what's the 'best' used ff dslr?

[splitimageview]

What do you plan to shoot? Is this full-frame DSLR for its own sake, or do you have an application that requires it?

5D has quite dated, MS-DOS looking text on an ancient, poor LCD (if that matters.) Build quality not up to the D700, or the Sonys for that matter.

Yes, it's easy to adapt lenses to the 5D but focusing them is another matter...tried that, and failed miserably...a lot of effort, little to no reward...

I've used A850/900 and 5D extensively, and owned a D700...for what I shoot, the Nikon wins hands-down. But what I need a ff DSLR for favors the Nikon by default; namely higher fps.

Your needs/wants may be entirely different...

 

[Addy101]

Prices of the Nikon D700 seem to slip into the Canon 5D (classic) region, being cheaper around here then its generations competition, the Sony A900 and Canon 5DII. So, surely based on price, the D700 is the best choice. It is more modern then the original 5D and cheaper then anything else.

My camera of choice would be the Sony A900 - it is a great camera, a digital Minolta Dynax/Maxxum 9. It never gets in the way of taking a picture. The centre sensor AF is as good as the centre sensor AF of my Canon EOS 1DsII. Colour is great and at low ISO's it is unbeatable.

Lenses? Well, the Minolta 28-70/2.8G has some drawbacks but it really is a special lens with the best bokeh of any zoom I own. The Sony/Minolta 50/1.4 is a good standard prime, also with good bokeh.

Al IMHO 😀

 

[DCB]

Nikon D700...love mine.

Peace

 

[f16sunshine]

Fun thread!

I just looked quickly at ebay finished sales for kicks. As far as "Pro-sumer" sized bodies go (without a bottom grip).

The recent low end of finish sales prices look a bit like this...
5Dc bottoms out around $300
D700 Bottoms out at around$700
5Dii Bottoms out at around $1000
Sonay A900 Bottoms out at $800


I've always loved the output from the D700. If I owned a bunch of Nikkors I would trigger a purchase at the current price (if I had extra dough).
That said... I'm looking for a $300 5Dc knowing that price of $300 is possible 😀
Even though I like the output and ability to adapt lenses and focus screens, the 5Dc has what is probably one of the least useful LCD screens ever made.
It's only good for pre-viewing the histogram and compositional attributes of an image (forget white balance or focus detail!!).
If a world class pre-view screen is important than maybe find another option. 🙂

 

[Cesium]

Having never owned one, my vote goes to the D700. More modern than the 5D, but less expensive than the 5DII.

All three have great image quality. I'm basing my opinion on focus micro-adjustment and battery life.

 

[sc_rufctr]

What about an older Sony or Sigma?

Both good performers with some dedicated followers.

 

[Harry S.]

^Not full frame

 

[SayCheese]

The 5d doesn't have micro focus adjustment, has it? I'd say, a 6d in a couple of years.
Klaus

 

[splitimageview]

Nor does A850/900 or 5d have live view

 

[Addy101]

Nor does A850/900 or 5d have live view

If that is a prerequisite, get the Sony A99 - the only one with true phase detect AF in live view 😱

 

[remphoto]

FedX just brought me a 5d MKI, which I got from KEH for about $400 after yesterday's 10% sale. I actually bought it 2 days before but when I called KEH they nicely rebated me the 10%. It is their BGN grade and frankly one has to look very closely to see any sign of wear. Just shooting around the house I have been pleased with the low light capability and the Canon EF 20 - 35 2.8L nicely balances on the camera, especially with the BG-E4 grip attached ($26). It also complements my Canon 20D, which has almost identical controls. For me, Nikon was not an option as I have lots of Canon lenses and accessories.

 

[splitimageview]

If that is a prerequisite, get the Sony A99 - the only one with true phase detect AF in live view 😱

Alas, it's not a DSLR 🙂

 

[Addy101]

Alas, it's not a DSLR 🙂

I hate it when people are right :bang:

😀

 

[dfatty]

FedX just brought me a 5d MKI, which I got from KEH for about $400 after yesterday's 10% sale. I actually bought it 2 days before but when I called KEH they nicely rebated me the 10%. It is their BGN grade and frankly one has to look very closely to see any sign of wear. Just shooting around the house I have been pleased with the low light capability and the Canon EF 20 - 35 2.8L nicely balances on the camera, especially with the BG-E4 grip attached ($26). It also complements my Canon 20D, which has almost identical controls. For me, Nikon was not an option as I have lots of Canon lenses and accessories.

congrats, even though it's a decade old camera it's still very capable! i love the creamy output, even if you can't really see it on the yellow-ish lcd, lol. and the thwap of the giant mirror is neat compared to the 20D 😀