Upgrade Advice please Canon 70d, 6d, 5d mk111

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I currently own a canon 500d (since 2009 I think) and have been thinking about upgrading for over a year but did not want to upgrade just for the sake of it. I am wanting better ISO, low light and focus ability. I am aware the latter two cameras are FF and I would also need to upgrade lenses as well. Twelve months ago I would have told you I shoot landscapes and some macro with close up filters only but this last year I have started to spread my wings a little bit and have also taken photos at Fairford airshow and more recently a little bit of bird photography. I have enjoyed both and will include these in the future. Lenses will depend on the camera I finally choose. I recently went into my local LCE and found their knowledge was less than mine. I do not feel the need to change camera or lens just because something better as come along, it is because my photography is developing and would like new camera to last a good few years.
i would greatly appreciate the opinions/advice of users of these cameras in an honest way. I will be visiting the Photography Show next week and will be looking to play with cameras a little more, not necessarily purchase on the day but I might :D
 
What is your budget and what lenses do you current have? (As obviously could sell some if you were changing to full frame)

You could get better low light for instance via either lens or new body.

Also someone might suggest a 5d mark iii with many L lens but it could be over your budget
 
Without knowing how many EF-S lenses and budget it's hard to say, but based on the usage stated I'd say the 70D might be the best bet.
It would mean you wouldn't have to buy any new lenses, you won't lose the reach you already have (IMO this was a big jump when I went FF) and it's the cheapest option.
I do believe that the 70D is also better specified than the 6D, as it's bang up to date. To me the 6D seems a little underwhelming as far as features go. Yes, low light is very good but that wouldn't really help with your other shooting. Any new camera will offer better low light performance over the 500D anyway
For long reach stuff a crop would probably be much better, and I know a lot of people keep their crop cameras for this sort of shooting.

Bottom line for me would be to keep with the crop system unless you really can afford to buy in to FF, and have a good enough reason to do so.
 
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Thank you for replies Mike and Dave.
Mike: Current lens are canon 18-55 usm is, canon 55-250 IS lens both ef-s lenses. Budget wise I can stretch to Canon 5d mark iii with 24-105 L Lens.

Dave: I hear what you are saying about the 6d but didn't want to rule it out of the equation yet. I see there have been a few for sale lately including on this forum. i have also wondered whether i may find it a big leap to FF, but as stated in original post I want camera to last a good few years and to grow with it in my use and not feel in year or so that I wish I'd purchased….. having said that it was a big leap going to dslr originally and I've learnt along the way and I am still learning.

As far as noise capability goes at what point does noise show on 5d mkiii compared to 70d would welcome input from someone who uses both cameras. (Think I have seen someone on forum here who has both, will browse later)
70d has plus point of the range it reaches in comparison to FF.
Image wise I am aware a lot will be down to my technique, if I go FF route I will only be able to stretch to kit lens. If I purchase 70D I can purchase sigma 150-500 lens and possibly a macro lens as well, both of these would fit FF if made a later decision to change. Could defo have done with longer lens yesterday for the deer at Attingham Park.
Will await further responses then draw my positives and negatives for each camera. Would appreciate feedback on why people have the camera they have.
Many thanks all
 
If you can afford the 5DMKIII, and are happy with the loss of reach, and the need to buy new lenses at some point I'd say go for this over the 6D.
I have no experience with the 6D but from what I've seen on the net/YouTube etc, the 6D is a cut down camera, and while it produces stunning images the 5D is a camera that will knock your socks off, and has a lot of very nice smaller features that make it what it is.

Would you be getting rid of the 500D? If not then also having FF will cover most things.
 
Airshow and bird photography you'll be wanting some reach, say the 100-400.
Not sure how a 5d mk3 and 24-105 fits into that, but that is what I use all the time for street and people photography.

Landscapes and macro I'm not sure you need high ISP, low light or better focus, so which aspects of our photography do you need these for?
 
I don't think the 5d and a 24-105 lens will suit any of your photography types.

I'd suggest getting a 70d, a wide angle lens for landscape and also the sigma 150-500 you mentioned for air show and bird photography.

You won't really be able to do either of the latter with a 24-105 lens on full frame
 
I wouldn't write off the 6D. Sure it doesn't have all the focus points of the 5d3 but it doesn't have built in GPS and WiFi. I came from a 60D and found it to be very similar button wise where as the 5D3 is slightly different. I have found that full frame doesn't cost more on quality lens though than the crop versions but the low light ability is incredible. Sure I'd love a 5D3 at some point for the focus points (I shot a lot of RC flying in the summer) and frame rate but to be completely honest I was able to photograph everything from small to big planes and helicopters with the 6D moving at speed and didn't have any issues. Without having used the 5D3 I couldn't compare the build quality but the body is approx the price of the 6D plus the 150-500 Sigma/Canon 100-400L.

Stevie
 
Landscapes will remain my main shooting topic. Would like to delve into night photography. Hence why I am looking at low noise ability at higher ISO.
Not thought about the canon 100-400L will certainly look at. Would I be able to use extender with this lens?
Will probably look at other lenses that I could pair up with 5d mkiii. I am sure I have seen others.
 
I'm not really in a position to comment on your original question, being a 450D owner waiting to buy a 70D when the price is right, but if you are going to do night photography, if it is static subjects and you are using a tripod, then you don't really need better noise handling.
 
I have just gone through a similar choice though admittedly the 5dmk3 was out of my reach.

I eventually concluded the 6d was my preferred option over the 70d, principally because I felt for me that the benefits of full frame outweighed those of the additional af points.

I am by no means a specialist, but I share your interest in landscapes. For my money (as a non-expert) on the AF points are as follows:

1. The 5d mk2 managed with 9 points and only 1 cross type, and is recognised as an excellent camera. The 6d matches this spec
2. The low light and high ISO performance of the 6d are just amazing. I am blown away by this every time I use it.

The lack of built in flash was not a consideration to me, as I have resolved by purchasing a Speedlght 90 (to act as master), and 430exII which is a superior solution to any built in.

With all of the above said, the 5d3 is no doubt the king of the hill (of the three suggested), though I am just delighted with the performance of the 6d.

If I had 5d3 money, in absolute truth, I would stlll have bought the same camer (6d with 24-105L) but would probably have expended the remaining budget on the 17-40mm lens which I really want!

All of the above is state from a relative newcomer, but has very recently made the same choice!

HTH

JJ
 
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