Secondhand Savings: The Case for Used Professional EF Gear

#2
No mention of EF to RF lens compatibility, which is quite good and not a bad reason for an amateur to start with the lower cost EF gear? No comparison of the 1D bodies and advice for different niches? The entire 1D series has seen use in professional sports photography, when would for instance a 1DX mkII be far preferrable over a 1D mkIV? When would a 5D mkIV be better? I was expecting a bit of a dive into the advantages and disadvantages. It is an interesting topic which is worthy of digging into.
 
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#3
PerKr said:
No mention of EF to RF lens compatibility, which is quite good and not a bad reason for an amateur to start with the lower cost EF gear? No comparison of the 1D bodies and advice for different niches? The entire 1D series has seen use in professional sports photography, when would for instance a 1DX mkII be far preferrable over a 1D mkIV? When would a 5D mkIV be better? I was expecting a bit of a dive into the advantages and disadvantages. It is an interesting topic which is worthy of digging into.
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Absolutely.

I have owned every 1 series camera since the EOS-1Ds Mark II.

EOS-1D Mark IV, a terrific camera and got us past the EOS-1D Mark III drama fairly quickly. The issue that may matter? APS-H (1.3 crop). There were no wider angle lenses made for the sensor size and if you want to get wide, the 14mm f/2.8L and 11-24 f/4L are both still on the pricey side.

The EOS-1D X line is a far better choice across the board. That was probably the biggest 1 series jump in capabilities from the EOS-1D Mark IV. The rest of the EOS-1D X series is the usual evolution upgrades. The way Canon somehow finds ways to subtly change things and make them better is pretty wild. Even the EOS R1... so many great changes from the amazing EOS R3. So any EOS-1D X is a great choice.

The EOS-1D X Mark III is the best DSLR ever made. I bet during Black Friday, the Canon USA store will have refurbished inventory for sub $3000, and with a warranty.

One might also consider Canon service end dates.

  • EOS-1D Mark IV: Service has ended
  • EOS-1D X: Service has ended
  • EOS-1D X Mark II: Service ends in 2026
  • EOS-1D X Mark III: TBA
  • EOS 5D Mark IV: TBA

The EOS 5D Mark IV, do you want something smaller and with higher resolution? It was also a well refinded camera in the 5D series.

So it really comes down to, do you want speed, tank like build quality, intergrated grip? There is no better line of cameras ergonomically out there... sorry Nikon.

I have twice recommended EOS-1D X cameras to "sports dads", and both continue to send me images... they're in love with the cameras and saved a pile of money over RF.

All of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8s are great, even the non-IS version. Skip version III, it costs more than the II and the difference is really only a new paint job.

When I owned Lens Rentals Canada, I owned everything that was on the market at the time (Canon and Nikon)... Canon lens lineup included. Even the 50mm macro! (Great lens for art reproduction... maybe the best ever for 35mm)

I can answer any other queries you may have.
 
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#4
Would you not rather recommend a R8 vs a 5D IV for someone starting their photog career? They cost roughly the same, but the R8 would be new with warranty.

Lets say they are a wedding or event photographer, so the modern AF would IMO trump the 5D's perks, such as a weather sealed body, no? With EF-RF adapter they could also get cheaper used EF glass. Granted, only one SD card slot, which could be an issue.

Edit: scratch that, I just saw this was specifically for sports photography.
 
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#5
Canon Rumors Guy said:
EOS-1D Mark IV, a terrific camera and got us past the EOS-1D Mark III drama fairly quickly.
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What drama was that? I wasn't in photography back then (or too young for it) so I´m kind of curious. A few sentences would be enough. Thx :)
Canon Rumors Guy said:
I have twice recommended EOS-1D X cameras to "sports dads", and both continue to send me images... they're in love with the cameras and saved a pile of money over RF.
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That´s some good advice! I gave a few soccer dads the advice to get a used R6. They got it sub 1.000 € and they are very happy with. I thinking just now, I should call them and ask what lenses they are now using.
Canon Rumors Guy said:
All of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8s are great, even the non-IS version. Skip version III, it costs more than the II and the difference is really only a new paint job.
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I am sooooo happy with my RF 70-200mm F4, but if I need a F2.8 for sports one day, I'll consider the EF version due to it´s price point.
 
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#6
The price on the used big whites are really interesting. I would love to go back to Kenia/ Tansania on safari somewhere within the five year period. lll be on the lookout for used big whites. Never thought a 600mm F4 L would be available with starting price point of 3.000 $. Simply awesome :)
 
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#8
PerKr said:
No mention of EF to RF lens compatibility, which is quite good and not a bad reason for an amateur to start with the lower cost EF gear? No comparison of the 1D bodies and advice for different niches? The entire 1D series has seen use in professional sports photography, when would for instance a 1DX mkII be far preferrable over a 1D mkIV? When would a 5D mkIV be better? I was expecting a bit of a dive into the advantages and disadvantages. It is an interesting topic which is worthy of digg
Canon Rumors Guy said:
This all started when Craig and I were talking about some friends wanting to start to do professional sports photography and what gear they should get. There's a wealth of high end gear – just waiting for a new lease on life. This article is going to deal mostly with the professional segment and how

See full article...
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I mostly use EF gear except for the R5C. I still have a C200 which is a beast of a camera and all the lenses are great. The EF cine ones are amazing. The 1DXMKII is simply an amazing camera for both video and stills, it has its limitations but it is still a great camera. I wished they had added C-Log to it to make it even better.
Click to expand...
 
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#9
Anon said:
Would you not rather recommend a R8 vs a 5D IV for someone starting their photog career? They cost roughly the same, but the R8 would be new with warranty.
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Yes, but there are important differences. To make a really brief summary, the R8 wins on video, AF, burst shooting and compactness. The 5DIV wins on build, resolution, customization and battery life. So, it really depends on what you want to do. I’ve used the R8 for paid gigs and it performs exceedingly well, in my opinion.
Anon said:
Lets say they are a wedding or event photographer, so the modern AF would IMO trump the 5D's perks, such as a weather sealed body, no? With EF-RF adapter they could also get cheaper used EF glass. Granted, only one SD card slot, which could be an issue.

Edit: scratch that, I just saw this was specifically for sports photography.
Click to expand...
There are more differences still. The R8 supports all current Canon speedlites, including the EL-5, which is (for me) the absolute best Canon speedlite for the money right now. It also supports the new audio adapter, and the hotshoe mics. But the dual card slots can’t be underestimated, as well as the massive advantage in battery life for the DSLR. The 5DIV is also much more configurable, and offers a ton of control points. The R8 is much more spartan in that regard.
 
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#11
For cameras, I´d probably recommend going RF mount (as I did with the soccer dads) because the second generation (R5) has come out and the third generation (R6) is close to hitting the market. The prices on used R6 have dropped and will continue to once the mkiii hits the market. For sports, the R6 really is a great camera. Put a grip on it and you're good to go.

Considering cameras for professionals or people who have decided to pro, even the R3 price for used copies has dropped significantly lately. If you need sturdy built, R3 is the clear choice and R6 can't compete with it.

R cameras do get a lot of firmware updates and speed wise (FPS/ AF) the R6/ R3 should outcompete the DSLR. As Neuro pointed out, some newer sensors also out-resolve the older sensor despite having a lower mp count.
 
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#12
You also mention used "professional sports" gear but it applies equally to any of the higher end gear including virtually all L lenses. I would certainly prefer to buy from a prosumer with this gear rather than an agency. Professional landscapers or macro or portrait are still making good images from EF bodies/lenses.

Buying second hand and then selling it later (assuming reasonable use) generally means not losing much money and maybe even making a little money in the transaction. So in a sense, it is a good way to try before you commit - especially for countries that don't have a reasonable rental option like Australia.

Buying second hand when you don't know how much you will use a lens and if you don't use it much then sell it. In my case, my 8-15/4, EF100 macro and Sigma 20/1.4 were all ones that I didn't want to over invest but have ended up using them more than I expected. I've recently upgraded to the RF100 macro and sold the EF100 for the almost the same cost... within hours and in the same suburb!

Lastly, if you still have adapted EF lenses that you use on a R mount body, then a EF mount DLSR can be a reasonable backup body for those EF lenses.
 
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#13
I just picked up a 1DX MK III for $2,000. Which is insane. There are a lot of deals to be found on EF mount gear. I had been buying EF Primes right before the RF mount came out. Decided to complete the set. I don’t regret that at all. I picked up an R6, and they all work flawlessly on it. I only have one RF mount lens so far, which is the 100mm macro, and I do love that lens. The EF macro could be an odd duck sometimes. But my favorite lens of all so far is the 180mm EF Macro lens. I do love that you can adapt nearly anything to the RF mount. I use Canon FD, FL, EF, R, RF, Rangefinder, and even C mount lenses on my R6. I usually have an FD lens on it more than anything else, and have been using my EF primes on the 1D MK III, and 5DsR. I also got the 5DsR for $600, which is crazy cheap for that camera. I kind of over did it and got into collecting the 1 series bodies. Most at local shops on road trips. I now have the entire film and digital 1 series line. All work great. It’s a lot of fun to take the latest lenses and put them on a 1v and see what they will do, or to put these lenses from the 60s on an R6. I think Canon was really smart when it came to keeping the EF mount from film to digital, and later makeing the RF mount so easily adaptable. I still have an M5, and that’s a great little guy to adapt FD glass to. Compact. Wish they would have kept that line alive just a bit longer. All these cameras, and probably 20% of my favorite shots come from my M5, because I can take it more places with me, and toss it into any bag easily. Fits in my GF’s purse, so she borrows it a lot. I use a c70 a lot too. The RF mount on that has allowed me to be so more creative when it comes to lens choice without having to look at super expensive PL mount lenses. Leica, Zeiss, Nikon, some soviet things, they all fit with the right adapter. Once I had the lenses I ended up picking up an F1 and a T90 as well. It can be addicting.. But I’m going to do a full review of the entire Canon flagship lineup from the first F1 all the way through the R1. Been rotating through them at zoos and events at the moment.
 
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