5d mk iii - really struggling with "glass before body" here!

Dorman wrote in post #14231395
sometimes you just need to get what you WANT - I've learned that via my other hobby which is guitar - just get what you really want, buy once and be happy.

My Philosophy exactly. When I was younger I did buy an intermediate step up instead of a step up. I eventually upgraded, making it more expensive.

In the last 10 years I just get what I want when I could afford it, instead of going cheaper and then finally getting what I needed/wanted anyway.
Seems logical to go the cheaper and direct way.

that depends though, if you time it right and buy used you can actually MAKE money buying the intermediate step and using it while you continue to save. It's much harder with bodies, but with lenses it's VERY easy since they don't depreciate really. I do it all the time. For me it's especially important because if I leave the money in a savings account it'll get spent for something else...

Ben - likewise I used to have many more lenses, and typically much faster aperture wise. I've dialed back and really do not desire any more than 3-4 lenses. In many ways I'm a minimalist but do want the best of that limited selection.

On the other hand I'm also looking that I can still get sone decent coin for the 5d on the used market that slightly lessens the sting of the upgrade.

I totally get your stance that the 5d3 features are making it easier and thus more enjoyable for you to capture family images. I was shooting f/4 iso 1600 inside today and that's in the daytime, I'm not super comfortable w/ 3200 on my classic except for last resorts!

I'll either be making the jump to the mkiii or re-adding some fast glass ala 35/85/135 variety

yep, I used 1600 on the 5Dc, 3200 on the 5Dii, and now 6400~12800 on the 5D3. The thing with the 5D3 is while there's more noise in 12800 than 3200 on the 5D2, it doesn't band like 6400 did on the 5Dii. Noise I'm fine with, but if it bands I won't use it. So it's not a full 2 stop improvement noise wise, but banding it seems to be. Of course going to LR4 might be part of the improvement, have you tried that yet?

I am in a similar boat, except I have 5D2 - one from the refurb sales last Fall. I could not decide whether to upgrade or to buy a nice piece of glass - 50L - and wait for prices in 5D3 to fall. Tonight at dinner I discussed it with a couple of friends (non-photogs) and pretty much explaining the concept of going from 1 working AF point to having so many available on the 5D3 makes it a no-brainer even to my non-photog friends. DH pointed out that if I keep 5D3 for 4 years and the value falls by 50%, it will cost me about $1.10 per day to enjoy the camera. So I am looking at upgrading as a way to improve the capabilities of all of my lenses, and of my own work as I like to frame precisely. 5D2 gives me fits in this regard - I really like to use outer points, and I do shoot a lot of moving things. I ordered 5D3 tonight and think I will enjoy it immensely after I get over the guilt of having such a deluxe new camera in my bag.

Bill Roberts wrote in post #14230982
Dorman...

take a step back from it and remember why you're "into" photography
If it's not for business or to make a living then sometimes logic doesn't even come into it. I totally go along with the quality lenses before body argument, but sometimes you just *want* a new body. You don't need one, there's no real advantage, but you just WANT it.

If you can afford it and it's not hurting anyone then just do it! Life's too short to be logical all the time.

cheers

I like this

Get the 5d2 and you'll please your logical self. Get the 5d3 and you'll please yourself

Get the 5D3 body, huge upgrade from 5D classic and the glass you have is nice for now. I'd say that the 70-200 om a 5D3 will be more IQ than the lovely 135L on a classic.
More important, you get what you really want.

4x4rock wrote in post #14233697
I like this

Get the 5d2 and you'll please your logical self. Get the 5d3 and you'll please yourself

Only until something new comes out. If you are buying from a want perspective, you'll never be happy and will want the next latest greatest gizmo.

Get the 5d2 for $1500 and spend the remaining $2000 in Kauai for 2 weeks.

Hogloff wrote in post #14234394
Only until something new comes out. If you are buying from a want perspective, you'll never be happy and will want the next latest greatest gizmo.

Get the 5d2 for $1500 and spend the remaining $2000 in Kauai for 2 weeks.

That's what I did.

Good dialog thus far all. I think it is a burning question for those 5dc users who didn't ultimately make the jump to the 5dmkii. While the 5dmkii has of course greatly come down in price compared to the mkiii, there's still a compelling decision to be made when upgrading from a body as old as the classic.

The only difference B/t a 5D2 and a 5D3 is the AF system. One absolutely works and one works if you choose to work with its limitations. Slight differences you will see at 100% and about 1/2 stop ISO improvement on a raw file

Im probably buying a 5D3. But im waiting on the 1Dx. Then i will decide. The upgrade on the AF systems is worth it to me......may not be to others

i would vote for the 5dm3 as well. i'm sure it will keep it's place in your bag for a long time to come.

umphotography wrote in post #14235638
The only difference B/t a 5D2 and a 5D3 is the AF system. One absolutely works and one works if you choose to work with its limitations. Slight differences you will see at 100% and about 1/2 stop ISO improvement on a raw file

Im probably buying a 5D3. But im waiting on the 1Dx. Then i will decide. The upgrade on the AF systems is worth it to me......may not be to others

Precisely, if you are a 5dmkii owner there are diminishing returns (IMHO) on the upgrade other than the AF system. However, coming from a 5dc both the mkii and mkiii offer a multitude of feature upgrades. I'm in the camp that feels if I am going to make the upgrade investment I would rather do it to the newest technology than to something I have bypassed for several years already.

umphotography wrote in post #14235638
The only difference B/t a 5D2 and a 5D3 is the AF system.

You forget dual cards, superior light measuring, faster burstrate, silent shooting, superior high ISO pergormance, ergonomic improvements and much more. OK, the AF improvement is huge, but the others still very significant to many.

I have upgraded 5Dc -> 5D2 -> 5D3 and they were all worthy upgrades.

BugEyes wrote in post #14236048
You forget dual cards, superior light measuring, faster burstrate, silent shooting, superior high ISO pergormance, ergonomic improvements and much more. OK, the AF improvement is huge, but the others still very significant to many.

I have upgraded 5Dc -> 5D2 -> 5D3 and they were all worthy upgrades.

Have your results also improved?