Is a 5D Mark 2 neccesary?

JelleVerherstraeten wrote in post #8003746
It's something of all of that.

I have my 40D one year now, and I love it and it always served me well, but sometimes I get a feeling I could do a better job with and more things with a newer body...

This is the plague that follows all photographers and why your body you just purchased becomes obsolete in a few months. Coming from not knowing anything about photography, I thought it was all about the body. I quickly learned its not, the glass has the last word. Your 40D is a great camera, I would spend the cash on upgrading your lens line up, getting the ones that will benefit you the most for what you shoot and not the ones that everyone raves about. I've seen amazing shots done with an xti body with a 135L. showed me you don't have to have the latest body to create an amazing image.

prime80 wrote in post #8005857
Sounds to me that this is a "want", not a "need". If so, then let the funds decide. If you can do it without putting significant strain on the budget, and you think it'll make you happy, then go for it. You only live once...

Off course this is a want, especially the video function. But at some points it is a need. The ISO is one of the biggest things that attracks me and what I need. And I want to make the step to FF.

5DII is worth it.

Now that I have it:

• I don't worry about ISO, I just set it to whatever it needs to be
  
• I dont' worry about AF
  
• I calibrated all my lenses to be tack sharp and only worry about my own technique and choice of the lens for the task
  
• I know for sure I will have enough resolution to print whatever size I might want without extrapolation
  
• I shoot video clips whenever I feel like it, and the more I do it the more projects I assign for myself specifically in video, because results are simply amazing
  
• Last but not least, have you looked through that beautiful viewfinder?!
  
• Screen is actually useful
  
• Size is just right for my hands (XXD are a bit small, and I can't really enjoy Rebels at all)
  
• Great battery life

Ladies and gentlemen, I have a question also about the 5D Mark II... one that is for sale. If everything is true that I've been told, is the camera and a kit lens 24-105mm f/4.0 IS USM in mint condition with 4400 actuations a good deal for $2,750.00 ? I think I know the answer but I wanted some input/feedback from some of you "pros" as I've read and received a lot of great information on the different aspects of photography shared here by everyone.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Bobby.

Adm12 wrote in post #8006257
Ladies and gentlemen, I have a question also about the 5D Mark II... one that is for sale. If everything is true that I've been told, is the camera and a kit lens 24-105mm f/4.0 IS USM in mint condition with 4400 actuations a good deal for $2,750.00 ? I think I know the answer but I wanted some input/feedback from some of you "pros" as I've read and received a lot of great information on the different aspects of photography shared here by everyone.

Thanks in advance for your help,
Bobby.

That seems to be a very very good price. You can get rid of the kit lens for around 800$ worst case and the camera works out to 1950$ which is real good I think.

Think about it this way. You can sell the camera for more than that if you want to a few months later. If it truly is in such excellent condition, buying it should be a no brainer if you have the cash for it.

The best price I have seen for a used 5D2 on craigslist is 2600$. I got a kit with some 200 actuations for 3150$ and consider it an excellent deal as I was willing to put down 2700$ for the camera alone new. I say go for it before you lose it.

The problem now is that even if you want to pay MSRP, it is rarely in stock and will take a few weeks/months to get.

ignore

More philosophical than technical input, but I think its appropriate:

Decisions can be taken in two ways:

* Either you study and weight your options realy very well in advance until you are sure of what to do, so that things work, or
* You skip thinking, you just do whatever you feel you want to do, and you think afterwards how to make things work with your decision.

God I love the second way....

Go for it mate!

Cheers
G.

JelleVerherstraeten wrote in post #8002932
I have a problem.
I don't know what to do.

I have my 40D with grip listed on a Belgium forum for sale, just to see what price I get from it. Now, I get a good price from it, actually very good. And now I'm doubting if I should pull the trigger to sell it and buy with that money (ans some extra money ) the 5D mark 2...

It is alot of money for me, but I would like it, but I'm happy with what I have, but I want more . I'm really fustrating! I lay awake all night long to decide what I should do, and I don't know yet...

What do you guys think I should do. Do you think my lens-lineup is good enough for the FF-expirience?

I say get rid of the 40d and go for 5d mark 2 if that makes you happy and sleep good at night.

dude just buy it.

if you arent happy, sell it a month later for minimal loss. i guarantee people will buy it (myself included).

Buy it! You will not regret it.

I'm gonna do it.
My friend's going to buy the body from me for a good price.

Thank you all for your comments!

They really helped me in my decision.

Whew, at last!!

Congratulations on your considered decision!

Happy, happy, smile, smile, smile !!!

I know of someone who upgraded from a 40D to a 5Dmk2.

He bought he 5D2 first before selling his 40D. He loved his new purchase.

BUT

After a week he felt sick to his stomach spending over $2k (after consideration of the cost of the new body+taxes - the potential sale of the 40D) - of course this is his situation. If you cannot live without the 5D advantages then that's easy - keep it!

He returned the 5D2 and said to me. He loved the 5D so much but after a bout a week he couldn't justify that $2k+ difference.

Whats the moral of the story? Try the 5D2 first and play with it for a little bit before you decide if you are really unsure what to do.

True Story

In February, I had a location shoot scheduled for a catalog. Arrive on site, set up lights, backdrop, get my readings, and open my bag. Pulling out my new 5D2, I pull the body cap off, and.....

The top mirror bracket falls out.

Dead camera.

More than a little miffed, I put it away (the client has no clue, and I keep it that way) and pull out my trusty 40D. Fire it up, and off we go.

A week later, after reviewing proofs, they request some reshoots based on some wardrobe choices they weren't happy with.

Reshoot with my BRAND NEW 5D2, and submit the images.

Two weeks later, I open lightroom and realize --- I can't tell the two results apart, without looking at file size or metadata.

Bottom line -- I love the ISO on the 5D2, and will have a use for the video. But, its not $1800 more of a camera than the 40D (sorry Canon).