Should I save for a Canon 5D Mark II or buy a cheaper DSLR for landscape photography?
Asked 7/8/2011
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2 answers
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I’m an amateur photographer currently shooting with a Canon S90 and becoming more interested in landscape photography. I had planned to save for a Canon 5D Mark II, but it’s expensive, so I’m wondering whether it makes more sense to wait and save for full frame or buy a less expensive DSLR body now and put more of the budget into lenses and other gear.
If I choose a cheaper body such as a Canon 60D or similar APS-C DSLR, what lenses and accessories make the most sense for landscape work?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
7
Wait. Save up, not for the 5D Mk II, but until you actually have a photographic problem to solve. I do not think you have one yet. Your photos look fine and at a glance, I do not see where you are being limited by your camera.
You neither shoot fast moving objects nor in very low-light, which would be excellent reasons to buy a DSLR right now. Should you start doing the latter but not the former, you may even consider an SLD instead. Canon does not have one yet, but if you wait they might.
Once you find what is limiting you, it should be easy to figure out what you need. At the very least, you'll be able to post a much better question here :)
The best camera and lens is different for different things and bulk is a serious issue, if you get something too big, you may start shooting less.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For landscape photography, a cheaper APS-C DSLR is often the smarter buy than stretching for a 5D Mark II right away. Landscapes usually don’t demand the full-frame advantages of very shallow depth of field, fast action shooting, or extreme low-light performance.
Several responders suggested waiting until you can clearly identify what your current camera is limiting. If your S90 isn’t yet stopping you from making the images you want, saving and learning more may be the best move.
If you do buy now, prioritize lenses and support gear over an expensive body. For landscapes, a wide-angle lens is the classic choice; on Canon APS-C, the EF-S 10-22mm was specifically recommended as a very strong option. A telephoto such as a 70-200mm can also be useful for isolating distant details in a scene.
A sturdy tripod is also a key landscape tool and may improve your results more than a pricier camera body.
In short: buy the body that leaves room for good lenses and a tripod, unless you already know you specifically need full frame.
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