Whats best to get.....

[M5MAN]

I want to get the Canon EOS 5d for my next camera quite a jump from current but I enjoy photography...

What is best to get get is it the body only or get a package with the body. I am still to look in to all the lenses I do a lot of wildlife photography on safari but also want a general purpose lens whats best to get.

Any advice on lenses would be appreciated aswell, links etc to websites for research.

Also want to get a tripod - Manfrotto I was thinking there seems to be loads which one is the best I really need quite a light weight one

Any help\advice appreciated.

Clive

[adam75south]

i would imagine the best all purpose lens for safari stuff would be either the 70-200 f/2.8 IS..or the 100-400 IS.

or the 70-200 f/4 IS
or the 70-300 IS

[JTL]

I don't know what happened to create four separates posts of this, but the courteous thing to do would be to delete the other three.

As far as your question goes...
If you are just starting out in the DSLR game, the "kit" 24-105mm lens is a great way to get started. It's focal range perfectly mated to be an all-purpose "walk around" lens for a full frame camera like the 5D. And, optically, its a pretty good lens as well. Learn your camera, see how and what you like to shoot and move up the ladder to more specialized lenses if your interest and technique happens to take you there.

Needless to say, the 24-105mm f/4 L won't suit your wildlife photography requirements, but as a general purpose lens on a full-frame camera, it's mighty hard to beat.

[coldrain]

JTL, the multiple posts were a fault of the database being corrupt for a day, and you can not delete threads, only posts in existing threads. So, the OP could not help any of it.

OP, you do not say which camera you had before this?

The EOS 5D is a full frame camera, I am sure you are aware of that.

When you want to photograph wild life, you will need quite some tele power. A 70-200 lens (portrait tele photo) will not do at all.
What is your budget?
Quality tele photo power costs a lot.
The affordable options already are around or above the $1000 mark.
The two affordable options with IS:
Canon EF 100-400mm L IS USM
Sigma 80-400mm OS

Both are in the same league optically.

For walk around lens the above mentioned 24-105mm f4 L IS USM is a good option. The budget option would be the Canon EF 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 USM II.
The best option for portrait photography:
Canon 24-70 f2.8 L USM.

There are also some 3rd party alternatives, like the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di.

Another option would be the Canon EOS 30D.... because of its 1.6x crop factor it will give you quite more tele power with the same lenses....
400mm gets to be 640mm. This may be an important factor where wild life is concerned...

[DonSchap]

If you want to snap the face of your favorite wildlife friend, you should pop for a 170-500mm or 200-500mm lens.

Look them up online ... there are only a few, but they get you "in there"

[JTL]

Thanks Coldy...I didn't realize that there were technical problems earlier...
------------------------------------

M5MAN:

It seems we didn't get to your tripod question, so let me get that started...

IMO, the single best lightweight tripod available today is the Gitzo GT2530 . It's very expensive, but definitely, without question, you get what you pay for. You'll need a quality head to go with it. But, if you're going to be sticking a 400mm or 500mm lens on your camera, you'll need a studier (and heavier) tripod. More food for thought for consideration of "crop" vs. full frame camera...as per Coldy's advice, a smaller, lighter lens will get you further on a 30D than on a 5D. For instance, on a 30D, a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS with a (Canon EF) 1.4x tele extender gets you a class leading lens and 448mm of (35mm equivalent) reach while only losing one stop of light (and keeping the weight and bulk within reason)! Certainly something to think about and pehaps a more targeted use of funds to achieve your desired goals.

Find the Gitzo GT2530 here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/475926-REG/Gitzo_GT2530_GT_2530_Mountaineer_6X_Carbon.html

There are other excellent tripod options as well that I'm sure the good folks here will add.

[timmciglobal]

Why would you buy a 5d for wildlife is the best question... Crop = good in wildlife.

You probably be better off with a used 1d mk2 for wildlife.

Tim

[M5MAN]

Thanks for all the feedback gents

Now Tim has thrown in the works

Whats best to get

secondhand Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

New Canon 5d

[cwphoto]

Thanks for all the feedback gents

Now Tim has thrown in the works

Whats best to get

secondhand Canon EOS-1D Mark II N

New Canon 5d

Both have the same pixel pitch, so the only reach advantage of the 1D Mark II N is that the files are smaller (so you can fit more pictures on a given size of media).

Given the choice and your main interest I'd go for the 5D. I see benefit in wide too for safaris.

[M5MAN]

cwphoto,

Out of interest after MK II what does the N stand for? :rolleyes:

[cwphoto]

cwphoto,

Out of interest after MK II what does the N stand for? :rolleyes:

I think it stands for New.