Dutzie Loc: I'd like to know

I just sold a 6D to get a 7D2. The 6D is an excellent camera, just a little to slow for a lot of things I shoot. I suspect that a 5d3 will do everything the 80D will do. If your independently wealthy keep them both otherwise trade in the 80d..FF is a little overrated at this point in my opinion.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

I know! Meant to say 6D. Love to have a 80D but my 60D is doing just fine. Good backup camera for me.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Many people do exactly this. I did. I have a 5DIII and a 7DII. Great combo. I would recommend it. Get rid of all your EF-s lenses and buy all EF lenses so that you can use them on either camera body.

Komododragonman

Congratulations to 80 years and Thanks!

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Why should he step-down from his 80D? He would like to get into Full Frame, and the 5D M III is so far the best (if he stays with Canon)! I think, maybe he should wait just a tad longer, the 5D M IV is just around the corner!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I would definitely keep the current camera. It is an extraordinary back up. The 24 - 105mm is also a great choice. It is the best walk around lens and I use mine all the time. The 5DMIII is a bit long in the tooth. If you can wait a bit and have the funds go for the MIV version. It should be a real sweet all around camera.

londonfire Loc: NY to NC

I know cameras really move along these days but when a 5D III is ' long in the tooth ' I think it's gone too far. As of this writing I believe it's still a current camera with the IV not introduced yet.

gsmith051 Loc: Fairfield Glade, TN

Shouldn't, meant to say 6D. Thanks George

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Forgive my ignorance, but I was under the mistaken impression that a major purpose of UHH was for photographers to ask questions, get informed anwers, and share information. Silly me! >Alan

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Hi and welcome to UHH...

You've gotten a lot of good responses... and a lot of misinformation (I do wish folks would read the other responses before adding their own, but gotta admit failing to do that myself sometimes, too ).

You have not given us any idea what you shoot or why you're considering a full frame camera. It might or might not be a good move for you.

Up front and most importantly... I wouldn't buy a 5DIII right now. I'd wait a month or two because the 5DIV is expected to be announced in Sept. or Oct. (some even say it will be later this month) and you can bet the prices of 5DIII, new or used, will plummet as soon as the new model comes available. You can then either buy the new model, or take advantage of lower "clearance" prices on the 5DIII. There are usually a lot of "upgraders" trading in their old cameras, so there should be a lot of low mileage ones available, if you don't mind used.

An earlier response suggesting a 60D obviously was a typo (since that's a crop camera and two generations older than the 80D crop camera you already have)...

I'm sure that response meant to suggest the 6D full frame camera as a cheaper alternative to the 5DIII. Both cameras were intro'd in 2012, the 6D slightly later than the 5DIII. The design, control layout of the 6D is more similar to your 80D (and the older 60D you apparently already have). So, in some respects it might be easier to use alongside an 80D. 5DIII uses a design and control layout more similar to 7D-series crop sensor models. The 6D is slightly lower resolution than the 5DIII, but some feel it's slightly more high ISO capable. 6D also has a fairly simplistic, 11-point AF system with only one cross type at the center that's -3EV (moonlight, basically), f5.6 capable. The 5DIII uses a far more sophisticated 61-point AF system, with up to 41 cross type (depends a little on the lens used). It's able to focus as low as -2EV, but is f8 capable (meaning it can AF with an f5.6 lens with a 1.4X teleconverter, or f4 lens with a 2X TC). Your 80D's AF system is fairly advanced 45-point, all cross type, -3 EV and with up to 27 f8-capable points (varies with lens). Note: the 80D is the first Canon outside the 1D-series to have more than one f8 capable point (1DXII has all 61 points f8 capable). In comparison, your 60D's AF is 9-point, all cross type, -0.5EV or -1EV and f5.6 capable.

But, you really need to step back and ask yourself why you want a FF camera at all... What are you expecting it to do for you?

There are three basic reasons to want FF... and a ton of myths about it!

1. FF makes possible bigger prints. If you print larger than about 16x20, you will see the difference. Otherwise, you won't. It's simply a matter of how much enlargement is required. For example, an 8x10 from your 80D requires roughly 13X enlargement. In comparison, an 8x10 from a FF camera is approx. 8X enlargement. So, for really big prints a FF camera is desirable. But if you never print larger than, say, 13x19 or just post your images online at Internet sizes and resolutions, no one will ever be able to tell the difference but you (only when you view your images at ridiculous magnifications on your computer screen). Two other factors effect FF image quality.... larger pixel sites and weaker AA filters can result in more fine detail captured. But, again, you'll be the only one who ever sees it, unless you print big.

2. High ISO performance is generally better in FF than it is in crop cameras, which of necessity have smaller pixel sites and more crowded sensors. So crop cameras have more heat gain and cross talk issues, both of which tend to increase image noise. However, sensors and other factors have seen regular improvements and your 2016 80D crop camera comes pretty darn close to the high ISO capabilities of either 5DIII or 6D models that were intro'd four years ago. Your crop camera probably can do within 1 or 1.5 stops of what's "usable" from the full frame models. (We all have our own ideas what's "usable"... and it can change depending upon the planned use of the images.)

3. Depth of field control is different. Actually, DoF is not directly effected by sensor size. DoF only changes with lens focal length, distances and aperture size. However, when we change from crop to FF sensor format, in order to frame any subject the same way we either need to use a longer focal length or move closer to the subject, or a little of both. This results in shallower DoF potential... stronger background blurs, for example. Also, due to an optical effect called diffraction that "robs" fine detail from images, we're limited in how small an aperture we can use. A larger sensor, where less enlargement is needed, is about one stop less susceptible to diffraction. So, somewhat smaller apertures are also usable with FF, than they are with crop. As a result, FF has the potential for somewhat greater DoF, which might be desirable for some things (i.e., wide angle scenic shots, macro).

But, there's no "free lunch"!

Full frame also means a more limited selection of lenses. Crop cameras can use both "crop only" and "full frame capable" lenses. Full frame can only use the latter.

Also, lenses for FF tend to be bigger, heavier and more expensive. For example, compare a FF-capable EF 16-35/4L with a crop-only EF-S 10-22mm that's about half the price. Or, compare a FF-capable EF 24-70/2.8L that costs $1000 more than a crop-only EF-S 17-55/2.8. Or compare an easily handheld EF 300/4L IS USM on a crop camera with a 4X as expensive EF 500/4L IS USM that you'll want a sturdy tripod (another $1000) to hold.

For a lot of telephoto work, in particular, the crop cameras can be superior. Cropping a 22MP FF camera down to equivalent of a 1.6X crop camera results in about a 9MP image... while your 80D is capturing 24MP in the same area.

For sports/action, the cropper also can be a better choice for some other reasons: 7 frames per second and up to 25 RAW files with 80D (10 fps, 24 RAW in 7DII) versus 6 fps/13 RAW with 5DIII or 4.5 fps/14 RAW with 6D. Also, the 80D has 1/8000 top shutter speed and flash sync 1/250 (same as 7DII).... 5DIII has 1/8000 and 1/200, while 6D has 1/4000, 1/180.

So, decide on your uses and purposes, before you pull the trigger and buy a FF camera... then spend even more on lenses for it.

Personally I use both. I've had a 5DII for around seven years and have about 20,000 clicks on it. Over the same years I've also used two 50D, two 7D and have been using a pair of 7DII since earlier this year. With the 7D-series cameras alone I've taken about 325,000 images during the same time period. I shoot a lot of sports/action, some wildlife/birds... mostly with the crop cameras. I shoot less landscape, architecture, macro and portraiture... often with the FF camera. I will likely be upgrading my FF in the near future.... but obviously am not in any big rush to do so.

Finally, regarding the 24-105L... well frankly, I'm not a big fan. For far less money the EF 28-135 IS USM can pretty much do all the 24-105L can do. The 28-135 just doesn't seem as well built (but seems just about as durable in real world use). Sure, the 24-105 is slightly wider (but also has more vignetting at the wide end).... And the 28-135 is a little longer (but gets slightly soft all the way out at 135mm focal length... stop down to f7.1 or f8). And, yes the 24-105 is f4 throughout... while the 28-135 has an f3.5-5.6 variable aperture. But the differences are relatively minor, while the prices are dramatically different. Bought new, the 28-135 is around half the cost... I've bought several of them used for far less. 28-135 are fairly ubiquitous... they've been put on various models as kit lenses for years.... although they are not typical kit lens build or performance, by any means.

lulu48

I had a 6d which I was happy with until I used a 5d mk2 on a photography safari. When I got home I traded it in for the 5d mk2. Shooting wildlife, particularly birds was so much better. Especially focusing options.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Jimmy, thanks for the kudos!
Mighty hard to come by in this rough crowd!!! LoL
Thanks, SS

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

A few years back I made the jump to full frame from Canon APS-C format. I went with the Sony A7 line of bodies and adapters. I now have the A7S, A7 II and A7R II and couldn't be happier! I also use Canon FD, Minolta, Pentax, Sigma, Tamron and M42 lenses adapted to the bodies with good success.

bwa

Komododragonman

Thank you! You gave me some great information!

izzyuno

Keep in mind that your EFS lenses will not work with a full frame camera. I have the EF 24-105 and use it on my 5Ds as a walkaround lens. I love it.