Upgrade in the Pipeline

John Mc

John Mc

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So as the title states, I plan to upgrade at the end of the year. Was confirmed today at work I was 1 of 90 people successful in an interview to fill a position in my department.(Currently Part time, my new role is full time) So, With the increased wage, I think after 3 years its time to upgrade Camera and get a new Lens.

I plan to purchase the Lens in December first, And I'm looking at Sigmas 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO. I want to get into Wildlife and Bird photography and want something with Reach and IS/OS. Seen plenty of images taken with this lens, so I know what its capable of. My main thought now...Is where to purchase it. I have 3 options, Uk stock, Import or second hand. Difference being a Uk warranty but paying £750 compared to an Import at £580(I do know duty may be charged,but looking at a store that will return the duty charge to you if that happens) And I'm also aware an Import would mean I'd have to return to the seller for any Manufacturer issues in the first year. Second hand is an option I have considered, But again, most lenses I've seen sell have been the low to mid £500 mark. Even Non uk versions go for this price. So for a difference of £80, I'd be better looking at a non uk versions and get new.

As for the Camera, I'd be looking to purchase at the end of January/February. I'm looking at a 7D, Mainly for the AF points and frame rates. I do like to shoot landscapes, So I have been looking at a 5D mk2 heavily also. But I've been happy with Crop sensors so far, And a 5D would mean looking at a standard L lens, Which I'd rather not do as I really want a longer lens.
Same situation as above, Uk stock is £1029 and Import is £673. Big difference of £350. Second hand, I have seen models go for around £550 with lowish mileage on them. This got me thinking It might be worth a second hand version as I'm looking to keep my budget around £1000 mark (I've factored in a few hundred to play about with if need be).

What would you do with say, £1200 and in my position of wanting a new camera and lens for Wildlife/sports photos?
 
John Mc said:
So as the title states, I plan to upgrade at the end of the year. Was confirmed today at work I was 1 of 90 people successful in an interview to fill a position in my department.(Currently Part time, my new role is full time) So, With the increased wage, I think after 3 years its time to upgrade Camera and get a new Lens.

I plan to purchase the Lens in December first, And I'm looking at Sigmas 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM APO. I want to get into Wildlife and Bird photography and want something with Reach and IS/OS. Seen plenty of images taken with this lens, so I know what its capable of. My main thought now...Is where to purchase it. I have 3 options, Uk stock, Import or second hand. Difference being a Uk warranty but paying £750 compared to an Import at £580(I do know duty may be charged,but looking at a store that will return the duty charge to you if that happens) And I'm also aware an Import would mean I'd have to return to the seller for any Manufacturer issues in the first year. Second hand is an option I have considered, But again, most lenses I've seen sell have been the low to mid £500 mark. Even Non uk versions go for this price. So for a difference of £80, I'd be better looking at a non uk versions and get new.

As for the Camera, I'd be looking to purchase at the end of January/February. I'm looking at a 7D, Mainly for the AF points and frame rates. I do like to shoot landscapes, So I have been looking at a 5D mk2 heavily also. But I've been happy with Crop sensors so far, And a 5D would mean looking at a standard L lens, Which I'd rather not do as I really want a longer lens.
Same situation as above, Uk stock is £1029 and Import is £673. Big difference of £350. Second hand, I have seen models go for around £550 with lowish mileage on them. This got me thinking It might be worth a second hand version as I'm looking to keep my budget around £1000 mark (I've factored in a few hundred to play about with if need be).

What would you do with say, £1200 and in my position of wanting a new camera and lens for Wildlife/sports photos?
Click to expand...

By that time it will be plenty D7100 used under 700 pound and that should leave you space for your dream lenses .
Or just go for the D7000 excellent camera mint about 450 and get some good glass.
 
Long time between now and then, lots can change. One thing is certain, body's go out of fashion and favour much quicker than lenses.
 
Congratulations on the Job John

Are you hell bent on a 7d ?

If you're considering a used body then it's certainly worth considering a 1D3 over a 7d. I swithered between the two, ended up with both and kept the 1D3.

7D is fantastic for wee birds at distance if you're needing to crop to get results because of the 1.6 sensor and resolution.

1D3 is less forgiving for massive crops but unless you're printing large - it has the edge on higher ISO (noise) when you need to retain higher shutter speeds in fading light and I still maintain the AF is better. Build quality is better and if you ever need to AF at F8 you can. Take it out for landscapes and whilst it isn't full frame that 1.3 sensor gives you more with your lenses providing you're not restricted by EF-S lenses.

PS

A 1D2 is still a fine camera if you want to free up even more lens budget but I'd seriously weigh up 1D3 v 7D for your needs.
 
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Congrats on the job front.

If you buy a new UK sigma 150-500 OS you can get an extra 2 yrs warranty through sigma. Bear in mind that there are possible issues with warranty provided direct with grey market suppliers, look at what happened with Panamoz recently for example. It may also be worth considering how easy a return of the lens would be if it arrived and was simply a poor copy. Get it from a UK stock supplier and you can send it back using DSR regs if you have to, get a grey import and things may not be as easy. I know that at about £580 it's a saving of around £140 or so, but it's not without potential issues that you'd need to be comfortable with.

I think with the budget of £1200 and the intention of bird / wildlife photo's I'd take a used 7d and new uk sigma 150-500. I have a 7d and have been considering a 150-500/50-500/100-400 for a while now but have never made the purchase. Your purchase is a while off though, so as has been said already a lot can change.
 
Sorry for the late reply, Its been a rather busy few days. Been compiling lists for my holiday and have been sorting some stuff out for a friend.

I have looked at a 1D3, however I recently purchased a Tamron 17-50 2.8. I'd like to get use out of that rather then have to purchase another standard lens. The upgrade to the body would become my main, so I plan to also use it for portraits I occasionally do, And I find the Tamron good enough for Landscapes also. I am swaying towards a good used 7D and a new Lens. I've also been looking and considering a Prime, Likes of a Canon 400mm f5.6. Or even a 300Is with Tc, But I admit, that might not be the best options. With me working for a big department store, I get a rather good discount, so I might consider ordering the lens through work, And we also get a 3 year warranty with it.

Time will tell in all honesty. I need a new car first, Thats my primary aim, Then I can have a look at lenses and then onto the camera.
 
Used 7D. You won't get a shock for noisy sensor as you more or less have the same or less now. Everything else will be a massive step up. I just don't see the point in spending double when you can buy something that mainly sat in a bag as opposed to on the shelf
 
Although I've never had any problems with any of my 3rd party lenses, I wouldn't buy one as a grey import just in case. A UK sourced one from a bricks'n'mortar store can be returned if it's a poor copy while a replacement from a grey supplier could take rather longer.
 
My work should price match one and I'd get a discount also. So I'd get it cheaper than normal. lens wise.

I plan to get a 7D I think. And I've been reading into reviews more and like what I read.
 
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