own an 80d that I am happy with, except in lower light. 5dmkiii a good addition?

Hello guys and gals,

I have a 80d that I am pretty happy with, however, with two new twin granddaughters I would like something more that is better in low light. So I would really like something better for those low light situations. The mkiv’s are just out of my budget but I could save a bit more. What would you all recommend for me. All my glass is in my signature.

Thank you for your time.

There are many things you can do to combat low light noise, from proper exposure/settings in camera to post processing. What ISO level do you feel is your limit currently?

Or are you having issues with low light AF and not ISO performance?

as for your thread title, I don't think the 5D3 will offer much over the 80D I'm afraid. the 80D may be APS-C, but it is newer than 5D3. If you are looking for a sensor with better noise handling/characteristi​cs from Canon, you would really have to look at 5D4/ EOS-R or 1Dx.

Juan A wrote in post #18998141
Hello guys and gals,

I have a 80d that I am pretty happy with, however, with two new twin granddaughters I would like something more that is better in low light. So I would really like something better for those low light situations. The mkiv’s are just out of my budget but I could save a bit more. What would you all recommend for me. All my glass is in my signature.

Thank you for your time.

What do you expect to do differently with a FF sensor?

FF will only be better in low light, generically, when you use bigger-aperture lenses with the same angle of view, or get closer with the same lenses, both with shallower DOF as the pre-requisite. If that isn't going to happen, then the FF benefits can be small or even negative.

The 90D, for example, has less "low light" noise than the 5D3, and the 80D has similar noise to the 5D3, when you use the same angle of view, and DOF, and shutter speed.

It may seem otherwise because of comparisons of the cameras at the same ISO, but low light does not mean the same high ISO number; that depends on the lens used, and its aperture, which may be dictated by DOF needs, rather than what it is wide open.

If you were thinking of cropping from the 5D3 vs the smaller APS-C sensors, fuggetaboutit. Even the old 7D was as good as a crop from the 5D3 in low light, the 7D2 better, and the 90D, better yet.

Larger sensors do not give you a bigger "dish antenna" for picking up more signal in low light; they are larger nets to catch more light, only when the lens (more like an antenna) throws more light at those larger sensors.

There's no FF magic in low light. There is generic FF magic only when you combine full frame, big lens, and shallow DOF.

Juan A wrote in post #18998141
Hello guys and gals,

I have a 80d that I am pretty happy with, however, with two new twin granddaughters I would like something more that is better in low light. So I would really like something better for those low light situations. The mkiv’s are just out of my budget but I could save a bit more. What would you all recommend for me. All my glass is in my signature.

Thank you for your time.

In terms of budget for FF, you're stepping into a whole new territory. A new FF would required a new standard focal lens, a grand total of $2-3K.

If you like 80D, I suggest going w/ a 24mm f/1.4 (e.g. sigma art 24mm). It'll be a good solution to your problem. And statistically, I shoot at 24mm vast majority of the times for family related photos, on a sigma art 18-35mm f/1.8.

Your alternative solution is light controls, natural or flash. I'm old school and I can get by w/ minimal gear.

Juan A wrote in post #18998141
Hello guys and gals,

I have a 80d that I am pretty happy with, however, with two new twin granddaughters I would like something more that is better in low light. So I would really like something better for those low light situations. The mkiv’s are just out of my budget but I could save a bit more. What would you all recommend for me. All my glass is in my signature.

Thank you for your time.

I have an 80D and I regularly use up to ISO 3200 to capture some "little people." I also see you have the 17-55 f/2.8 so it surprises me that you have issues. You might think about posting one of your bad images here so we can see what the underlying issue might be.

I also realize the OP has posted about advice for a new camera, but we really should try to find out why he isn’t getting good results with his 80D, which in my experience is quite capable.

Juan A wrote in post #18998141
Hello guys and gals,

I have a 80d that I am pretty happy with, however, with two new twin granddaughters I would like something more that is better in low light. So I would really like something better for those low light situations. The mkiv’s are just out of my budget but I could save a bit more. What would you all recommend for me. All my glass is in my signature.

Thank you for your time.

If the MkIV is just outside your budget, take a look at the RF. From the short time I got to play with the camera, it looks like a really nice package. You can get the body and some RF lens, like the 50mm f/1.2 for the cost of a 5DIV. Greal high ISO performance and a f/1.2 lens should take care of your low light needs.

gjl711 wrote in post #18999240
If the MkIV is just outside your budget, take a look at the RF. From the short time I got to play with the camera, it looks like a really nice package. You can get the body and some RF lens, like the 50mm f/1.2 for the cost of a 5DIV. Greal high ISO performance and a f/1.2 lens should take care of your low light needs.

That's going to depend on how usable the DOF of f/1.2 is, and if the frame gets filled well. If it is not, and the OP needs to stop down for DOF, the 80D and RP are similar in noise (in equivalence).

The RP may AF better in the low light, though (I don't know).

The 80D IQ is very good. The time I owned it I really appreciated how well Canon did on that aps-c sensor.

5d3 is more of a lateral move but with a full frame sensor. I actually preferred the dynamic range of the 80d over my current 5dmk3 I have. If you choose to stick with a mirrored body system the 5dmk4 is your next step and bypass the 5dmk3.

If you are considering a second body and not 80D replacement I'd suggest digging deep into your pocket for a UWA or mid telezoom in the EF mount. If you are diving into full frame you'll need to fill the gap on a UWA or mid telezoom with a non aps-c dedicated lens.

Saving an moving into the 5dmk4 will produce a very noticeable improvement in IQ due to the 30MP sensor overall major upgrade to the 80D sensor.

If you have not experience in mirrorless systems you do not know what you are missing. There are pros and cons going mirrorless. I'd suggest renting an EOS R for fun with your current glass. You may find it will produce sharper images than your 80D.

Do some more research....

A fast 24 has been suggested- I'd also throw out there the 35 f/2 IS. Very very good lens, and the extra stop helps a lot...

I'd also echo TeamSpeed's question about what you feel your current ISO limit is. On a 7d2 I'm pretty comfortable with 6400, and feel I could probably learn to process 12,800, except I've never had the need to. The 24mpix sensor is even better than that. If you're at ISO6400 f/2.8 you're talking very very low light indeed...

Thanks for all the replies!!! I guess the mkIII is out lol. I am going to save a bit for the R or mkIV. I feel that iso 3200 is about as high as I like to go with my 80d. I do have good success with my 35 mm Art, however it is often a bit cramped. I did just buy the Sigma 18-35 Art and I hope that helps me until I make the move to full frame.

Another thing you should consider is a flash of some sort, and not the built in flash on the 80D. It is quite amzing the quality improvement due to a decent flash bounced off a ceiling or wall.

I have a 580ex but my understanding is its nit good to use on new borns.

You can bounce a flash and lower the output to really soften the light before it actually hits the newborn. You can also go to a continuous light source as well.

Juan A wrote in post #19001708
I have a 580ex but my understanding is its nit good to use on new borns.

See https://www.aao.org …ogist-q/camera-flash-baby for what an ophthalmologist thinks.