5D to complement 50D?

So here's my situation, although I have a feeling I know what the end result is going to be if I ask for advice here

I currently have the following for a 50D body:
10-22
17-55
85L
100 macro
70-200 f/4 IS

The 70-200 is my least used lens, especially when I'm traveling. It's a great lens, but at the end of the day, I found that about 95% of my shots were with my other lenses. That being said, I'm considering selling/trading it for a used 5D (classic) to see what the fuss is all about. My main consideration for doing so would be for the low light performance with the 85L, but if I do this, my only other usable lens for the 5D would be the 100mm macro lens. I don't see it as a huge loss, but is it worth giving up the 70-200 for a 5D given that I hardly use it? Or would the 70-200 shine even more on the 5D than I think it would?

I suppose there's always the "what if" factor, but what you fellow POTN'ers do in my situation?

Oh, and the 5D MKII is out of the question - not looking to spend quite that much yet!

Usually it's the other way around...

If you like 55mm, then go for it, since you only have two compatible lenses.

The 70-200 becomes much like a 44-123 on a crop. You might find it far more useful on a full frame. I wouldn't sell it.

I like the 85 focal length on a crop so much I am buying a 135 for my 5D.

As toxic said.... you'll only have 2 lenses for the 5D with a FOV equivalent of 52 and 62mm on your current 50D. If you'll be happy with those 2, then sell the 70-200. Big mistake, imho.

Buying a 5d classic is a good move.

You mention low light performance and traveling. I would sell the 70-200 and replace it with a 135L. Unless you enjoy macro, you could also sell the 100 to raise funds.

The 135L gives you a similar focal length to the 85L on a full frame camera and is much more discrete and smaller than the 70-200 zoom. And at f2, gives you great low light performance and awesome sharpness.

The 85L on the full frame would be nearer 50mm. If you found that too short, you could consider selling that for, say a 24-70L. At f2.8 it would be reasonably fast, but also cover your wide end as well for those landscapes while travelling.

I went through a lot of lenses over the years and got fed up with not carrying the right lenses for any given situation. So, now I only carry two and they go everywhere with me. Coincidentally the 135L and 24-70L on a 5d.

I did have a 70-200L, but looked at a shot at 135 and then at 200 and to be honest, there was not too much difference. I actually had the 135 on a crop camera for years and loved the length, so it would be great on the 50d too.

Is that what you expected?

Graham

I seldom use my 70-200 f/2.8IS but I couldn't let it go due to IQ.

After your experience with your 50D you will find the 5D to be noticeably slower in AF. I am not trying to deter you from the 5D classic because its seriously a phenominal camera for the money. They are two different beasts for different applications. However the 50D will deliver high IQ and has fast AF with new bells and whistles.

Buy your 5D and slowly build your EF and equiv lenses. Your current lens lineup gives you major versatility with your 50D.

I shoot a 50D and 5D together and I couldn't be much happier. I don't know if I'd sell the 70-200 to get a 5D though...

Maybe you could sell the 10-22 and 17-55? These wouldn't work on your 5D and their sale would leave you some extra $$$ for something wide, like a 17-40 or 24-70.

Best of luck...

Ian

twoshadows wrote in post #7976325
I shoot a 50D and 5D together and I couldn't be much happier. I don't know if I'd sell the 70-200 to get a 5D though...

Maybe you could sell the 10-22 and 17-55? These wouldn't work on your 5D and their sale would leave you some extra $$$ for something wide, like a 17-40 or 24-70.

Best of luck...

Ian

I agree with Ian... Love my 5D/50D combo... and I would never give up my 70-200 F4... (ok.. maybe for a 2.8.... LOL)

If you never use the 70-200, sell it. There's no reason to have it hanging around if it isn't getting used.

Get the 5D and glue the 85L to it.

IMO you're not even aware what the 85L "magic" is all about until you shoot it FF. I wish I could afford to do more than just rent it.

Yeah, I think it would be more like the 50D will compliment the 5D, but I'm a bit partial.
IMO, I think you might just like the full frame experience.

bohdank wrote in post #7975978
The 70-200 becomes much like a 44-123 on a crop. You might find it far more useful on a full frame. I wouldn't sell it.

I'm betting you meant more like 112-320 on a crop (1.6) camera, right?
YUP, The 70-200 can be quite nice on the 5D.
Another little bonus with the 5D is no longer having to do the conversions for perceived focal length. Your 70-200 will actually behave like what it is, a 70-200.
-Bruce

Depending on what you're shooting, you could take the 50d for sports or places you need more reach, and a 5d for more wide angle, and portraits, etc. I think they'd compliant each other well.

Ballen Photo wrote in post #7977073
Yeah, I think it would be more like the 50D will compliment the 5D, but I'm a bit partial.
IMO, I think you might just like the full frame experience.

I'm betting you meant more like 112-320 on a crop (1.6) camera, right?
YUP, The 70-200 can be quite nice on the 5D.
Another little bonus with the 5D is no longer having to do the conversions for perceived focal length. Your 70-200 will actually behave like what it is, a 70-200.
-Bruce

I know what you are saying but if you are coming from a crop, the 70-200 will not give you the same reach on a FF, hence my comparison. In other words, if you are using a 70-200 on a crop and want to know what FOV you will have with that lens on a FF, try 44-123 on your crop.

For anyone that never shot 35mm film, the conversion is a moot point, imo. I don't know if the OP did.

I have both, and it's a fantastic combo. Although, I haven't really had the time/desire to shoot the 50D ever since I received my 5D! It will definitely come back in handy when sports shooting comes around again. The 50D does indeed compliment the 5D, and quite well at that!

I have both cameras and almost the same lineup of lenses (+ 50 1.4 & 24-105L). 50D is the speed demon and 5D is the refined vehicle. I'd never let go of the 17-55 because there's no equal combo on my 5D. People argue 24-105 on 5D is the same but nope, you can't achieve the same subject isolation of F4 compared to 2.8.

The larger sensor.... using a lens for the same FOV would favor the FF by 1 stop or so.

In other words, a 50mm on a crop at f4, would give you the same FOV and DOF as a 80mm and f5.6 on a FF. So, the 24-105 on a FF, even though it's f4. will give you the same DOF as the equivalent focal range on a crop at f2.8

bohdank wrote in post #7977759
I know what you are saying but if you are coming from a crop, the 70-200 will not give you the same reach on a FF, hence my comparison. In other words, if you are using a 70-200 on a crop and want to know what FOV you will have with that lens on a FF, try 44-123 on your crop.

Ah, I see what You're saying now.

Yeah, But again, The full frame 5D allows the lens to act as it was originally designed, with no conversion to worry about. The FF cameras let the user get a better idea of how focal lengths acted when we old timers where shooting film without the fuss of having to actually developing it.
-Bruce