5D MkII, or 5D MkIII ?

Ok, I've been using a 5D Mk1 (classic) for just over a year now and like full-frame etc. I've three or four decent quality camera lenses, with possibly more to come in the not too distant future.

I've always wanted a 5D MkII, although just couldn't stretch to one money wise, so within the next few months I'm hoping of being able to buy either a 5DMk II or 5D MkIII (new or second hand).

I'm going to list in order what I shoot mainly, 1. = being priority, 4.= least important etc...

So changing up from my 5D Mk1, which 5D model (2 or 3) would suit me best from your experience please....? I try strive for the end product quality image.

1. Landscape
2. General stuff - Macro
3. Sports
4. Weddings & portraits

All advice/thoughts/experi​ence/views welcome as to which 5D body would suit, thanks!

As far as I know there's no downside to the 5D3 exept the money!

And then, you mentioned Sports, well that is an area where the advanced AF of the 5D3 could make a real difference. Your 5D2 uses the "old" AF modelled after the 5DC, with a good center point but the outer points would be pretty useless for sports. How does your 5DC work for you for sports? Sports shooters who I've heard commentary on about shooting with the 5D2 say they do get good shots, but a lot of missed ones for various reasons. After moving up to either the 7D or the 5D3 (or a 1D body) they say there keeper rate went way up.

As to the other things you shoot, the 5D2 would be excellent. The only area that may be a challenge is if you were shooting in lower light and trying to get outer point AF. That can be a FAIL both on the 5DC and on the 5D2, but the 5D3 has been performing well in that regard. This may have an affect on wedding photography. If you ever struggle with your 5DC in lower light then the 5D3 will alleviate your paing!

tonylong wrote in post #14413723
As far as I know there's no downside to the 5D3 exept the money!

And then, you mentioned Sports, well that is an area where the advanced AF of the 5D3 could make a real difference. Your 5D2 uses the "old" AF modelled after the 5DC, with a good center point but the outer points would be pretty useless for sports. How does your 5DC work for you for sports? Sports shooters who I've heard commentary on about shooting with the 5D2 say they do get good shots, but a lot of missed ones for various reasons. After moving up to either the 7D or the 5D3 (or a 1D body) they say there keeper rate went way up.

As to the other things you shoot, the 5D2 would be excellent. The only area that may be a challenge is if you were shooting in lower light and trying to get outer point AF. That can be a FAIL both on the 5DC and on the 5D2, but the 5D3 has been performing well in that regard. This may have an affect on wedding photography. If you ever struggle with your 5DC in lower light then the 5D3 will alleviate your paing!

And that's the truth!

Since you listed sports, the 5D3 is the way to go. It's a dream to use in any sports situation, but especially in low light situations. The 5D3 is really good at keeping noise down even to ISO12800.

I don't see any downsides to the 5d3, it's new should retain value for quite a while. Given your list of what you shoot, the 5dc you're using now will work very well for 3 of the 4. I shoot with a 5dc now, and it works very well for everything but my Borzoi dogs. For them and other things that move I use a 7D.
What is the primary reason (or reasons) you want to upgrade?

macvisual wrote in post #14412925
Ok, I've been using a 5D Mk1 (classic) for just over a year now and like full-frame etc. I've three or four decent quality camera lenses, with possibly more to come in the not too distant future.

I've always wanted a 5D MkII, although just couldn't stretch to one money wise, so within the next few months I'm hoping of being able to buy either a 5DMk II or 5D MkIII (new or second hand).

I'm going to list in order what I shoot mainly, 1. = being priority, 4.= least important etc...

So changing up from my 5D Mk1, which 5D model (2 or 3) would suit me best from your experience please....? I try strive for the end product quality image.

1. Landscape
2. General stuff - Macro
3. Sports
4. Weddings & portraits

All advice/thoughts/experi​ence/views welcome as to which 5D body would suit, thanks!

I suppose it would depend on how much sports you intend on shooting and your budget. if sports was a smaller part of your overall photography then the 5DmkII may be a good choice

macvisual wrote in post #14412925
Ok, I've been using a 5D Mk1 (classic) for just over a year now and like full-frame etc. I've three or four decent quality camera lenses, with possibly more to come in the not too distant future.

I've always wanted a 5D MkII, although just couldn't stretch to one money wise, so within the next few months I'm hoping of being able to buy either a 5DMk II or 5D MkIII (new or second hand).

I'm going to list in order what I shoot mainly, 1. = being priority, 4.= least important etc...

So changing up from my 5D Mk1, which 5D model (2 or 3) would suit me best from your experience please....? I try strive for the end product quality image.

1. Landscape
2. General stuff - Macro
3. Sports
4. Weddings & portraits

All advice/thoughts/experi​ence/views welcome as to which 5D body would suit, thanks!

Despite some users posting photos of sports using the 5D2, the AF on the 5D2 is woefully slow. You would needing a good AF system. I know the 1DIV is beyond the price tag of even the 5D3, it is a worthwhile investment if you are going to use it for both weddings and sports i.e. that is if you are earning from your photography, if not, forget it.

Just got my 5D3 two weeks ago, and try to shoot some sport, which is LOTS better than my 5D2 for sure, and I definitely pick 5D3 over 5D2 for sport.

But 5D2 central AF does work wonderful, you just need bit more practice.

All 'sport' shoots from this morning:

5D3 + 28-300L:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/x_tan/718036937​0/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/x_tan/718058619​0/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/x_tan/718107341​4/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com/​photos/x_tan/718107398​2/

Rumor is that there will be a new Canon full-frame camera officially announced in August. Supposedly it will be aimed more at the consumer market so it won't cost nearly as much as the 5d3. I would seriously consider waiting on that announcement as if it has the IQ performance of the 5d2 with the features of at least the 60d and a decent price then it might be a better fit for a lot of people even if it is an XXd series camera instead of an Xd. (Or will it be an XXXd... that would be strange and interesting).

arentol wrote in post #14422629
Rumor is that there will be a new Canon full-frame camera officially announced in August. Supposedly it will be aimed more at the consumer market so it won't cost nearly as much as the 5d3. I would seriously consider waiting on that announcement as if it has the IQ performance of the 5d2 with the features of at least the 60d and a decent price then it might be a better fit for a lot of people even if it is an XXd series camera instead of an Xd. (Or will it be an XXXd... that would be strange and interesting).

Seriously? I'm glad I'm not a "gearhead" fixating on the latest rumours!

arentol wrote in post #14422629
Rumor is that there will be a new Canon full-frame camera officially announced in August. Supposedly it will be aimed more at the consumer market so it won't cost nearly as much as the 5d3. I would seriously consider waiting on that announcement as if it has the IQ performance of the 5d2 with the features of at least the 60d and a decent price then it might be a better fit for a lot of people even if it is an XXd series camera instead of an Xd. (Or will it be an XXXd... that would be strange and interesting).

any info on that *rumor*? a link would be appreciated!