Sell everything to fund Canon 5D MkI?

ScarySquirrel

ScarySquirrel

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Hi all,

Currently I have the following:

Canon 400D + Canon Battery grip
Sigma 10-20mm + B+W 10 Stop ND
Sigma 150mm Macro
Sigma 17-70mm
Sigma 70-300mm

I really really want to upgrade now, I've used the 400D for 2 years now and I feel that I am ready to step up....but how far?

I am seriously in love with portrait photography, I am still learning, but this is where I want to go with my photography. In addition, landscapes are also something I want to do more.

In an ideal world where I am not completely skint, I would go out tomorrow and buy a 5D MkII, but I can't.

I love the feel of the 40D/50D, so that is a consideration, however I would love to go full frame, and in time stock up on some serious glass. Anyway, my thoughts are that I could get about £1000-1100 for all of the above? Firstly, do you agree?

With the money I could do the following:

Option 1
- Buy a 2nd hand Canon 5D for around £800-900
- Use it with my Canon 50mm nifty fifty as a stop gap whilst I save extra for a 24-70L
- In time, invest in either the 85L or 135L for portrait work

Option 2
- Buy a 2nd hand 40D for around £450
- Use rest of cash for an equivalent to 24-70L for crop, possibly 17-55IS
- Save up for 85L for portrait work


Do my numbers seem reasonable? What would you do?
I am used to the smaller LCD of the 400D currently, so I am not missing out there, although that is one thing I would love about the 40D, having that nice big LCD.

So, what do you think?
 
ScarySquirrel said:
Hi all,

Currently I have the following:

Canon 400D + Canon Battery grip
Sigma 10-20mm + B+W 10 Stop ND
Sigma 150mm Macro
Sigma 17-70mm
Sigma 70-300mm

I really really want to upgrade now, I've used the 400D for 2 years now and I feel that I am ready to step up....but how far?

I am seriously in love with portrait photography, I am still learning, but this is where I want to go with my photography. In addition, landscapes are also something I want to do more.

In an ideal world where I am not completely skint, I would go out tomorrow and buy a 5D MkII, but I can't.

I love the feel of the 40D/50D, so that is a consideration, however I would love to go full frame, and in time stock up on some serious glass. Anyway, my thoughts are that I could get about £1000-1100 for all of the above? Firstly, do you agree?

With the money I could do the following:

Option 1
- Buy a 2nd hand Canon 5D for around £800-900
- Use it with my Canon 50mm nifty fifty as a stop gap whilst I save extra for a 24-70L
- In time, invest in either the 85L or 135L for portrait work

Option 2
- Buy a 2nd hand 40D for around £450
- Use rest of cash for an equivalent to 24-70L for crop, possibly 17-55IS
- Save up for 85L for portrait work


Do my numbers seem reasonable? What would you do?
I am used to the smaller LCD of the 400D currently, so I am not missing out there, although that is one thing I would love about the 40D, having that nice big LCD.

So, what do you think?
Click to expand...


I don't know about your numbers I'm afraid, but I have to admit to being a bit confused by your logic here. Why buy a body that you can't afford to buy glass for. Good glass is always a better long term investment then a body that may have 2 years before its replaced.

Wouldn't a better option be to improve your glass collection, and it will make a big difference to your 400d now, whilst you save for a full frame body and do it in that order. That way you don't end up short of kit

Just MHO

Hugh
 
I agree with Hugh. I started with a 300D then upgraded to a 350D and invested in some better glass. Got a Canon 70-200 f2.8L and a Sigma 24-70 f2.8 to give me the range I felt I needed. Was always hankering after FF but when funds permitted I upgraded the 350 to a 40D and eventually gor a second hand 5D. So now I have the benefit of the short end of all my glass on the 5D and the extra reach that the 40D gives.

As Hugh says I would also suggest investing in the glass first. I just bought a second hand Canon 24-105 and can't believe the image quality improvement over the Sigma 24-70 - it's now gone off to Sigma for repairt and overhaul to see if it will improve.
 
Well my thinking is that I will be buying lenses with the 1.6 crop factor in mind, rather than with a full frame body in the future.

I figure I'll just get rid of that now.
Perhaps I won't do this then. Oh I don't know, I'm so confused! :(

Probably worth mentioning that at the moment the only lens I really use if the 50mm nifty fifty, which is why I would be happy using that until I saved up for the 24-70L (would take about 3 months probably)
 
I'll tell you how and why i went Full Frame.

I started photograph on a EOS30, film camera, and going to a 30D was kinda of odd, my 28-105 is never wide enough. It was always my plan to go back to Full Frame.

The 30D is a great camera, but as I knew my long term goal is FF, about 8 months prior I started to slowly get rid of my lenses. I sold my Tamron 17-50, sold my 18-55 kit lens, sold the 50/1.8, and the sigma 24-70 (or returned). There was a period where I did not even have a lens, and I knew it and kinda planned it.

I then started to get lenses that I know that is good for FF, I have in my mind the 3 must have lenses for FF. Top of the list is 24-70, then 16-35, and 70-200. All 2.8, all Canon L. That was the plan.

However, as I still had the 30D at the time, and I found the 28-105 was never wide enough plus I stumbled across a good deal for the 16-35 L secondhand. I opted for that, and on crop, it is the right focal length, if a bit short on the long end. I also upgraded the 50mm to the 1.4 version too in that time.

I stuck with that for about 4 months whilst I save up for the 5Dii, and now all I need is a 24-70, and the 70-200 can come when I have the money and I don’t miss the focal length.
 
ScarySquirrel said:
Probably worth mentioning that at the moment the only lens I really use if the 50mm nifty fifty, which is why I would be happy using that until I saved up for the 24-70L (would take about 3 months probably)
Click to expand...

Bear in mind that you'd have to get used to using the 50mm on a FF lens, I bet you'd prefer 85mm on FF for portraits. :)
 
I want a Canon 5d2- by the time I save up, I reckon the next model will be out- with all the little extra things I want. Wireless & GPS :)
 
The problem with your 'predicament' is that you're pre-supposing you can't do quality portrait work with a crop sensor. :shrug:

Yes - full frame is ultimately better for portraits, but you need the very best glass to get the best from a full frame sensor. You could end up being very disappointed and unable to afford the glass you need.

I's say get the 40D and a Canon 85mm 1.8 - you'll be quids in.
 
CT said:
get the 40D and a Canon 85mm 1.8 - you'll be quids in.
Click to expand...

That looks like the most sensible option for you. To get the best out of a 5D you need quality glass on the end of it.
 
I think you're right about the 40D and 85 1.8

I am borrowing a 40D next weekend (hopefully with the 85 1/8 as well) so will have a chance to give it a run out.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think I can't get good portraits on my crop, I like to think I have some ok ones already :)
 
This is with the 50D and 85mm 1.2L

3508847890_1371a6846c_o.jpg


The 85mm 1.8 has to be one of the biggest bargains in the Canon line up and it's certainly faster focusing. ;)
 
Personally i THINK your better to have the best glass on a 5D, but it isn't necessary.

I've been using a 28-135 for a while now and have just moved to a 28-75 Tammy. The copy of the 28-135 was a good one and having a wee shifty at my Flickr page will show it still worked well on the 5D2. Ok it had a couple of bad points about it, but nothing ridiculous until you started looking for it.

I have a nagging feeling if you go the 40D route, you'll still be craving full frame.

5D and the 85 1.8 would suit for sure.
 
drb5 said:
Personally i THINK your better to have the best glass on a 5D, but it isn't necessary.

I've been using a 28-135 for a while now and have just moved to a 28-75 Tammy. The copy of the 28-135 was a good one and having a wee shifty at my Flickr page will show it still worked well on the 5D2. Ok it had a couple of bad points about it, but nothing ridiculous until you started looking for it.

I have a nagging feeling if you go the 40D route, you'll still be craving full frame.

5D and the 85 1.8 would suit for sure.
Click to expand...
I agree.:D
 
I'd suggest you go with the glass first by simplifying on better lenses that will work well with a 5D when you have the funds. The 85mm 1.8 is a great portrait lens. With your limited budget, the Tammy 28-75 is a good compromise and would allow to buy your 5D sooner.
 
Thanks for the advice so far guys. Edging towards the 40D options, whilst keeping my 10-20 but buying the 85 1.8 in a month or 2.
 
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