Should I make the upgrade?

Currently shooting on the 5D Mark II... Went to the local shop and tried the Mark III and it was fantastic, so I would like to upgrade. Question is though, should I just sell the Mark II now and get the Mark III or wait for the Mark III price to drop more, if it even does. Thanks!

The 5DIII will likely come down a bit over the next 6 months, but at the same time the value of your 5DII is likely to devalue at a roughly the same rate. Meaning that the difference between the two may stay fairly constant.

Had the same dilema and ended up with a 5D MKIII. For me the 5D MKIII gave me more consistent results and a greater urge to take photographs. What ever decision you make, someone will come up with a counter argument so just go and get the MKIII.

Neil

From a m2 standpoint I would say yes...the differences between m2 and the m3 justify the switch...

it's the 60D, 7D upgrades to the m3 that I cant see yet...

I have also tried the Mark III in a camera store. When I consider whether I should upgrade, I ask myself: "Have I mastered my current camera yet?" When I can honestly answer "yes", I will be ready to upgrade. I'm far from that right now.

frugivore,

I understand your reasoning, it makes sense, and I have arrived at the same conclusion for myself. Then I think, on the other hand, why spend time mastering my current camera, when that time might be better spent mastering the markIII? At this point I am far from mastering my 40d, but I have decided to wait until 2014 to make a decision as to whether I upgrade to the MkIII. It's not the money that's holding me back, it's the skill level I want to be at before I upgrade. For my part, for the last three months I have been reading and viewing everything I can to understand my 40d, and the elements that go into making good photographs. I am shooting almost everyday, and as best I can, journaling the results. My family makes faces when they see me with my camera, but the grandkids are young enough that they don't mind yet.

Regards,

Rick

frugivore wrote in post #14952404
I have also tried the Mark III in a camera store. When I consider whether I should upgrade, I ask myself: "Have I mastered my current camera yet?" When I can honestly answer "yes", I will be ready to upgrade. I'm far from that right now.

For me, the 5D3's attraction is the quality of images it can produce. I don't really care about the host of bells and whistles - only the few that really come in handy on a regular basis. I'm not a tech freak and I will probably never use all of any camera's features.

But I love the camera for what it can do in my very unskilled hands!

SleepingPachuco wrote in post #14952323
From a m2 standpoint I would say yes...the differences between m2 and the m3 justify the switch...

it's the 60D, 7D upgrades to the m3 that I cant see yet...

Wow.. So, in your opinion, upgrading from a 5D II to a 5D III is OK.
But an upgrade from 60D or 7D to a 5D III does not ? The 60D and 7D are basically the top end of the "crop" ladder- upgrading from there basically puts you into full frame..

At that point, your options are 5Dc, 5D II, and 5D III, and the 1D series. To me, the 1D series is too expensive unless you are buying a much older version- used- and I don't care to. 1DX is too rich for my blood- probably too rich for 90% of those here on POTN. OK, I could afford it if I really needed to- but you know- I also have other things I want to afford as well- so 1DX- too darn pricey in my book.

5Dc is - what, a 7 year old design ? That seems like a step backwards or so.. It'd be different though. Maybe for some- not for me. Older Af system. Smaller LCD screen. less croppping ability. If I think, in my opinion, it's a step backwards or two- why ?

5D II- again- an older design. So, if I step from the 7D, or even the 60D- going back to a system that has an AF system similar to a t1i, t2i, or t3i. This is my only complaint with this body- that's it. If it had the AF system- of just even a 50D ( 9 pt cross type )- it'd have been enough to warrant the cash. But nope- for the most part- you've got a single good AF point. Do I want to sink +$2K into this camera model ? It's the same question that I believe a number of crop users have asked as well .. Truth be told, if Canon had delayed the 5D III by another 6 months to a year, I'd probably own a 5D II.

5D III- really - a perfect match for someone that has a 7D. from a 7D- you are stepping up to a 5D III.. even from a 60D- you are stepping up. To me, going from a 60D to a 7D- may or may not be an upgrade for the owner. for the most part- all you are upgrading in a 60D to a 7D - is the AF system. Importantly, not stepping backwards. So, along with a fantastic AF system, you get full frame, decent cropping capability, etc... basically a 5D II upgraded in the key points where it was weakest. You haven't stepped back on any major aspect- basically in a number of areas. AF System! Full Frame!. Higher ISO capability! Low light focusing capability! even MP! Cropping ability! Yep, I'd rather sink $3k into this latest model than $2k into the previous model. Again,this is probably a question similar that a lot of 7D/60D users ask themselves.. All I can say is that I'd rather sink $3k into a 5D III over sinking $2k into a 5D II. It's that simple.

In my opinion, the 5D III is the perfect upgrade for 60D and 7D users- provided you can swallow the costs.

i'd wait a bit, holidays are coming up and i expect pricing to get better. it's only a couple of months away, hang on and get a great deal. And yes, moving from the 5d2 to the 5d3 is a good move.

I'm in the same boat, and I think the upgrade is justifiable for the AF alone. That said I'm still waiting a few more months to see about the price. But I don't think it will drop as much as I would like it to.
Also I'm not sure yet if I will sell the MkII and the 50D or sell just the 50D. Both my bodies are "kind of" high mileage so less desirable for a buyer..

The MkIII's price is already dropping and quite quickly. There have been several places offering it for $2700, that's something like $800 already and I expect that more sites will start selling theirs at this price as well. At $3.5k the MkIII is over priced but $2.7k is more reasonable.

This is definitely not the best price out there, but it beats B&H and Amazon + free shipping. http://www.digitalrev.​com …d-mark-iii/MTAwMDQwNQ_A_A

frugivore wrote in post #14952404
I have also tried the Mark III in a camera store. When I consider whether I should upgrade, I ask myself: "Have I mastered my current camera yet?" When I can honestly answer "yes", I will be ready to upgrade. I'm far from that right now.

I think you are using a defeatist mentality, but I don't mean that in a condescending way. I think you have to be able to use your camera correctly and take acceptable photographs, but being a "master" is a bit harsh.

When you go to a new system, it will take time to get used to it. I would rather move to a new system and spend my valuable time mastering it than one I know I'm moving away from.

Gregg.Siam wrote in post #14955198
I think you are using a defeatist mentality, but I don't mean that in a condescending way. I think you have to be able to use your camera correctly and take acceptable photographs, but being a "master" is a bit harsh.

When you go to a new system, it will take time to get used to it. I would rather move to a new system and spend my valuable time mastering it than one I know I'm moving away from.

I don't disagree with you. The point that I'm trying to make is that the 'system' here is the same. It's not like we're moving to the Nikon camp. The 5D3 is just a more advanced tool than the 5D2. Even moreso than the 5Ds that I use. If I take on the 5D3 now, without fully understanding the more simple 5D, I know that my progress will be hampered. Perhaps 'master' is the wrong word. 'Fully understand' is probably more accurate.

SleepingPachuco wrote in post #14952323
From a m2 standpoint I would say yes...the differences between m2 and the m3 justify the switch...

it's the 60D, 7D upgrades to the m3 that I cant see yet...

I disagree. There are pros and cons of the 5D2 and the 7D...the 5D3 takes the pros and leaves the cons from each list. It's like having your pie, and eating it too. (god I hate that phrase lol)