5D or 5DMkII...it's as simple as that.

I don't see enough Ls in your sig.

5D Classic and quality glass.

If you get either, you are going to want some new glass anyway. I say get a gently used 5d and some great glass. Qualifier: I have never used a mkII but I am loving my 5d, which I got, like new for $700 US.

I believe you will be happier with a used 5d and new glass than a new mkII and forced to use your current glass.

coltranekoh wrote in post #7030706
5D MKII, as simple as that...

Agree...

The features and capabilities are worth the upgrade. Save and get the 5D Mark II with kit lens and your set....

What would make the most sense in my mind would be to pick up a used 5D; they are going for less than $1250 now.
Doing this you'll have money for glass and you'll get to see if you really like FF. At some point you can then upgrade to the 5D II when prices fall. A used 5D will depreciate less in value than a new 5D II over the next year. By the way, I would definitely keep your 30D; having FF and 1.6X crop is a nice combo.

single_track wrote in post #7030740
I have never used a mkII but I am loving my 5d, which I got, like new for $700 US.

WHERE?!

To the OP: I agree with everyone saying that it seems you don't NEED the 5D2. I'd go with the suggested 5D and 85L.

If you are just looking to upgrade and will have the cash, you might as well just get the latest and greatest and avoid the buyers remorse you will undoubtly have if you don’t get the 5D mkII. Why settle for less?

Also note, IMO you should have no problem picking up a used 5D for the foreseeable future. Unless you must have new, keep this in mind.

perryge wrote in post #7030678
Think about this: for the price of a 5DMKII, you can get a used 5D and 85L . Or a 1DsII. Or 1DMKIII. The 5D classic still spits out better quality and resolution than most people will ever need - there's a reason this camera is so highly regarded. Full frame is what matters, not bells and whistles or massive resolution.

5DMKII is really nice, but worth the money? Not to me, especially since that kind of resolution would require a computer upgrade, more hard drives, more CF cards, etc etc.

+1. Except I think 5DII upgraded features are very nice. But I think 85L is much nicer. If I were in your position, it's a no brainer for me.

Need doesn't have to justify your purchases if budget allows. It seems like you are "just there" on budget and have some convincing to do with the wife.
If I was in that situation, I would probably go for the 5D classic, used.

In fact, that's what I bought for a FF alternative to my 1DMKIII. Used, on the the cheap too.

No doubt, the 5D MKII makes me drool to some degree. There's always that "want" for the latest and the greatest.

But usually I think lenses first, then body.

skygod44 wrote in post #7029893
Is the MkII really lightyears ahead regarding IQ and useability?

if you shoot above 800iso and or print larger than 12x18, yes, the 5Dii is a better body in terms of IQ. At smaller print sizes 12mp is more than enough. At lower ISOs the 5D is more than enough.

if you have nothing else in your kit wish list to spend money on, then absolutely, the 5Dii is worth it. It's a sum of it's parts, and they all add up to a nice body. But in terms of IQ alone, the 5D is still a killer body and a hell of a value.

for you, looking at your lenses:
EF-S10-22mm,
EF50mm f/1.4,
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro,
EF100-400L,
you really need some other lenses to go with a FF IMHO. So in your case, I'd get the 5D and a lens to go with it. You obviously know the 10-22 is EF-S, so maybe get a 17-40 to go with it and you'll have a nice UWA for the 5D as well as a standard zoom on the 30D?

the other thing to consider is that you have a 30D. The 30D and the 5D are almost identical in terms of layouts and they use the same batteries. So that's a HUGE plus to me. You'll have 2 bodies that the only difference is the sensor and FPS really and can switch very easily. Go with the 5D and get a EF FF lens to go with it.

MegaTron wrote in post #7030542
Do you NEED the extra features of the 5DII, or do you just WANT them?

Do you NEED to move to Full Frame, or do you just WANT to?


(Hey, somebody's gotta stick up for the crop bodies! )

rdompor wrote in post #7030797
WHERE?!

To the OP: I agree with everyone saying that it seems you don't NEED the 5D2. I'd go with the suggested 5D and 85L.

Private seller. Also picked up a flawless 17-40L for $300. It was a very good day.

skygod44 wrote in post #7029893
Should it be: Save those yen and get a 5DMkII.....and why.

OR: Get the 5D Classic plus new glass.....and why.

Why should I get a 5D MK-II? The very reason why you want fast glasses, sharper photographs, great botek. I used to shout out loud for having 6.5 fps with 40D, but I don't shoot sports! It is always a great idea to have the latest technology in a new body if cash is not an issue. In the case of 5D MK II, I see better noise control / great ISO options and incredible megapixels.

Why get the 5D Classic? I opt for a 2nd hand 5D because I do not need a 5D MK-II. I don't do big prints and anything more than 8MP is good enough for me. To compensate for higher ISO such as 1,600 or 3,200, I opt for my flash. To prevent losing extra MP from cropping, I be more paranoid about getting the composition right.

In fact, the extra cash is great. I lost quite a bit buying and selling camera stuff (because I bought 1st hand) and I'm now quite conscious about value for money. FF is amazing, I won't deny that because I sold off my 400D & 40D for it. Having the extra money for better lens would be a better bet! At least, in my case.

MegaTron wrote in post #7030542
At this point, I personally would never buy a brand new 5D classic. Just because its already a few years old, and its predecessor is already out. If it were between the two, I would just spend the extra money and get the newer camera.

However, if buying used is a choice, and I could find one for $1100-$1300 USD (ive seen it go many times for around that price) then I wouldnt have any regrets for paying about half of what I would pay for the newer camera, and using the rest to buy some nice glass.

I agree completely with this.

In the US the difference between a new 5D and a new 5DII is $700 ($2000 and $2700). Now $700 isn't pocket change, but if that's the difference then I'd go for the 5DII. It's an all-around better camera in many ways both big and small, and if you're already paying $2000 then you're in the same bracket as $2700. However, you can buy a mint/excellent used 5D for $1200 or so, which is $1500 less than new 5DII prices. To me a good used 5D is a tremendous bargain which gets you the FF goodness you want for about 40% of the 5DII price. All the rest of the 5DII improvements are gravy. Delicious gravy, but gravy nonetheless.

I went from a 30D to a 5D MK II and love it. Buy the MKII, you'll only want the 5D MKII in a years time so so just get it now.

Looking at your sig I would get the kit, the 24-105 L has not yet left my 5D MKII.

Damn PC just lost my replies so this is an amended version...but thanks to all who gave considered thoughts.

XterraJohn wrote in post #7029965
Do you like such things as improved LCD and video capability?

I think the video is a gimmick, so no, that's not reason for a MkII. LCD looks great, but the histogram is more useful really.

JeffreyG wrote in post #7030479
Forget the features and specs...it does not make sense to buy a new model that is still selling in its early high cost phase. Camera bodies stopped being revolutionary releases with the (respective to each line) 300D, 10D, 5D and 1Dm2. Early adopters of subsequent models have paid a lot of money for a handful of features.

Well thought out. I think you're right. Why spend lots of money now when patience will get the exact same thing for less, relatively soon?

timbop wrote in post #7030495
A lot more goes into making...astonishing images...than just the camera body... The 5D is the smart choice in this case.

Thanks. You could be right. And having printed out 8.2MP images at 6' x 4', I can tell you that viewed from the correct distance, all this mega-resolution means diddley for 99% of the time.

TaDa wrote in post #7030510
...the move from a crop to a full frame is a big upgrade. Once you do that, it will leave you with extra money for glass (which holds its value much more)

Two good points. FF is the upgrade, and glass is a better investment.

martines34 wrote in post #7030565
Build your glass collection first.
Technology moves at a fast clip - lenses move slow. The lens is more important then the camera.Great prices on pro level used cameras out there.

And again!

perryge wrote in post #7030678
...the price of a 5DMKII = a used 5D and 85L = a 1DsII = 1DMKIII.... Full frame is what matters, not...massive resolution. 5DMKII is really nice, but worth the money...especially since that kind of resolution would require a computer upgrade, more hard drives, more CF cards, etc etc.

As always, well thought out. A new PC?!?! I think not!

coltranekoh wrote in post #7030706
5D MKII, as simple as that...

Unfortunately, it's not, is it...

The Ghost of FM wrote in post #7030711
Quite a few of us here have caught 1DsMkII fever...[which] has many unique 1Ds series features that can't be had on either of the fiver's such as the 45 point AF and far superior build quality and weather resistance.

VERY GOOD POINTS!

nw85887 wrote in post #7030735
I don't see enough Ls in your sig. 5D Classic and quality glass.

Working on it!

single_track wrote in post #7030740
If you get either, you are going to want some new glass anyway. I say get a gently used 5d and some great glass. Qualifier: I have never used a mkII but I am loving my 5d, which I got, like new for $700 US.

Wow that's cheap! And as above, I'm working on the glass.

versedmb wrote in post #7030782
What would make the most sense in my mind would be to pick up a used 5D; ...[and] you'll have money for glass and you'll get to see if you really like FF. By the way, I would definitely keep your 30D; having FF and 1.6X crop is a nice combo.

Very good advice. And I'm keeping the 30D as it's a great camera!

rdompor wrote in post #7030797
I'd go with the suggested 5D and 85L.

Seems good, although doesn't the 85L AF slower than a slug?

MichSt wrote in post #7030973
If you are just looking to upgrade...just get the...5D mkII. Why settle for less?

Good points MichSt. But I'm worried that really, we're all being a bunch of numbskulls in that just perhaps, dSLRs have already peeked for real-world photography...

swidjaja wrote in post #7031014
...I think 5DII upgraded features are very nice. But I think 85L is much nicer.

Really? I'm wondering about the micro-adjustment - on the 5DMkII/1DMkIII and 50D(!!!) Maybe this feature is one that really counts on the new body...?

nicksan wrote in post #7031324
Need doesn't have to justify your purchases if budget allows... I would probably go for the 5D classic, used. In fact, that's what I bought for a FF alternative to my 1DMKIII.... usually...think lenses first, then body.

Good points. As an aside, why did you want a FF and the 1DMkIII? What's the benefits there from one to the other?

jacobsen1 wrote in post #7032023
if you shoot above 800iso and or print larger than 12x18...the 5Dii is a better body... At lower ISOs the 5D is more than enough...[It's] still a killer body and a hell of a value... [Also] the 30D and the 5D are almost identical in terms of layouts and they use the same batteries. So that's a HUGE plus to me. You'll have 2 bodies that the only difference is the sensor and FPS really...

SoundsGood wrote in post #7032712
Do you NEED to move to Full Frame, or do you just WANT to?(Hey, somebody's gotta stick up for the crop bodies!)

jasonleehl wrote in post #7033043
...I [would] opt for a 2nd hand 5D... I lost quite a bit buying and selling camera stuff...and I'm now quite conscious about value for money. [But] having the extra money for better lenses would be a better bet!

Yohan Pamudji wrote in post #7033229
...To me a good used 5D is a tremendous bargain... All the rest of the 5DII improvements are gravy. Delicious gravy, but gravy nonetheless.

Hmmm....gravy....

will5 wrote in post #7033424
I went from a 30D to a 5D MK II and love it. Buy the MKII, you'll only want the 5D MKII in a years time so so just get it now. Looking at your sig I would get the kit, the 24-105 L has not yet left my 5D MKII.

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http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/​kidding.shtml