5D Mk II or Mk III?

[LShooter]

Love my Mk III!!!!!

 

[sovietdoc]

I'll keep this post short and sweet. I'm looking for whether or not to make the upgrade/investment to a 5D Mk III, or just go with a Mk II for now, based on these facts:

Goal: Begin to use photography as a second source of income through small business.

Camera Body's primary uses (in this order):
1. Event Photography (weddings, senior/engagement photos, sporting events, freelance newspaper work, etc.)
2. Other portraiture (w/out studio for now, small studio eventually)
3. Lanscape/cityscape
4. Travel/Sightseeing

Any guidance is welcome, especially if you have experience or have used both bodies. Budget, of course, is an issue, but I can manage the additional $ for the Mk III if I feel I really need to.

Thanks!

(Current equipment listed below)

Assuming the same glass on 5d2 or 5d3, if you can afford 5d3, this shouldn't even be a question.

5d3 and never look back.

 

[Derrel]

5D-II or 5D-III????

Volkswagon Beetle or Porsche Turbo Carrera?

Bud Light or Stella Artois?

 

[2WheelPhoto]

5D-II or 5D-III????

Volkswagon Beetle or Porsche Turbo Carrera?

Bud Light or Stella Artois?

^^^^^^^there it is

 

[brian_f2.8]

I don't know why you asked anyone on here. You need to ask the wife, " honey can I spend 1600$ or 3500$"? Then she will laugh and it's back to the iPhone - oh that's my wife sorry.

Anyways the mIII is a great camera. If you already have good glass then get the mIII, if you have the $. If you don't have glass then the mII is a very good choice as well and you will have $ for glass.

Use my line, " honey it's a tax deduction."

 

[BXPhoto]

OR get a Sigma 50 1.4 for even cheaper which some Canon users have said is very comparable to the 50 1.2 L lens.

For a working professional the Sigma 50mm is not a reliable enough option. Even after calibration focus is hit or miss and even worse in low light conditions. For the working pro, the most upto date gear he can afford is the way to go. Keyword is afford... Me I can't afford to miss shots or worry about focus issues during events. So I've always bought the best...

 

[johndizzo]

The focusing system on the mkiii is a world of difference from the mkii. As far as IQ goes, I'd say there is not a significant difference at least from my personal experience with both. Dynamic range and resolution are very close. You only realistically get about one extra stop with the mkiii and not what Canon actually claims. If you are content with the IQ of the mkii and have no issues working with it's focusing, then I would agree with what many others have posted and say that you should invest in better glass as what you have listed in your gear list could use some improvement (especially for what you want to do).

I see that many replies have made mention of the Canon 50mm 1.2. I would have to disagree with that assessment based on your list of current lenses. To replace the 17-40 focal length, I would go with the 35L prime. Amazingly sharp and is a compromise of that general zone of focal lengths. Only issue is that it is not weather sealed. Otherwise, I feel like I get a lot more use and consistent focusing (more keepers) with the 35 since it has a floating element whereas the 50 1.2 does not. If you are intent on sticking with a 50mm, the sigma is excellent as well as the Canon 1.4 for their respective prices. If you are decent at manual focusing, I would look into the Zeiss 50/2 Makro Planar as it is a good normal FOV lens along with a 1:2 Macro which will come in handy for shooting details at weddings. Personally, it is my favorite lens in my stable just based on IQ/look of the images and it's overall versatility as a prime. For me, no other macro capable lens out there comes close to it for having uses for many other types of shooting.

 

[sovietdoc]

Canon is starting to lag behind on DR. If they had a camera out with significantly more DR and 40mpix, I'd jump on that boat asap.

 

[EOSfotografie]

I like both cameras. Use them both quit often. And I would lie that "I really like the 5D III" ;-)

 

[Christie Photo]

I decided on the Mark II. It came today.

 

[MonochromeB]

Remember that if you put the Power switch up to the main switch position, and spin the selector with either your hand or nose while not purposely changing a setting, you will manually select a different focus point! HOPE YOU LIKE YOUR MII. I LOVE MINE.