to go full frame or not

[Steve Agnew]

I am interested in landscape, architecture and low light photography, could this be achieved with a Canon 60D or would I be better seved going full frame eg. 5D mark 2. I have been following the magazine for 12 months ( absolutely love it ) and have just had the passion re-ignited. I don't want to lose the use of the AF-S lenses to full frame

[rbarry]

Hi Steve, and welcome.

With decent glass and a well designed 18mp imaging sensor the 60d will make for a great camera.

However, do you know that your collection of lenses are all efs lenses and only suitable for aps-c image sensors? You may have some lenses that are compatible with a full frame camera body, we don't know what you already have. Let us know and then members may be able to help further your decision.

All the best,
Rick.

[Cathus]

I have a 5D MkII and a 1D MkIV. I use the 1D for sport and the 5D for everything else, which kind of says it all really.

[Steve Agnew]

I would like to move from present kit of Olympus 4/3 into either 60D + 8-16 +17-55 +70-200 or venture ff with 5D mark 2, 12-24 + 24-70 +70-200, is it worth waiting for a 5D mark 3 I would be happy with kit 1 now and add the 2nd ff body later but then the af-s lenses can't make the switch and its more glass as well...thank you for the commente..

[rbarry]

Originally Posted by Steve Agnew

I would like to move from present kit of Olympus 4/3 into either 60D + 8-16 +17-55 +70-200 or venture ff with 5D mark 2, 12-24 + 24-70 +70-200, is it worth waiting for a 5D mark 3 I would be happy with kit 1 now and add the 2nd ff body later but then the af-s lenses can't make the switch and its more glass as well...thank you for the commente..

Then buy the lenses you listed in kit 2 and the body you listed in kit 1. There is no problem using ef lenses with both bodies, but you can't use ef-s lenses with full frame bodies. Problem solved!

[Cathus]

If I was going for a 5D MkII at this time I'd probably wait for the Mk III which surely will be released in the next 6 months or so judging by Canon's usual release cycle. You'll get an uprated camera but will pay a premium in the first 4-6 months of release.

I haven't checked out the Canon Rumours website for a while nor the rumour section of Northlight Images (links are on my laptop, not this current PC so can't post them), but you can get the latest rumours on release dates for the MkIII

[rbarry]

Cathus has given you some good leads. But as he said, you will be paying a heavy premium to be one of the first to invest in the Canon 5D Mk111, or it may possibly be named the Canon 6D. The 5D mark11 is still a great full frame camera. It's possible it's replacement will have a slighlty smaller imaging sensor but with a greater fps rating. It's video capabilities may also possibly be enhanced offering 60fps at full HD, but is that likely to be a deal breaker for you if video is not your no. 1 priority? The fact that many leading videographers have adopted the 5d mk11 should assure that this camera body is essentialy a high spec still frame imaging device but with the added bonus of excellent video capability.

So if budget is a problem, get the 60D but with the full frame compatible lenses. If budget isn't an issue, get the 5d mk11 with the full frame lenses you itemised, and if 6 months down the line you want it's successor, then sell the 5d mk11 and get the new camera body. Chances are you'll be so involved with the 5d mk11 you won't have the time to look at anything else!

[Steve Agnew]

Thanks guys for the good advice, much appreciated, maybe I'll get some sleep to-nite... yep! done deal.