Chance to buy a 5dIII for half price.... sort of.

Phil Hammond

Phil Hammond

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Hi everyone. I posted last week about having all my camera gear stolen in a burglary at my house.

The insurance company has said they would replace my 24-70 and Siggy 85mm like for like and have ordered them from WEX ( still waiting for them ).

Because the camera body was £95 over the single item limit of £1500 they are going to send a cheque for that amount ( a bit more actually to cover camera bag and flash etc )

I'm now thinking.... I have the opportunity of effectively buying a 5dmkIII for half price, or for only £800 if I bought from Digital Rev! I know I paid the original £1500 anyway but it was a year ago and I don't feel like I'd be spending it again, if that makes sense.

But before the burglary I was perfectly happy with my mkII, and was planning on getting the 100mm IS macro soon to add to my collection and broaden my photography, and the 70-200 f2.8 II at some point money allowing!

Am I better off sticking to the mkII and putting money towards new glass, or do I snap up this opportunity to have an up to date camera body!?

I'm interested to see what any of you would be inclined to do if you were in this situation? I know it's down to me to decide but I really am stuck on this like you wouldn't believe!

Would you see this as a perfect opportunity to effectively get one for a great price??

Any opinions or comments welcome! Cheers
 
£1500 for a 5D2 body... If I could get that second hand, I think I'd upgrade.
 
Get the 3

I'm a long time lover and user of the 5 series after having the classic and the 2, but the focus system on the new camera puts it way ahead now.

Get one from digitalrev and I think you'll be ahead of any UK price drops for a wee while.
 
digitalfailure said:
Get the 3

I'm a long time lover and user of the 5 series after having the classic and the 2, but the focus system on the new camera puts it way ahead now.

Get one from digitalrev and I think you'll be ahead of any UK price drops for a wee while.
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Thanks for reply.

I read somewhere that the focus system in the mkII was dated, or at least quickly becoming, at the time of its launch - so now...??

New body now, new glass later ;)
 
The focus in the 2 was the same as the mk1 and it's reeeeeeeeally hammered into the corner by the new system
 
davecurley said:
5d3, go for it, the AF is better than 7D and the case styles are good
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Another +1 for the 3..... Hmmmm.... I think my mind is becoming made up!
 
I think you're looking at this in a way that helps you justify a mk3.... (I can't say I blame you)

I would look at it this way. £1100 would buy you a great condition second hand mk2. You'd be back where you started and have £400 in the bank. A mk3 would cost you £1200 more than a mk2. Is a mk3 rreeaallllyy worth £1200 to you? Can you justify spending £2300 on a DSLR? That money could buy you a 6 year old VW Golf....
 
I'm not sure what sort of photography you're into Phil, but i upgraded to the 5d3 after having the 5d2 for a couple of years (i shoot mainly portraits, but i do all sorts of bits and bobs) and it's a world away. The IQ is a little better, but the AF, ergonomics make it a nicer camera to use.

If you can afford to make the move, you might as well. You'd probably have done it in a few months anyway!
 
Phil

Personaly, as you've asked the question, you are already considering it, so if you can afford the upgrade, why not ???

If you opt for a mkII, I think you'd be "if only... should I have got the mkIII...."
 
whom said:
Is a mk3 rreeaallllyy worth £1200 to you? Can you justify spending £2300 on a DSLR? That money could buy you a 6 year old VW Golf....
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It is a lot of money definitely, bit of an expensive hobby we've got ourselves here!

cuthbert said:
The IQ is a little better, but the AF, ergonomics make it a nicer camera to use.

If you can afford to make the move, you might as well. You'd probably have done it in a few months anyway!
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andyred said:
Phil

If you opt for a mkII, I think you'd be "if only... should I have got the mkIII...."
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This is the thing, it probably does make more sense to just do it now, rather than regret not doing it later on. I'll add to my glass collection further down the line....

Thanks very much for input everyone.I'll let you know when I take the plunge!
 
whom said:
£1100 would buy you a great condition second hand mk2. You'd be back where you started and have £400 in the bank.
Click to expand...

You said you were perfectly happy using the mk2, so ask yourself "is buying the mk3 going to get me images that I currently can't or don't get?".

The improved AF may well get you very shallow DoF keepers from the outer focus points using your siggy 85mm. But presumably you've been happy so far shooting at f1.4 with the mk2?

On the other hand, that £400 would go a fair way to the 100L macro, which would definitely get you loads of images you can't get with your current lenses.

There's a lot to be said for the old school of thought .... once you've got a decent camera, put all your money into good glass.

Just a thought.
 
I had a MkII which I thought was excellent for IQ and a 7D which was great for the AF system but I sold both on and went for a MkIII and now have a camera which IMO is better than the best bits of the previous two.
If you can afford the 5D MkIII then my advice would be to grab it while you can. You might not shoot everything to get the best use out of it ... yet, but I know I can go out and shoot literally anything that comes along with the MkIII and know I'll get great results from it. I use mine for everything from macro to aircraft and even though I've got a 60D (for crop factor effect on planes) I use the 5D MkIII far more for the better IQ.
 
Thanks for all replies, there is definitely a lot to be said for sticking with the 2 and buying new glass.... But I just know I'll regret not taking this chance to upgrade.

If I can source one from the right place I might be able to add the macro into the equation. The search continues!
 
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