Toronto Photography Meetup Group

I have a simple question. Should I saving money for the 5d3 or get a 5d2 now for $2200?

Smart money is on 5d2 or if you're the type that needs the latest and greatest for bragging rights then 5d3

What are you shooting? Why are you shooting it?

The answers to those questions will help to justify the extra $1500-ish.

imho...

5D2 unless you're making money from photography.

5d4

Go big or go home, buy a 1Dx.

Should I wear black pants or gray pants to work tomorrow?

5D mark Unicorn! Cause the next one is just around the corner!

5D2! cheaper

The improvements in the 5D Mark 3 are mainly geared toward video. If you're looking for a camera that can focus better than the MRK 2 and do better low-light I would go Nikon D800 or D3s, or a used D3. Speaking as a Canon shooter.

Uhmmm, the focusing on the 5D MKIII is basically the same as the 1Dx. Kinda early to say that the D800 AF is already better than the MKIII.

I tried out the 1DX and didn't find a noticeable improvement over Nikon's focusing system. Nikon outperforms in low light, so if you're shooting weddings, concerts, and other events it's a better buy.
Canon has better colour output.

But the question was about 5D2 vs. 5D3 and I say unless you're really going for it for video use, you're better off with the 5D2, for the money.

I still think it's premature to make that call. The 1DX production release version has not hit the markets yet and actually it's been delayed until May. The D4, D800 and 5D MK III for that matter aren't even available for regular consumers to try. Nobody has done a side by side comparison as of yet, Did you test the 1Dx at the Canon C300 launch? 1Dx, 5DMKIII, 1D4, D800 are now all rated to AF at -2EV now. Even the D3x is only rated to -1EV so if Canon's 1Dx fails to keep up with the D3x in low light, HUGE fail for Canon.

This isn't an attack on your opinion but if you're going to make a bold statement that the new Nikon's AF are better than Canon's offerings, I'm curious as to where you managed to test drive all 4 new systems? I know I'd love to. I certainly don't know your photo background so for all I know, you could be one of the test shooters for Nikon and/or Canon.

For the record, yes, I'm a Canon shooter and no, I'm not anti-Nikon; far from it.

Most important thing is this thread as of yet. Do not bother jumping the gun and going for a 5Dmk3 unless you really need it. Are you making money? What are you shooting with now? Why do you even want to get either over maybe a 7D or 60D or even a really old 20D. Saying should I get a 5Dmk2 or mk3 is useless without knowing why you want them. If you have the money to say "I want a 5Dmk3" then by all means go spend your money. but it isn't going to make your photos better (generally your images will only get worse with a better camera if you don't know how to use the features that make it better[Manual functions])

Answer those few questions above and then we can all talk about what you should or should not buy.

Ok, I have just looked at your flickr and noticed that you are using a 450D(Rebel XSi). If you upgrade to the 5Dmk2 or mk3 do you have any full frame lenses that you can use on the camera? The kit lens from your rebel won't work on these cameras. What you should do is invest in some full frame lenses and learn to shoot with them first. Then when your skill and needs demand the upgrade in camera you can upgrade if you want. As for right now I do not think that you should upgrade.

+1, focus on the lenses first (pun intended).

I find this thread very interesting. For the most part, the biggest chatter that I hear on the forums about the 5d2 was problems with the AF system. The points are not placed in the right spots, or there are not enough of them. Then Canon puts out the 7d and it has a better AF system than the more expensive 5d line. Then you get complaints about how the lower 7d has better focus.

So now we have the new 5d3 with a better focus system than the 7d. Yes it's significantly more expensive, and everyone is complaining it costs too much and unless you are making money it's not worth it.

Come one. make up your mind!

Yes, the hobby of photography is expensive. I don't think anyone said it was cheep. But so is many other hobbies out there. I am selling my 50d to fund the 5d3. It's more camera than I can shoot right now, but I know i'll grow into a better photographer with this camera.

If it's purely glass, then why not suggest you get a 5d classic if you want full frame, and use the saved dollars for L lenses.

From a technical perspective, the 5d3 is far better than any of the other camera's that Canon makes (save the 1d3 onwards). and that can be up for some debate. I bought the 50d 2 months before the 5d2 was release. I have spent the past 3 years wishing if only I had waited to buy. Yes it was far more money, but it offered features that I wish I had. I don't think that anybody can tell you what you want. If you are asking for justification for buying a particular camera, then you'd be better asking for that in your question.

But that is just my take on it.

A very general question like 5DII or 5DIII will get very general responses. Nobody really knows WHY the OP is considering either of these cameras. I usually base my responses to these types of questions on the OP's current equipment and the work they have posted. "Hey I want to be a better photographer, I'm shooting a rebel and want to get a 5DIII" will get a different response than "I have 5K to spend and am looking for a FF camera and lens".

OP never came back to clarify.

i would love to sell my 5d classic, i needed to upgrade