Amazing deal or so-so? Could you "expert" advice..

C

crashwins

Active member
My friend in town, a pretty busy wedding videographer, asked me if I wanted to buy his NIB Canon 5D3 last night. He had it as a B camera, but never even used it. He's asking $2750 -- I loaned him tons of gear last summer and he owes me big -- but I'm not sure I'd want to hold onto it as it's sort of out of my means and more camera than I'd need. It's NEW - like in-wrapper new. Includes 24-105, everything..


So, is this a great deal? I'm wondering whether I should get it and leverage it towards a cheaper/used camera like the 6D or 5D2 or hold onto it and sell the 24-105 as a "white box" for $6-700, thus bringing my cost down. I want this to be a creative summer, but people have said on here that Canon is coming out with the "latest and greatest" this fall and wouldn't want to be stuck with something obsolete that was sort of out of my means to begin with..Also, figured I could probably use it for the summer and at least get the difference back selling it used -- like $2000 for the body -- in the Fall.


My general use: stills guy 70%, 30% video, but want to take it a bit further creatively. Thanks!
 
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First, never hold your breath waiting for Canon to release a new camera.

Second, it is a good price if it is really in the stated condition.

Third, as a still camera, the 5DMKIII is not even close to being yesterday's news.

Fourth, install Magic Lantern and shoot RAW video. That footage will never go out of style!

Lastly, being creative is independent of what camera you are using.
 
I wouldn't count on getting much more than $600 net for the lens. You can buy them all day as parted out kit lenses for $625.

That still is a decent price though. If it is BNIB - totally unused. You net cost for the camera is $2,150. I have seen used 5DIII's sell recently at about that price, so the "new" is a bit extra. Depending on teh receipt and remaining warranty?

Of course once you use it ... it is probably worth about what you are paying for it. Perhaps a bit more.

+++

If you think that the work you are doing could benefit from teh camera, it might be a good investment. I have had a 5DIII and a 1DX. I am not doing much "pro" work now, though, so I downgraded to a T4i, and can do everything that I need to with that.

The 5DIII is excellent as an event camera where you need great quality auto focus to nail teh picture. It is also good with low light. I could really use that extra 1 - 2 stops for event work over my T4i, but it is only 2-3 times a year that I need it, so ...

For RAW video, that is the beast to get!! But the CF cards required are somewhat expensive, so it won't be "free" to shoot RAW. The latest sale was $90 for a 64GB Lexar 1006x CF card that would let you shoot raw.

Canon will almost certainly release a new 7DII at Photokina. In teh past, announcements have come in teh middle of August- basically 2 months out,. There are a lot of people shooting with the 7D and 5DIII who are likely to upgrade, so I do expect teh 5DIII price to be pushed down a bit in August-September. While there are always potential new releases on the horizon, some times things are a bit more likely than others.

Again, because I am not doing a lot of pro work any more, I try to hold my costs down by staying in the T4i neighborhood. I am going to be doing the same personal project sin 1 year, 2 years, etc. My net cost on a $600 or $700 body is about $100 to $150 per year of depreciation. I just ordered 4, 32 GB Lexar 600x SD cards for $63, so the net cost to use something like that is pretty small.

The net depreciation on something like the 5DIII probably averages more like $500 per year. Add in $300 or so for 3 CF cards ... not sure how much RAW time that will give you?

Your call. It is an opportunity to use a 5DIII class, with limited cost ....

Good luck! Let us kno wwhat you decide. :)
Michael
 
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