Does it make sense to buy a 5D now if I already own a 40D?

I currently own a 40D and a reasonably good selection of lenses. I was eagerly awaiting the 5D replacement at PMA, but now it seems likely it won't be available until the Fall. So, is it worth buying a 5D if I already own a 40D?

The only reason I would even consider it at this point is the Canon Canada double rebates. I can get a 5D for just over C$1750 with tax after rebates. It would cost about $2450 with tax from B&H, so there is quite a big difference. The added benefit of this is that I could sell it at the end of the year if I decide I desperately need whatever Canon releases then, and I probably wouldn't lose too much. Plus, I would have a 5D to use for nine months, of course. That's assuming I even want to sell it later...

I have thought about it for a while, and I know whatever camera I buy next will be full frame. Many of my favourite lenses just work better at their proper focal lengths, rather than at a 1.6x crop. I'm now at the point where I no longer want to be buying lenses for their focal length equivalent (35/1.4 as a 50mm equiv. for instance). I'd also like the improved DOF control and larger viewfinder. I'm hoping ISO 3200 might be somewhat more useable, but that isn't a deal killer.

I would likely end up using the 40D for the tele end of things (especially with my 100-400), and the 5D for wide and portrait work. I'd probably end up selling my Tokina 12-24, or trading with someone for a 17-40/4.

Some points:

1) I don't DESPERATELY need a full frame camera right now. I COULD wait until the end of the year. However, I'll be taking a couple of months off work in the Summer and then starting a five year program at university in September, so this will be my last free Summer until 2013!

2) I'm not sure the 5D will get me much more than the 40D in terms of image quality other than absolute resolution. In many ways, the 40D is the better camera. It isn't full frame, though...

Any thoughts?

I've had my 5D for about 18 months now, and I bought a 40D a couple months ago. While is nice to have the option, I still use my 5D much more than my 40D. Personally I think the 5D is a fantastic camera for the money these days. I know it doesn't have some of the bells and whistles that the 40D has, but in the end I personally find it to take a better picture than my 40D does.

i am kind of in the same boat as bob_mcbob. i have a 20d and am thinking of upgrading to a 40d or 5d but cant decide which. i really want to go full frame but there is such a price to it. if i go to canada can i get that deal that you are talking about. i live 20min from the border.

I got the 40D and 5D at the same time and I have barely touched the 40D since I uploaded photos from each camera.

p.s. I'm kinda wishing I had gotten 2 x 5D's instead.

There is no better time then now, the 5d likely won't be much cheaper anytime soon; and we know for sure you won't be getting anything better until at least Sept. So why waste the best parts of this years - spring/summer [Northern Hemisphere] not shooting FF is you've been wanting it?

I say go for if you need/want it now, wait if you have the patience.

If you don't need the 6.5fps and LiveView on the 40D, then I would say go for the 5D. It's the better camera and your lenses will come alive on the 5D!

I did. I only had my 40D for a few months and after ordering up a 5D and getting a taste of that Full Frame sweetness I was hooked and sold my 40D. On top of that right now is actually one of the best times to get a 5D since the prices on them are so low.

If you need or want full-frame and excellent noise control - go for it. If you don't, then ..... don't.

You are contemplating the purchase of something that you admit you do not yet have a need for. My logic says that if you buy it now, you won't be saving $700 at all, but wasting $1750.

Wait until the end of the year, which is when you say you will need FF. I predict that you'll get a 5D for much less than $1750 then.

nicksan wrote in post #4782179
If you don't need the 6.5fps and LiveView on the 40D, then I would say go for the 5D. It's the better camera and your lenses will come alive on the 5D!

+1, I'm about to sell my 40D.

nicksan wrote in post #4782179
If you don't need the 6.5fps and LiveView on the 40D, then I would say go for the 5D. It's the better camera and your lenses will come alive on the 5D!

Thumbs up to that! Especially the fisheye!

xarqi wrote in post #4782399
You are contemplating the purchase of something that you admit you do not yet have a need for. My logic says that if you buy it now, you won't be saving $700 at all, but wasting $1750.

That's not quite what I meant. I don't technically NEED the 40D, either. I'm not making any money from photography, and buying a 5D won't change that. The only reason I'd wait until the Fall is to get an updated 5D. I won't require a 5D any more then than I do now.

I'm surprised by all the "go for it" posts. I was expecting more of what xarqi had to say. There is certainly a lot of love for the 5D here!

boostedmechanic wrote in post #4782035
if i go to canada can i get that deal that you are talking about. i live 20min from the border.

Sorry, it's a Canada-only rebate. You might be able to have a Canadian friend cash it for you, but I think that's too risky, considering the amount of money involved. You'd also have to buy a second item to qualify for the rebate, and most stuff is more expensive up here. If I buy from out of province and avoid paying the 8% PST, some things end up being around the same or slightly cheaper than ordering from B&H and paying full sales tax.

You never have FUN buying the stuff you NEED.

I waited from last Dec for a 5D replacement, waiting for them to announce it in Winter 07, it didn't come, then the same in the fall 07. The 40D is a great camera, better than what it replaced. But I like shooting FF, I still shoot B&W film.