Thoughts on Canon EOS 5D 12.8: I have been wanting a full frame but do not want to go high dollar as I already have two other cameras and six lens that will work on a full frame. A 300...

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I have been wanting a full frame but do not want to go high dollar as I already have two other cameras and six lens that will work on a full frame. A 300 L 70-200 L and the 28-235 and the 100 macro and two tamarons, one being the 150-600. I would like it for mainly for portraits and some birding at the feeder. My other cameras are xsi and 60d. At eighty years of age and just buying a set of hearing aids, which I would have rather spent on full frame I just wanted some opinions on my reasoning and if it makes sense. Probably more G.A.S. than need at this point.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

It is a good camera (I own one).
May not be as good as your 60D (I don't own one) and definately not as good as a 70D (which I also own).

chaman

Why not consider a 6D?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Old Timer wrote:

I have been wanting a full frame but do not want t... (show quote)

Are you talking about the 5DIII or the 5Ds and 5Dsr?
Since you are talking feeding or perched birds than the 6D would be a great choice. I even manage to get BIF with it when conditions are right. Large slow birds like Egrets or set up pieces like hummers around a feeder.
The 6D actually is a bit better than the 5DIII in dim light. It is a great portrait camera. That 100 macro makes a great portrait lens. It gets all the detail, hairs etc. then you can use portrait filters to make it more flattering.
I have just posted some hummers taken with a 100 2.8 macro(old one no IS). Once they are used to you being there the hummers are easy to get with relatively short lenses like the 100 and being a macro it makes those tiny feathers look better than other lenses.
Look here for my first attempts at hummers with the 100 mm macro and a 7DII: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-363439-1.html

Here are some with the 6D and my 24-105L, I am going to try the 100 macro on the 6D this afternoon if it doesn't get too dim, rain clouds coming in ahead of the two day weekend storm we have predicted.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-363197-1.html

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Are you talking about the 5DIII or the 5Ds and 5Dsr?
I am referring to the 5D 12.8 mg pixel the older one. As I said I just spent enough to buy a full frame and more on hear aids and at my age I do not get out as much as I used to. Have several grand kids and great grand kids. I like to shoot children more than adults. Trying to stretch the dollar so I can still play in my second child hood.

Dick Z. Loc: Downers Grove IL

chaman wrote:

Why not consider a 6D?

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :) :)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Old Timer wrote:

Are you talking about the 5DIII or the 5Ds and 5Dsr?
I am referring to the 5D 12.8 mg pixel the older one. As I said I just spent enough to buy a full frame and more on hear aids and at my age I do not get out as much as I used to. Have several grand kids and great grand kids. I like to shoot children more than adults. Trying to stretch the dollar so I can still play in my second child hood.

Ah, the original 5D from 2005 or so.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

chaman wrote:

Why not consider a 6D?

If you have gear lust, consider a used copy of the 6D rather than the original 5D as your 60D will perform as good as this old model that was cutting edge full frame back in it's day. Your intended use and probably your expectations do not justify investing in an older model camera.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Old Timer wrote:

I have been wanting a full frame but do not want t... (show quote)

Old, as others have said, you're probably better off with what you have. That said, get rid of your two cameras and try to get into a 5dmkll. You can probably find one with a lot of actuation a for under a $1000.
Frankly, if you are no longer working, why even get the hearing aids, or get just one!!! Good luck!! ;-)
SS

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Old Timer wrote:

I have been wanting a full frame but do not want t... (show quote)

The original 5D 12.8 was a great camera. Easily half of my sales catalog was taken with that original 5D. It's technology is a bit old now, and it doesn't have most of the bells and whistles you'll find a newer models, but it still has a lot to offer especially for someone looking to work with a full frame sensor on a minimal budget. I've seen them on eBay for anywhere between $300 and $450. Consider looking on KEH to see if they have any at a really good price. If they rate the camera good or better at a price point you like it certainly wouldn't be a bad thing to give a try.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Frankly, if you are no longer working, why even get the hearing aids, or just get just one!!!

For the quality of life. I had a pair of cheap ones and my one ear had deteriorated that they no longer done me much good. One hearing aid helps some but the range of sound we loose as we get older is hard to bring up with out the right ones, and they are not cheap, usually three thousand and up. One does some good but directional. Even if you do work work hearing is important when around company or public places.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

This was my thinking. Yes for under five hundred you can get one from Keh or BH with warranty. I have been wanting a full frame for four or five years, that is the reason I have picked up the lens that I have. I was originally going to about twelve hundred and buy a good used one. I will probably just wait and do that. But I decided I needed the hearings more and they serve a function that the camera could not daily.

Photographer Jim wrote:

The original 5D 12.8 was a great camera. Easily ha... (show quote)

hangman45 Loc: Hueytown Alabama

Old Timer wrote:

This was my thinking. Yes for under five hundred you can get one from Keh or BH with warranty. I have been wanting a full frame for four or five years, that is the reason I have picked up the lens that I have. I was originally going to about twelve hundred and buy a good used one. I will probably just wait and do that. But I decided I needed the hearings more and they serve a function that the camera could not daily.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqVBWTVgr8Q

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

OT, you have some great glass for the FF. I am also in old time mode at 72. I have had the XTi & currently own a 60D. I added a 6D about 18 month about when it was on a one day promotion. I would not go back to a 5D (classic) or the Mark 2. It sounds like the 6D would be perfect for you. I like mine. I had the idea of gear budget swap but have gifted some of the gear to GK. I still shoot with the 60D.

J. R.

Chefneil

hangman45 wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqVBWTVgr8Q

Thanks for that link! I lost 45 minutes of my life watching Kai. The guy is irreverent and one can actually learn stuff too. :thumbup: