New Camera Rig / Poll on Your Current Brand of DSLR

bargdebarg on 16/10/2014 - 00:12
Last edited 19/10/2014 - 08:09

EDIT:
Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions - this has been enlightening. It's clear I need to rethink my rig, which I have started to do. When I decide when it will be (might be a month or so), I'll update the thread.

——-Original post:

After years of getting by with my entry level DSLR (Nikon D3100) with kit lenses and much research, I'm currently looking to buy a new camera rig:

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark 3
  • Prime 50mm
  • Tamron 16-300 mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD MACRO - The main lens I'll use while traveling. EDIT 1 thanks Photonaturally for pointing out that's for a crop censor. I'll need the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di VC PZD. EDIT 3 no longer considering the tamron based on multiple lots of feedback that this lens is a insult to a good body! Considering canon L glass instead.

Photography is my hobby and passion. My mentality has been to survive for as long as possible with the Nikon until I could justify to upgrade to my ultimate rig. I have not bought any additional lenses for this reason as I knew I would eventually buy a new body and I'd just be throwing money away.

I've noticed there are a lot of photographers here on the bargs, so I was hoping you may have some thoughts on the following questions:

  1. According to Google, the prices for the 5D range from $2,666 - $3740. Around the $3,500 mark are from local stores. For example, Teds and JB hifi sell it for around $3,500. Are the lower prices always going to be grey imports? For example: "Techrific Australia" have it for $2674 but don't mention if it's a grey import or not, but do say there is a 12 month warranty. My preference is not buying a grey import for the body. Just a little confused at the options here. Also, any tips on getting the best deal on the body?

  2. Would you buy grey imports for lens? I'm not so worried about this and think I may do so.

  3. Tossing up between Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM (about 1,500-2,000) or EF 50mm f/1.4 USM (about 400!). The 1.2 is awesome. But so much more expensive. Thoughts? EDIT 4: the sigma art 50mm was suggested below and is much nicer than either of these lenses. Now considering that.

Finally, take the poll to log your current brand of DSLR!

Cheers

EDIT 2
Just had a look in a few stores and chat to salemen and they all said the tamron isn't the way to go like HAL said. Instead they suggest the Canon 24-105.

As for the feel of the camera, it's awesome. I've always used a SLR since film, so it just felt right to me, even with the beefy sigma 50mm art. Both people recommended the sigma over both canon 50mm. I'll do some more research on the 24-105 and the sigma. Thanks for all your suggestions so far, it's been very helpful.

Poll Options

  • 70
    Nikon
  • 81
    Canon
  • 11
    Olympus
  • 10
    Pentax
  • 22
    Sony
  • 1
    Mamiya
  • 1
    Sigma
  • 1
    Leica
  • 0
    Hasselblad
Electrical & Electronics

Comments

    • bargdebarg on 18/10/2014 - 15:15
      +1

      Yes I missed that one! Cannot edit it now unfortunately.

  • bargdebarg on 18/10/2014 - 16:09

    Wow, "great" deal for an on-camera flash diffuser, save $171! http://www.ebay.com/itm/371160259860. Shipping kills it.

  • netsurfer on 19/10/2014 - 14:47

    Like other people mentioned, Panasonic (GH4) should be an option.

    Honestly, if you are asking people what you should get, then you are not really ready to get a 5D Mark III. You need to know what you want that camera for (low light, shallower depth of field perhaps). Lenses - even more important. You should be getting the lenses you want / need, not other people's recommendation. Good lenses generally retain their values (better than camera bodies).

    What are the key issues you are facing with your current DSLR with standard kit lens?

    It is best you try out the camera body and lenses before you buy. Either go to the shops or ask one of your Canon buddies / friends to let you try out their 5D Mark III gear.

  • Kapinny on 19/10/2014 - 20:22
    +1

    I would only ever buy canon mk3 if you are actually making money off it (gigs, events, photoshoots)

  • aim54x on 20/10/2014 - 11:43

    I will weigh in here, FULL DISCLOSURE I own and use Nikon DSLR (both DX and FX + film - D60/D80IR/D300/D700/S5 pro/F80/FM2) but also use M4/3 (EP3), Nikon 1 (J1), Sony (A65 and A7), Pentax (K-01) and film Hasselblad (503CX) and Leica (M3).

    Having read the original post and subsequent edits I am not sure what to comment on. But I would suggest you consider what you already have (lens wise, esp if you have been using SLR from film, you may have lenses worth keeping), and mirrorless (Sony A7) is pretty damn good and will give you lots of flexibility with lenses that you may already own.

    If you were to go down the 5D3 route I would suggest:
    Zooms
    -EF 17-40mm F4L (or the newer EF 16-35mm F4L IS)
    -EF 24-70mm L (either the 2.8 or the 4) or EF 24-105mm F4L IS
    -EF 70-200mm F4L IS (smaller and lighter than the 2.8 and just as sharp)

    for a 50mm prime
    -Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art (great for taking pictures of brick walls, sharp and corrected)
    -Zeiss 50mm f/2 Makro Planar (Manual focus, but tonnes of character and plenty sharp)
    -EF 50mm f/1.4 (small and light, reasonable cost and good IQ)

    Have you considered a 6D (if it must be Canon). Other suggestions would be the Nikon D750 or a Sony A7 mirrorless.

    Grey Imports - I personally dont, not even for lenses, you will find that "international warranty" is no longer, I know of a few cases of lenses arriving not quite right and then having to send it back overseas for service/repair, getting a dud lens from a local dealer should result in a swap within 14 days of purchase. TechRific will be a grey importer (the price difference is too great).

    • bargdebarg on 22/10/2014 - 17:30

      Hi,

      Thanks for the comment.

      I'm reconsidering now and have gone off the 5d. Looking at lower cost FX bodies so I can buy good glass. Suggestions in thread have been valuable.

      What lenses do you use with you FX Nikon?

      Cheers

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join