5D/1 upgrade path ?

[macvisual]

Been shooting with a 5D Mk1 for nearly 2ys now. I've these current lenses; Canon 50mm f/1.8 - Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 - Samyang 35mm f/1.4 - Samyang 85mm f/1.4

My heart says to move up to the 5D Mk2, I couldn't stretch money wise to a Mk3. But I'm also considering the Nikon D800, although would need to sell all my current Canon fit lenses etc.

I want to focus (excuse the pun) more on landscape photography, I've been shooting quite a bit of floral photography with the 5D/1 and fitted Samyang 35mm f/1.4 lens.

I'm quite new to digital, I'm struggling a little to be honest and my computer editing skills are pretty basic!
Over 18yrs ago I shot using two Nikon FM 35mm bodies, experience also with totally manual formats such as these;
Toyo 5x4 - Mamiya C330s - Mamiya RB67 - Bronica SQ-A - YashicaMat 124G, I learned a lot shooting manual. Also self taught darkroom skills with a Leitz 35 enlarger etc, developing and printing black & white prints, great fun.

Any advice appreciated guys & gals.

Thanks;
Pete

 

[MWHCVT]

I would suggest the most sensible thing is to go down the route of 5D2 you've said you've not got the funds for the 5D3 yet are considering a total system change to D800 sorry that makes absolutely no sense. The body cost is going to come in at roughly the same maybe a touch below the 5D3 that you've said you cannot afford and then your going to have to replace all your lens for the nikon mount versions so you'll maybe get 75% of the cost of those new lens' from the sale of your current lens'

So for you surely the answer must be 5D2?

What is it about the D800 that you like?

 

[macvisual]

I like the D800 for it's lots of mega pixels. More mega pixels better image quality...........right? There's not many brand new Canon 5D Mk2's now it seems, are grey imports ok to buy? Second hand 5D/2 value seems pretty decent at around £925 - £950 ish.

Regards the Nikon D800;
Similar to comparing a 35mm film camera against the likes of a medium format 6x7.

 

[MWHCVT]

Well not necessarily, I mean how big are you planning to print? I've got 30inch wide print's from a 5D3 that look wonderful, and it dosn't really address the concept that you've said you cannot afford the 5D3 the camera that you've already got lens for they you could affort a D800 that just dosn't make any sense what so ever, have you handled a D800? you might even find you hate the way it feels in your hands

Not to mention the fact that as I understand it because of the resolution you really do need the very best lens as it will show up every little lens defect that much more

Don't get me wrong if you can afford the change of system, and you really thing it will truly benefit you then go for it, but don't do get blinded by the mega-pixels figure alone they're not the be all and end all

 

[woof woof]

I'm quite new to digital, I'm struggling a little to be honest and my computer editing skills are pretty basic!

IMVHO almost any camera is probably good enough unless you want to push the envelope to the limit of ISO settings, focus performance, burst rate or output image size. That little lot will rule out a lot of cameras and possibly the 5Dc too but assuming that you don't want to produce a final image that's so bit it'll show every little flaw maybe your best way forward is to look at what you think you could gain in what area including final image quality at the output size you want and if necessary post capture processing?

I'm not really one for post capture processing myself but a former contact of mine showed me some images his partner took, one of which took three weeks for a team to produce in post capture. The difference in before and after processing images was striking and to me that spelt out the difference between an amateur taking a good shot and someone, or rather a team, at the very top of their game that a customer will fly across the atlantic to take one shot If I could get any way at all towards that quality I'd be very very happy but I'm a happy amateur and quite happy producing average images that if they're printed at all will be at a max of A3.