Time for a 5d (Full Frame), or...?

[FormElement]

I didn't mention another two thoughts that stopped me personally from going all the way to the 5DII this time.

1) The 7D uses ths exact same battery and CF card. So they're interchangeable in the future. (yay!)
2) The 5DII is due for a refresh in the next 8-12 months at most. I'm a betting that #1 above will still apply.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by FormElement

2) The 5DII is due for a refresh in the next 8-12 months at most....

Ummm... where exactly is this information coming from? My guesstimate would have been 12 months at least, given that the 1-series cameras and the 5D tend to have three year life cycles, and the 5DMkIII is likely to follow a 1DsMkIV announcement, not be concurrent with it (to avoid cannibalizing Canon full frame sales). The camera I expect to see in the fall announcements is the 1DsMkIV (which is far older than the 5DMkII), and then six months after that (i.e., next Feb/March)--possibly a 5DMkIII, assuming the 1DsMkIV makes everybody happy. If it doesn't, it may be even longer as they work out the tweaks, as they certainly aren't hurting for sales of the 5DMkII.

Product announcements tend to cluster in the spring (feb/march) and the fall (sep/oct), with the actual release of the camera a month or two later.

[hibou]

Originally Posted by JustSAN

my question, full frame or not? I am moving in to the wedding photography arena and need a professional grade camera; right now I am shooting with an Xsi...

Do I step up to a 5D right away and go full frame, or do I stick with the cheaper 7d or even the 50d?

I bought a used 5D (adorama) and a new 24-70 L, 4 CF cards, 2 new batteries (1 thought the camera came with 1 but in fact there were 2, so now I have 4!), a lens filter and a few other things for like, $3100.

It's not faster than the Xsi, but the noise is MUCH handled better and looking in a full frame viewfinder is pretty phenomenal Between the body and lens I have better colours, sharpness, light performance, everything. A++ would buy again.

Originally Posted by BCampbell

It's also good not to overlook the convenience of your cameras sharing the same batteries and memory card format. Having three SD cards when you need a compactflash is like running out of condoms in Amsterdam.

This is a point that should be re-emphasized!


The 5D MkIII and 24-70 L IS II are both forever-rumours. For me I'd love to have the fantasycam so that was part of the reason I went for the 5D Mk1 - it would really mash my potatoes to drop over $3000 just on a body that everyone thinks is going out of business in the next 12 months. I want it to be my primary cam for a year and then back-up when the new hotness comes out. Nice glass in the interim

[JustSAN]

Everyone, thank you SO much for your thoughts so far -definitely educating the purchase...

Originally Posted by BCampbell

So what would full frame offer that you're missing now?
Do you have a collection of lenses already? If you do and they're EF-S, add the cost of new lenses to the price of a full frame camera.

Current lenses (should have mentioned this before, sorry about that):
50mm F1.4 (my bread and butter, love it and I find myself much more creative while shooting prime)
24-70 F2.8L -I get GREAT group pics with this guy and its tough to put it down.
EF-S 10-22 (If I go full frame, I don't mind getting rid of this lens -I'm not a huge fan of it anyways and replacing with larger counter part would not be a negative)

If full frame I would want to pick up a prime 85, since I'm shooting at 70mm with my 50 now -considering crop factor (thanks GadgetRick!)
I didn't even consider how brutal its going to be to deal with different CF cards and batteries, but I need the larger body (D50 +). I have big hands and the Xsi and Tsi drives me nuts to hold -and feels cheaper than one of those girls in the window in Amsterdam!).

To be honest, I'm not sure exactly why full frame -that's what I'm asking for all opinions. Venturing into a higher caliber camera for the ISO capability would be my main reason and yes, this new addition would be for my 2nd body (new toys are always fun). I look at the larger body cameras/ larger sensor and I just think the product pops much more than with my current body...plus the noise over 800ISO just kills me -I need the higher ISO capability but I'm not sure if the 5DMKII is for me with the hefty price tag.
Money isn't a huge issue, but I don't want/need to over spend...its just time to upgrade from what I have to something better.


FormElement -thanks for the price break downs!

CaptainNH -thanks for the link to Andrew Spencer's write up....he snapped some very nice pics with the 7D....hmmm, tempting.

[GadgetRick]

Well, after reading everything from you, I think a 7D would fill your needs nicely. However, you WILL get better low-light performance from a full frame vs. a crop body. You'll also not have to worry about crop factors (I never really worry about them myself as I've never shot 35mm nor full frame.).

The 7D is a tank. It's weather-proofed well. It's larger (especially with the battery grip). And it takes excellent photos--even at high ISOs. Add to that one of the best AFs out there and you have quite the camera for the money. My 50D does well at higher ISOs but not as well as my friend's 7D.

If money is no object, go full frame, if money is (kind of) an object, go with the 7D and be happy.

[Raoul Isidro]

Originally Posted by JustSAN

To be honest, I'm not sure exactly why full frame -that's what I'm asking for all opinions..

Full Frame was the way it was during the film era.
Those who were raised in 35mm film culture just got their groove back when FF digital came back.

I still use a few FILM lenses from before the clone wars... like my old Canon 17-35mm F2.8 still feels great on a 5D Mk1. (12MP)
My new Canon 10-22mm behaves almost the same way on the 50D (15MP).

I like using them both but on different occasions. Unless, I would scrutinize the Exif data and go pixel picking, I would not immediately know from which camera an image from either body/lens it would have come from...

Just remember that the customer/client doesn't give a hoot which sensor size you use, as long as you deliver the goods in blazing glory...

[JustSAN]

Thank you for everyone's help -just picked up my new 7D, I think that was the right choice for me...battery is charging and its only on the double blinks -losing day light fast!

Now...what's this I hear about hear about having to calibrate your lens'?? Can someone clue me in on this?

Thanks again!

[Raoul Isidro]

Originally Posted by JustSAN

Now...what's this I hear about hear about having to calibrate your lens'?? Can someone clue me in on this?

Thanks again!

You have to start a new thread about that one... it's a whole new series...

I had to upgrade the software on my 5D Mk1 a while back, to version 1.1.1, so it can read CF Cards above the 8GB threshold, and recognize newer lenses released since the camera body came out.