Which camera system to upgrade?

[Chuck77]

I started out in digital photography with a Canon 40D DSLR back in 2008. I really enjoyed the camera, and brought for it a battery grip and a 580 EXII flash, along with one expensive lens (70-200 F4L/IS). My goal from the beginning was always to upgrade to full frame eventually, and I did - sort of.


Last year I bought myself a 5D MKII with the 24-105mm lens. While I enjoyed the image quality alot, I couldn't help but realize that the AF precision and speed were dinosaur-like, and completely unfit for a camera like the 5D MKII, which has a great sensor for low light. In many ways, my 40D was a better camera, with the exception of image quality. I was unhappy with shelling out so much money for a compromised camera, so I returned it.


Since then, I bought myself a Sony NEX 5N, which I have been very happy with, and although not the sharpest for image quality, it produced more great photos because of its portablity and greater ease in composing photos. I quite enjoyed composing with the touch-enabled display, which not only showed me how my shots will look, but also lets me tap to focus. This camera was great value for the money. I also bought an adapter for it to adapt my three canon lenses for the occassional use.


Now, I am at crossroads because I am not sure which direction to go with my photography gear. Is it more worthwhile to invest in a full frame DSLR, or to keep building my NEX kit and using relatively inexpensive lenses adapted for it?


To add to the mix, I bought my father a Panasonic GH2 with the 14-140mm lens last year ($1,500), when it was the best Micro 4/3rds that money could buy. Unfortunately, he did not use it much because he preferred his DSLR, and wants me to help him sell it. Currently, it has less than 400 actuations on it and it seems a waste to lose hundreds of dollars selling an essentially brand new camera, so I am contemplating buying it from him instead (~$750).


It would be nice to hear what you guys think about all this, and which route I should take with my gear.

 

[Derrel]

You bought your dad a camera for $1500, and now, this year you are considering buy it BACK from him??? Or am I reading that incorrectly? 'Cause my idea is that if you bought it for him, then he GIVES it back to you...not that you,cough,cough, buy it TWICE!!!!

I DUNNO...yeah, the 5D-II's AF system was always its weakest area... I dunno...NEX looks fun...the NEx cameras are relatively small,yet not all that small, and they CAN take a boatload of adapted lenses....I dunno what to tell a guy like you...maybe the new 600D that Canon has coming out would be fun...and good.

 

[Chuck77]

You bought your dad a camera for $1500, and now, this year you are considering buy it BACK from him??? Or am I reading that incorrectly? 'Cause my idea is that if you bought it for him, then he GIVES it back to you...not that you,cough,cough, buy it TWICE!!!!

I DUNNO...yeah, the 5D-II's AF system was always its weakest area... I dunno...NEX looks fun...the NEx cameras are relatively small,yet not all that small, and they CAN take a boatload of adapted lenses....I dunno what to tell a guy like you...maybe the new 600D that Canon has coming out would be fun...and good.

Yes, that's right, I am buying the camera back from him because he has no joy in using it and wants to sell it. Initially, he wanted a micro 4/3rds system, and I got him the GH2 withthe 14-140mm lens. Yeah, in reality it would be like buying it twice, but the other option is to sell it for ~ $500-$600 for an otherwise brand new camera (400 shutter count), which seems like more of a waste. With me buying it back from him, it's just a way of giving him some money for his new purchases, which he will mostly fund himself, instead of watching my hard earned money go down the drain (almost literally). I just checked Amazon.com today, and it appears that the GH2 is now worth just $500 brand new, WITH a 14-42mm lens, so the reality of someone paying more than $500 for my used GH2 is nonexistent. I'll keep the camera, and may/may not spend more money on getting lenses for the Micro 4/3rds system. I do know that the GH2 is exceptional for video though.

But, back on topic - I would love to buy a full frame, which I can afford if I save up. However, that is not to say that they are not supremely expensive. The reason I returned the 5D MKII was because it didn't fit my image of a $3,000 dollar camera. When the 5D II kit was $3,000, it was like buying a sports car that does not perform like a sports car. Now, with the 5D II kit at $2,500, I can justify the cost much more easily. However, at the end of the day it is not the best value for the money in 2012, and would only be a stepping-stone full frame camera.

To be honest, I would be very happy with either the 5D III or the Nikon D800. The dilemma though, is if it's worthwhile to spend that money on a DSLR system, or invest more into the compact system camera systems (NEX, M4/3, etc.)

 

[Infinite_Day]

Ultimately, it depends on what you're using it for and which you would use more. If you tend to want a compact camera that you can take most anywhere and that's what you use most then you're wasting your money by dropping thousands into a full frame system. You're talking about two entirely different directions between full frame and 4/3rds. You could maybe consider a Nikon D600 if you want to go FF. Seems like you're more inclined to the 4/3rds direction from the way you're talking though.

 

[The_Traveler]

Do you actually take pictures or just buy cameras?

 

[Derrel]

Yes, the GH2's price on the used market has crashed, hard....a couple months back I saw a decent-looking GH2 +14-42mm lens for $450, and thought about buying it myself...I'm kind of surprised at the way the prices have crashed so,so hard on these smaller mirrorless cameras, but it's not just the GH2 that has suffered...so have the others in that segment. I dunno...it's so,so difficult to determine what is a good camera for somebody else, unless you know a lot about them, their shooting needs, their background and skill level, their priorities as far as size/weight, and so on. Have you stopped by Thom Hogan's relatively new sansmirror.com web site? Might be a good place to spend a couple of days.

 

[greybeard37 9]

give the Nikon D600 w/24-85 f/3.5-5.6 a look.

 

[Chuck77]

give the Nikon D600 w/24-85 f/3.5-5.6 a look.

The D600 definitely has my attention. I believe it`s a great deal for a full frame camera. On the other hand, the prices for the D800 have been quite good lately too - $2,600 (body only) was the best price I have seen the D800 going for.

Regarding my needs and my skill level - I am not new to photography, but I also don`t consider myself a pro. I do enjoy taking photos alot and friends have complimented me on my photos (but I suppose it`s all relative, of course). I also consider myself a gadget enthusiast. However, cameras are expensive items, and I would rather buy a great camera and keep it for a decent amount of time, with room to grow, rather than buy a `just adequate`one.

My understanding is this: based on pure physics alone, larger sensor cameras should always output better quality photos (given comparable lenses). I do recognize that mirrorless cameras are great choices too, since they are much easier on the wallet, and very compact. I recognize that my $500 (with lens) NEX-5N has better image quality, ISO, and dynamic range than my 40D now, but that`s just the nature of electronics. Perhaps the real solution is to have both mirrorless and DSLRs, and use them appropriately for the given circumstances?

 

[fractionofasecond]

You should have stuck with the NEX, it is the smallest camera for the effect you are after, only step up after that is a dslr.

 

[Chuck77]

I still have the NEX, it takes great pictures and is my primary camera these days because my DSLR doesn`t excel in anything anymore.

With the NEX, I always wished the native lens selection was greater, because I am using an EOS adapter with it to put my Canon lenses to good use.

 

[fractionofasecond]

I still have the NEX, it takes great pictures and is my primary camera these days because my DSLR doesn`t excel in anything anymore.

With the NEX, I always wished the native lens selection was greater, because I am using an EOS adapter with it to put my Canon lenses to good use.

They make an adapter for sony A mount lenses LA-EA1 | Alpha NEX Camera Mount Adapter | Sony | Sony Store USA

Then, you can use any A mount lens normally used on the DSLR's on your NEX.

 

[Mike_E]

Contax 645.

A left turn that would take you around the world.

 

[Chuck77]

Locally, we have limited quantities of the D600 with 24-85 kit lens going for $2,250 brand new, and the D800 body (slightly used) for $2,500. I think these are excellent prices for these two cameras!

 

[greybeard37 9]

You read as though you have a descent grasp of what the equipment will do and what your needs are. Now all you need to do is pull the trigger.

 

[Chuck77]

You read as though you have a descent grasp of what the equipment will do and what your needs are. Now all you need to do is pull the trigger.

Finally sold my GH2 for a very good price. Bought the D600 + 24-85 and loving it! My only other choice would have been a full-frame mirrorless, but those won't be available for a while. In my opinnion, the D600 is great because it has excellent AF, ISO, dynamic range, a fast burst rate, and (mild) weatherproofing.

Interestingly, DXOmark lists the D600 as having their third best DSLR sensor, next only to D800 and D800E, but by a very very slim margin: DxOMark - Camera Sensor Ratings

However, I think my D600 might have some dust on the sensor, like many has posted about.