What to Buy: Option 1 or 2?

S

Sparkyboy2406

Suspended / Banned
Messages
27
Name
Mark
Edit My Images
No
Hi Guys,

posted here a while back with a few options i was considering buying. I have narrowed it down to the below options. I will be making the purchase on the 17th of this month. This will be my first own DSLR. I have experience using a friends 500d and i am comfortable in manual mode. The kit i purchase will be used to shoot 80% portraits and the rest a mix of landscapes and action.

Option 1 : Canon EOS 5D Mark III Digital SLR 24-105mm Kit

Option 2: Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR 24-105mm IS Kit
Canon BG-E6 Battery Grip
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash

They come to around the same price where i plan on buying. I am based in the UK.

As always thanks for any input!

Sparky
 
Action is the problem here and the point at which the 5DIII is the correct option. If you shoot a lot of action you will shoot it may be the better option. If it is very infrequent then the 5DII using the centre point should be fine.
 
is the portrait you are going to do in a studio environment? or is it natural lighting?

if I were to buy new now, it'd be Option 1 plus a 50mm f1.8. the mark 3 AF system should do much better in action and natural low light. mark 2 isn't bad, but AF is quite hesitant and unfortunate to say it doesn't match up to its ISO performance. (eg. mark 2 will have very slow AF in ISO 6400 f1.8 1/50s level of lighting)

apart from low light AF performance, mark 2 is a fantastic camera, image quality should be not much different from mark 3 when compared up to ISO 3200.
 
I don't really want to be limited the environment I shoot portraits. I would be doing some studio and street portraits. Action shoots would be pretty few to be honest but still don't like the idea of being limited if I need to shoot some action shots. If I did gone option one I would steadily gather the rest of the items in option 2 over time. Although the 5d is a formidable camera it still is 4 years old.
 
I'd agree with Wuyan....go for option 1 and if you can stretch to add a 50 1.8, then you'll have a very nice setup and something that's going to last. I was in exactly the same position as you and went for the 5DIII, which I hope will last me many years to come.
 
I'd go for option 1 TBH. You can always add to your gear at a later date piece by piece. If you get a 5D2 you'll always wonder whether you should of got the 5D3 and the 5D3 is a better camera by miles. If you get the 5D2 then chances are you wont be able to afford a 5D3 if you're not entirely satisfied with the 5D2.

I had a 5D2 and 7D combo and sold the pair for a 5D3 and haven't regretted it for one minute. I got a 60D for a backup eventually and have just swapped that for another 7D and I now think I've got MY ultimate setup.
 
At the end of the day you will go for what your heart says to you.

If action is going to be minimal, then 2 is definitely the practical choice.
 
How about going the Nikon route? You should be able to find a D700 (possibly 2nd hand - nowhere seems to have any new ones left!) with a suitable lens for less than a 5D Mk III body only. Or, if you'll be happy with a crop body, a D300s.

Personally, I can't get on with grips - the few times I shoot in portrait mode make the discomfort (IMO) of the extra bulk of the grip more of a hinderance than a help. If possible try one for an extended test before forking out your hard earned on one.
 
i was thinking about throwing a D600 into the mix. I prefer the ergonomics of Canon to Nikon though but the D600 feels quite nice and with a battery grip would feel even better. Also the image quality and DR of the D600 seem very good but i do hear of some white balance issues which puts me off.

Any Thoughts?
 
action???
well I'd trade in the 28-105 for a 24-70 f2.8
wider, lowlight and nice DOF for portraits

but you're without a flash at all! can you plumb for a YN flash or similar for 100 quid or less?
the 5D series doesn't have a inbuilt flash even. the nikon FF cameras do though and the D700 is very capable
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top