FF or?

hi all,
I've been watching this forum from the shadows for a while and I have a dilemma: I only photograph on vacation - which is mainly the safari-type. I am basically only interested in wildlife, so I have evolved from a 1NHS to a 1D and am now the happy owner of a 1DIII and IV. I really 'need' 2 camera's as I want to avoid changing lenses in a dusty environment. For a while I have been thinking of adding to my style of shooting and bought a 1GX. it is a fine camera but I don't like it... I prefer a DSLR (i have big hands and a bridge camera is slow to focus)and am wondering whether a 5D II or III would give me other possibilities; one is the slower frame rate, which would slow me down and make me look better; it is lighter, so I might easier take a camera along; I might also get interested in photographing people; after some 10 safaris I have probably 10 pics of people. What do you think? Will a 5D add to my style? Has anyone struggled with the same issue?
thanks and happy shooting,
Herman

Rather than two cameras, which simply add complication when you should be enjoying your (11th?) holiday of a lifetime, I'd suggest maybe just 2 good quality zoom lenses.

Never having experienced a Safari I have no idea how much dust you are talking about, but with a little common sense and a professional clean on your return home, all should be OK.

Whether you choose a full frame or crop frame body is less of a dilemma than you think. Both produce reasonable results given good quality glass. But personally I'd choose full frame. I use a 5Dii and the only downside for your planned use is the limited number of AF points.

I would just invest in a great carrier system. If I had a 1d 3 and 4 I would manage to shoot people just fine. You can put one of them in single burst or even manual focus. You already have 2 fine cameras. FF is not such a big deal over crop especially the 1.3 crop cameras

desperoadie wrote in post #16145549
hi all,
I've been watching this forum from the shadows for a while and I have a dilemma: I only photograph on vacation - which is mainly the safari-type. I am basically only interested in wildlife, so I have evolved from a 1NHS to a 1D and am now the happy owner of a 1DIII and IV. I really 'need' 2 camera's as I want to avoid changing lenses in a dusty environment. For a while I have been thinking of adding to my style of shooting and bought a 1GX. it is a fine camera but I don't like it... I prefer a DSLR (i have big hands and a bridge camera is slow to focus)and am wondering whether a 5D II or III would give me other possibilities; one is the slower frame rate, which would slow me down and make me look better; it is lighter, so I might easier take a camera along; I might also get interested in photographing people; after some 10 safaris I have probably 10 pics of people. What do you think? Will a 5D add to my style? Has anyone struggled with the same issue?
thanks and happy shooting,
Herman

a 5D3 might give you more possibilities. Why not rent one for your next safari adventure and find out

I would pick up a $500-600 5D classic and see how it works out. It is quite good at ISO 1600 and below, and about average at 3200 as compared to other bodies these days. Back in the day though, ISO 3200 on that camera was nearly groundbreaking.

You would have a good FF body at a cheap price, and it would give you a great indicator if you need a 5D3. The 5D2 isn't much of an upgrade other than better ISO handling at the top end and longer battery life, along with some features like MFA, live view, and movie. Some consider those big upgrades, others may not.

When you "outgrow" the 5Dc, sell it for not much less than you paid, and upgrade to a different FF and you will know then what features are substantial for what you shoot. Also with the low price of the 5Dc as compared to other FF options, if anything happens to it, you are not out a ton of money. Low risk, great results, low cost = great FF experience!