One FF body or 2 Crop Bodies

[tim_kong]

<p>Hi<br>

I'm toying with the idea of disposing my 2 crop body cameras, 50D and 40D, for a 5DMk2. I know the decision is mine to make but I just want some opinions as to what you think is better option. I am a hobbyist, taking pictures practically for my own viewing. I know its nice to have 2 bodies, one fitted with a WA lens and the other with a mid-telezoom and the convenience of not having to change lens when you need to shoot wide to closeup. However, such shooting is only occassional for me, mostly at cultural events or street photography. BTW, all my lens are EF type with the exception of the EFS10-22mm. My question is would any of you trade the convenience of having 2 bodies over a FF camera like the 5DMk2. <br>

Thanks<br>

Tim </p>

[paul_russell1]

<p>What are the benefits you perceive you'll get with the full frame body?<br>

Do you need to print beyond A3? Are you going to be submitting the work to libraries?<br>

Doesn't sound like it.<br>

You will lose some speed (the 40D is 6.5fps, the 5DMk2 a shade under 4)<br>

You will gain video. If that matters.<br>

You already have the 10-22 lens, not an inexpensive purchase.<br>

You will lose a fair chunk over what you paid for the 40D 50D and 10-20.<br>

Personally I would look at expanding your kit in other ways, flashgun? better tripod? another EF lens to fill a gap?<br>

Run your excellent bodies until they need repalced, then there may be an even better beast that the 5Dmk2 available.<br>

In the meantime get out there and use the splendid kit you've got.</p>

[pturton]

<p>For my usage, crop cameras serve their purpose well. Eventually I may get a FF body but for now, multiple crop bodies (10D through 50D) are my preference. When and if I go FF, I'll probably be looking at multiple bodies then also. BTW, I'm just a hobbiest and I will remain a hobbiest.</p>

[robin_sibson1]

<p>Better still, if funds permit, just trade in the 40D so that you have a dual-format system. That's been my setup for some time, 5D+20D, 5D+40D, 5D+50D, and now 5DII+50D. The 5DII+50D combination has the advantage that there's a high degree of common user interface between the two cameras. The only (mild) irritation is that Canon did not take the opportunity to use the new LP-E6 battery in the 50D. I use the 50D mainly with long lenses and/or when I need a high frame-rate, and also (a rather specialist application) with the TS24 when I want a narrower angle than that lens gives on FF. The 5DII is my general-purpose and close-up/macro camera. They serve as back-up cameras for one another on trips to an acceptable extent.</p>

[g dan mitchell]

<p>The question of whether it is better to shoot with two bodies with different lenses or one body and switch lenses isn't as simple as you might think. Unless you have a very strong preference for one approach over the other, I would not like the full-frame/crop decision to that. If you really need two bodies for your type of shooting, going to a single body won't work for you. If a single body is fine, then you can consider the real factors that might or might not lead you to get a full frame body.</p>

<p>I have two bodies and I very, very rarely shoot both at the same time.</p>

<p>Dan</p>

[www.photo.netphotoslan]

<p>The full frame will give you better low light performance and narrower depth of field than your 40D or 50D. I shoot the 1DM3 which is not full frame, but a larger sensor than my 30D. The 30D sits in my bag - the image quality on the 1DM3 is much better - printing images or just looking at them on a LCD.<br /> Buy the 5D if money is not an issue - I'll bet that you won't be disappointed. Good luck!</p>

[images_in_light_north_west]

<p>For IQ and high ISO , make the change to the Mk II and get a 17-40 f4 L, like others are doing an ideal situation would be a 50D and a 5D Mk II, the 5D Mk II will amaze you with its high resolution and low noise capabilities. I would like both a crop and a FF, but in my opinion the 50D just doesn't cut it over ISO 200 and the 1D Mk III is to big for my likeing, I am hopeing for a 60D with a 1.3 crop.</p>

[thomas_sullivan]

<p>I kinda like the idea of a crop camera and a full frame....in my case a 20D and a 5D. The 5D definitely gives the higher quality image, but the advantage of the 1.6X crop multiplier on my 70-200mm is very useful for youth hockey shooting. However, having said that, it is really still a crop, and I could probably achieve the same thing by cropping the 5D in post processing. You could definitely crop the 5DMKII and get same or better image than a crop cam....I would venture to say.</p>

[robin_sibson1]

<p>Thomas, a 5DII image cropped by a factor of 1.6 gives about 8Mpixels, so it's definitely not worth using a 20D with a 5DII and hardly worth using a 40D (except for the frame rate). However, a 50D has significantly more pixels on its 1.6-crop-factor sensor than you get by cropping a 5DII image. That's the arithmetic, but final image quality may well be closer than the arithmetic might suggest. Ross, anyone who can't get decent images out of a 50D at ISO settings above 200 isn't using it properly. ISO 400 and 800 are a breeze. At high ISO settings it is certainly necessary to make judicious use of noise reduction, but I've taken plenty of shots at ISO 3200 that have been more than just acceptable.</p>

[chad_hoelzel1]

<p>If you are shooting low light higher ISO then keeping the 40D would be the better option since it controls noise better.</p>

[mike_oflaherty]

<p>I started with a XTi as my first DSLR loved it. I kept my little tin of dreams going till I would have enough coin to purchase a FF. Then the day came and the 5DII, grip and extra battery were mine. It was nice to have all that extra picture again along with no more crop factor. Keep the newer c/b as a back up.</p>

[John Crowe]

<p>I would take the 5DII hands down.</p>

<p>A year ago I bought a used full frame and a used crop body. If I could have spent a little more for one full frame body that could clearly out perform both I would have bought it. The 5DII is a powerful tool, if you can afford it, go for it!</p>

<p>The 40D probably is not worth a huge amount of money, so you could try to keep it as your back-up.</p>

[tim_kong]

<p>Thanks guys for all your responses and opinions. I respect those of you who opine that keeping the 2 crop bodies would be better that switching to a FF camera as shooting situation demands it. It is really convenient to have 2 bodies if you are shooting weddings or other events that requires wide and closeup shots at the same time. However, I am leaning towards FF now as I am shifting my interest to shooting still life, food and architectural, so lens change is not a problem. I rarely shoot sports or action photography, so frame rate is not an issue. If there is a big difference in IQ and ISO performance between the 5DMk2 vs the 40D/50D, then I will definite make the switch. Anyway, thanks for all the great responses/opinions. BTW, I already have the 17-40/4 and 24/105/4 lens, which I heard is great pairing for the 5D.</p>

[allardk]

<p>For your intended use, I think the added value of a second body is very small. If you shoot weddings or events professionally a second body is more or less mandatory, but for still life it's mostly useless.<br>

A 5DII will certainly give you better image quality (in the technical sense). Whether that difference is worth the money depends on too many factors and is up to you to decide.<br>

In any case, I agree with John C. That 40D is totally worthless. Old technology, long surpassed, like steam engines or telex machines. You might as well throw it in the garbage. You know what, I'll do you a favor, I'll give you a hundred bucks for it. Two hundred if you throw in the 10-22. ;-)</p>

[model mayhem gallery]

<p>Funny Allard, I'll go $210 if you throw the 50D in with it :-).<br />The 5D Mark II allows you to take shots you might never get with a crop sensor camera. I have both a 5D Mark II and a 30D. I was bored with the 30D and had lost an interest for photography. However, the 5D Mark II with HD video has made it feel like a whole new experience. So yes, I would sell both of those cameras to get a Canon 5D Mark II hands down.<br />Sample of what higher resolution can do using a Canon 17-40 F4L hand held on 5D Mark II. If you already have those two L-Series lenses you will bring them to their full potential with the 5D Mark II.</p><div></div>

[model mayhem gallery]

<p>OK not a big deal right? This was completely an accident and is absolutely a shot I could have never gotten with my Canon 30D. For the money I think the 5D Mark II is a excellent deal.</p><div></div>

[tim_kong]

<p>Well Allard,<br>

FYI, I just sold that worthless piece of garbage for $680 to a nice gentleman who is too willing to pay for it. It may be worthless in the US, but in Malaysia where I reside, the 40D is still worth at least half the weight of gold. Thanks Minute Photos for showing the pics, I like the idea that the picture from a 5DMk2 can be agressively crop and still have enough resolution. Another plus to make my decision closer to reality. </p>

[model mayhem gallery]

<p>I still got $300 for the original Canon Digital Rebel 6 MP when I sold it on Ebay last month. I will sell Canon 30D sooner as I just don't see myself needing two camera's. Unless of course, they where both 5D Mark II's. The way I see it, if I can get $500 for the 30D that means I only paid 2700-800=$1900. I could keep the 30D as a backup but I just can't see myself going from 21 MP to 8 again.</p>