Canon 5D Mark II Open box

[ColeGauthier]

Hi guys! Would like a little bit of input here. I stopped into my local Future Shop and noticed an open box Canon 5D Mark II. It's priced at $2399.00 plus tax but it's also got the 24-105mm kit lens. If I am lucky I may be able to get an extra $100 off... Now do I pick this up and sell the lens and my current body (Canon 7D) to upgrade to a better lens or just keep my 7D and upgrade the glass and wait for the Mark III to come down. By the way, I do own the 70-200 IS II and I would be able to use that lens 99% on the 5D mark II without buying a new for now. Would like some input on the pricing.

Oh and yes it will be slightly more expensive because I live in Canada.

 

[ColeGauthier]

Forgot to mention, it's in pristine condition, somebody just returned it in the 14 day return policy. Probably because they didn't know how to use it

 

[ChrisedwardsHT]

I would keep the 7d as a backup (unless you have something else) does the 7d not do something you'd like it too?

 

[MLeeK]

What do you shoot? I use my 7D far more than my 5d2.
It's about par with what I'd expect for pricing Used Canon Eos-5d Mark II 21.1 Megapixels Digital Slr Camera Kit W/Ef 24-105mm F/4L Is Usm Lens
Canon EOS-5D Mark II DSLR Camera Body with EF 24-105L 2764B004

 

[ColeGauthier]

I find I would have more control over the dynamic range with Mark II then the 7D and I don't shoot sports, if so, very rarely. Plus it's FF.

 

[MLeeK]

If you aren't shooting action or low light where you want to use any other focus point than the center then it might just fit you well.

 

[ColeGauthier]

What do you shoot? I use my 7D far more than my 5d2.

MLeeK, would you mind telling me why you prefere the 7D over the 5D?

 

[MLeeK]

MLeeK, would you mind telling me why you prefere the 7D over the 5D?

Better focus system by FAR. I shoot a lot of low light, a lot of sports, a lot of not using that center focus point.
The 5d2 is great for wedding and portrait work where lighting is not a problem. The center focus point is the only cross type and it works fine in low light, you just have to make sure you are compensating for that in y our composition. It's a great camera. The 7D is just easier to use with the far better focus system.

 

[ColeGauthier]

Better focus system by FAR. I shoot a lot of low light, a lot of sports, a lot of not using that center focus point.
The 5d2 is great for wedding and portrait work where lighting is not a problem. The center focus point is the only cross type and it works fine in low light, you just have to make sure you are compensating for that in y our composition. It's a great camera. The 7D is just easier to use with the far better focus system.

Alright I think I'll stick with the 7D and pick up a new Lens. Which one would you recommend getting in the L Lens department to replace my Sigma 17-50mm, MLeeK?

 

[MLeeK]

Better focus system by FAR. I shoot a lot of low light, a lot of sports, a lot of not using that center focus point.
The 5d2 is great for wedding and portrait work where lighting is not a problem. The center focus point is the only cross type and it works fine in low light, you just have to make sure you are compensating for that in y our composition. It's a great camera. The 7D is just easier to use with the far better focus system.

Alright I think I'll stick with the 7D and pick up a new Lens. Which one would you recommend getting in the L Lens department to replace my Sigma 17-50mm, MLeeK?

24-70 f/2.8L. I am ok with the older version, but the new one is pretty gorgeous!

 

[ColeGauthier]

24-70 f/2.8L. I am ok with the older version, but the new one is pretty gorgeous!

How is the focal length on that though? Is it wide enough on a cropped body?

 

[MLeeK]

24-70 f/2.8L. I am ok with the older version, but the new one is pretty gorgeous!

How is the focal length on that though? Is it wide enough on a cropped body?

Set your 17-50 to 24mm and shoot.
I find it MUCH more comfortable than the 17-50. That 17mm end can get you into distortion trouble that you have to fix every darned time that you forget and shoot that wide.

 

[ColeGauthier]

Set your 17-50 to 24mm and shoot.
I find it MUCH more comfortable than the 17-50. That 17mm end can get you into distortion trouble that you have to fix every darned time that you forget and shoot that wide.

Thanks a lot MLeeK, I will be looking into the new 24-70 II, a little on the steep side but I already own the 70-200 II and it would be a breeze for me to upgrade to a FF later.

 

[Dubaiian]

I have the 24-70 mkII and 70-200 mkII which are mated to my 7D and 5dmkIII. It is a truly awesome combination. I also have the 16-35 but it only comes out for very serious landscape work.

 

[Big Mike]

Good advice from MLeek so far. Although, one thing you might consider is buying that kit (if you can get it a bit cheaper) and then maybe selling the 5DII body and keeping the lens. If you can get $1800-$2000 for the body (not sure the going rate), you end up with a $1000+ lens for much less. Plus it would give you a chance to compare the cameras yourself.

So why do you want to upgrade your Sigma 18-50mm? If you are going to keep your 7D, you will probably be happier with that range than with 24-70mm. I find that 24mm on a crop camera is just awkward (not wide enough). The Canon EF-S 17-55mm is maybe one of the best lenses in that range, with image quality on par with L zoom lenses. But if you do plan to upgrade to FF some time soon...you may want to avoid EF-S lenses etc.

You might consider the 17-40mm F4L or 16-35mm F2.8 L II. These would replace your Sigma as a 'normal range zoom' on the 7D but also be an ultra wide angle when you upgrade to FF.