To go full frame or not...

KCmike

Never have fallen asleep on any
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
I'm in the market for a full frame camera I think. My dream camera would be the 5Dmiii but I am having second and third thoughts about it. I've studied till I'm blue in the face the 5Dmii, 5Dmiii, and the 6D plus also have looked at the 80d.

I have graduated from the Canon Xti to the Canon 60d. It is starting to show much wear and sometimes doesn't turn on for several seconds.

Any suggestions out there?

Mike
 
Here's the thread I started as I contemplated the same question:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/could-i-be-happy-with-a-switch-to-ff.3335204/

What lenses do you have? Although I have to say I was pretty heavy in EF-S lenses and I didn't let that stop me.

I also have to add that I am very happy that I kept my T2i and a couple of my favorite lenses for that. Every now and then I just want the extra reach a crop sensor can offer.
 
Here's the thread I started as I contemplated the same question:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/could-i-be-happy-with-a-switch-to-ff.3335204/

What lenses do you have? Although I have to say I was pretty heavy in EF-S lenses and I didn't let that stop me.

I also have to add that I am very happy that I kept my T2i and a couple of my favorite lenses for that. Every now and then I just want the extra reach a crop sensor can offer.

50mm 1.8
24-105L f/4
55-250is
10-18mm
70-200L f/4

I'm really not happy with my 70-200 and am selling it in hopes of getting the 100-400 someday. I would lose the 10-18 ultra wide and maybe would have to replace it with the 16-35 2.8? I love to shoot wide. I'm off to read your article.
 
50mm 1.8
24-105L f/4
55-250is
10-18mm
70-200L f/4

I'm really not happy with my 70-200 and am selling it in hopes of getting the 100-400 someday. I would lose the 10-18 ultra wide and maybe would have to replace it with the 16-35 2.8? I love to shoot wide. I'm off to read your article.

Is it the Canon 70-200 f/4 that you have? What have you not been happy with in it? I have really loved mine. If it's just the length, then yeah, that's one area I'd like to improve on. I just don't want to carry anything heavier.

I really don't have a great U/W lens yet for FF. I kept my Tokina 11-15 f/2.8 (Love it too much to give up) and use it as a prime at 15mm (it vignettes at the wider lengths on FF).

You're in good shape with the 24-105 already though. F/4 on a full frame is great. Just not the shallow depth of field I would prefer in some cases.
 


OP, no splurging for the 5D Mark IV? LOL.

Look at what you're trying to do with your photos, make the list of things and dive deeper into what FF vs Crop will do for you, in regards to your list.
 
I will also add that I loved having the T2i and 6D with me on vacation last summer. I didn't particularly enjoy handling 2 cameras, but on a driving trip it's quite easy to keep one a wider lens on the FF and a longer lens on the crop sensor and just grab whichever I needed out of the car. Loved having that driving through Rocky Mountain National Park. I did carry both into Monument Valley and was so happy not to be changing lenses out in all that dust.
 
I love full frame and would have trouble going back. Sometime I use a smaller aps-c kit for convenience but it never makes me as happy.

Still, for most people, I recommend caution before going full frame.
Beyond camera body, it's a much bigger investment in lenses, though you seem pretty set in lenses for now.
And for ultrawide, there are many options cheaper than the 16-35/2.8. There is the Tamron 15-30. Though if you really want to save weight and money, go Rokinon 14/2.8. Manual focus is pretty easy in ultra wide.

If reach is a priority, stick to aps-c.
If low light, dynamic range and background separation are priorities, you may be a good candidate for full frame. Though you might want to splurge and go 5div, instead of a 4-5 year old camera.
 


I used to shoot with a Canon 7D, which was a fantastic bit of kit but I had a little FF itch that needed sorting, similarly to yourself. I took the plunge on a 5Dmkiii about 2 years ago. It was head and shoulders above my 7D in every way you'd expect a full frame to perform over a crop sensor...but...

I loved the 5Dmkiii but wanted a more tactile shooting experience, with a camera that I enjoyed physically using to take photographs. In this respect, I found the majority of Canikons to be a little souless. I guess ultimately a Leica would have been the end goal but...money. I bought a Fujifilm X-T1 to shoot alongside my 5Dmkiii and loved it, but it was too slow on autofocus and wasn't quite "there". Then I made the upgrade to an X-Pro 2 a little over a year ago and loved it. I currently shoot 3 X-Pro 2s for work, and have an X100F for fun.

Ultimately, I suppose I'm maybe saying it depends on what you want from both your pictures and your shooting experience. If finances weren't a consideration then picture quality and low light performance hands down would be in favour of a 5D mark iii or as others have suggest, perhaps the mark iv would be a wiser investment. Build quality on these cameras is fantastic and again kicks the **** out of my Fujifilm cameras. It looks like you've got some good glass so perhaps switching systems isn't something you'd consider. As a camera I'd take literally anywhere with me however, and for the tactile shooting experience I can't fault my X100F, which is by comparison very small, but you're very limited for focal length options (it's a fixed lens camera) - I would however encourage the idea that sometimes fewer options can be somewhat liberating. Not suggesting necessarily that camera specifically, but if you're thinking of making changes then perhaps consider other options too. I know that I'm waffling away from your question a little, but something to think about.

If I flat-out had to choose from the options you've been considering I'd get the 5D mark iii.
If I had to recommend something loosely based on what you're considering and budget wasn't a factor, I'd be another for the 5D mark iv.

My final thoughts on your predicament would be to rent the camera body you're seriously considering.

Would love to know the end result of your decisions! :)
 
OP, no splurging for the 5D Mark IV? LOL.

Look at what you're trying to do with your photos, make the list of things and dive deeper into what FF vs Crop will do for you, in regards to your list.


^^ I agree, if you're shooting in low light every week a full frame would certainly help. If you like better "bokeh" in portraits a full frame would help with that (along with more expensive lenses)
I'v chosen to go smaller with a crop mirrorless but if Canon introduced a nice pocket size full frame at a reasonable cost I would consider it
www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless
 
A couple of suggestions for the mIV. But I'm just going to go out on a limb and guess that if the OP had the spare grand to spend on a camera, then the mii and miii never would have been under consideration in the first place.
 
What do you primarily shoot? Sports, action, birds? Portraits, landscapes, stills, low light? Or a little bit of everything? In a world where money was no object I'd have my D750 with the D500 on the side for those times when I need speed and reach. (okay, if money were no object I'd own the D5 and hire a guy to carry it for me. :teeth:) I shoot mostly inside, portraits, low light, details shots and very little action so full frame is the right fit for me. My advice would be to analyze your shooting style and decide what you need more. Today's crops are no slouch in the sensor department and while there's nothing quite like using a full frame if chasing birds is your thing you might find yourself frustrated losing the speed and reach a good crop will give.
 
What do you primarily shoot? Sports, action, birds? Portraits, landscapes, stills, low light? Or a little bit of everything? In a world where money was no object I'd have my D750 with the D500 on the side for those times when I need speed and reach. (okay, if money were no object I'd own the D5 and hire a guy to carry it for me. :teeth:) I shoot mostly inside, portraits, low light, details shots and very little action so full frame is the right fit for me. My advice would be to analyze your shooting style and decide what you need more. Today's crops are no slouch in the sensor department and while there's nothing quite like using a full frame if chasing birds is your thing you might find yourself frustrated losing the speed and reach a good crop will give.

This is sound advice, and realistically I would say this is the only way you'll know for sure what's worth doing in terms of an upgrade.

I'd still recommend renting before you buy as a worthwhile consideration...after just a quick google I could rent the 5D Mark iii for 24 hours for about £100 - while I'm sure some may see this as a waste of money, it could potentially save you quite a bit of money in the long run if you decide the camera's not for you.
 
Just out of curiosity Mike, I checked the prices on Rentglass.com.

You can rent the mii for $94 for one week. miii is $129 for the week. 6D is $79 for a week. Or you could go crazy and rent the mIV for $169 for a week. ;)

Slightly less per week if you go for 2 weeks.
 
I shoot mostly landscapes, low light situations, travel photography, and sometimes family/friends. I would like to possibly shoot portraits in the future. I have been shooting for local businesses and calendar companies. In my natural progression of camera bodies I feel like the full frame is my next step but as I try to figure out what is best for what I shoot and my budget I keep struggling with my decision. I have even thought about the 80d crop as it has some rich specs.
Case in point is that I had the money to drop on the 5dmiii but chose to spend on a family vacation. I love to travel. Love it. After another assignment I have a little bit of extra money headed my way plus Father's Day is upcoming. Janet was kind enough to warn me that the 6dmii rumor. After some research I found that it probably will be announced in July with an August sell date. I know technology keeps moving forward but I'm just trying to figure out a good next move that will keep me happy for years to come. Is Full frame worth the jump is what I keep asking myself. The 6d is in my comfortable spot financially but I worry about the focus points. The 5dmiii will be pushing things but from what I've read it is my dream camera. I think my conscious is telling me to wait to see what the 6dmii brings but I really don't want to go over the 2k mark. I really appreciate everyone helping me figure this out. The Disboards has always been a great help to me.
We have a family vacation coming up in June to DL, San Diego, and Grand Canyon and would love to make the leap but I feel as if maybe I should wait.
 
Just out of curiosity Mike, I checked the prices on Rentglass.com.

You can rent the mii for $94 for one week. miii is $129 for the week. 6D is $79 for a week. Or you could go crazy and rent the mIV for $169 for a week. ;)

Slightly less per week if you go for 2 weeks.

It's crazy Janet because I have rented lenses from there twice before and as easy as I sometimes throw money away :( I really don't want to waste any dollars when I think I'm so close to a new camera. Sounds crazy right? That miii and the 6d does sound like fun though to have to shoot with. We are having a garage sale next weekend and I'm going to sell off some really old stuff (xti, camera bags, old tripods, kit lens) so maybe I could use that to have a little rental fun money??
 
I know where you're coming from. Sometimes it does feel like throwing money away. But at least being local we don't have to pay extra for shipping.

I like your plan of looking at garage sale money as "found money" and maybe renting something for the trip. It would serve the purpose of letting you do more research hands on, plus it might tide you over until that 6Dmii comes out. You could end up loving what you see in that new mii or maybe you'll find a spectacular deal on the older 6D.
 
I shoot mostly landscapes, low light situations, travel photography, and sometimes family/friends. I would like to possibly shoot portraits in the future. I have been shooting for local businesses and calendar companies. In my natural progression of camera bodies I feel like the full frame is my next step but as I try to figure out what is best for what I shoot and my budget I keep struggling with my decision. I have even thought about the 80d crop as it has some rich specs.
Case in point is that I had the money to drop on the 5dmiii but chose to spend on a family vacation. I love to travel. Love it. After another assignment I have a little bit of extra money headed my way plus Father's Day is upcoming. Janet was kind enough to warn me that the 6dmii rumor. After some research I found that it probably will be announced in July with an August sell date. I know technology keeps moving forward but I'm just trying to figure out a good next move that will keep me happy for years to come. Is Full frame worth the jump is what I keep asking myself. The 6d is in my comfortable spot financially but I worry about the focus points. The 5dmiii will be pushing things but from what I've read it is my dream camera. I think my conscious is telling me to wait to see what the 6dmii brings but I really don't want to go over the 2k mark. I really appreciate everyone helping me figure this out. The Disboards has always been a great help to me.
We have a family vacation coming up in June to DL, San Diego, and Grand Canyon and would love to make the leap but I feel as if maybe I should wait.
Full frame does sound like a natural progression for you but that you're not 100% convinced gives me pause. Usually people who are eager to make the jump do it come hell or high water, kwim? Is it that you think you *should* go full frame or do you *want* to go full frame? Or do you, like myself at times, think you shouldn't be spending that kind of money solely on yourself? I can attest to that feeling but I can also attest to the fact that it's perfectly okay to do. Even with technology rapidly moving forward any of the current full frame line up would serve you well for a long time to come.
 
Full frame does sound like a natural progression for you but that you're not 100% convinced gives me pause. Usually people who are eager to make the jump do it come hell or high water, kwim? Is it that you think you *should* go full frame or do you *want* to go full frame? Or do you, like myself at times, think you shouldn't be spending that kind of money solely on yourself? I can attest to that feeling but I can also attest to the fact that it's perfectly okay to do. Even with technology rapidly moving forward any of the current full frame line up would serve you well for a long time to come.
It's absolutely the feeling on me spending that much on a camera for myself.
I don't mind spending the money on vacations when it's for the family or my wife and I but have a hard time justifying a big price tag on myself.
I truly want to better myself and my images. Thus the case in point is that will full frame do that for me?
 
It's absolutely the feeling on me spending that much on a camera for myself.
I don't mind spending the money on vacations when it's for the family or my wife and I but have a hard time justifying a big price tag on myself.
I truly want to better myself and my images. Thus the case in point is that will full frame do that for me?
Well it will give you more leeway for sure. Will it make you and your images better would be up for debate. They'll be better from a technical standpoint. But I have to tell you I got really bogged down by the "best gear" and technical perfection. Picked myself up a Fuji and a 35 f/2 and decided to do a project in jpg only. My D750 is a far superior camera but I've taken some of the best images in my life with that little Fuji. It's almost never the camera that makes the image. That said, give yourself the permission to spend the money on yourself. I'm willing to bet you'd want your wife to do the same.
 
It's absolutely the feeling on me spending that much on a camera for myself.
I don't mind spending the money on vacations when it's for the family or my wife and I but have a hard time justifying a big price tag on myself.
I truly want to better myself and my images. Thus the case in point is that will full frame do that for me?

if you're "feeling" it then perhaps rent a full frame model and a good lens and see if it will make your photos that much 'better".
www.flickr.com/photos/mmirrorless
 

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