A different which camera should I choose thread

So there are many "7D or 5DMII", "T2i or 60D" and on and on, which camera should I buy threads. So rather than asking which camera. I thought I would tell you my choice and let you pick it apart.

So I have had Canon for some time, had Nikon before that. You can see from my sig I have some lenses that are my workhorses for wedding, and portrait work. I also want a light load that I would be encouraged to carry more often. So how did I pick my direction?

Well I really anticipated the 5D MII, and certainly I was prepared to drop the cash for it. But when it came out, with its retro AF system:o, I wanted more. The movie mode is great, but T2i's are getting wonderful results as well. Before I pull the trigger on this decision I will wait a little to see what's on the horizon for the 5DMIII. But since I didn't spend the $3000 for the 5DMII. What else could I do with it. Here's what I'm thinking.

1. Get maxmax.com to remove AA filter from my 5D. $450 + shipping.
2. Get a used Sigma 24 1.8 EX or Sigma 28 1.8 EX. $380. (crop normal prime)
3. Get a T3i body for me. $800.
4. Get two T3 bodies for my daugthers. $1400 (already have 18-55 for them)
5. Get used ..... crap ran out of money. But a Tamron 18-270 would be crazy fun for vacations, or I could get forget the daugthers and get more lenses.

That's about $3000.

Line 1) I'm curious as to why you would pay someone $450 to ruin your 5D. The 5D already has a very weak AA filter and removing it is only going to lead to undesired aliasing that cannot be corrected digitally.

Lines 2 and 3) You have quite a long gear list, so I'm not sure what getting a T3i body and normal prime for it will achieve. Especially since you have a normal prime for the 5D you already own, which is a nicer camera than the T3i. How about just upgrading the 50/1.8 into a better 50mm? I understand that the Rebels are a little smaller than the 5D body, but I have generally found that if a camera is not a pocket P&S and not a monster brick (1D body) then it falls into a middle ground. This broad middle is always going to be too big to pocket, so the difference in your willingness to carry a Rebel vs. a 5D is not going to increase greatly. You will still need a camera bag, even with just one lens. Once you are lugging a bag, who cares anymore?

Line 4 - Sure, T3's for the kids are nice. I might personally go older and used for beginning photographers, but that is because I'm used to the highly volatile interest levels of my kids in hobbies. I hate to buy new and watch them lose interest in a week. Better to buy used and resell a month later for no loss when they lose their muse.

Line 5 - updgrade the 28-75 and 28-135 into a 24-105L for vacations on your 5D. With all the other money I saved you, you can afford it.

JeffreyG wrote in post #11825433
Line 1) I'm curious as to why you would pay someone $450 to ruin your 5D. The 5D already has a very weak AA filter and removing it is only going to lead to undesired aliasing that cannot be corrected digitally.

Aliasing is certainly a real problem. Especially when shooting resolution targets. Since I don't do that; I don't see were Aliasing is going to strike me. I have only seen it once with the Canon 300D I had oh to many years ago. Of the thousands of pictures I took it was present on about three of them. I went back to the place where it happened and was unable to recreate it. Probably because of the time of day. The resolution gained would be great and well as making my lenses look better.

JeffreyG wrote in post #11825433
Lines 2 and 3) You have quite a long gear list, so I'm not sure what getting a T3i body and normal prime for it will achieve. Especially since you have a normal prime for the 5D you already own, which is a nicer camera than the T3i. How about just upgrading the 50/1.8 into a better 50mm? I understand that the Rebels are a little smaller than the 5D body, but I have generally found that if a camera is not a pocket P&S and not a monster brick (1D body) then it falls into a middle ground. This broad middle is always going to be too big to pocket, so the difference in your willingness to carry a Rebel vs. a 5D is not going to increase greatly. You will still need a camera bag, even with just one lens. Once you are lugging a bag, who cares anymore?

The T3i acts as a backup and video option for me. As for keeping the 5D for carrying. As far as lugging a bag. I currently have a backpack. I don't mind lugging a back if it is more of a camera pouch on my waist. The would mean a smaller camera. Maybe I don't go the P&S route because I'm an SLR bigot (thats for another thread). Just haven't seen a picture from a P&S that looks like what the smallest, cheapest DSLR can do. By getting a T3i (could get T2i to save) I get small package, video. Just add a big zoom and small flash and I should have a simple carry package.

JeffreyG wrote in post #11825433
Line 4 - Sure, T3's for the kids are nice. I might personally go older and used for beginning photographers, but that is because I'm used to the highly volatile interest levels of my kids in hobbies. I hate to buy new and watch them lose interest in a week. Better to buy used and resell a month later for no loss when they lose their muse.

The reason for the cameras for the girls is so they stop borrowing my 5D.

JeffreyG wrote in post #11825433
Line 5 - updgrade the 28-75 and 28-135 into a 24-105L for vacations on your 5D. With all the other money I saved you, you can afford it.

This might be a good option. Although I would want more range and the previously mentioned compactness.

davidfig wrote in post #11830531
Aliasing is certainly a real problem. Especially when shooting resolution targets. Since I don't do that; I don't see were Aliasing is going to strike me. I have only seen it once with the Canon 300D I had oh to many years ago. Of the thousands of pictures I took it was present on about three of them. I went back to the place where it happened and was unable to recreate it. Probably because of the time of day. The resolution gained would be great and well as making my lenses look better.

Have you used other cameras with the AA filter removed?

There are many types of aliasing, but the one that most people uniformly dislike is moire. Moire can appear in knit shirts, hair...all kinds of places.

I think you underestimate the problem when you suggest that aliasing artifacts will only appear in resolution target charts. But, it's your $1400 gamble (value of 5D + cost of removing AA filter.)

I can't imagine resolution being of such importance as to justify modifying a camera senser to eke out a little more. I don't worry about resolution with my 5Ds in wedding photography...I worry instead about RF interference noise and the AF system being less than perfect.
If you want to buy something, get a 1Ds II.