Full frame on a budget?

[maddiebee]

Currently have a canon 30d. It works fine, but I also have a great 50mm 1.4 that I love but rarely use because of the crop. I'd love to upgrade to a full frame so I could feel like I didn't have to take 6 steps back for every shot! I currently also just have a really old kit lens that I really don't like.

I'm wondering what kind if difference there is between the 5d, the mark ii and iii. I've found some 5ds in my price range but am wondering just how outdated they are at this point? Would it even be worth it?
I really like to be able to shoot more off the hip, landscapes, Candids of people I'm with.

TIA!

 

[nbaresejr]

What about the 6D? It's less then the 5D iii and better then the 5Dii. I have seen them recently for a little under 2k with the kit lens

 

[havoc315]

The original 5d is quite dated now. Typically, full frame almost always has better image quality than aps-c, but in this case.... The sensor technology is so old, I don't think the 5d even really matches new aps-c. I believe it also lacks modern conveniences such as live view and video.

You might be better off trading your 50/1.4 for a 30/1.4, if the focal range is the only reason you're looking to change.

A refurbished Canon 6d may be the best value full frame from any camera maker. Another "budget" full frame is the Sony a7, which can use your Canon lenses with an adapter.

 

[WDWFigment]

"Full frame" and "on a budget" are two things that really don't mix. I assume the 50mm isn't the only lens you'll ever want to use, and you're going to pay a lot more for other full frame lenses down the road.

Selling the 50mm and buying a new crop sensor setup seems like the better option to me.

 

[maddiebee]

Thanks for all the responses! I guess I'm kind of in a place where I'm not totally sure what I need because everything I have is so dated! I mostly just want to get away from the terrible kit lens I have. It's been so long since I've looked at and bought any kind of photo equipment so I kind of don't know where to even start.

Can I ask where you guys think it's most important to focus my money? I was always told the lens matters more than the body, but technology has advanced so much since I bought a camera body. I basically don't even know where to begin at this point.

Do you guys recommend using equipment rental sites at all to try before buying? I'd like to see how the 30mm 1.4 does with my 30d.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have occasionally rented a lens, but I just personally hate to see that money gone when I send it back.

I'm not sure how old the 30D is, so maybe that's an indication that you would do well to upgrade both your body and your glass. Just make a plan and don't try to do it all at once.

I know last year there were some deals on refurbished 6Ds that made me take pause and consider ditching my crop body. I'd keep on eye on this forum, as someone is usually kind enough to announce when Canon runs the deals. I'm sorry you just missed a deal I saw announced here in the last few days where they were taking 20% off of their refurbished items in their Canon Store. That is the time I'd look for a new body or lens.

You probably need to do your research and commit to staying crop or moving to FF. If you want to stay crop, maybe consider one of the newer crop models. I have the T2i and it was a enough of a step up in terms of high ISO performance over my previous model Xsi to justify the price.

If you're going to stay crop, maybe consider the pricey, but pretty awesome Canon 17-55 f/2.8. I saw those on the refurb sale for $500 to $600 I think. I bought mine 4 years ago, and I love it so much it's probably holding me back from considering FF. Because I had that lens, when I wanted to upgrade my body, I was able to save by purchasing the body only.

If you want to eventually go FF, then consider looking for a better lens that will work on a FF body when you get there later.

Instead of renting, I like buying used on Ebay, so I can recoup my investment by selling it again if needed. I bought the Canon 10-22 lens on Ebay used then actually sold it for a few dollars more when I decided to go with the Tokina 11-16 instead.

Best of luck. Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[SkaGoat]

I think you should consider the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8. It's a great lens, and much cheaper than the Canon version.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Currently have a canon 30d. It works fine, but I also have a great 50mm 1.4 that I love but rarely use because of the crop. I'd love to upgrade to a full frame so I could feel like I didn't have to take 6 steps back for every shot! I currently also just have a really old kit lens that I really don't like.

I'm wondering what kind if difference there is between the 5d, the mark ii and iii. I've found some 5ds in my price range but am wondering just how outdated they are at this point? Would it even be worth it?
I really like to be able to shoot more off the hip, landscapes, Candids of people I'm with.

TIA!

Please share with us what you think you will be able to accomplish FF v. Crop. FF certainly has its place and I long for one too and am getting very close to biting the bullet and buying a 6D... BUT... I have already transitioned most of my glass to non-crop and readied myself prior to buying a 6D.

I have WAY more invested in good glass than I will EVER invest in a camera. Same was true when I was all crop and crop glass also.

FF does not the great photograph or photographer make.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

"Full frame" and "on a budget" are two things that really don't mix. I assume the 50mm isn't the only lens you'll ever want to use, and you're going to pay a lot more for other full frame lenses down the road.

Selling the 50mm and buying a new crop sensor setup seems like the better option to me.

Bingo.

 

[maddiebee]

To be honest, I'm not totally sure what I would capture FF vs Crop. I think that was an uneducated assumption I made since I had the lens for it. Now that I've done my homework, getting a 30mm 1.4 seems to be the most obvious answer for me now.
I really appreciate all the help! I'll make sure to post some pics when I buy the lens!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Currently have a canon 30d. It works fine, but I also have a great 50mm 1.4 that I love but rarely use because of the crop. I'd love to upgrade to a full frame so I could feel like I didn't have to take 6 steps back for every shot! I currently also just have a really old kit lens that I really don't like.

I'm wondering what kind if difference there is between the 5d, the mark ii and iii. I've found some 5ds in my price range but am wondering just how outdated they are at this point? Would it even be worth it?
I really like to be able to shoot more off the hip, landscapes, Candids of people I'm with.

TIA!

To be honest, I'm not totally sure what I would capture FF vs Crop. I think that was an uneducated assumption I made since I had the lens for it. Now that I've done my homework, getting a 30mm 1.4 seems to be the most obvious answer for me now.
I really appreciate all the help! I'll make sure to post some pics when I buy the lens!

Let me get this right, you are going to WDW and you don't like your old kit lens which I'm assuming is a mid-range zoom. Your 50 is too long. So you want to purchase a 30mm 1.4 for your primary vacation lens. While I own the Sigma 30 f1.4, for my style, it is a specialty lens I primarily use on dark rides. The older version of this lens had a front/rear focus issue. I had mine re-calibrated and still had to dial in some compensation from my camera to get it right. I don't know if your older camera has that capability. The newer version hasn't been out very long so I'm not sure it that is still an issue. What I would recommend, if you like that 30mm focal range, you look at the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8. This gives you the 30mm you are looking for with the option to zoom to 35 if you want to be tighter and to 18mm if you want to go wider. It also has the 1.8 for lowlight situations. Because of the crowds at WDW, I have found prime lenses to be more limiting. Many times you can't back up or move forward. The zoom lens does that for you. Because your usable ISO does not go as high as the newer bodies, this lens may be close to perfect for your situation, IMHO.

 

[havoc315]

Thanks for all the responses! I guess I'm kind of in a place where I'm not totally sure what I need because everything I have is so dated! I mostly just want to get away from the terrible kit lens I have. It's been so long since I've looked at and bought any kind of photo equipment so I kind of don't know where to even start.

Can I ask where you guys think it's most important to focus my money? I was always told the lens matters more than the body, but technology has advanced so much since I bought a camera body. I basically don't even know where to begin at this point.

Do you guys recommend using equipment rental sites at all to try before buying? I'd like to see how the 30mm 1.4 does with my 30d.

Renting is worthwhile to try out ultra expensive items. For mid priced items, I feel like renting is paying twice.

Most people, in most situations, would get the biggest image quality return by focusing on lenses and other items, including tripods and flashes.

The main exceptions:
Moving to full frame can be a huge step up.
Or if your camera is an early generation dSLR, (like pre-2008), then stepping up to a new model can provide a major upgrade in image quality and features (video, live view, etc).

 

[bob100]

Currently have a canon 30d. It works fine, but I also have a great 50mm 1.4 that I love but rarely use because of the crop. I'd love to upgrade to a full frame so I could feel like I didn't have to take 6 steps back for every shot! I currently also just have a really old kit lens that I really don't like.

I'm wondering what kind if difference there is between the 5d, the mark ii and iii. I've found some 5ds in my price range but am wondering just how outdated they are at this point? Would it even be worth it?
I really like to be able to shoot more off the hip, landscapes, Candids of people I'm with.

TIA!

I agree with some of the others, full frame is not really for the budget minded, it's a lot easier to just get a wider large aperture prime like the Sigma 30mm 1.4 or an f2.8 zoom. The original 30mm is a good lens and only around $200 (used). I still have mine and use it for many indoor shots

 

[photo_chick]

Currently have a canon 30d. It works fine, but I also have a great 50mm 1.4 that I love but rarely use because of the crop. I'd love to upgrade to a full frame so I could feel like I didn't have to take 6 steps back for every shot! I currently also just have a really old kit lens that I really don't like.

I'm wondering what kind if difference there is between the 5d, the mark ii and iii. I've found some 5ds in my price range but am wondering just how outdated they are at this point? Would it even be worth it?
I really like to be able to shoot more off the hip, landscapes, Candids of people I'm with.

TIA!

Right in line with what has already been said.... IMO it's not worth it to go full frame just for the field of view. Not when you can accomplish the same task with a wider lens for a lot less money. Especially if your budget is limiting you to a 5D classic.

You say you're unhappy with your kit lens.. what lens is it and why do you think it's terrible? Knowing what you don't like with what you've got is the best way to figure out what you will like in a new lens.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Full frame on a budget would be picking up an SLR

 

[DoDaLeCa]

As others have truly stated - "Full Frame" and "Budget" are hard words to use together in a sentance.

Lenses will be more expensive (if you want quality) - for a crop Canon you can get $600 EF-S 10-22 whereas for full frame the Canon equivalent is a $1500 EF 16-35 F/2.8L (also faster). Full frame lenses need to be better quality and are usually larger in diameter/size if you want corner to corner sharpness as the lens needs to project its image onto a larger sensor area. Note that EF-S lenses will not mount on Canon full frame bodies by design - as the EF-S lens projects further in the body the larger full frame mirror would hit it and break if you could mount that lens. Thus the switch to full frame from crop might also mean a complete expensive revamp of your lense lineup as well.

The body is generally larger (except Sony mirrorless?) to account for the larger sensor and mirror on DSLR.

Two advantages to full frame (beside the wider field of view using the same lens on FF vs crop but you lose the long end crop multiplication factor) are bokeh (background blur) and sensor noise. The bokeh is usually better on full frame because the crop factor also affects the image apparent aperature (F2.8 lens on full frame produces a blur equal to F4.5 when mounted on a Canon crop). The other advantage is lower noise when comparing same generation sensor technology at same megapixel size - if you frame the shot identically between the full frame and crop same MP cameras at the same aperature (requiring a change in position or focal length) then the full frame picture is less noisy as the same number of pixels are in the shot but in the full frame camera those same number of pixels cover a larger sensor area. Thus each sensor pixel is larger in diameter/area on full frame vs crop and thus captures more light, assuming the sensor electronics produce similar noise on each pixel there is more light energy for full frame as a signal going to the same electronic processing, constant electonic processing noise gives the full frame camera a better signal to noise ratio which ends up being noticed as a wider usable ISO range before the picture becomes unusable due to noise. You can always remove noise with software but there is only so much that can be done before you lose image sharpness, contrast, etc. (might not be noticeable on small website pictures but in real life it can be quite noticeable. I oftern shoot my daughters' dance recitals and get ISO12800+ shots on my 5D3 which are usable - they would be a softer mess at that ISO with the 7D (which I hated at ISO3200 and above).

The Canon 5D and 5D2 are dogs when it comes to AF speed and accuracy compared to the 5D3 and 6D. The 5D2 is infamous for OOF shots if not using the center focus point especially on larger aperature lenses.

My perfect camera would be 5D3 full frame pixel count + body size, 1Dx focus speed + frame rate + sensor noise, 70D tilt screen + dual pixel focus.

I've had crop frame Rebels, 7D and full frame. Since getting a 5D3 I only use the 7D in situations where the camera might get stolen or damaged; it is also better for telephoto shots with my existing lenses due to the crop factor mulitplication effect. I often bring the 7D as a backup body in my camera bag.

I get better results from full frame but a lot of it is due to better 5D3 vs 7D focus in action shots. The pictures can look good from both but it's easier to recover/tweak the full frame shots due to less noise.

 

[maddiebee]

So I sold my 50mm and got a 30mm! I've had it for a day and am LOVING it. It's exactly what I was looking for!

Thanks so much for all the help!