My question is with this camera rumoured to be announced this summer is it still worth buying a 5D2 or should I buy a lens now and then consider my full frame options later on in the year?

Many thanks,

James

P.S the main source of the rumours is Canon Rumors who often tell you how probable they think the rumour is. With this they are saying very and they are usually right when they say this.

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

I don't recall CR posting anything about a budget full frame with any degree of certainty, that is nothing at CR2 or higher level. The rest is too vague as to the what and when. Everything right now is speculation. I wouldn't plan a buying decision around it.

My gut feel: it will have a lower AF system than the 5D3, lower fps. I would guess it could even have a lower end body. Basically it is hard for them to cut much out and not have it remain close to the 5D3 or make it useless.

If you really *need* full frame on the cheap now, get the 5D2 (or other used body).

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

There hasn't been anything in the last week. But over the last month or so there have been quite a few different posts regarding this camera. With Canon going through a period where they are/will be upgrading most of their camera range I am starting to wonder if buying a 5D2 right now is the best idea. Whilst the price is very appealing with this camera if a newer '6D' came out it would probably be considered an upgrade over the 5D2. I also agree with you regarding it a lower AF system although I'm hoping it won't since that is quite important to me I'm not worried about fps since I do plan on buying a 7D2 when that comes out, which will probably be next year some time. I can't say I really need a full frame camera at the moment since we are approaching the summer period where most people go on holiday and as a result business slows right down... Which I don't mind about since it gives me a chance to take a break and have some fun with photography. This means I could wait till the end of this period and probably up until Christmas if needs be. I could spend the money I have now on another lens and then either wait and see how much the 5D3 goes down or get a '6D' if it does arrive. Landscape is an area of photography I am going to take more seriously. I plan on buying a Manfrotto 055xprob and 808rc4 within the next week. I'm thinking I could buy a wide angle lens a little earlier than planned to allow me to get wider whilst still using a crop sensor. I was thinking about the 16-35mmL II but am starting to lean towards the 17-40mm. As my use is primarily for landscape when stopped down the softer corners on the 17-40mm become less of a problem. Whilst the 2.8 aperture would be good for night events I don't really do much of this so can't justify the extra £500 ish.

The 70-200mm is another lens I could buy although like the 5D2 it is not something I can say I would benefit much from in the upcoming months. With this lens it's mainly the price that is holding me back since I could buy multiple items on my list with this money.

Overall I wish Canon would just hurry up and announce all their cameras. That way I could decide what I want

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

Even if Canon announced everything, you'd just end up waiting for the n+1 generation for a little bit more... something.

I've been paying digitalrev more attention myself since the outrageous 40mm pricing in the UK, and they currently offer the 5D3 for a mere £2299 delivered and no additional taxes to pay, if you don't mind going the import route.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

It's good to see the 5D3 price dropping already. DigitalRev sold it for £2500 when it first came out. I don't think I can justify buying a 5D3 at this point in time since I know the price is going to drop in the coming months. Importing is something I would do if the price was significantly less... So in this case I would. The only thing that I don't like about it is having to return it to Hong Kong if it needed repairs and the fact resale value would probably be lower due to the fact it was a foreign model with foreign plugs. Although this would not effect me for many years to come it is something to think about. However the money saved might make up for this.

Just out of interest Popo whats your opinion on the 17-40mm vs 16-35mm debate? My decision at the moment is still between an ultra wide angle and a 5D2. Later this year I would then look at buying a 5D3 when the price settles down.

Thanks for the help,

James

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Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

I think the biggest question you should ask yourself is if a 5dII would server the purposes you have in mind now and for the remainder of the time you'll own it. If it will do the job right, then go for it. If there's some features that are a deal-breaker for you that the 5dII doesn't have, then go for the 5d3 or wait out for another option to come out.

The other question you should ask yourself is if you'll be making more money out of your photography by going the 5dII. In that case, the upgrade will pay itself. If not, will your own personal enjoyment of having a 5dII be worth it?

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Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel T2i, Canon S90
Lenses: Tamron: SP70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD, Canon: EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens, 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 III, and EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Retired camera: Fujifilm Finepix s700

Thanks for the advice Jean! Between now and the time I plan on getting the 5D3 it would server a purpose. However after that time it would either be sold or kept as a second body depending on the amount of money I could get back. The problems I have with the 5D2 are the AF, metering and the fact that video clips have a maximum of 12 minutes. Whilst video is not on the top of the list when I do video it is of performances where I only have one chance and the acts/scenes are often more than 12 minutes meaning I would not have time to stop and start the recording. The 30 minutes of the 5D3 is the same as my 550D and allows me time to play with. The 5D2 still takes great photos and in the studio environment would be fantastic... but using it for general photography with it could feel a bit sluggish to use. The 5D3 answers all these questions well. I'm not sure I would be making more money as a result as your clients don't really care what camera you are using It would allow better images and therefore a better portfolio but I'm not sure it would make much of a difference in the next few months.

Many thanks,

James

_________________
Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

I've not really looked into full frame UWA zooms much because I'd rather get the Sigma 8-16 for crop. I have used the 17-40 in the past and optically it didn't wow me. Adequate for the price I suppose, but I wouldn't buy one. Don't know about the 16-35 at all. I do want to get the fisheye zoom though.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Thanks Popo! Where you using the 17-40mm as a general purpose zoom and using some of it's wider apertures. I have read in many reviews that it gets sharper when you stop it down. f8 is when I have heard it starts to become sharp. I would only be using this lens for landscapes so this is not really a problem if what I have read is true.

Many thanks,

James

_________________
Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin

It was quite a while ago since I borrowed the 17-40, which I used on a 50D and 5Dmk1. On the 50D, the resolution of it just seem average. Reasonable enough, but nothing amazing. Of course it makes more sense on a full frame sensor. Since I didn't use it on my own 5Dmk1 I didn't really play with it enough but again it didn't do anything to wow me.

_________________
Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Thanks Popo. It was the price of this lens that appealed and I was hoping it would match up to the rest of the L series. I think I will have to try both of them out and then decided if the 16-35mm is worth the extra money

_________________
Camera: Canon 550D with battery grip
Lenses: Canon 24-105mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f1.4, Canon 18-55mm, Tamron 70-300mm,
Accessories: Manfrotto 055XPROB with 808RC4 head, Canon 430ex II speedlite, Lowepro Nova 180AW and Lowepro Pro Runner 450AW

Oh that is so lame, every hot girl who can aim a camera thinks she’s a photographer -Stewie Griffin