Advice/opinions on possible gear changes

[Carlo]

Hi all
After a bit of advice as i've been debating whether it's worth changing a bit of gear.
I'm in the process of tying up a redundancy settlement from my full time job, and am thinking of returning to work in the same field but only part time.
This is so I'm left with more time for photography work.
Over the last 18 months to two years i've been getting more work doing things like headshots, theatre, and performance work.
My conundrum is whether to keep the two bodies I have, a Canon 5D3 and a 1D Mk IV.
The 5D3 is approx 3 years old and appears fine (touch wood!), I've owned this from new.
The 1D Mk IV i bought second hand (Wex) and have owned for just over two years. This is fine apart from cosmetically and an intermittent fault when connecting to a pc via the USB slot (in the camera)
This has never bothered me as I always transfer images with a USB card reader, but...I may want to use it tethered in the future.
So...do I keep both bodies and send them to Canon for a service, or think about changing the 1D IV for something better equipped at low light/Studio work?
Lots of variables to think about including possibly changing both bodies, but what would you do?

 

[PaulButler]

I'm not 100% familiar with Canon, but given what you do and intend to do then I'd consider the 5DMk4 and trade the 1D in against it. For studio and tripod use in Canon the 5DS or 5DSr maybe worth considering but I don't think these are great in low light scenarios ... I struggle with even minor differences when using two bodies sometimes (if I'm tired for example) so I'd always try and use two of the same - so maybe its two 5DMk4's

 

[Carlo]

I'm not 100% familiar with Canon, but given what you do and intend to do then I'd consider the 5DMk4 and trade the 1D in against it. For studio and tripod use in Canon the 5DS or 5DSr maybe worth considering but I don't think these are great in low light scenarios ... I struggle with even minor differences when using two bodies sometimes (if I'm tired for example) so I'd always try and use two of the same - so maybe its two 5DMk4's

Hi Paul
The 5D Mk 4 is definitely a consideration, but two will be a bit of a stretch as I have to make sure my redundancy will last me 3-4 months in case I can't find suitable part time work!
I've provisionally kept 2K aside plus trade in value of both bodies plus a couple of lenses for new gear.
I'm probably better off selling the 1D rather than trading it in, as i'd go grey on a 5D4 and save over £1000.
Also considering a second hand 1DX

 

[troutfisher]

Hi Paul
The 5D Mk 4 is definitely a consideration, but two will be a bit of a stretch as I have to make sure my redundancy will last me 3-4 months in case I can't find suitable part time work!
I've provisionally kept 2K aside plus trade in value of both bodies plus a couple of lenses for new gear.
I'm probably better off selling the 1D rather than trading it in, as i'd go grey on a 5D4 and save over £1000.
Also considering a second hand 1DX

I am very risk averse as far as money is concerned so picking up on your first sentence if you can't find suitable work would you regret / have problems if you had spent the money?
Personally if there is nothing wrong with your gear apart from the intermittent fault on the 1D I would get the part time work first and then look at changing gear if I needed to, after all the kit you have got is not exactly obsolete.
If its a matter of great concern see what Canon charge to fix the 1D

 

[Carlo]

I am very risk averse as far as money is concerned so picking up on your first sentence if you can't find suitable work would you regret / have problems if you had spent the money?
Personally if there is nothing wrong with your gear apart from the intermittent fault on the 1D I would get the part time work first and then look at changing gear if I needed to, after all the kit you have got is not exactly obsolete.
If its a matter of great concern see what Canon charge to fix the 1D

Absolutely Chris!
I'm certainly not getting carried away, which is why one option is to keep what I've got and have one or both serviced.
I believe a service on the 1D costs a flat fee of £110. This includes cleaning the sensor/mirror/focus screen,clean external surfaces, check software, hotshot operation etc and autofocus accuracy check.
Like you mention the prices for fixing issues are huge! e.g. 1D sensor £750, main PCB £375 and then labour on top!!!
Doing nothing is probably option number 1!!!

 

[troutfisher]

Absolutely Chris!
I'm certainly not getting carried away, which is why one option is to keep what I've got and have one or both serviced.
I believe a service on the 1D costs a flat fee of £110. This includes cleaning the sensor/mirror/focus screen,clean external surfaces, check software, hotshot operation etc and autofocus accuracy check.
Like you mention the prices for fixing issues are huge! e.g. 1D sensor £750, main PCB £375 and then labour on top!!!
Doing nothing is probably option number 1!!!

If it ain't broke don't fix it

 

[AdamSi]

I am very risk averse as far as money is concerned so picking up on your first sentence if you can't find suitable work would you regret / have problems if you had spent the money?
Personally if there is nothing wrong with your gear apart from the intermittent fault on the 1D I would get the part time work first and then look at changing gear if I needed to, after all the kit you have got is not exactly obsolete.
If its a matter of great concern see what Canon charge to fix the 1D

This was exactly my thinking, just keep money in the bank so if you have issues with part time work it’s a safety net

Absolutely Chris!
I'm certainly not getting carried away, which is why one option is to keep what I've got and have one or both serviced.
I believe a service on the 1D costs a flat fee of £110. This includes cleaning the sensor/mirror/focus screen,clean external surfaces, check software, hotshot operation etc and autofocus accuracy check.
Like you mention the prices for fixing issues are huge! e.g. 1D sensor £750, main PCB £375 and then labour on top!!!
Doing nothing is probably option number 1!!!

Apart from intermittend usb connectivity why did you want to send them in? Nice to have a service but did not come across as if they needed it and more a nice to have, it is very likely they will discover the usb issue and want to replace a pcb?

I would keep what you have use it and if some thing did break you still have the money to grab another body either new or second hand but personally I would rather have the cash in the bank in case it was needed for essentials in coming months

Good luck and hope you get a good severance package

 

[MatBin]

My view would be that latest generation cameras offer little in terms of new absolutely must have features unless you are at the extreme end of capability, the law of diminishing returns. I am sure the latest generation are really fantastic pieces of kit and if I had the money I would possibly buy one.
I would in your shoes keep what I had and carry on with it. I had my 5d3 and 2 lenses serviced recently.to make sure they were all working ok, nothing needed to be done to them, so in some ways a waste of money but it gave me piece of mind, which is maybe what you are after?
Your existing kit is in my view perfect for what you plan to do.
Sit on your money for the moment.
Matt