Canon EOS 5d Mark II or Canon EOS 5d Mark III

[Ruchika_2011]

When searching for a suitable camera for night photography, I came across Canon EOS 5d Mark II. I am highly impressed by its results even at high ISO. Then I came across Canon EOS 5d Mark III. Read the review at camera predictions 2011, this review says that Canon EOS 5d Mark III is going to step ahead of Canon EOS 5d Mark II in ISO performance. Now I am confused, should I invest in Canon EOS 5d Mark II or should I wait for Canon EOS 5d Mark III to release?

[inkista]

Do you need a camera now? Or can you wait?

What can you afford? New cameras are always around the corner and are always going to look like better tools, but they're also not here yet (hard to shoot with a camera that isn't even on the store shelf), and they're going to cost you a premium to get them.

The 5D classic's initial MSRP was $3300 (body only). You can now get a used one for around $1000. Just because the 5Dii costs $2500 today, nearly three years after its initial release doesn't mean the Mark iii is going to have the same pricetag.

And given the tsunami/earthquakes in Japan, whether or not it's actually going to be released this fall could still be an issue. Is waiting for the Mark III going to look as attractive if it isn't arriving until March? Or September of next year? Rumors are rumors. Until the press releases go out, we just don't know what's actually arriving. People swore 'til they were blue in the face that the 1Ds Mark IV was coming out spring of last year. And I will note that generally a 5D model has traditionally shadowed a new 1Ds model by a year... There are rumbles that the full frames are shaking themselves up considerably, given the popularity of the cameras for video use, so who knows. But nothing's certain until the announcements happen.

Especially the feature set. A lot of the times when you read those prediction lists, they read more like a wishlist than any serious insider's knowledge of how hardware development is really done.

[gturner]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
see above

the only thing about the 5dmkii is the AF on moving subjects. It is not what it good be.
Otherwise it is near perfect and is the best IQ available from any Canon camera

[Chaase]

Ask yourself will the III make you a much better photographer than a II user? Don't think so.

Considering the price of the III when it comes out will be significantly more expensive than the II for at least a year possibly longer get the II, and get out shooting.

I have had mine now around 5 months and constantly blown away with it's quality. I was at Captain Cooks Cottage on an overcast/showery day Saturday and took some shots indoors without flash at 800 & 3200 ISO

ISO 800 Captain Cooks Cottage - bruceybaby66's Photos
ISO 3200 Captain Cooks Cottage - bruceybaby66's Photos

Personally I would buy it and get using it.

The only reason I could see someone waiting would be they shoot allot of fast moving subjects ie sport etc due to it's slow focusing when compared to others in the range ie 7D.

Incidently the windows in the above photos blew out almost to white but because they were shot in RAW I could use the paintbrush tool in Lightroom to reduce the exposure on the window panels and bring back the detail.

Another thought, as it will be significantly cheaper, put the money into better glass. Great glass + great camera + some ability = great shots, it works for me

Cheers
BJB