5D (Mk I) or Compact for work in Germany

Hi guys,

I am currently in a big dilemma.

I plan to go to Germany for 10 weeks, to work. (in 10 weeks I get the same amount of money in Germany, as in a year in my country).

The dilemma is:
I do not want to carry the 5D Mk II, and the expensive equipment with me, as I do not really have an option to carry it with me every day, and do not wish to leave it in the Sleeping quarters. (You can never know).

I was thinking:
a.) Should I buy a top level Compact
b.) Should I buy a used 5D (Mk 1), and an EF 28-105 lens?
http://kenrockwell.com​/canon/lenses/28-105mm.htm

I am really curious what you guys would do in my case.
So, please feel free to wote, and to comment

You will certainly get better image quality with the 5D and 28-105, however it will be larger and heavier to keep with you at all times as you plan.

Since you're planning to buy something in any case, why not get an Olympus E-PL1 or E-PL2 with the kit lens? They are super cheap, and the image quality is far better than any small-sensor compact. Maybe the best of both worlds?

I picked up a G16 a couple weeks ago and amazed with the picture quality...

1)

When you get there and know the setting, buy what you think will be best. (gotta spend all that extra money...)

Throw in a nifty 50 and I'll say option B all the way. (even a 50 1.4 if you're willing to risk it).

But before you go buying new gear, do some research into insuring the gear you're most familiar with now, as a limited time engagement the cost may be equivocal or less, and you may be happier with the results when you're done. (Make sure it covers overseas and the situations you will be in, though I imagine Germany should be easier to get coverage for than some other parts of the world). With a good insurance company, it could remove the worry if you know the gear getting stolen could be replaced in under a week (or you could order it with the influx of funds and be reimbursed before you miss it); and make sure you backup to an external HD and to an online storage group so that your images aren't lost should anything happen.

fishingjts wrote in post #16483688
I picked up a G16 a couple weeks ago and amazed with the picture quality...

1)

2)

3) ISO 3200

Really impressive!
I last user a compact camera around 5-6 years ago, and i see they clearly have evolved

Motor On wrote in post #16483722
Throw in a nifty 50 and I'll say option B all the way. (even a 50 1.4 if you're willing to risk it).

But before you go buying new gear, do some research into insuring the gear you're most familiar with now, as a limited time engagement the cost may be equivocal or less, and you may be happier with the results when you're done. (Make sure it covers overseas and the situations you will be in, though I imagine Germany should be easier to get coverage for than some other parts of the world). With a good insurance company, it could remove the worry if you know the gear getting stolen could be replaced in under a week (or you could order it with the influx of funds and be reimbursed before you miss it); and make sure you backup to an external HD and to an online storage group so that your images aren't lost should anything happen.

Not a bad idea, but sadly I will really not have time to REALLY make pictures, only maybe Sundays.
So the camera would only be to have some Memories, something to share with the family when I am home again.
The 5D (classic) is maybe also a good choise for a backup camera, as all lenses that I have work with it. But its more expensive then a brand new compact...

Always these choices, they are so hard to make...

Narwhal wrote in post #16483695
When you get there and know the setting, buy what you think will be best. (gotta spend all that extra money...)

Sadly all that money is spent... Its gonna be an Audi A4 Quattro
In 2015 maybe a 5D3

Dave Jenkins wrote in post #16483664
You will certainly get better image quality with the 5D and 28-105, however it will be larger and heavier to keep with you at all times as you plan.

Since you're planning to buy something in any case, why not get an Olympus E-PL1 or E-PL2 with the kit lens? They are super cheap, and the image quality is far better than any small-sensor compact. Maybe the best of both worlds?

10 years ago (2003) I had an Olympus C760 UZ.
It was a superzom camera with 3MP.

Actually I think it was the BEST Compace I owned, but to be honest since 2007 I am with Canon, and I was never really disappointed. Its a really nice idea, and have not tought about it really...
But now, that you mention it, its even harder...
Till now I only had 2 things to choose from, now i have 3.

I'd forget about the insurance option for that country. It would cost you about 10% of the price of the gear on a year-long contract and the exclusion clauses are constraining enough to raise doubts about the insurance cover you'd actually get in REAL life.