Upgrade from 5d MkII to 5d MkIII Worth it for hobby photographer

Scurra

Scurra

Scurra

Associate
Joined
30 Jul 2009
Posts
238
Location
Kent UK
As the title suggests I've been thinking about switching out my 5D MkII for a 5D MkIII.

I've found a seller that's offering a good deal on a used MkIII and have a friend who would buy my MkII but I'd still be looking at paying about £700 for the upgrade after selling my current camera.

I shoot mostly poertrait/candid as a hobby but have recently been second shooting for a local wedding photographer as well.

The biggest selling point I can see to the MKIII is the improved AF system but I'm not convinced that's worth the £700 upgrade cost alone.

Anyone on here have any thoughts? Where would you put your money?

The same seller also has the Canon 50mm 1.2 L available which I was considering instead of switching out the body.

If it makes a difference I currently own the following lenses as well:

  • Canon 24-105mm f/4.0 L IS USM
  • Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS II USM
  • Canon 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM
  • Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM
 
Lenses or bank for me, obvious lens for what you shoot would be a 24-70mm f2.8 (Second hand mki is within budget) or you could look at some primes if you fancy going that way. However if your happy with the 24-105mm it's not worth ugrading for the sake of it.

In the end only really you can say if the upgrade is worth it, I sunk a similar amount upgrading from my 30D to the 5D mkii but despite frequent temptation I have found no compelling reason to upgrade to the mkiii much like you I like the idea of the improved AF but don't see enough value in it and other things like dual card slots and improved weather sealing are not really of any interest to me. Imight toake the plunge and get a mkiii if the second hand prices drop when the mkiv is released as it should reduce the total upgrade cost.
 
With the replacement for the MKIII out very soon the MKIII should drop in price otherwise I'd say go for it as the MKIII also has better low light performance.
 
Unless the camera isn't capable of doing something you want from it then your money is better spend on lenses or accessories imo.

Also as mentioned potentially a MK IV coming out which will devalue the III as people upgrade. The 5 R and S may also have some impact when they are actually readily available.
 
Jase said:
With the replacement for the MKIII out very soon the MKIII should drop in price otherwise I'd say go for it as the MKIII also has better low light performance.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with Jase. If it wasn't for the 5d4 coming out soon, I'd swap for the 5d3 - esp for the wedding work making good use of the improved low light..!

Just wait for prices of 5d3's to get lower.
 
I Didn't realise the 5D MkIV was quite as close to release as the rumours seem to suggest. I'm going to bank the cash and wait for it to release and then might just make the jump straight to the new model.

I knew about the forthcoming 5D R & S models but they don't really lend themselves to my preferred style of shooting which is why I hadn't considered them.
 
The AF system is quite a jump... it was the only reason I was wanting the 5d3 over the 6d

Looking to get wifey a learner camera, I was going to get her an aging 40d... then we looked at photo comparisons between 40d and 7d... so she wanted the 7d... then I dared to show her the difference in autofocus between 6d and 5d3... so now I'm getting her a 7d2 lol.

That difference in AF between the 7d and 7d2 is similar to 5d2 to 5d3 and it's a heck of an improvement.

But... if you already find the 5d2 system good enough for your needs... then there isn't any rush.

See what the 5d4 brings to the table :D

I've got major gear lust over the 5dsr... but am planning to hold off as I'm hoping they'll do what Nikon did with the D800/E -> D810 and get rid of the AA filter completely. You'd think they would have learned from the D810 for the first release of this next jump :(
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom