Camera Recommendation

It pains me to have to ask but I've been out of the scene for a few years and am a bit out of the loop. The wife and I have been talking about having children and one of the things that came up was needing a decent camera! Little history on myself, I used to shoot with a Canon 5D and have worked semi pro so I know my way around a camera and what end to point at what. However, I have zero experience with both live view and the video recording features but I am intrigued if not excited by them. My first instinct was to pick up the 5D classic with a grip and pick up right where I left off but I do miss out on video and the latest and greatest. Budget is a bit on the tight side and lower is always better. I'm a big fan of using Tamron/Sigma glass instead of Canon L series from a cost perspective but a lack of an alternative to the 24-105 f4 L makes me sad (I LOVE that lens)

How do the current cameras hold up in noise to the venerable 5D? Ive been looking at the T1i/T2i, they're low cost means I could swing better glass, but Id need to pick up new memory cards as I've got several gigs in CF. The 50D is nice but lacks video and is getting a bit long in the tooth, I'm in no hurry and the chance of the 60D announcement is promising. The 7D looks spectacular but pushes the budget a bit and means I'd have to skimp on glass to start but would likely be able to pick up some decent lenses before the baby arrives. Ideally, a Shiny new 5D II with a 24-105 and an 85 1.2L would show up and solve all my problems but I somehow doubt thats going to happen.

Budget of $2000 is close to max, $1500 is better and I'm all for buiying used.

Thanks all!

-Wes

I shot film for many years and got into digital with a crop camera. After never getting comfortable with a crop, I went with a 5D2. It was like coming home. Everything feels right again. It might put you a little over budget but my recomendation would be

5D
24-105L
EF 85 1.8

that does put me a bit over budget, but does look good.

Frankly, its been close to 3 years since I used the 5D, downgraded to a 20D for a short time after that, but using the crop cameras at the local best buy feel just fine. I never found myself doing a lot of serious wide angle shooting. I upgraded to the 5D for the razor thin DOF and amazing IQ

-Wes

I would suggest the
7d
17-35mm
24-105L

tjscott wrote in post #10512020
I would suggest the
7d
17-35mm
24-105L

That's significantly over budget and has a wide angle lens I'd never use.

Johnny Thunder wrote in post #10511982
that does put me a bit over budget, but does look good.

Frankly, its been close to 3 years since I used the 5D, downgraded to a 20D for a short time after that, but using the crop cameras at the local best buy feel just fine. I never found myself doing a lot of serious wide angle shooting. I upgraded to the 5D for the razor thin DOF and amazing IQ

-Wes

7D (would recommend a 50D but for lack of video)
There are a number of servicable 3rd party 17-50mm f/2.8 lenses available
430EX II

Your statement about not needing wide angle leans away from FF in my mind. 17mm on crop has FOV equivalent to 28mm on FF. DOF at f/2.8 on crop will be like f/4.5 on FF (for same subject framing and perspective).

T2i matches up well with the 5D in noise and might even beat it in a few instances. I still prefer the IQ of the 5d and would opt for it over the T2i unless you really want video. Have you tried the video features on the t2i? IMO I'd rather have a dedicated camcorder than a DSLR merely because of the ease of use. Although the video rig set-ups for DSLRs help quite a bit but they also cost quite a bit usually $600 for a barebones set-up and typically $1000 for a nice rig. I'm sure you can still get decent video from handheld operation but I've found a rig much easier.

Live View is great for macro shots or if you have manual lenses but if you're going to primarily be using the 24-105 then I don't see it as being needed. I'd opt for the 5d and 24-105 as you're familiar with the set-up and seem quite fond of it.

I do have several M42 screw mount lenses with an EOS adapter that I kept around from my old kit. Doing a bit more reading it seems the T2i lacks AF Micro adjustment and that's a bit of a deal breaker. That was one of my biggest complaints with the Ol' 5D. There is no real reason not to put it on the Rebel series.

The 7D really has what I want but it doesn't leave room for nicer glass. I am hoping they announce a 60D offering AF adjustment and video.

-Wes

I wouldnt worry about video. I bought mine wanting video, but its only an extra that gets used once in a while. Its mainly a stills camera.

Its the glass that is important. I would love L series lenses, but I think theyre far too expensive for at the moment.

I would wait for the 60D. Imaginary cameras are free.

If you are used to Full Frame i would find a way to try out a crop camera first. I love mine but people who go FF to tend to go on about how much better it is. Just a test so you dont dissapoint your self.

If you must have Micro adjustments and will accept a crop sensor get a 50D and later pick up a cheap camcorder. If you only want it for home movies then one of those should be fine.

However if you are used to FF and really are on a budget just get another 5D classic. You know it and can get decent glass for it. Again you can just pick up a camcorder for that side of things. If you could get by with the lack of MA before then you should still be able to. After all if your lenses really need adjusting you can send them in to get done.

I have yet to use the MA on my 5D MkII.

I'm going to shout.

YES DO BUY IT FOR VIDEO. Either T2i (which I highly recommend) or 7D ( I think it has same video ?).

Being able to take videos and photos of newborns with single camera is a great advantage. We have 8 year old twins, and probably 20 - 30 tapes of kids videos, and 2/3rd of these were taken during first two years. They grow up fast, and you want to capture as much of it as you can. I also have lots of photos. Many times I wished I had my camera when I had only camcorder, and vs versa. It's impractical - well, pretty much impossible - to carry both pieces of equipment when you're out with babies. This is why I gave up my film Rebel for a P&S with crappy video, it was better than none. T2i would've been ideal back then.

Amamba wrote in post #10531929
I'm going to shout.

YES DO BUY IT FOR VIDEO. Either T2i (which I highly recommend) or 7D ( I think it has same video ?).

Being able to take videos and photos of newborns with single camera is a great advantage. We have 8 year old twins, and probably 20 - 30 tapes of kids videos, and 2/3rd of these were taken during first two years. They grow up fast, and you want to capture as much of it as you can. I also have lots of photos. Many times I wished I had my camera when I had only camcorder, and vs versa. It's impractical - well, pretty much impossible - to carry both pieces of equipment when you're out with babies. This is why I gave up my film Rebel for a P&S with crappy video, it was better than none. T2i would've been ideal back then.

that was my line of thinking. I've got a Panasonic Mini DV Camcorder the wife and I bought 3 years ago and have yet to fill an entire tape but kids change that and memories in HD are always better.

I've seen a few 7Ds go for 1250-1300 used and if I really shop it and get lucky I'm confident I can get a 7D w/24-105 for $2000. I've got a few months until everything is in place and really hope the 60D (or whatever they call the 50D replacment) is announced in the next few days.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.

-Wes

If 2000 is your budget, I would suggest a used 40D instead you have enough to get a 580EX or EXII (EX II allows you to control the flash straight from a Digic III and newer bodies) and some accessories. The Canon 24-105 f/4L IS is great if you find 24mm is wide enough on a crop body. Or if you don't mind, a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is a great lens too.