Upgrading Camera *canon*

[laquena]

I have the Canon Xti and a photo pass for a show coming this october. I've already decided this is something I'm serious about and I'll be doing concerts and portraits.
I'm purchasing this camera on credit and I seriously feel I can make back a lot of the money spent doing weddings ETC..

So my first thought was to purchase the Canon 5d with the kit lense
Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Autofocus Lens

this is for 3,403.95

BUT for about 1 thousand more I can get a mark 3!

After knowing all this should I simply buy the 5d with the lense (is this even a good lense? im trying to find out) OR should I just do another 1000 for the mark 3??

Another thing is if I get the 5d and then later purchase the mark 3 I'll then have to bodies which I should have in the first place.. another perk would be that I would have more money to spend on more gear..

ahh what to do?

[Wazza]

That's a monster step. I think the upcoming 40D may be what you need, as long as there are no flaws at its' release. :o

Of course the 5D is very nice. FF. Depth of field will be very tight, and 105mm on that isn't very long. For low light work, 50/85mm 1.8/1.4/1.2 lens work well but again on a 5D can sometimes be a bit too short.

1D3 of course is a great camera. But I bought mine before I knew of the features of the 40D. But if it gives 80% of the features and quality, for 30% of the price, then I know which one I would be taking.

[liza]

The 5D is a lovely camera, but I'd get a 70-200 2.8IS for your stated purposes with a fast prime thrown in for good measure. The 85mm 1.8 would be a good choice, as would the 100mm f/2.

[johnms88]

you dont want the 24-105. It is too slow for concert work. Have you thought about a second hand 1Dmk2 or mk2n? You can get that and a 70-200 (non-is) for a little more than your budget now.

[Steve Parr]

You can get that and a 70-200 (non-is) for a little more than your budget now.

The 70-200mm f/2.8L (non-IS) is my main concert lens. I wouldn't even leave the house if I didn't have that lens...

[johnstoy]

Just get the camera body...

The "kit lense Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Autofocus Lens" is not what you want... It's mostly useless for no flash, low light stage action...It's safe to say that "none" of us here in the Performing Arts use it for low light shows... Just as very few of us use a flash... Most entertainers request no flash use and most venues vigorously enforce the rule...

Save, save, save and buy once... Get the best low light lens you can afford...Nothing less than a f2.8 in the zoom line... and strive to get the f1.4 and f1.8 primes... The f1.2 primes have super qualities and are preferred by portrait and wedding shooters...

[René Damkot]

I have the Canon Xti and a photo pass for a show coming this october. I've already decided this is something I'm serious about and I'll be doing concerts and portraits.
I'm purchasing this camera on credit and I seriously feel I can make back a lot of the money spent doing weddings ETC..

The camera won't make you money if the XTi doesn't allready...
I'ld build up slowly, and certainly not buy what I couldn't afford...

[johnstoy]

The camera won't make you money if the XTi doesn't allready...
I'ld build up slowly, and certainly not buy what I couldn't afford...


AH... Very good point Rene'... The most obvious, wasn't so obvious at first... Your point makes all the "Dollars and Cents" in the world... I'd invest in better glass and work with the XTi...:D

[laquena]

Thank you for all of your help. I think I'll get the 5d body and a different lense. :D