Which way to Go: Hi All, well heading off to Africa in June for 3 months and trying to debate which to add At present have a 5Dmkiii with all associated L series Lens etc etc The 5D is...

Bobc163 Loc: Australia NSW

Hi All,
well heading off to Africa in June for 3 months and trying to debate which to add
At present have a 5Dmkiii with all associated L series Lens etc etc
The 5D is 5 years old now but has had a refurb 18 months ago and is performing admirably (new main Bd new screens and a complete clean and software upgrade)
Was considering going Mirrorless but the current Canon R is about to be replaced and will not be here before I leave, so I am considering getting the 5DMkiv as a second camera
This should enable me to use current lenses etc as well as same battery which is a major consideration owing to where I am travelling to (hardly and internet and power will be on a sporadic availability)

Do you think that this is the right way to go :-)

Bob

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

with dual card slots, rugged construction and almost the same control layout and interchangeable lenses, batteries (and chargers), the 5D4 is a pretty obvious choice. I just made the transition last year from the 5D3 to the 5D4, and it was seamless - I could easily have one of each over each shoulder and go back and forth without even thinking about it - it's just like an old friend if you've spent years with the 5D3. Better resolution, DR, WiFi and anti-flicker (which you won't use in Africa) are just a few of the additional features. My reservation about the R are the same as yours (about to be replaced and the value will drop when it is) plus single card slot for that once-in-a lifetime trip. Having not tried the R, I can't speak to the control layout. I do think taking two cameras so you don't have to change lenses in dusty conditions is a big plus.

mrtaxi Loc: Old Westbury NY, Fort Lauderdale, FL

I think you can’t go wrong with the 5D Mark IV as your 2nd camera. I have the mark iii and added the IV and it’s seamless with more features. All your lenses will work. Go for it.

williejoha

I do not see why not. Main thing is, DO NOT CHANGE LENSES IN THE FIELD!,
wJH

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

williejoha wrote:

I do not see why not. Main thing is, DO NOT CHANGE LENSES IN THE FIELD!,
wJH

I HATE to change lenses.... I would rather buy another body for a lens than have to change it. I am NOT married to a system but purchase based on interest of the camera itself and how well it integrates into my total system, irregardless of whether it is divided among Canon,Olympus, Sigma or Sony. My M1 can be in the same bag as my 6D or DP2Merrill.... This approach keeps things interesting and doesn't box you in.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Bobc163 wrote:

Hi All, br well heading off to Africa in June for ... (show quote)

For an important trip you will soon take, stay with what you are used to rather than take a mirrorless with adapters and a learning curve.

dick ranez

How can you go wrong buying a 5Dmk4? It's only money. It that's not a consideration, go for it. If you want a less expensive alternative as a backup for the trip, consider a newer model Rebel or a XXD. Sure, it's crop sensor (so what?), the longer reach may be useful and it's light weight.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

I have a 5DMIV and I love it, but I might think a little differently if I were in your position. Think about a 7D Mark II for a back up camera. It operates similarly to the 5D, but for a trip to Africa, it has the advantages of the extra range of the crop sensor as well as the higher frame rate. It has dual card slots, is weather sealed, metal frame, etc. The addition of the 7D MII to the 5D MIII will give you extra capability and, in the event that the 5D MIII goes down, it will still get you great pictures. And it's quite a bit cheaper than the 5D MIV.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

MrBob wrote:

I HATE to change lenses.... I would rather buy another body for a lens than have to change it. I am NOT married to a system but purchase based on interest of the camera itself and how well it integrates into my total system, irregardless of whether it is divided among Canon,Olympus, Sigma or Sony. My M1 can be in the same bag as my 6D or DP2Merrill.... This approach keeps things interesting and doesn't box you in.

Same here. I own three Nikon DSLRs and NEVER change lenses in the field. Just take an

extra body with different lens attached. Have never needed a sensor cleaning in fifteen years.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Bobc163 wrote:

Hi All, br well heading off to Africa in June for ... (show quote)

You mention chargers and sporadic availability. Are you aware voltage, even when available, may be different from USA and will require different shaped plugs even when the same? Voltages available in "camps" will likely be the same as the nearest large town; therefore, I would Google each town to determine available voltage and purchase appropriate plugs-usually relatively inexpensive from Amazon or any other reputable source.

Bobc163 Loc: Australia NSW

Thanks everyone for the input and it looks like I will be giving the notion of a Mk4 a lot of consideration

Voltage is not a problem as all newer electronic chargers are multi voltage and all I need are the adaptors for the different pin configerations of the outlets when power is available at least USB outlets are standard

Floyd I am Australian and all plugs outlets are different to ours :-)

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

Bobc163 wrote:

Thanks everyone for the input and it looks like I will be giving the notion of a Mk4 a lot of consideration

Voltage is not a problem as all newer electronic chargers are multi voltage and all I need are the adaptors for the different pin configerations of the outlets when power is available at least USB outlets are standard

Floyd I am Australian and all plugs outlets are different to ours :-)

Enjoy your trip. I'm looking forward to you sharing the trip with us who cannot go (this sometimes happens when you pass the 80th trip around the sun). I was fortunate to go to Africa while working in Saudi Arabia and when I scanned my slides from there, most pictures, though over 30 years old, were good and we got to enjoy our trip again.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Bobc163 wrote:

Hi All, br well heading off to Africa in June for ... (show quote)

I would lean toward the 5D IV as well. The only other bodies to consider would be the 7DII or the 90D, if you wanted the option of longer reach.