When I shot Canon I found myself shooting with my 5Dc more than my 5D2. I liked the images a LOT better!!
When new cameras come out, the older ones dont stop working. If the camera does what you need it to do and you dont need the features of the newer camera, keep using what works!
Beauchamp wrote:
For us there was a bit of a "just go for it" approach to buying gear while starting our business. I don't regret this, as it was necessary to ensure we had what we needed, as well as back up solutions for all of our important gear.
Now that this phase is over, and we basically have everything we need, we are definitely in a "business case or forget it" frame of mind.
I would agree with this.... we were gung-ho early on. but we've recently gotten to the point of having everything we want... and technologically speaking, they more than handle the job, so purchases are becoming more and more of "will this help us do our job better and book more." and frequently the answer is "no".
I shot a 5DmkII/5Dc and my wife shoots a 5DmkII.... when the 5DmkIII comes out will probably buy 2 of them. and each take 1, and the 5Dc will get sold. We're not interested in the mkIII because the mkII isn't doing the job... it is. I think we'd both prefer an option that had a few more useable AF points, for sitautions were focus/recompose just can't get the job done. IQ wise the 5DmkII and even the 5Dc are more than capable.
I shoot with a 5dc because the files are awesome, just the right size and it is all I really need. It is simple and lets me focus on photography and not other things that couple get in the way of my work and vision.
I also just purchased a 60 year old secret weapon that is about as simple and ingenous a technology as they come in terms of cameras. It is now BY FAR my favorite camera.
Photo197726 wrote:
I made the jump from Canon where I was shooting a 5dc and a 1DIIn - Even with the 8MP 1DIIn the file sizes were plenty big enough 99.9% of the time, and the quality was top notch.
However, I shoot live action as well and wanted full frame w/high frame rate with a strong focus system. I sold them and picked up a D700/D3 combo. I plan on shooting these until the shutters blow up, and then I'll replace them and keep shooting with them. I see no need to update anytime soon. I honestly hope to not have to replace a camera in at least 5-7 years. I used to get 10 out of my film bodies.......Show more →
In my film days the yearly cost of film and developing was much higher than a canon 1ds mk3 costs today. So compared to then buying new gear today quite constantly is cheap, nonetheless.
The only problem I have with an older camera is if it is used a lot and starts to have problems. One week it is a flash issue then it is a error for no reason. Trying to track down the problem can mean $250.00 repair today and then a $300.00 shutter next month. I need a camera that works and I don't like having that thought in my head about will that flash issue come up or some error when the only shot I must have is about to happen. Sometime even with a backup on and ready to go just the seconds it takes to get it up to your eye is too long. I rather sell the camera when it has a good value and spend a little more for the newer body. Call it peace of mind. Sure it could have a issue but the odds are against it for quite awhile.
As a added bonus the high ISO is sure a nice option to have. I like knowing I have clean 2500 ISO and more if I need it. Just make shooting easier in almost any enviroment.
I still use a pair of Nikon D300 bodies. No problem. I like to be aware of the new Nikon lenses as they come out. Sometimes I will try them out to see if I get much improvement or if it is mostly new lens hype.
Still shooting with a pair of 5Dc's for weddings. What I would like featurewise from more modern cameras is the battery life and decent screen for wedding work. For my architectural work (side line I've gotten into) I'd kill for sensor clean as I'm shooting at f16-22 and the 5Dc is a dust beast, I spent 2 hours this morning spotting 30 pictures, I'd also really love LV. If I really get into it more I'll probably buy a 1Ds3 for that as I hate the 5DII with a passion.
Of course if they make a D700 with about 16-18 megapixels, I work out how the heck to get good colours out of Nikon and I win the lottery then Canon won't be able to see me for dust....
Beni wrote:
Of course if they make a D700 with about 16-18 megapixels, I work out how the heck to get good colours out of Nikon and I win the lottery then Canon won't be able to see me for dust....
"Today I received some information confirming Thom Hogan’s latest post (probably from the same source?): Nikon will announce D700 and D3s successors on August 24th, 2011. The D700 replacement will be available in Fall 2011 and the D3s replacement will be available at the beginning of 2012. Both will be produced in Malaysia. The D700 successor will have 24 MP, the D3s successor will have 18MP. Both cameras will have new AF-system and many new “astonishing” feature."
after 6 years my 20D finally died...well, I fixed and use it in our smalls studio again! No problem in the set up (ISO 100)
I see that digital photography buzz is actually slowing down (gear, soft, etc.).
Wonder though what will happen when my 5d2 will get old?
Who's got oldest 5dc or 5d2? Mine is not even 2 y.o.
jefferies1 wrote:
The only problem I have with an older camera is if it is used a lot and starts to have problems. One week it is a flash issue then it is a error for no reason. Trying to track down the problem can mean $250.00 repair today and then a $300.00 shutter next month. I need a camera that works and I don't like having that thought in my head about will that flash issue come up or some error when the only shot I must have is about to happen. Sometime even with a backup on and ready to go just the seconds it takes to get it up to your eye is too long. I rather sell the camera when it has a good value and spend a little more for the newer body. Call it peace of mind. Sure it could have a issue but the odds are against it for quite awhile.
As a added bonus the high ISO is sure a nice option to have. I like knowing I have clean 2500 ISO and more if I need it. Just make shooting easier in almost any enviroment....Show more →
I use this same train of thought when deciding to buy a new car, with photography, it would be the same thing. To me, being in the wedding business also requires me to have a reliable car as well as reliable gear. I think what you said here is 100% valid, and I think we who shoot weddings will all agree that we need reliable gear. I don't think that was the question or topic at hand.
I shot with a 5D Mark II and a 1D Mark II and I almost never used the photographs from the 1D. It took so much work to get them in the ballpark of my 5D.
That said, I'm happy to use a 5Dc as my second body. It's not the age so much as just what the camera was made for and what kind of images you can get out of it.
sherijohnson wrote:
I use this same train of thought when deciding to buy a new car, with photography, it would be the same thing. To me, being in the wedding business also requires me to have a reliable car as well as reliable gear. I think what you said here is 100% valid, and I think we who shoot weddings will all agree that we need reliable gear. I don't think that was the question or topic at hand.
I don't see how this has to do with old gear vs newer tech. You can have a well used 1D(s) IV that does the same things. You can have a 5D that was rarely used that works like new.
When I shot Canon I had a 5Dc and a 5DII, I think the most important upgrade of the 5DII is AF micro adjust. An extra stop of ISO and a better LCD were nice, but not essential. Resolution didn't really matter.
Now that I shoot Nikon I am perfectly happy with a D3 and D700, the high ISO and video of the D3s doesn't really tempt me. A D4 and/or D800 will only be more attractive if they spread out the cross type AF points or add some totally new features like radio flash transmission. Oh, or higher sync speeds, I would definitely upgrade if I could get full sync at 1/500.
GraemePitman wrote:
However, you couldn't pay me enough to shoot a wedding with a Canon 1D, D30, or a 300D... so I guess it depends how old the (digital) gear is.
I do weddings using a 1D. I use it in Studio, too. I've enlarged up to 20x30, on Canvas. I've also used (just recently) my Pentax K1000, which I bought in 1983, I believe. ... and I've enlarged the images from there up to 16x20.
sherijohnson wrote:
I use this same train of thought when deciding to buy a new car, with photography, it would be the same thing. To me, being in the wedding business also requires me to have a reliable car as well as reliable gear. I think what you said here is 100% valid, and I think we who shoot weddings will all agree that we need reliable gear. I don't think that was the question or topic at hand.
I have 2 1D cameras (purchased them at $350 each), and I've even bought a 20D for $125, and a T2i for $400. I use two, and keep two in the car, just in case. How much more reliable can you get? ... and now that there's the mini Vagabond to connect the 1D cameras to, I've started to use them even more. I've only had one camera break down on me during an event (the shutter to the 20D I was using). I continued with one camera and got the another in the car out as soon as possible. That's reliable enough for me, having at least 4 ready cameras (and they're used, too. I don't buy anything new anymore). I even use my 3mp Canon D30 in the studio. Photos come out awesome.
While i don't feel it compulsory to upgrade just because something is new and shiny i do feel it is my duty to my clients that i am producing the best work i can do and use the best tools i can afford. It doesn't mean i buy 2 of each new camera that comes out but it does mean i keep an eye on all new cameras/lenses and evaluate them on an individual basis to see if they can offer anything to the way i work.
I like my 5D2 and it produces stunning files that i am happy with. However if a 5D3 comes out that can shoot a stop or two better at higher ISO's or has a slightly faster/flexible AF system then i will upgrade. Not because my 5D2 is out of date, or doesn't do the job but because i want to be using the best tools i can so that i think less about the camera/quality on the day and focus on getting the best from my subjects.
To all who are shooting with 1D's, 20D's, 1DsII's they are great cameras and will deliver great results that are proven by viewing the images that get posted here.
I personally like to have a recent generation of camera as that is my preference. Like most things in life, it's each to their own.
