R3 or R8 ? What body if you could get then at a huge saving ?

[SO8]

I have an R5

I have the chance to get a mint body at a huge saving ... but only one ..R3 or R8.

No options, one or the other.

Now, greed says R3 but common sense says R8. I would use the R8 with a 24-240. The R3 I would use with 24-70, 70-200 and 100-500 ... but I am a casual photographer these days. No sports or journo ... just street, location and fun.

Views ?

I guess I could sell either and not make a loss after say a year, such is the saving .... now I have tried the R3 in my hands and it is awesome but big. Great AF.

The R8 I have held in a sealed bag as the dealer only had a brand new one and not one to demo, Compared to my R5 to be fair the body felt tiny and actually great as a result as FF ... and the idea of 24-240 on it seemed good ...

But what do I do. I can afford the R3 at stretch but the R8 is more likely to get use ... or will it just make my R5 redundant ? R3 is so capable and stacked sensor ... but not the mp of the R5 and I love to crop ... Comments welcome .... as I could also get an RF 28-70 f2 at great discount but not if I got the R3. (I've had a 28-70 and loved it but traded it as not used too much)

What to do to best expand my kit ... or do nothing as I actually have what I need ?

 

[Photofarmer]

sounds like your well connected when it comes to pricing

 

[Hali]

I've got small hands (and I'm old and don't feel like carrying that much weight) so it's definitely the R8 for me. It's never bad to have a back up camera, even if it's the backup to the backup. You've got some great connections.

 

[JoeTheSnowPlowGuy]

My biggest hold up with the R8 was lack of IBIS and the smaller battery. Too bad you don't have the R6M2 as an option. I've found it to be absolutely stellar. The R8 uses the same sensor.

I'd go R8 for the size/form factor.

 

[JHG]

If it was for me, I would go for the R3 simply for the experience.

 

[JoeTheSnowPlowGuy]

I’d probably see if I could get hooked up with the 85mm 1.2 DS…. 85mm is my happy place.

 

[Photofarmer]

Only know a couple of r3 users one loves the eye control focus or whatever its called the other cant get on with but both love the camera

 

[SO8]

sounds like your well connected when it comes to pricing

In a limited one off opportunity take it or leave it now way !

My biggest hold up with the R8 was lack of IBIS and the smaller battery. Too bad you don't have the R6M2 as an option. I've found it to be absolutely stellar. The R8 uses the same sensor.

I'd go R8 for the size/form factor.

It is an option if I want ... just not one I looked at yet.

 

[JoeTheSnowPlowGuy]

In a limited one off opportunity take it or leave it now way !

It is an option if I want ... just not one I looked at yet.

If the R6M2 is an option, I think it's probably a much better choice than an R8, given the cost savings you're going to get. In my opinion the R6M2 is sort of like the Swiss Army knives of mirrorless cameras right now. It does everything really well and there isn't much of anything it can't do at least 'good'.

 

[SO8]

Decided on an R8 ...but can't decide on a lens. I tried it with my RF24-70 and that is too big. It is really nice with the RF 24-105 STM but I am used to L glass so wonder if the 24-105 L is still too big ... or go for the 24-240.

Torn over the lens choice now. Aargh.

 

[JoeTheSnowPlowGuy]

I have the non-L 24-105 and beside the small aperture, which I think it a bit too small, it takes fantastic photos. It’s super light and makes a great walking around lens. I don’t use it for paid work, but it’s very sharp. If your goal is to save size and weight that combination is hard to beat.

 

[BobU]

R3 is not heavy coming from a 1D X I love the size, battery life, vertical grip. Hate that it has an SD card. Foolish!!

I've been thinking of R8 for backup, but as mentioned IBIS and battery keep me away. So likely R6 or R6 II when I decide I have to have a backup.

Now lenses for your R8. If it were me, RF 24-105 L. ALWAYS my go to walkaround / everything lens. I personally do not see much difference between that and the RF 24-70 F 2.8 and enjoy the extra reach andI have seen VERY clean used copies for the low $800's, sometimes less if you bide your time.

 

[JoeTheSnowPlowGuy]

I’ve thought about selling or trading my 24-105 STM for the L version. Frankly, I think I’d welcome a slightly less expensive 24-70 f/4 to pair with the 70-200 f/4. Don’t have an unlimited budget.

 

[SO8]

I’ve thought about selling or trading my 24-105 STM for the L version. Frankly, I think I’d welcome a slightly less expensive 24-70 f/4 to pair with the 70-200 f/4. Don’t have an unlimited budget.

It is a shame they don't do a 24-70 f4.
I now have both the 24-105's and the 24-70 f2.8 ... plus had the 28-70 f2 which I really miss.

The IQ of the STM 24-105 is just like the f4 L version but you miss out on the shallower f4 aperture. I love shallow Dof so had to really get the f4 lens. I got the STM one for £199 so couldn't turn that down !! It is great but doesn't give me the separation I love.

 

[Chimpy]

I have any R8, R6II and a R3 and given a choice I would pick up a R6II if possible. The R6II has a lot going for it over my R3, so much so I'm contemplating moving my R3 on.

The R8 is a cracking little camera if you can get over the 1 card slot, poorish battery performance, no IBS and no official grip. I worked around these foibles by buying lots of 3rd party batteries and grip that works using the remote plug, I also purchased a few more SD cards that I swap out regularly during a shoot, the lack IBS doesn't worry me as I often thought it caused problems with images.

Whatever body you get I'm sure they be a good back up to your R5.

 

[SO8]

I have any R8, R6II and a R3 and given a choice I would pick up a R6II if possible. The R6II has a lot going for it over my R3, so much so I'm contemplating moving my R3 on.

The R8 is a cracking little camera if you can get over the 1 card slot, poorish battery performance, no IBS and no official grip. I worked around these foibles by buying lots of 3rd party batteries and grip that works using the remote plug, I also purchased a few more SD cards that I swap out regularly during a shoot, the lack IBS doesn't worry me as I often thought it caused problems with images.

Whatever body you get I'm sure they be a good back up to your R5.

I got the R8 in the end ... I was tempted by the R3 as I used to have and use 1D II and 1Ds II when I did weddings with my wife years back ... but we moved to 5D II and III due to the weight. I only shoot for pleasure now so a lighter option to the R5 seemed logical though the battery life of the R8 is pretty poor !

 

[Chimpy]

I got the R8 in the end ... I was tempted by the R3 as I used to have and use 1D II and 1Ds II when I did weddings with my wife years back ... but we moved to 5D II and III due to the weight. I only shoot for pleasure now so a lighter option to the R5 seemed logical though the battery life of the R8 is pretty poor !

Cheers for the update, I think I was a bit late on the thread I can highly recommend a third party grip and batteries on Amazon if you need more battery life.

 

[SO8]

Cheers for the update, I think I was a bit late on the thread I can highly recommend a third party grip and batteries on Amazon if you need more battery life.

I got one genuine Canon battery as an extra ... I only shoot stills so it is not as bad as if I took video. I took 103 shots yesterday and it was still on full. I might go for the extra little RP grip as opposed to a full one. If the price offer comes up on the R3 again I might get one. It will depend on finances and what is about as I am more likely to spend money on glass atm.

 

[JoeTheSnowPlowGuy]

I feel like the battery decision by Canon on the R8 was a miss. For the price of that camera an EPL6NH battery should be used.

 

[Dcweather]

I would have gone R8 as well given your usage. I don't think you would need two top end full frame cameras and would always have been torn as to which one to use.