Hey kids. I've decided to buy a Canon 5D body and will borrow a Canon 24 - 70 f2.8 lens from a friend. There are all these rumours swirling around though about a replacement called the 7D coming up soon: [canonrumors.com]. But...these rumours have been going for a while now. Is the replacement camera vaporware or what?

I also ask that because of Undrpsi's post in john-o's thread a few days ago: [forums.macresource.com]. In there he talks about a rumour of a 5DII coming out as well.

I'm planning to get the camera body from Amazon for $2200: [www.amazon.com]. Does anybody know of any better deals, especially including lenses?

So what I would basically like to know are this:

1.) Should I wait another few weeks or not for a new version to potentially debut or just buy now?

2.) If I buy now, what deals are there to be had? I'm willing to go up to $2800 including lens. I'm okay with buying from eBay through a reputable dealer. I live in NYC, so I have easy access to B & H as well as Adorama, but I would like to avoid the 8.375% tax on a $2200 - $2700 purchase which can add $185 or more to the final price. I'm also planning to get buy a flash for an additional $300 or so. Any recommendations for that are also welcome.

Holy @#$%&, this is a lot of money. Guh. Thanks for any leads guys.

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trisho.
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Official Card-Carrying Mother Earthin' Sl*t.

pRICE cUBE regularly posts when Adorama has various refurbs in stock: [forums.macresource.com]

(Lenses mostly)

The 5d new is a great deal right now and it is STILL a great, full sized sensor camera. Unless you are a sports shooter this camera will probably be great for anything you throw at it.

If you live in NY and want to avoid the taxes..try KEH. Their condition ratings are usually pretty honest and they will accept a return with ease if you aren't happy. you can find this camera used in great condition for around 1700.00.

The problems with rumors is this one has been around for a while. The 5D was announced August of 05 making it Canon's longest running SLR without an upgrade. The tricky part is guessing if it will be replaced soon or Canon waits until August. I am seeing rumors all over the map. The full frame game has changed now that the 5D is in the mix.

Things that are known:
Canon replaces the Rebel and 20D/30D/40D lines about every 18 months.
Canon DLR have more or less been announce within a 4-5 weeks of either Photokina in Oct. or PMA in Feb.
The 5D is a solid camera with excellent image quality despite it's age. Some of my favorite shots have come from this camera and I have made one into a 40"c60" print and it looks great.

Things you might miss out on:
A sensor dust buster is nice but not an end all be all. I have gone 6 years in the DSLR age without one and I am still alive.
Added _______ and ________. You need to make up your mind about other features. Canon you live without them if a 7D comes out?


Here is how I would go about it if I were in your shoes. If you need it now, buy it now because spring and summer shots are coming up. If you have vacation plans etc. you give yourself enough time to get used to the camera. If you can wait until August, then wait but know you might miss some things. Grab a 30D or 40D in the meantime to tide yourself over. Then either sell it or keep it as your rapid shot camera.

I have seen the 5D refurb for $1799 but it only pops up every 2 months or so and goes very quickly.

What is my best guess? I will muddy the waters for you even more. I believe the 5D will not be replaced until August but Canon will provide a Spring/Summer 2008 that will cut $300 off the price.

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Ways to improve web conference image and sound quality. [forums.macresource.com]

these guys usually have pretty good prices - [www.samys.com]

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I like pRON's suggestion of a temporary 40D. Its a given that the 7D will have dust removal, live view and a 3" screen. I love these features...dust on my 20D sensor drove me mad. I'm super happy with the 40D so I personally am not at all tempted by a 5D for double the price. I also like printing large, so the lure of 16mp in the future is stronger than having 12 vs. 10 now. Michael Richmann of Luminous Landscape believes 40D image quality matches the 5D (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/canon-40D-handson.shtml). Also, if you like wide angle, the 10-22 lens is way cheaper than the 16-35, lighter and just as sharp, making the 40D very tempting.

Well, you didn't ask for a sales pitch on reduced-frame vs. full-frame. Sorry.

Its hard to say what the price of the 7D will be once released...could be $3k, which could make the 5D a good buy anyway.

Check this out before you buy an expensive flash.
[strobist.blogspot.com]

I agree with pretty much everything cUBE said. Look at the date on that rumor at Canonrumors. They were expecting it to be introduced at PMA in February. Word on the street now is it won't happen until fall. Also, like cUBE said, historically Canon only introduces new/updated models twice a year, at PMA and late summer/fall (it isn't always Photokina but fairly close to that date).

The 40D is a very nice camera. But at 1.6X magnification, it's a long way from full frame if that's what you want.

If and when the 5D's upgrade is announced, there will undoubtedly be great
pent-up demand for it, meaning waiting lists at camera stores online and offline,
not a discount to be found from any vendor except the most unreliable ones,
and the additional need for hard drive storage and image processing software
if you don't have that already. And if you shoot raw, there will be a lag time
between the availability of a new camera and software updates for raw processors
like Aperture, Lightroom, ACR, etc. to handle the new files--of course, unless you're
happy with whatever software Canon bundles with their camera.

What is it about the 5D that is so compelling for you? Is it the full-frame sensor?

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*We are just a quarantined people under an evil sun.*
--- Richard S. Shaver

If you have a 10 megapixel small sensor D-SLR, and compare it to the image quality of a full sized sensor D-SLR likie the 5D, the image quality, especially at the lower ISO settings, the difference is amazing.

I have a Nikon D80 at work, and a Canon EOS 5D for my business. The difference to me, is night and day.

Pixel count on a small sensor above about 7-8 megapixels is just generating more noise, an the higher ISO settings are even noisier.

In the old film days, an APS film camera was fine for 4x6 prints, and nothing bigger in my opinion. Now a full sized 35mm negative would make decent 8x10/12 prints, and frequently good 11x14s with a good lens, and maybe a tripod. I'm not talking about looking good on a wall from a couple feet, but looking good in your hands.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2008 06:36PM by Racer X.

Hey guys, thanks for great responses and I apologize for my late response. I didn't expect to be out and busy for this long.

pRICE cUBE: You make a good point about the summer shots and them not debuting anything until August. I'm getting the camera primarily because I'll be shooting a wedding in August and the engagement shots earlier than that. My friend/shooting partner and I would like to practice and he has a 5D as well. Where have you seen refurbs?

thermarest: Also a good point about the price of the 7D. I'm sold on just getting a 5D right now and not waiting for an even more expensive 7D.

laarree: I think I answered part of your question in my response to cUBE but yes, I would also like a full frame sensor. I have a point and shoot and am tired of having to continually futz with controls that don't give me full control. Shooting with my friend's 5D is extremely similar to shooting with a film SLR and I miss that a great deal. Another friend of mine told me that since I haven't bought camera equipment in about 10 years, it's probably okay to do a full investment again in order to really be happy with the decision.

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trisho.
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Official Card-Carrying Mother Earthin' Sl*t.

Quote
trisho.
Hey guys, thanks for great responses and I apologize for my late response. I didn't expect to be out and busy for this long.

pRICE cUBE: You make a good point about the summer shots and them not debuting anything until August. I'm getting the camera primarily because I'll be shooting a wedding in August and the engagement shots earlier than that. My friend/shooting partner and I would like to practice and he has a 5D as well. Where have you seen refurbs?

thermarest: Also a good point about the price of the 7D. I'm sold on just getting a 5D right now and not waiting for an even more expensive 7D.

laarree: I think I answered part of your question in my response to cUBE but yes, I would also like a full frame sensor. I have a point and shoot and am tired of having to continually futz with controls that don't give me full control. Shooting with my friend's 5D is extremely similar to shooting with a film SLR and I miss that a great deal. Another friend of mine told me that since I haven't bought camera equipment in about 10 years, it's probably okay to do a full investment again in order to really be happy with the decision.

Keep an eye out for one here. [www.adorama.com]
I will try to post and message you next time I see it. They pop up quick and are sold even quicker.

If you are going to be shooting a wedding this summer, you want to familiarize yourself with the camera so when the crap hits the fan you can operate without the manual. A wedding is not a time to be field testing. I speak from experience

An August announcement typically means an October/November ship date. If you can't do without the new features, unload when the camera is announced and get on a waiting list. If you don't need the camera for anything there are plenty of people that lag on hearing about new cameras.

The full frame sensor in the 5D a testament to it's image quality even though it is over 2 year old. There are some things I would like to tweak about it but it was money well spent even when it was at $3299.

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Ways to improve web conference image and sound quality. [forums.macresource.com]

Quote
Racer X
Pixel count on a small sensor above about 7-8 megapixels is just generating more noise, an the higher ISO settings are even noisier.

Not so with my Nikon D300, which is much less noisy at high ISOs than my D200
with the same sensor size (I shoot RAWs, so I'm not judging in-camera jpg noise
reduction).

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.................................................................................................
*We are just a quarantined people under an evil sun.*
--- Richard S. Shaver



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2008 01:23PM by laarree.

pRice cUBE is one of our resident experts and he makes some very good points (as always).

www.pricegrabber.com can help you find some deals...I think there is a body on there for $1974 (new not refurb). There is a couple of others who advertising in the $1860 range but they are tied to a $200 printer rebate. I purchased mine with the 24-105 "L" IS lens for $2640 from a 'reputable' ebay dealer...but they have them from a real store for $2740-ish. Wow...lot's more money...BUT...you are getting an $1100 (retail-$900 ebay) lens to go with it. Since I needed the lens anyway it was a win-win. Let me know how the 24-70 comes out...the one I tried was a little soft in the corners below f8 (but I haven't heard anyone else complain about that...bad copy?)

I know there is a replacement coming and there are LOT'S of rumors. The current 5D is a killer camera and unless the new one comes a free Blonde helper (female for me..thank you very much), it will STILL be a killer camera.

Good Luck...and happy clicking...

Jay