Already own a 5D3...Add a 6D or 7D2?

I have owned a 5D3 since December 2012 which I love, for me it is the perfect camera. I used to only use it for Landscapes and aviation, which was clear cut, I was either doing one genre or the other. Now however I am (trying) to shoot a lot more nature, birds and mammals mainly, and whilst the 5D3 is also great at this it is only one camera.

Out in the field I am standing there with a long lens on and all my settings dialled in for wildlife and the light is amazing and I am quite often missing some stunning landscape opportunities. Or once I have given up on wildlife it is taking too long to change lenses and settings etc to get the landscape shots I was after.

The reverse is also true, heading out in landscape mode with a wide lens on, bracketed exposures etc all dialled in I am getting some incredible wildlife opportunities that I am unable to take advantage of. No time to react and change lenses/settings.

So I have been thinking about a second camera, which would also be nice with some of the effort I put into photography trips if one failed. The way I see it I have 2 choices, either make the 5D3 my primary aviation/wildlife camera and add a dedicated landscape camera in the form of a 6D. Or, make the 5D3 my main landscape camera and add a 7D2 for aviation/wildlife.

I would love to hear your ideas about the pros/cons of either choice and any other suggestions.

Lenses I own are 17-40L, 70-200L f4 IS, 300 2.8L ii IS and 1.4x/2x extenders by the way.

Thanks Craig.

Craig - I own a 5D3 and a 7D2. I can't see having it any other way. 5D3 for low light, landscape and general purpose. 7D2 mostly for wildlife. The 7D2s firmware, customizable-friendliness, AF and speed (FPS and ergonomics to shoot efficiently) eclipse both the 6D and the 5D3 as a wildlife/action camera but you can't rabbit hole the 7D2 as strictly a wildlife/action camera either. If you browse the galleries you'll see that it does very well with portraits and landscapes too. For me, the 5D3 paired with a 7D2 is a far more flexible and powerful combo than the 5D3 and 6D.

get either another 5D3 or 6D. Use the 6D for landscapes, continue using the 5D3 for wildlife. No need to mess around with EF-s glass

going with the 7D2 would change how you see your wider glass, and to a lesser extent, the 70-200. That lens would be stuck as a wildlife lens, which isnt as good as the 5D3 in low light.... and the 6D will be considerably better for landscapes with your lens collection.

Heya,

I think it would be more pertinent to wonder... another 5D3? A 5DS? Or a 7D2? Not a 6D.

I would consider a 6D if you were wanting to really specialize in having a slightly smaller, lighter full frame that had a slightly better high ISO performance and slightly better low light focus. If that's not what you want/need, then I would stick to your 5D3 and either get another one, or consider the 7D2.

The 7D2 is probably better for landscape than the 5D3 in some ways at ISO 100 with the right glass if you're doing single shots and editing them. That sensor is very good for this. Mean while, it's also a beast for wildlife and performs quite well at higher ISO too, giving you more perceived reach and pixel density advantage with a robust AF system and a lot faster FPS.

7D2 just makes sense here.

And if you don't need the reach and FPS and same AF system of the 7D2, then I would be eyeballing the 5DS (used/refurb) or simply another 5D3.

Very best,

I own a 6d and am always an advocate for the camera, but not in this situation.

I think others bring up some good points but it seems as a no-brainer to get a body that has different strengths thus complimenting your kit. 7d2 seems like the right fit for your situation.

5d3/7d2 make a perfect combo for said application.

...and your gonna get all sorts of answers. Only way is to try it and find out for yourself.

Check a thread by buddy4344 "South Africa-3 weeks and 3 days = 5 lodges and 5 reserves".
There you will find your answer view his photos and read what he has to say. If you don't want
to take the time to do that simply just buy the 7D II.

Furlan wrote in post #17769818
Check a thread by buddy4344 "South Africa-3 weeks and 3 days = 5 lodges and 5 reserves".
There you will find your answer view his photos and read what he has to say. If you don't want
to take the time to do that simply just buy the 7D II.

Excellent advice!!!

7D2, no question. I've been using a 5Dx and a crop ever since the 5Dc came out, and wouldn't have it any other way. The 7D2 gives you that extra reach you will need (unless you really want to spend for and carry lenses 1 step up across the board) for both wildlife (especially birds) and aviation. There's absolutely no reason "to mess around with EF-s glass" just because the 7D2 body can use it. It uses EF lenses just fine. And the crop, plus the 20 MP, will help your reach (the 6D is only around 20 MP; the 5D3 is up to 22 MP, of which a crop to APS-C size will use less than 9 MP. 9 MP vs. 20 MP? No contest.). For more on this, see this thread.

7D2 and don't even think about it

if it is far more landscapes than animals, and you have a few extra dollars laying around, then 5DS given the 'discounts' now on that camera

from a pure value perspective, the 7D2 wins by miles


i own a 5D3, 7D2 5DSR and a A7Rii and this is how I use them if it helps

5DSR (IS lenses only)
- OCF portraits, wedding zoom camera, indoor arena hockey camera
- Sigma 24-105 F4 OS, Canon 70-200 F2.8

7D2
- outdoor sports, animals, video, weather sealing, fps
- 100-400II or 70-200, Sigma 18-35 1.8 or 135L for indoor sports, 15-85 @ F5.6 Video

5D3
- main wedding camera
- 35L or 24-70 F2.8

A7Rii
- hand held non flash portrait camera, travel camera, family camera, landscapes
- 50L, 85L, 135L or 24-70 F2.8 on silent for ceremony, 28F2 travel, 17-40L at F8

I dont see how you bring the 5Ds and A7rii into the conversation, the 6D and 7dii cameras can go as low as 1K: http://shop.usa.canon.​com …urbished?WT.mc_​id=C126149, the 5Ds and A7rii are 2500 plus.

I'de say the 5D3 would be a better wildlife camera than the 7Dii, and the 6D is a better landscape camera than the 7dii. The 7Dii would be a poor landscape solution for someone that is currently using an ultrawide angle lens, then fitting it onto a crop camera.

I dont believe the 7D2 to be a better wildlife camera than the 5D3, especially since ts is equipped with true big glass and has plenty of reach.

Muscle memory can mess with you if you get the 6D. The button layout on the 5D3 and 7D2 are much more similar.

Then too, the 6D only accepts SD cards; unless you have some already you'll be buying memory cards too. Stick with the tried and true CF cards you're already using.

7D2... the natural compliment.

Charlie wrote in post #17769914
I dont see how you bring the 5Ds and A7rii into the conversation, the 6D and 7dii cameras can go as low as 1K: http://shop.usa.canon.​com …urbished?WT.mc_​id=C126149, the 5Ds and A7rii are 2500 plus.

I'de say the 5D3 would be a better wildlife camera than the 7Dii, and the 6D is a better landscape camera than the 7dii. The 7Dii would be a poor landscape solution for someone that is currently using an ultrawide angle lens, then fitting it onto a crop camera.

I dont believe the 7D2 to be a better wildlife camera than the 5D3, especially since ts is equipped with true big glass and has plenty of reach.

I'm not sure how you can conclude that the 5D3 is a better wildlife camera than the 7D2. Do you own both of these cameras? Glass aside the 7D2 has a superior AF system and better FPS. Both essential for wildlife. Especially birds. This is aside from the fact that the 7D2 has advanced customizable functions for switching AF modes that the 5D3 lacks. The 7D2 also has some very nifty auto ISO tools for shooting in manual mode including exposure compensation. Again, functions useful for wildlife that are lacking in the 5D3. I'd be interested to know what the basis of your conclusion is. You need only peruse the 7D2 and 5D3 galleries to see what most owners use these cameras for. It isn't by accident.