Need help deciding on a new body...

Shoot Em Up

Shoot Em Up

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Hi all, after a couple of years out from photography, I'm looking to get back into it. I'm not sure if things are a lot different now than they were two or three years ago but I need help deciding on a new body. Just to give you some background info, I've owned a Canon 40d/50d/5d/7d/5dmk2 with various lenses. It feels such a long time ago that I feel it's best I start from fresh so please treat me as a newbie :).

So, I'm basically looking at Canon body and I'm thinking a 7d, 6d or a 5dmk2. I have a budget of £1200 (new or second hand) for a body and one general walkabout lens. I'll mainly be using it on holiday and family pictures/portraits. I'm not too bothered about weight/size or video. Just after best As I start getting back into it and find my feet again, I'll add more lenses down the line.

If you were starting out again, what body and and lens would you spend your money on given the above?
 
If it has to be a Canon, then either the 70D or 6D are the two bodies within your budget that I'd consider. But the 6D with a lens would be pushing your budget very hard unless you go second-hand or grey import.

But with a fresh slate and for family/holiday use I wouldn't personally go either Canon or DSLR.
 
Any reason why you wouldn't consider the 7d or 5dmk2? I don't mind second hand or grey import if the source is reliable. The reason for choosing a Canon DSLR is that once I start getting back into it, I 'll start shooting other subject and Canon is familiar to me so I don;t have to learn a new system.
 
I have a 7d and 5d2. I'm happy with them however if I was choosing between them and a 6d today I'd go for the 6d. However based on your budget I'd say that a 6d will use up too much and not leave enough for a good lens.
You could just about squeeze both a used 5d2 and 24-105 into your budget and that'd still be a good combo.
A 7d is the best value as used prices seem to have tumbled and I'd reckon you could get a good condition 7d, 17-55 and have more than enough left over for a good flash or another lens.
 
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Shoot Em Up said:
Any reason why you wouldn't consider the 7d or 5dmk2? I don't mind second hand or grey import if the source is reliable. The reason for choosing a Canon DSLR is that once I start getting back into it, I 'll start shooting other subject and Canon is familiar to me so I don;t have to learn a new system.
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I considered all of the models you listed in December/January when I decided to upgrade from the 40D I'd been using for several years. If I stayed with Canon and an APS-C sensir then in the 7D vs 70D show-down the 70D was my preferred body, a couple of friends have the 70D and one of them had bought the 7D and switched from that to the 70D within a couple of months as he found the handling much better. If I'd gone for a full-frame Canon then the 5Diii was out of my price bracket, and the 6D won out over a secondhand 5Dii in my analysis - but it was a close run thing. If you're genuinely uninterested in video then the 5Dii offers nothing over the 6D.

In the end, I surprised myself.. ditched Canon and switched to the Fuji X-series. Almost all my Canon gear has now been sold or part-exchanged. Don't regret it a bit.
 
Shoot Em Up said:
Hi all, after a couple of years out from photography, I'm looking to get back into it. I'm not sure if things are a lot different now than they were two or three years ago but I need help deciding on a new body. Just to give you some background info, I've owned a Canon 40d/50d/5d/7d/5dmk2 with various lenses. It feels such a long time ago that I feel it's best I start from fresh so please treat me as a newbie :).

So, I'm basically looking at Canon body and I'm thinking a 7d, 6d or a 5dmk2. I have a budget of £1200 (new or second hand) for a body and one general walkabout lens. I'll mainly be using it on holiday and family pictures/portraits. I'm not too bothered about weight/size or video. Just after best As I start getting back into it and find my feet again, I'll add more lenses down the line.

If you were starting out again, what body and and lens would you spend your money on given the above?
Click to expand...

There is a very strong suggestion that the 7D mkII will be out sometime this year (possible launch Sept) so this will have an effect on new 7D prices (if any are left in stock) and will probably through up plenty of 2nd hand ones as people upgrade...possible option to pick one up at a very good price.

From what you used previously - which did you prefer (thinking more of Crop v FF) and what do you want the new body to do (thinking of FPS or FF) - this could help you decide which way to go. Don't forget size of bodies are slightly different, which needs to be considered.

Hope this is of some help
 
Sony a7 or a7r, smaller and lighter, and with a adapter you could have stf goodness... :)
 
Thanks guys, I'll give it some more thought before diving in unless I see a really good deal. I'm leaning towards the 6D but will consider non-Canon options too.
 
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