Gray Lensman

Greetings, All -

I am planning to retire in a year and will have more time to devote to my photography. I realize I am opening a 'can of worms' but am seeking input from fellow 'Hoggers'. My equipment is old and starting to fail - I have a Canon 40D and an older Tamron 28-300, and a Canon EF IS 75-300. I will be starting fresh and, even though I like Canon, I am open to other brands.

40 years ago, I borrowed my aunt's manual Minolta SLR for photos of my new son and halfway through the first roll knew I had to have a 35mm. My Aunt died and left me an old life insurance policy of $7000 and I thought what better way to remember her than with a camera. I photograph WWII aircraft in flight, Birds Deer and other wildlife, grandchildren, landscapes, High school sports, and an occasional wedding. I would like something that could focus and balance lighting well for aircraft in flight - somewhat slower f-stop so the props spinning but not stopped yet that would keep the plane in focus and light balanced for various lighting conditions. The other concerns are weddings and group shots in lower light. I am concerned about graininess at too high of an ISO that the new cameras have.

I am considering a Canon 5D Mkiv, a Nikon D850, and also considering Mirrorless. I am not yet at the stage to use all the features on these but hope to be. That said, are there other, less expensive cameras that might fit the bill? Canon 80D or??? Nikon___? Other suggestions that might fit the bill and leave more money for glass?.

I plan to buy within a year - my apologies for the long missive, but many responders want details.

azdustdevil

Get the one that feels good in your hands. You cannot go wrong. My old Pentax K30 is all I need, despite the fact that I own 14 cameras. Nikon, Pentax, Canon are all good. Remember: You are buying into a system and will have to live with it. My all time favorite is a film camera, my Nikon FE2. As you get older, weight will be a factor, a very very important factor. Do your research!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I see your choice in terms of stages.

First choose your sensor format. Decide if you feel that the cost and size/weight of full frame is what satisfies your needs or if you need to go smaller/lighter but lower performance under some conditions of APC or 4/3. There is no free lunch - it’s always a continuum of compromises and you must decide where on that continuum is right for you.

Second, I would choose a system (although many will say you should choose DSLR vs ML first). Canon, Nikon or Sony or ???. You have already mentioned some great choices - 5D4, D850, (or A9?). This is where you need to actually handle the body, check out the menu structure and evaluate the lens lineup and cost.

Third (or maybe second) choose conventional DSLR or mirrorless.

Fourth, after defining the type of shooting you like (which you have articulated above), decide if you will build your lens inventory from zooms (convenience) or primes (performance and size/weight).

After those decisions, you can make up an inventory and price of several competitive systems and plan your purchase. 7K$ should get you started well in a high performance system that will last you for many years, especially if you take advantage of refurbs or lightly used equipment. I could make up a 7K$ wish list for Canon or Fuji based on your preferences, and others would be glad to make up a Nikon or Sony or Panasonic or Olympus or ??? system if you wish. We are always glad here to spend someone else’s money, but the shopping and planning is half the fun - you don’t want to miss that do you?

Cheers

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

You don't mention whether you have any physical issues which preclude carrying a heavy camera. If you do, then a mirrorless model might be in order.

You do mention weddings and sports - for free or for pay? If you're planning on doing some part-time commercial work, a full-framer is probably going to serve better. You also mention, in addition to sports, photographing birds and wildlife. If that's key, maybe a camera like the Canon 7d Mark II, with its high burst rate, 1.6 crop factor, and advanced focus features, might be a good choice.

Nikon vs. Canon is sort of a Lexus vs. Acura question - both are builders of high-quality equipment. If those are your choices, and body costs similar, if you stay with Canon, your existing lenses will work until you decide to buy better.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Best Wishes on your future retirement. I am a Nikon guy so my suggestion is the D850 o D500 depnding upon the images you want to create.Welcome to the forum

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

You are correct about that. I had for years been wanting a Full Frame Pentax digital camera (K-1) to go with my Cropped factor and Film bodies. But with my arthritis and specifically in my hands, that dream is now pointless and will never be. I'm considering a Fujifilm MILC. But I love my (Ricoh) Pentax K-5 (digital) and (Asahi) Pentax K2 DMD (film) so!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you want to move to a top-line model like the 5DIV or D850, it makes sense to thoroughly investigate the options across all brands. You should find a way to handle a candidate model, not just listening to experts on the internet. Each of these cameras is designed for long and heavy use that could be the last camera you'll ever buy. A camera like the 80D is now a heavier-duty body that should last as only as you've enjoyed your 40D, again if not being the last camera you purchase. The big bucks you spend on one of these top-tier cameras will demand similar investments in quality lenses and various camera- and computer-tools to maximize the results.

You might find higher quality lenses breath new life into your 40D while laying a path to a newer camera later. Your interest in wildlife and HS sports would point you to a zoom covering 100mm to 400mm or longer. You'll need a lens like this regardless of the camera type. You also need a lens covering 18-135 (cropped) or 24-70/135 (full-frame).

If you want to get serious into photography, you'll also need a quality computer, storage, monitor and software. A quality tripod may also be needed. Your budget will outfit you with excellent equipment if you consider the entire range of needs rather than getting wrapped up in a body that does next to nothing by itself.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I was thinking the most challenging things on your subject list would be WWII planes in flight and bird photography. I just did some 'research' on photographing airshows and found lots of links with advice, and great pictures. Here is one: https://kenrockwell.com/tech/how-to-photograph-airshows.htm , but there were many others.

bleirer

Choosing is half the fun! There are plenty of review sites to compare, but if you have $2500-3000 for a body you are not going to go wrong with any system, just dont skimp on the lens quality, either. I learned the hard way that that 75-300 is not a great lens so I wouldn't adopt a system based on the old lenses. You have to decide if you want mirrorless and you need to decide if you want full frame or crop . There are pros and cons worth exploring for both categories.

Vietnam Vet

I retired last year and my wife and I are planning a route 66 trip. For our new cameras we decided to get a canon 5d mk4 for her and a Canon 1dx mk2 for me. I shoot Canon so we can use all our current lenses.

rick_n_wv Loc: Charleston WV

Hi, I am pretty new here but and was in a similar situation not long back. Mirrorless was not in my sights because it was pretty new and I don't mind the weight. I knew wanted a full frame to take me back to film days. I went with Canon after renting both both Canon and Nikon. Got the 5Dmk4 with a battery pack and the 24-105L. Got a couple L primes and L zooms (raided the 401k).
All that to say try renting a couple systems to find what works for you. Doesn't cost an arm and a leg and you can get your hands on feel. The new mirrorless cameras are supposed to be coming out to match the high end DSLR's this fall/winter. A lot to think about but no matter your choice enjoy.

Gray Lensman

Thank you all for your responses. I have some idea of where to start - I will have to research where to best do a 'hands on' test. I am leaning towards high end because I hope this will last a long time and because it would be a better tribute to my aunt. Mirrorless or DSLR is probably my biggest decision. I am outfitted for computer and monitor but need better storage and definitely the best lenses I can get. I don't, currently, do anything for pay, but... My health is good so far, but I feel the age creeping up on me!

I appreciate the common sense comments, link for airplane photography, and the more detailed info. I know I am starting early, but I do intend to enjoy the process! Thanks for making my first foray into the digest a great one. I have been following this for some time and it's great to see usernames I have read and appreciated from before.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

So here’s a proposal using zoom lenses and a FF body that will get you started for weddings, sports and wildlife with coverage from 24-560mm with first rate lenses. You’ll still need a flash (maybe a Youngnuo 600EX-RT at $110), maybe a tripod, bag, etc. and for low light, maybe a fast prime or two such as a 50 f1,4 ($300) and/or an 85 f1.8 ($300)

Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS II $1,900
Canon 70-200 f2.8L IS II. $1,800
Canon 24-105 f4L IS II. $1,100
Used 5D MKIV (Adorama) $2,000
Used Canon EX 1.4 MKII or III. $300

Total is $7100 plus flash and any fast primes.

Here’s the rationale: first, these are the latest MKII versions of each zoom. In every case, you can buy the MKI version for about half the price. If you’re going to shoot BIF or airplanes, you’ll need the 100-400. You can save $ by going to a Sigma or Tamron 100-600. If you’re going to shoot sports, especially indoors, weddings and portraits, it’s hard to beat the 70-200 f2.8. The 24-105 isn’t super fast, but very versatile as a “walk around lens”. Adding the 1.4x extender will take the 100-400 to 560 @f8 and the 70-200 to 280 @f4.

Now if you choose mirrorless, get the Canon EOS R and the new 24-105 “kit lens” at $2900 plus the EF adapter for another $100-200 depending on the version plus the other recommended lenses which results in the same total cost. Just some ideas to help you get started - we’re having a great time helping you spend your 7K$😎

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Look at Olympus and Panasonic mirrorless. The systems are smaller, lighter, and less costly than the same or similar system in APS-C or FF. As for glass, the Olympus 300mm f4 Pro IS lens is $2500 (on sale right now for $2350) while the equivalent Nikon or Canon range from $9500 to $12,500. Next year Olympus will bring out their 150-400 f4.5 lens (equivalent to 300-800 f4.5 in full frame). And with the internal 1.25X teleconverter and the new 2X teleconverter, one will be able to shoot the FF equivalent of up to 2000 f10. It is thought that the lens will sell for less than $5000, possibly as low as $3500. Yes, it will not be terribly cheap. But what would a Canon or Nikon 2000mm f10 sell for if their prime 600mm sells for $9500 to $12,500 now? Of course, this is the most expensive side of 4/3rds conpared to the most expensive side of APS-C and FF. One can buy the E-M5 mkII plus 12-100 (24-200 in 35mm equivalent) for $1950 right now. Weatherproof and travel ready. ILIS and IBIS stabilized to 6.5 stops.

azdustdevil

IMHO, these ideas are all wonderful, if you are already an established professional. If not, just a warning: It takes a long time to get there. I know from experience. You would be very surprised at how many pros are out there and how many more are trying to do what you want to do. You can do well by spending less money with a basic intro camera and second hand lenses that cost a ton less and do just as well, if not better. The camera will not make you a better photographer. Only many years of experience will do that.

Megapixels are nice to have, if you plan to make some giant prints. If you are going to sell photos, that is one thing. If you share online, that's different. Some computer screens will only show about four megapixels. Most can handle less. Ask yourself what you plan to do with your photos. It matters.