Downsize/grade & Amalgamate

^Joe

^Joe

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Joe
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I have too much space occupied in my house by camera equipment, that I rarely use..

I love photography, I love the full frame result on portraits, but I also like having something a little more compact, light, and something I'm not too protective of.

I would say that my key interest is portraits, however I enjoy landscape/travel/holiday photos, so I want to have a little change.

Current set up is:

5Dc, 17-40L, 50/1.8, 85/1.8
500D, 17-50/2.8
Yonguo 568 flash gun unused.
Shed load of accessories.

I want:
ONE Canon to bridge the gap between the 5d/500d. Ideally the same weight as the 500..
Range of 10-85mm lenses.

If I were to sell the 5d/500d/17-40/50/Flash + some accessories, buy a 10-20 ish... what body do you suggest?

Or is there a completely different option..?

I appreciate that I won't get that FF prime look on an xxxD camera...

Appreciate any tips
 
If your main aim is to down size, what about a Sony A7, can even use your Canon glass via an adapter. If it has to be Canon the 6D would be a good choice.
 
Forgot to mention... I want to fund the amalgamation through sales of above.. I don't want to put any more cash towards a hobby I don't often do these days :lol:

If I kept full frame.. I'd need to keep the 17-40L for the wide angles..

Sony A7... pricey? Do I lose a stop of light with an adapter?
 
Sony A7 can be had for about £1,200. There is a wide angle due soon 16-35 im looking forward to that.
As far as i know using the adapter for Canon lenses you dont loose any light.
 
robj20 said:
Sony A7 can be had for about £1,200. There is a wide angle due soon 16-35 im looking forward to that.
As far as i know using the adapter for Canon lenses you dont loose any light.
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Actually you can find it for £1159 from Harrisons Camera's and a further £100 cashback on trade ins ;) bringing it down to £1059 plus whatever you get for your gear. :)
 
Or if you don't mind grey imports Panamoz have it for £913.90 with the kit lens as well. (£769.50 body only but its out of stock.)
 
robj20 said:
Sony A7 can be had for about £1,200. There is a wide angle due soon 16-35 im looking forward to that.
As far as i know using the adapter for Canon lenses you dont loose any light.
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Is this 16-35 a cheap lens...? Thank you :)

Rizvan said:
Actually you can find it for £1159 from Harrisons Camera's and a further £100 cashback on trade ins ;) bringing it down to £1059 plus whatever you get for your gear. :)
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I shall have a gander... :)


Although is the 6D saving much space/weight over the 5d?
 
I wouldn't know, i was originally going for a 6D but when the Sony got released i went for that as its a smaller/lighter setup, but native lens choice is poor at the minute, but the lenses it does have are very good and the primes amongst the very best.

The 16-35 f4 will be a high end lens with OSS as well.
 
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Here is the current Sony FE lens roadmap:-

imageuploadedbytalk-photography-forums1407057537-084705-jpg.17333
 
robj20 said:
I wouldn't know, i was originally going for a 6D but when the Sony got released i went for that as its a smaller/lighter setup, but native lens choice is poor at the minute, but the lenses it does have are very good and the primes amongst the very best.

The 16-35 f4 will be a high end lens with OSS as well.
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I think the A7 is out of the price range tbh... but thanks. I may have to go hold a 6D to see what I think.

minnnt said:
Just keep the 5d, 17-40 and primes, I've seen your results. :D

Have you still got the x10? Job done if so.
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I'm off to do the inca trail next year, mexico break this year... I think it's just too damn big and heavy/bulky to be lugging around..


No suggestion of the 650/700D ?

60D ?
 
As it's not been mentioned yet, and I see you already have the X10..

How about a X-T1, X-E2 or X-Pro1? - cover your focal lengths with the 10-24mm, 23mm, 35mm and 56mm. Should be a significant weight saving, and you could always add a lens booster and some nice legacy glass.
 
Alastair said:
As it's not been mentioned yet, and I see you already have the X10..

How about a X-T1, X-E2 or X-Pro1? - cover your focal lengths with the 10-24mm, 23mm, 35mm and 56mm. Should be a significant weight saving, and you could always add a lens booster and some nice legacy glass.
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Hi Alastair, I know nothing about them... what's the IQ like.. are those focal lengths in 35mm equivalent terms?

Cheers
 
^Joe said:
Hi Alastair, I know nothing about them... what's the IQ like.. are those focal lengths in 35mm equivalent terms?

Cheers
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I find the image qualiity excellent - I have the X-Pro1 which is the older of the three models I listed. The crop factor is x1.5, so very similar to the 500D.

Fuji gives the 135 equivilent against each lens on their current lens roadmap - http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/xf_lens/roadmap/

The ones I've picked out are:
23mm f/1.4 ~ 35mm
35mm f/1.4 ~ 53mm
56mm f/1.2 ~ 85mm
10-24mm f/4 ~ 15-36mm

If you want to see what they can do, have a look at a few of these blogs:
http://www.prophotonut.com/
http://www.laroquephoto.com/blog/
http://olafphotoblog.com/
 
Alastair said:
I find the image qualiity excellent - I have the X-Pro1 which is the older of the three models I listed. The crop factor is x1.5, so very similar to the 500D.

Fuji gives the 135 equivilent against each lens on their current lens roadmap - http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/xf_lens/roadmap/

The ones I've picked out are:
23mm f/1.4 ~ 35mm
35mm f/1.4 ~ 53mm
56mm f/1.2 ~ 85mm
10-24mm f/4 ~ 15-36mm

If you want to see what they can do, have a look at a few of these blogs:
http://www.prophotonut.com/
http://www.laroquephoto.com/blog/
http://olafphotoblog.com/
Click to expand...

Thanks... having taken a look around the camera, lenses, and capabilities, I am admittedly impressed... but I don't think I can get the set up I'd be happy with, for the money I'd get from the sales.
 
Just been to play with a 6d... very very nice. Much lighter than the 5Dc, handles lovely...

Used a 60D last night, again a nice camera, didn't feel it was a big step up from the 500D though.. Images not really usable after around ISO3200.

Hmm

What does grey import actually mean?
 
^Joe said:
Just been to play with a 6d... very very nice. Much lighter than the 5Dc, handles lovely...

Used a 60D last night,... Images not really usable after around ISO3200.
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Eh?

Never used that camera myself but a modern camera not really useable after around ISO 3200?

I know Canon are behind the SOTA these days but even so that doesn't sound right. Even my MFT GX7 produces good images into the higher ISO's.
 
Have you looked at the 70D? with something like a 17-85? Fantastic camera. A major step up from the 60D. and the 17-85 lens is also a great walkabout lens.
 
The 17-85mm is a piece of junk IMVHO. Certainly the worst modern lens I've ever owned or used. The zoom range, IS and USM are all lovely but the actual optical quality I'd say is mediocre to poor and the levels of distortion at the wide end were unacceptable to me. I'm certain that I read one review which stated that this lens gave more distortion than any other lens they'd every tested. I gave mine away and replaced it with a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8.

Normally I'd say that pretty much all lenses are at least good enough these days but I think that there are still a few dogs on the market and personally I'd class this Canon lens as a dog and say that anyone thinking of buying one should do their research first and only buy one once they're aware of it's strengths (good zoom range, IS and USM) and weaknesses (mediocre optical quality and high distortion.)

Here's DPR's review...
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/canon_17-85_4-5p6_is_usm_c16/4
 
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woof woof said:
Eh?

Never used that camera myself but a modern camera not really useable after around ISO 3200?

I know Canon are behind the SOTA these days but even so that doesn't sound right. Even my MFT GX7 produces good images into the higher ISO's.
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I perhaps was being over critical.. but a fair amount of noise on 6400 was present..!

twhite87 said:
Have you looked at the 70D? with something like a 17-85? Fantastic camera. A major step up from the 60D. and the 17-85 lens is also a great walkabout lens.
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I picked one up in the shop and it did feel nice, but I haven't tried it. I don't think I need a 17-85... I have that range, and I don't mind swapping lenses around.

Thanks for the input.
 
^Joe said:
I perhaps was being over critical.. but a fair amount of noise on 6400 was present..!
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If you shoot at lot at 6400 and higher and the 60D isn't good enough I think you have two ways forward... move away from Canon or stay FF. Also the way you shoot and process your images can have a great effect on higher ISO shots so if you are exposing to the right, shooting raw and processing with good modern software and still aren't happy then the way forward is to leave Canon or stay with FF.
 
woof woof said:
If you shoot at lot at 6400 and higher and the 60D isn't good enough I think you have two ways forward... move away from Canon or stay FF. Also the way you shoot and process your images can have a great effect on higher ISO shots so if you are exposing to the right, shooting raw and processing with good modern software and still aren't happy then the way forward is to leave Canon or stay with FF.
Click to expand...

I think you are right, although I don't have the experise on processing images in the NR department.
 
minnnt said:
TBH, my D7000 at iso 3200 annoys the hell out of me so i can believe the 60D being similar. Maybe the 6D is the way forward? It does have a very good rating for low noise and great IQ.
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I think I agree.. it is a lovely camera... Quite pricey for me given the lack of use..

What's the deal with these grey imports then? Are panamoz trustworthy?
 
^Joe said:
I think you are right, although I don't have the experise on processing images in the NR department.
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Ah, I hear you :D Software isn't my favourite thing...

I've usually been reasonably happy with the higher ISO performance of my cameras but a few experiences with different camera brands and processing packages have convinced me of the importance of good software and using it well. Changes to technique can help too as you obviously need the best possible starting point before you start to process images.

I find software a PITA and I hate changing packages and learning how to use them but in these internet days it's easy to find tips and tutorials including good starting points for setting such things as the noise and sharpness sliders in the various popular processing packages.
 
^Joe said:
I think I agree.. it is a lovely camera... Quite pricey for me given the lack of use..

What's the deal with these grey imports then? Are panamoz trustworthy?
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Grey means its not an official importer. I have used Panamoz for all my camera stuff at least 5k spent with them, on average i get my orders within 5 days.
 
Panamoz are well used here as are DigitalRev and HDEW. There's a massive thread in the shopping section iirc about it all. The main two things are that the warranty lies with the seller who will often use an independent camera dealer in the UK (although i think DR require you to send them back to them?) and the other thing is you save a shed load of cash. I'm sure all the 'you're not paying correct import taxes how do you sleep at night' people will be along soon but that's your decision at the end of the day and for me personally it's not one that really bothers me. I pay enough taxes so it's nice to get one over on them. :D
 
Not to denigrate the awesome olympus EM-1 I had, but I got my photo mojo back with the 6D and the 35/2 combo. The 6D is pretty light, in real world terms there isn't much in it between the xxxD and the 6D. Paper specs mean nothing when youre talking a few hundred grams on an 85Kg person! I hardly weigh my shoes every morning, but I reckon I could shave equivalent weight by wearing a lighter pair of socks and having a wee....

My advice, mainly as a thinking point... Bin the 17-40, it's average in its brilliance. Sell everything and get a 6D alongside two lenses...

1. Choose one from these; a 35/2 lighter-weight non-IS, 40mm/2.8, or keep the 50/1.8.
2. An older EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM which I think is a brilliant lightweight walkaround zoom.

3... Then, if you want longer, dig up an older EF 100-300mm f/4-5.6 USM. Both these 1990's EF lenses punch hugely above their weight, cost less than a trip to the toilets at Euston station, have full time proper type USM focusing, and have CA/vignette correction on the 6D. Just excellent and underrated lenses... And you don't need to mollycoddle them!
 
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danbroad said:
Not to denigrate the awesome olympus EM-1 I had, but I got my photo mojo back with the 6D and the 35/2 combo. The 6D is pretty light, in real world terms there isn't much in it between the xxxD and the 6D. Paper specs mean nothing when youre talking a few hundred grams on an 85Kg person! I hardly weigh my shoes every morning, but I reckon I could shave equivalent weight by wearing a lighter pair of socks and having a wee....

My advice, mainly as a thinking point... Bin the 17-40, it's average in its brilliance. Sell everything and get a 6D alongside two lenses...

1. Choose one from these; a 35/2 IS or lighter-weight non-IS, 40mm/2.8, 50/1.8.
2. An older EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM which I think is a brilliant lightweight walkaround zoom.

3... Then, if you want longer, dig up an older EF 100-300mm f/4-5.6 USM. Both these 1990's EF lenses punch hugely above their weight, cost less than a trip to the toilets at Euston station, have full time proper type USM focusing, and have CA/vignette correction on the 6D. Just excellent and underrated lenses...
Click to expand...


Very useful post, thank you.

Reason I like the 17-40 is purely due to the UWA for things like church interiors etc when travelling... If there was a cheaper equivalent, that could be useful.
 
If you dont mine loosing AF, there is the Samyang 14mm its a cracking lens for about £250.
 
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