sanjin
4th of June 2008 (Wed), 02:47
Ok, I see there are still so many anxious people impatiently waiting for a replacement for a new 5D to be announced. Not only on this forum, but all over the internet. Another thing that I noticed is that a huge number of those peole have never actually owned a 5D. They either shoot some Rebel or 20/30/40D.
Well, if you`ve got a minute, listen to my story and my reasoning.
Up until a few months ago, I was one of you. I had Canon Xti and Canon 20D and was looking forward for a new 5D to come out so that I could jump to a full frame and without saying a better camera. As rumor after rumor proved false, I sat down and did some serious thinking.
I was on a limited budget. Don`t get me wrong. I could afford a new one (replacement: 5D Mk II or whatever you like), but still considering that I wanted some lenses as well, I was rather on a limited budget, I had close to 5.000$ saved for a camera and a new lens. Then, I started thinking. When new 5D comes out, its initial price might well be 3.000$, maybe more, maybe slightly less. With taxes on any new product that here in Canada equal 14%, that would mean guestimated price of around 3.500$ for body only.
Then I took a look at the "old" 5D again, compared it to all of current Canon`s concurrent line-up and came to a conclusion that it is still one mighty camera. I don`t want to sound pretensious, but in image quality, it can still not be ashamed of the new 5.500$ Nikon`s D3.
So when I found a deal that I could not refuse, I just bought one slightly (8 months) used 5D. It cost me 1.500$. With the money left, I recently bought 135L f/2.0 and 17-40. And I still have close to 2.000$ left. These lenses, I wanted to buy anyways, but by buying used, I saved all this money. Now, I`m planning a trip to Russia this summer and will be going to Moscow, St-Petersbourg and the Black sea. This trip, I didn`t even plan before, I am actually going to pay 75% of the cost of the trip with the leftover of the money that I initially intended to spend on a new 5D.
Now, I know the replacement 5D will be a better camera, will have more mega pixels, better body sealing, better processor, larger screen, self dust cleaning etc. Then again, more mega pixels doesn`t always mean better pictures, larger screen is nice, but not a question of life or death and if you think that because of self dust cleaning, you`ll never have to clean your sensor again, think again.
My Xti has self-cleaning and honnestly (I have no reason to lie to you), I clean it almost as often as my 5D. The only reason why I say almost is because I don`t use it as much. Yes, the 5D attracts dust, I openly admit it as well, but it is nothing an air blower and a sensor cleaning brush cannot get rid in a matter of minutes.
There are some thing I always buy used: cars and power tools to name a few. Not 10 years old, 2-3 years old. I save so much money doing this. DSLR`s will from now on be part of that list. Now, you might think I`m nuts, but see again. Ever heard of amortisation? Every new product will lose between 10% and 30% of its initial value during the first 12 months. Depending on the quality and demand for a certain product. Now, when somebody buys a brand new Dslr, the store makes a profit and a gouvernement makes a profit (sales taxes). So when you buy something a few months old, you do not pay these fees again.
Anyhow, if money is not an issue for you, just ignore this post and go get 1Ds MK III, it is a monster. I had a chance to borrow it from a friend for a few days.
If you work for a living and every dollar counts and if you`d rather spend money on yourself or someone close to you, I`d say, get the used 5D and invest your $$$$ on some good lenses. A body, as good as it is, you will not keep 20 years, chances are your lenses are going to spend a lot more years with you that a dSlr body. Eventually, you will get to 5D MKII.
Well, if you`ve got a minute, listen to my story and my reasoning.
Up until a few months ago, I was one of you. I had Canon Xti and Canon 20D and was looking forward for a new 5D to come out so that I could jump to a full frame and without saying a better camera. As rumor after rumor proved false, I sat down and did some serious thinking.
I was on a limited budget. Don`t get me wrong. I could afford a new one (replacement: 5D Mk II or whatever you like), but still considering that I wanted some lenses as well, I was rather on a limited budget, I had close to 5.000$ saved for a camera and a new lens. Then, I started thinking. When new 5D comes out, its initial price might well be 3.000$, maybe more, maybe slightly less. With taxes on any new product that here in Canada equal 14%, that would mean guestimated price of around 3.500$ for body only.
Then I took a look at the "old" 5D again, compared it to all of current Canon`s concurrent line-up and came to a conclusion that it is still one mighty camera. I don`t want to sound pretensious, but in image quality, it can still not be ashamed of the new 5.500$ Nikon`s D3.
So when I found a deal that I could not refuse, I just bought one slightly (8 months) used 5D. It cost me 1.500$. With the money left, I recently bought 135L f/2.0 and 17-40. And I still have close to 2.000$ left. These lenses, I wanted to buy anyways, but by buying used, I saved all this money. Now, I`m planning a trip to Russia this summer and will be going to Moscow, St-Petersbourg and the Black sea. This trip, I didn`t even plan before, I am actually going to pay 75% of the cost of the trip with the leftover of the money that I initially intended to spend on a new 5D.
Now, I know the replacement 5D will be a better camera, will have more mega pixels, better body sealing, better processor, larger screen, self dust cleaning etc. Then again, more mega pixels doesn`t always mean better pictures, larger screen is nice, but not a question of life or death and if you think that because of self dust cleaning, you`ll never have to clean your sensor again, think again.
My Xti has self-cleaning and honnestly (I have no reason to lie to you), I clean it almost as often as my 5D. The only reason why I say almost is because I don`t use it as much. Yes, the 5D attracts dust, I openly admit it as well, but it is nothing an air blower and a sensor cleaning brush cannot get rid in a matter of minutes.
There are some thing I always buy used: cars and power tools to name a few. Not 10 years old, 2-3 years old. I save so much money doing this. DSLR`s will from now on be part of that list. Now, you might think I`m nuts, but see again. Ever heard of amortisation? Every new product will lose between 10% and 30% of its initial value during the first 12 months. Depending on the quality and demand for a certain product. Now, when somebody buys a brand new Dslr, the store makes a profit and a gouvernement makes a profit (sales taxes). So when you buy something a few months old, you do not pay these fees again.
Anyhow, if money is not an issue for you, just ignore this post and go get 1Ds MK III, it is a monster. I had a chance to borrow it from a friend for a few days.
If you work for a living and every dollar counts and if you`d rather spend money on yourself or someone close to you, I`d say, get the used 5D and invest your $$$$ on some good lenses. A body, as good as it is, you will not keep 20 years, chances are your lenses are going to spend a lot more years with you that a dSlr body. Eventually, you will get to 5D MKII.