second body to compliment/back up FF ?

Looking for suggestions for a back up body to go with a 5DMKII. I'd like to get the extra tele reach and also depth of field in the macro world from time to time. Cost is a factor ... a big factor, so a 7D is out of the question. I honestly don't know enough about the rest of the Canon line ... something not state of the art that can be had relatively cheap but still good IQ.

What am I describing ?


cheers

kb

T2i's an option. 18mp.

40D. 1D MK II.

kbColorado wrote in post #12910285
Looking for suggestions for a back up body to go with a 5DMKII. I'd like to get the extra tele reach and also depth of field in the macro world from time to time. Cost is a factor ... a big factor, so a 7D is out of the question. I honestly don't know enough about the rest of the Canon line ... something not state of the art that can be had relatively cheap but still good IQ.

What am I describing ?


cheers

kb

You have described most of the crop family at this point. You may need to supply more info before good suggestions are made.

1) Do you like the larger size of the 5D, could you be happy with something smaller like the Rebel line?

2) What is your budget?

3) Do you need high resolution for really large prints 11x17 or more?

4) What do you shoot?

TeamSpeed wrote in post #12910402
You have described most of the crop family at this point. You may need to supply more info before good suggestions are made.

1) Do you like the larger size of the 5D, could you be happy with something smaller like the Rebel line?

2) What is your budget?

3) Do you need high resolution for really large prints 11x17 or more?

4) What do you shoot?

++++++++++

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

1/ size is not important. I'm used to the bigger 5D but going smaller is no problem.
2/ $400 or so ?
3/ I'm an IQ guy ... I'd like the option for big prints
4/ I shoot everything but my passion is landscape / pretty pic stuff

thanks again

kb

kbColorado wrote in post #12910701
2/ $400 or so ?

I know that a used 40D can usually be had for close to $400, and at least that way you won't feel crippled losing the control dial on the back that you would get if you had a Rebel. Only 10MP though, so that's a trade off you MAY have to face, but it should print 11 x 17 just fine.

350d...

No video but excellent image quality, not sure what it is called in the states...

i had a t2i and sold it for a 40d. SOMETIMES i miss the video capability on it but everything else i don't miss about it. plus the 40d was cheaper and fits my needs as a 2nd body perfectly well. also it's close in size/control as the 5d2 so it'll be a easy transition. it's slightly older but not ancient. so i recommend 40D.

Sounds like a 40D to me as well

+1 for a 40D. A very solid backup camera.

I think 50D comes closest to 5DII, handles pretty similarly in a lot of ways, image properties from both have the same overall "feel" (so see pretty similar post processing needs), just the 50D's 15MP are a bit smaller and has a tiny bit less fine detail. I have mistaken some of my 50D shots for 5DII shots, until I looked in the EXIF.

AF is faster and more capable in some respects on 50D, better at tracking moving targets, for example. But still laid out and controlled in the same way. Both cameras have 9 AF points. Both cameras have the option of some focus screens, such as Precision Focus and Grid types, though they aren't interchangeable between cameras.

5DII has expansion points, which 50D doesn't... But 50D has all cross-type AF sensors, which 5DII doesn't.

Size and shape of the cameras are about the same. 5DII is heavier and lacks the built in flash of course.

Slight differences in control layout, such as the button to light up the top LCD swaps ends on the row of buttons and the Erase/Image Review buttons are swapped... On one the row of buttons are to the left of the LCD and on the other they are below the LCD. But it's really not a major problem switching back and forth between them, they are obviously from about the same generation and group of designers...

Especially major things like Main Dial, Quick Dial (on the back) and AF controls are all in the same places and operate the same way. In the menus many of the features are the same or very similar: Micro Focus Adjust, Quick Menu access, My Menu, etc.

50D doesn't have video, though, so it also has none of the menu items related to that. Both have self-cleaning sensor. Both have Live View. 50D has the same "Creative Modes" on the Mode dial, plus C1 and C2... plus what Canon calls the "Basic" modes, the highly automated icons such as "running man", "macro tulip", "mountain view" (or is that a volcano?). The 5DII has C1, 2 and 3, and lacks those "Basic" modes.

50D uses the older tech BP511A batteries and chargers, not quite as good as the LP-E6 used by 5DII, you might need an extra one or two but generics/clones are widely available and considerably cheaper.

Both use and can share Compact Flash. Both like and can benefit from UDMA and perhaps 45MB/s or 300X speed memory cards.

I see 50D refurbs at Canon's online store for about $700. Seems quite a good deal to me.

40D or 50D based on the responses, as you see, many of us are now starting to center in on a common answer!

I would tend toward the 40D more and save some money for at least an UWA like the Canon 10-22, Sigma 10-20 or Tokina 11-16.

Your widest lens of 24mm won't be a great thing to use on the 40D if you like the wide angle landscape shots. You could possibly consider the Sigma 12-24 as well, you can use it on your 5D as well.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #12911764
40D or 50D based on the responses, as you see, many of us are now starting to center in on a common answer!

I would tend toward the 40D more and save some money for at least an UWA like the Canon 10-22, Sigma 10-20 or Tokina 11-16.

Your widest lens of 24mm won't be a great thing to use on the 40D if you like the wide angle landscape shots. You could possibly consider the Sigma 12-24 as well, you can use it on your 5D as well.

Thanks for the great responses. Sounds like a 40D if I can't afford a 50D. Your responses are much appreciated, particularly the info rich 50D recap by amfoto1.

Teamspeed, I do have a Rokinon 14mm in the stable but the UWA stuff will probably always be done on the FF.

cheers and thanks

kb