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What is the ideal backup or second camera to a 5D Mark III?

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photogizmo

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I pretty much use the 5D3 for any style of photography and soon I will be getting into video DSLR for short films and music videos. I have a 40D and I am wondering whether I should buy something else as my second or backup camera and maybe with video features?

I am noticing the limitations of the 40D especially in low light and acceptable ISO ranges when comparing images to my 5D3.

I have canon lenses of 28mm f1.8, 16-35mm L II, 50mm 1.8 II, 70-200mm IS USM. I am considering staying with the crop cameras so that I can get more reach in my lenses when needed.

Any suggestions with the setup I have??

Thanks
 
If cost is no issue, both of your bodies ought to be identical so you can switch between them seamlessly. If cost is a limitation, then get the best and most similar body you can afford. Unless you have two completely different sets of image requirements where you ought to buy a second body to more closely fit you other needs.
 
CameraCarl said:
If cost is no issue, both of your bodies ought to be identical so you can switch between them seamlessly. If cost is a limitation, then get the best and most similar body you can afford. Unless you have two completely different sets of image requirements where you ought to buy a second body to more closely fit you other needs.
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I agree with you.

If he wants more reach, add a X2 or a X1.4 multiplier (or buy longer lenses :)

I would buy (as money permits)

a) 5D MK III + X2 Multiplier (more reach than 40D with same lenses)

b) 6D body, Has video w/some moire isssues, also same or better ISO, slow and simpler AF)

c) 70D body (better ISO than 40D, also better AF, same reach but not so good with low light than 5D3 or 6D)

d) Wait for the new 7D MK II if there will be a new one next year... who knows.

Best wishes,

Danny
 
photogizmo said:
I pretty much use the 5D3 for any style of photography and soon I will be getting into video DSLR for short films and music videos. I have a 40D and I am wondering whether I should buy something else as my second or backup camera and maybe with video features?

I am noticing the limitations of the 40D especially in low light and acceptable ISO ranges when comparing images to my 5D3.

I have canon lenses of 28mm f1.8, 16-35mm L II, 50mm 1.8 II, 70-200mm IS USM. I am considering staying with the crop cameras so that I can get more reach in my lenses when needed.

Any suggestions with the setup I have??

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
If video isn't a deal breaker , Fuji X100 , is handy in the situations in which you rather prefer a minimalist tool with still good compressed native results .

Obviously isn't a substitute for 5d3 .

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For me I have either a other 5d mark iii or my 7d as a backup
 
Oops, sorry, that would be good for landscape dudes like myself. :)

I don't know why a 2nd 5D3 wouldn't be perfect. If you've noticed the prices on the 6D in the past day, maybe prices on the 5D3 are about to get crazy too.

photogizmo said:
I pretty much use the 5D3 for any style of photography and soon I will be getting into video DSLR for short films and music videos. I have a 40D and I am wondering whether I should buy something else as my second or backup camera and maybe with video features?

I am noticing the limitations of the 40D especially in low light and acceptable ISO ranges when comparing images to my 5D3.

I have canon lenses of 28mm f1.8, 16-35mm L II, 50mm 1.8 II, 70-200mm IS USM. I am considering staying with the crop cameras so that I can get more reach in my lenses when needed.

Any suggestions with the setup I have??

Thanks
Click to expand...
 
I use a 1DX with the 5D3 as a backup.
 
Among the cropped-frame Canons, the 7D will have substantially the same ergonomics and controls as your 5D3. A 60D, 70D, or 6D will have quite differing control placement, and the dial on the rear operates differently. When I have to work fast, especially in low light, I want two bodies that work and handle as identically as possible. One control placed differently might cause a momentary error that results in missed shots.

Of course, as already mentioned by other members, a second 5D Mark III would be an ideal second body.
 
Are you a pro shooting events where you cannot tolerate equipment failure? If not, then I'd say you don't really need a backup camera...
 
There are so many options there. You could get 6D or 70D for example. Or if you don't want to carry two large DSLRs, get SL1/100D or even EOS-M as I did recently that still can share your EF lenses. 60D used to be my backup in that setup to complement 5D/5DII but with 5DIII I don't need it anymore. Instead I replaced it with an EOS-M package which also served as my wife's camera and she appreciates much lighter/smaller package than 60D+Sigma 17-50/2.8 OS set.
 
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Obvious answer is another 5Diii. You won't make mistakes fiddling for the right button. I've seen them as low as $2700. LOVE mine. In fact, I was feeling similar in looking for a reach body, and was bidding on eBay for a 1Div, but as soon as it got near the cost of a new 5diii, I bailed. I'd rather have another 5diii.

If you can't afford it, next up would be the 5Dii, - only substantive difference being the autofocus, which is why I never picked it up after I got my iii.

If you really want the reach... 7D, or wait for 7Dii. True that you can use adapters, but you lose a stop or two, and they only work on certain long lenses.

Cheers

Dave
 
JackM said:
Are you a pro shooting events where you cannot tolerate equipment failure? If not, then I'd say you don't really need a backup camera...
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That's true... typically, the cost of a model shoot for me is about $250... and usually not absolutely time critical. At that rate, I can afford to self-insure. BUT... I had a job early this year, for a Coors Light advert, and I was losing sleep at the remote possibility of a camera failure on the time critical deadline. I bought a second 5Diii from B and H, and left it in the box. Didn't need it, so returned it. A hassle for them and me, so not a good long term strategy if you will often need that second body insurance.

Dave
 
JackM said:
Are you a pro shooting events where you cannot tolerate equipment failure? If not, then I'd say you don't really need a backup camera...
Click to expand...
Exactly.

(I never had a camera fail me yet and sometimes only bring the company 550 as backup, which is collecting dust on the shelf on of of my workplaces, other times just the phone. I takes a real crucial shot for me to bring both 5DIIIs. like certain folders, covers, features or other important print material meant for external use. Now this is not I recommend and quite a few would call me unprofessional... But bringing excessive equipment along is just as unprofessional. Lugging two cameras around If I really don't have to... Won't happen.)
 
Fog Maker said:
JackM said:
Are you a pro shooting events where you cannot tolerate equipment failure? If not, then I'd say you don't really need a backup camera...
Click to expand...
Exactly.

(I never had a camera fail me yet and sometimes only bring the company 550 as backup, which is collecting dust on the shelf on of of my workplaces, other times just the phone. I takes a real crucial shot for me to bring both 5DIIIs. like certain folders, covers, features or other important print material meant for external use. Now this is not I recommend and quite a few would call me unprofessional... But bringing excessive equipment along is just as unprofessional. Lugging two cameras around If I really don't have to... Won't happen.)
Click to expand...
My various cameras never failed either (5D1 mirror never fell but I still sent to Canon for the service). However I had 24-105L failed (Lens err01) in 2nd day of my Italy trip last year (and I didn't carry 17-40L that day that left in hotel) on a ferry. I used my wife's and my backup camera 60D with 17-50/2.8 OS instead so I didn't miss shots.



Sometime multiple cameras are not just for backup but for complement each other. Such as I carried 3 camera sets in my recent Africa trip - 500L on 5D3, 70-200L II on 1D3 and 24-70L II on 5D2. Simply no time and impractical and even risky to swap lenses in the safari trucks.
 
I like the idea of a second camera adding additional capabilities. So maybe a 7D would be a good choice. Or a RX100II, or a7r. Lots of possibilities.
--
- Bill
 
Regueira Photo and Film said:
CameraCarl said:
If cost is no issue, both of your bodies ought to be identical so you can switch between them seamlessly. If cost is a limitation, then get the best and most similar body you can afford. Unless you have two completely different sets of image requirements where you ought to buy a second body to more closely fit you other needs.
Click to expand...
I agree with you.

If he wants more reach, add a X2 or a X1.4 multiplier (or buy longer lenses :)

I would buy (as money permits)

a) 5D MK III + X2 Multiplier (more reach than 40D with same lenses)

b) 6D body, Has video w/some moire isssues, also same or better ISO, slow and simpler AF)

c) 70D body (better ISO than 40D, also better AF, same reach but not so good with low light than 5D3 or 6D)

d) Wait for the new 7D MK II if there will be a new one next year... who knows.
Click to expand...
The 6D, 60D, and 70D all have a different general control layout than your 5D Mk III so I wouldn't consider those as backups.

That leaves the 5D Mk II, 5D Mk III, or 7D.

The 7D will give you about a stop advantage over the 40D. The 5D Mk II a little more. And you know what the 5D Mk III gives you.

As long as you have the light for focus, using a 1.4X TC on a full frame doesn't give you an IQ hit, over the same lens without one on an APS-C camera.
 
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