Man, full frame: Talk me off the ledge?!

Looks like someone else is ready to jump into the black hole of a money pit. Trust me, it's futile -- just get a good paying job that can sustain you through this expensive hobby, and try your best to stay away from this forum

The Dark Knight wrote in post #15065614
Thanks for all the opinions, guys.

I think all I can swallow right now is the body only at $1800. It feels stupid not getting the kit considering I'd be getting the 24-105 for basically $300 off, but that extra $700 is a big deal for my budget.

If I do this, I'd also be severely lens challenged. 70-300 non-L and 50mm 1.8 would be my ONLY EF lenses available. My only other lens is the 18-55 IS, pretty much worthless to sell and plus I'd rather keep it on my other crop camera anyways.

I could maybe sell / trade the 70-300 for the 28-135 that probably would give me a more useable focal length for what I shoot, but I feel I won't be making the most out of the FF sensor. And it'll probably be another year before I have the funds to buy a solid lens worthy of the 5D, and by then who knows what prices will be on the 6D.

That being said, to those advocating the 5D Mark II, if the 50mm 1.8 and the 70-300 non-L are the only lenses I can use with that body, would it still be an upgrade?

Again, I could instead use the $1000 extra it would cost me to upgrade the 60D to a 5D on lenses instead- maybe the 24-105L that I could later use on a full frame body...

How high ISO you shoot? If not much then I would seriously look at old 5dc. I know I know, not same as 5dmk2 but besides MA and higher ISO they exatcly the same IMHO. Use the money saved on nice glass.

With the current price of the 5D II, now is the time to go full frame. Once you do, you won't want to go back to crop. The 5D II is a great camera and is certainly the best deal going IMO.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #15065206
I thought I got over it, but that FF bug is biting me again. I purchased a brand new 60D last month and it's been great and definitely giving me the type of pictures I can be happy with right now.

But the recent 5D Mark II price reduction, along with the fact that I could return my 60D with no restocking for another 3 days (checked with the seller), is REALLY tempting me.

What's holding me back obviously is price. Spending an extra $1000, which is what this would cost if I return the 60D and pick up the 5D body only, is already scraping the limit of my budget comfort.

Getting the kit for $2500 would officially fall into the realm of discomfort from a money standpoint.

That being said, if I get the body only, I'd have 2 lenses that can work on the FF: 50mm 1.8 and 70-300mm (non L), without the budget to get more lenses for quite a while.

I know the rational thing would be that if I want to spend an extra $1000, I should be looking at adding primes or getting the 17-55 f/2.8 for my 60D.

But I enjoy shooting people - candids/ portraits, sometimes in low light, so seems like a FF is perfect for me.

Talk me off the ledge? Or not? If I do make it another 3 days beyond the return period then I'm set, as I'm not going to sell the 60D anytime soon...

Better body, better glass, better tripod, better filters, better flash the list is endless. You have been bitten by the better gear = better pics I'm afraid. Your 60d will do fine in low light if you jack up the ISO.
Spend out on a 70-200 F4 for you street candids, or go for a 17-55 and be happy with the 60d. I really can't see the logic in not having reasonable glass at least on FF to get the most from it. If you go with either lens I've mentioned, you will see an improvement in your images. Keep your 50 1.8 or see if you can stretch to a Sigma 30 1.4 for very low light images.

Just get a 17-55 and call it a day.

Save your money for a few more months. The 5D II is going to be getting cheaper in the next few months.

The 5D II will sell out soon and only refurb or used will be available sometime after the holidays. Canon wants these gone to make way for the 6D.

5d mkii's are going for $1500 on craigslist in my area. Even though that may be a great deal to some people on POTN, i am intrigued by the new GH3's sample video and picture quality.

As random as that is i have owned my 550D for well over a year and some change and can tell you that as much as I have wanted to take the plunge to full frame, the money was better spent on new glass to add to my kit. A 17-55 f2.8 or even a nice prime to add to your 60D will calm your GAS. Unless you can justify the purchase of a 5Dmk II and nice lens your still going to suffer from the same problem.

Talking logic where logic does not apply.. Pointless- imo. Few camera purchases are based off from real logic- hey- I'm guilty myself. Been there, done that. OK- so sometimes, there is logic behind it- but really though- did I need to go to a 7D when I did- I had a perfectly good t1i !. Nope.. Did I need to buy a 5D3 ? Not really ! T4i- same thing.. Sometimes, you just want to see what better is... Most lens purchases are similar in nature.. For most- it's a hobby- something for fun.. Something different..

OK, I'm not helping The Dark Knight.. But sometimes, you've got something gnawing away- saying - I should try this- and see what it is all about. It happens.. Happens every day.. If it's something you really want- and you can afford it- even if you can barely afford it- well- you only live once- so you may as well enjoy it. Sorry, Dark Knight..

Dude, if your money is that tight, then stay put and stop contributing to the American consumerism trap. Better yet, get a sigma 17-50 and you will save on the 17-55 and have a great piece of glass, almost the same. Sensible choice to help your photography, keep 60d, get sigma 17-50, start acquiring ef lenses for future move.

I could very happily live without FF. In fact, if I had to choose between the two it would be crop.

If you are the type who gets hyper excited over lots of blurry things in photos then maybe FF is for you. But the thing is, crop can give you plenty of that effect too; you just gotta be equipped for it.

Maybe use your budget to grab a sigma 30 1.4, 85 1.8, or even a faster 50 to get all kinds of DOF capability. It might just quench your thirst for FF.

It kind of goes against what everyone else is saying, but I would take the plunge. Spend what your comfortable with obviously but you'll love FF. I recently went FF and it was the best purchase Ive made since I started with photography.

I was (am) fighting the same battle. 5D2, 6D, 5D3? I don't know. I can't decide. What I do know: I am keeping my 60D and 10-22. I also get more reach out of my 70-200 and 100-400L with the 60D. I also want to jump. I just can't make up my mind which direction. Dirt cheap (comparatively) 5D2, Super-camera 5D3, or latest greatest doodad 6D. Someone help me. Please.

I was planning on getting a 5D3 when I retire in March. My wife has decided (I grudgingly agree with her) that I won't be retiring until late next year. Does that mean I snatch the 5D2 kit while it is cheap, or wait until the 5D3 comes down a bit more for NEXT Christmas?

davidc502 wrote in post #15065362
The only reason why you have the bug is because you're letting the bug bite you

What Canon and every other manufacturer counts on. I myself have been bitten. I went from a T1i to a T2i to a 7D. The only thing keeping me from jumping on the FF bandwagon is the FFs don't have a built in flash. But if they ever come out with a 7D MKII I'll be standing in line with my credit card.

I recently bought a 5Dc, and had the same lenses as you (50 and 70-300 non-L). $600 for the 5D, and now a refurb 17-40 for $650. I love the 5D.