Too Late To Upgrade 5D II to 5D III or 1DX?

Hey everyone, I've had my 5D II since it first came out around early 2009 and lately I have been debating on whether or not I should upgrade it to a 5D III or even a 1DX. I have been using a 1D C and X for a bit now and I think that has gotten me spoiled!

With the 5D IV and 1DX II possibly on the horizon, is it still worth upgrading to either one of these cameras? How much would the prices drop once the new cameras are announced or released? I have a lot to gain in terms of AF capabilities and ISO performance but I'm still not sure whether the cost is justified at this point.

Thanks!

I've noticed that Canon has already reduced the price on the 5D3 and 1DX. They usually keep prices the same right after an announcement and introduce the new cameras at a higher price. I don't think the 5D3 will go down that much if and when the 5D4 comes out (the 5D line always seems to be introduced around the $3500 range). It's anyone's guess when (and if) the 5D4 or 1DXII will be announced. If you've gotten used to borrowing a 1DX, and are wondering how good a 5D3 is compared to it....I wouldn't know that. I do have experience coming from a 5D to 5D3, and the 5D3 does have huge improvements in AF (as memory serves, it has the same number of AF points as the 1DX...1DX is mainly faster and higher burst).

Thanks for the reply! Yeah I had a 5D Classic and I upgraded that to the 5D II because it was beginning feel old in terms of technology. My 5D II still feels okay, the technological advances between that and the 5D III don't feel as substantial to me (other than IQ and AF).

Since you say the price has already dropped and probably won't go lower unless I'm buying used, I'm seriously considering just picking up a 5D III and keeping my 5D II as a spare.

JonSC wrote in post #17617893
My 5D II still feels okay, the technological advances between that and the 5D III don't feel as substantial to me (other than IQ and AF).

The advanced AF and customization was the BIG advance for me to go ahead and upgrade from the 5D. Didn't get the 5D2 because it had the same AF (and video and extra MP were less important to me). I'd also wait and see about what the 5D4/1DX2 would be like since I've noticed there's quite a few different rumors around for them! From what I'm seeing of the current lineup, the 7D2 is the best mid level sports camera...5D3 best mid level events camera....and 1DX best pro camera if you can afford it.

Yeah it is a shame they decided to forgo a better AF system in the 5D II. I mainly use the center AF point anyway but I don't know if that is because I am forced to or not! I really want to see what the 5D4/1DX2 has to offer like you said but I just have no idea when they will be announced.

I might actually be okay waiting, the 5D II is enough of a camera for now!

if you shoot RAW and don't need the fast 10 fps speed then it doesn't matter. 5D2 is still fine. You can process raw images to make them look better.

Good lucks.

What do you mainly shoot?

I'm also trying to justify moving to the 5DIII (but, from a 7D)...

My problem is the 'relatively' slow shutter speed compared to 7D and other alternative, 7DII.

Problem is, I want out of crop and into FF...

Decisions, decisions...

my 5d2 still serves me well, i wont upgrade for a while and if so i'll probably opt for lowest grade still available for new or refurb. i dont really use the features. advanced AF and other features really does nothing for me as a portrait shooter.

the dual cards and better ISO noise is all i would really care about in an upgrade.

i may even move to Sony instead.

STIC wrote in post #17650982
My problem is the 'relatively' slow shutter speed compared to 7D and other alternative, 7DII.

The 5D3 has the same maximum shutter speed as the 7D: 1/8000 of a sec. Maybe you're refering to shutter lag? Maybe since I'm also coming from film SLRs and FF DSLRs, I find the lag of the 5D3 to be pretty fast. You have to predict a bit that your subject won't blink anyway. Or if you're shooting continiously, the 5D3 has a better fps than sibling cameras (the only one having better speed and lag being the 1DX).

STIC wrote in post #17650982
I'm also trying to justify moving to the 5DIII (but, from a 7D)...

I made that move awhile back and am so very glad I did, have never looked back. Full frame is where I should have started, it would have saved a lot of $$$ I spent on upgrading. I don't miss the higher frame rate at all but it depends what you shoot I guess.

Thanks for all the contributions guys! I realized it cost may not be justified if I upgrade or purchase a 5D III alongside my 5D II as I just use the center point 95% of the time. I don't venture past 3200 ISO often so there really is no need for me. I'm actually considering a 7D II/1D IV now, so I can get a crop sensor to complement my 5D II and have a better AF system/FPS/newer technology.

Also, I believe STIC was referring to the fps from burst shooting where the 5D III has 6fps but the 7D has 8fps and the 7D II has 10fps.

davesrose wrote in post #17651090
The 5D3 has the same maximum shutter speed as the 7D: 1/8000 of a sec. Maybe you're refering to shutter lag? Maybe since I'm also coming from film SLRs and FF DSLRs, I find the lag of the 5D3 to be pretty fast. You have to predict a bit that your subject won't blink anyway. Or if you're shooting continiously, the 5D3 has a better fps than sibling cameras (the only one having better speed and lag being the 1DX).

JonSC wrote in post #17651263
Thanks for all the contributions guys! I realized it cost may not be justified if I upgrade or purchase a 5D III alongside my 5D II as I just use the center point 95% of the time. I don't venture past 3200 ISO often so there really is no need for me. I'm actually considering a 7D II/1D IV now, so I can get a crop sensor to complement my 5D II and have a better AF system/FPS/newer technology.

Also, I believe STIC was referring to the fps from burst shooting where the 5D III has 6fps but the 7D has 8fps and the 7D II has 10fps.

Sorry, what was I thinking...I meant, of course, fps...


...and, yes, I often need it for motorsport. To be honest, it's not the advanced focus or high ISO for me either, I also mostly use centre focus point and hardly ever venture above ISO400 (with 99% of my shots at just ISO100).

I want full frame for the wider end and simplicity of lenses being what they were designed as (minus the crop factor).