nwilliams401

Hello all of my photography friends. First just a little about myself. I started in photography about 38 years ago with a Canon DTL 33mm camera and I got hooked. In my list of cameras you can find Bronica's, RB67, hasselblads, then came the Digital. Canon 40D, 70D and now the 7D mark II. My question is I'm about to spend a little money and like your opinions to help me make a decision.
Should I purchase a "Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L Lens or a Canon 5D mark III?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

A Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L Lens AND a Canon 5D mark III.
Sorry, couldn't resist, but they makes a killer combo, and I'm a Nikon guy!
Welcome!!!
What kinds of things do you like to shoot?
Do you already have full-frame lenses (EF, not EFs) for your other Canon cameras?
Those are the lenses you will want to use on the 5D and you can't/shouldn't even mount some Efs lenses on it.

Travelin' Bud Loc: New Mexico, Central Ohio & Eastern Kentucky

I've recently debated the same issue back and forth with myself, finally seeking advice from this site just as you are.

I currently use a Canon T1i which I bought new, do its pretty old. The advice I received from UHH members I am adhering to: It's all about the glass.

So, while I'd LOVE a newer camera body, I am concentrating on L lenses first. Have one now and am saving for another. Once that purchase is made I'll save for the upgraded body.

I'm retired on Social Security so it's a slow progress but I'll make it. Hope this helps ya some.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

MW, welcome to the Hog!
You don't say anything about the lenses you have, but if you have a 7ll I'd get the lens.
Better yet, get rid of ALL that other stuff and get a 12-24 to go with it!
SS

Hip Coyote

Welcome to the UHH. My first question for you would be what is your photographic mission (or area of interest)? Wrap your equipment purchases and self-improvement around that. For instance, I had to define what it is I shoot, how I display the photographs and under what circumstances I gather those pics. In looking back, I found that most of my photography was travel photography which I displayed in self-published books. I take some photos of family, etc during events, but for the most part my photos come from travel. And those photos are captured while on vacation, often during hiking trips, not necessarily on led photo tours. I further went back and used a data-plot program to look at the focal length I use most often and found that about 80% of my photos are in the wide to very wide angle range. As I travel more and more, I try to interact with people so as to get more street scenes. I also like taking in-door pics of people and events so fast glass was needed. So...given all that, my photo mission really does not require certain equipment but mandates other equipment. I found that I was probably not carrying the right stuff, so I changed. This is a long way of recommending that you define what it is that you want to shoot, decide if you have the equipment or need additional equipment. If the answer is that you are equipped, I would spend the money learning new techniques, on trips, or something else. If you find your needs are such that your style will be improved by glass or a camera, get it.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The answer depends on many things like what lenses do you currently have. If they are all EF-S lenses, they won't work on the 5D III. If you have a few good EF lenses, get the FF body. If it were me, I'd get both as the 24-105L is the kit lens to the 5D III.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

Always a new camera ... period .!!!!! ,,. Especially when you'r e talking a major upgrade .... the Mark III Is a great camera .. save a little money and get the 5DS 50.2 megapixel... its like spending for a Nikon D4 or saving a few thousand and outshooting the D4 WITH A D810 ... .. again it is the primary use of the camera ...

I'm a Nikon man and know the value of the mega pixel,cameras ...starting with my first D800E .. THEY are unforgiving .., but

It all comes down to what you want to use the camera for ..., I like a lot of megapixels in your case with the Canon if you get the Canon DS 50.2 megapixels to play with ..., nice part about that is you can crop crop crop and still have plenty of megapixels left over I have never seen a camera shoot that clear. It all comes down to what you want to use the camera for ... I like a lot of megapixels in your case with the CANON of you get the DS 50.2 megapixels to play with nice part about that is you can crop crop crop and still have plenty of megapixels left over I have never seen a camera shoot that clear.

I bought my first D800E ...no lens .., camera body on;your $2,796 pre ordered , then a month later /...One lens .. .., learned that lens .., then afforded another lens all prime and $expensive .., High megapixel 36 and up are not forgiving ..., but once learned ... oh boy ...

By putting new tires on an old car.., or a new engine in a old car .. you still have an old car ...

All that being said .., the Mark III is a more versatile camera than the 5DS .. and has more pixel,points 6+ than the 5DS at 4 plus .. and the ISO on the now outdated MarK III IS better ..excellent low light ...... my D810 has excellent ISO and low light and mega pixel ... if I were to start over today .. it would be a Canon DS 5 DSLR with 50.6 mega pixel .. as I am a landscape and wild life shooter .. even over the Mark IV .. there is no camera now on the planet that can shoot more clear ... at least in a good lighting situation ..

The jump fron the MARK II .. to a MARK III .., is huge ... if that's the only choice you are giving yourself ...1.) keep the Mark II and buy a great lens or 2. )move on to a Mark III and no lens ... get the Mark III .. and the lens later ...

Ok I'm done with the rant ..

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Target any purchase to meet your NEEDS!

Don't just make a purchase because of a GAS attack!

You currently own quite a few camera bodies.

What kind of glass do you already own to go with those bodies?

What kinds of photographs do you currently take?

What hinds of photographs do you want to take, that your existing equipment doesn't cover?

Providing those answers, will help responders provide you with educated responses to assist you to make up your mind about your next equipment purchase!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Assuming you're looking at a full frame camera for photography rather than collecting, the question remains: which EF lenses do you have already? Used 5dIIIs are appearing everywhere, including UHH, at the $1500 mark. The older 24-105L is selling around $550. The camera and the lens have been replaced by newer models. Don't make the mistake of paying full price for new versions of these items. Your 40D and 70D bodies are / were fine bodies, but what are you keeping them for?

If you buy a full frame Canon body without good lenses for the body, you'll just end up buying more lenses ...

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

I guess it depends on whgat lenses you have now. You know, of course, that if you get the 24-105 L lens you can use that lens on a FF camera if you decide later you want to update. Also, the longer you wait the less the 5D MK III will be now that the next version is on the market. Good luck.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

As GoofyNewfie said, get the combo.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/847546-REG/Canon_5260B009_EOS_5D_Mark_III.html

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Welcome to the Hog. As for you decision, it depends. You don't mention what lenses you already have for your existing Canons. If the EF24-105mm f/4 overlaps the ability and quality of your other lenses then buy the camera (if you feel you need the camera). Or are you just buying equipment because you can. It really depends on what you already have and what you need.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Save yourself a load of cash and just buy a bunch of film for those awesome cameras you already have. :)

johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio

5DmarkIII for sure. I have the 24-105 and never use it, it's too slow. I have a 24-70 1.8, and two primes, 35 and 50 mm 1.4's for indoor shots. Don't get me wrong, the 24-105 does give you good pictures, but there are better lenses.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Welcome to UHH! You have received some excellent advice about how to decide what gear you need based on your photographic preferences. The dilemma seems to be about how to decide on the order of purchase. Unless, of course, you can afford to buy both!

As Travelin' Bud stated, I had the same issue with my choices. My camera body was still excellent, but I wanted to get a full-frame camera. So I concentrated on acquiring a few lenses for the full-frame (work just fine on the crop-sensor). Only then did I buy the new camera! And I also was able to take advantage of big discounts around the holidays!

Hope this helps!

Susan