I've been delaying buying a camera forever and relying on phone photography, but I recently came across preowned camera deal that seems very good. I don't want to invest in a brand new setup for now, not knowing how often will I get a chance to go out for photography but I want to get a hands-on experience with the manual functions of a DSLR/Mirrorless.
I've shortlisted two cameras:
A) 1DX Mark II with a shutter count of around 150k for ₹48k (body only)
B) 5D Mark III with 34k shutter count for ₹27k (body only)
I want to explore different photography styles, but for now I'm leaning more toward street photography. The 1DX is bulkier and heavier but has better specs. The 5D is lighter and has a smaller form factor compared to the 1DX, so it won't be as overwhelming for street photography.
1. Which one should I go for? Open to other suggestions.
2. What are the things I should check before buying a preowned camera?
3. Availability of EF Lenses in the market? (New or Used)
Thanks!
Buy an APS-C camera with modern but simple features. Get a good lens that can last you for years. Later upgrade the camera to a more advanced version once you outgrow the first one and develop better insights into your interests, techniques, etc.
I think that if you are just starting out, I'd strongly suggest starting with a body and lens combo. Grab a zoom lens which can give you variable focal lengths, like something wide at 18mm up to a more portrait oriented (short tele) focal length, for example 50mm.
Tbh, you don't need a full fledged, high end, full-frame camera if you are just starting out.
Since your interest is street photography, grab something compact.
Go full manual mode and focus more on framing, composition, and the exposure triangle and shoot and then shoot some more.
Also, I would recommend going with a camera that has good, decent battery life, as it really helps when you are out shooting for longer periods.
Hi Sheesh
At the level you are, the diffrence between 1DXM2 and a 5DM3 is only acadamic, it won't translate into any better pics. With this catergory of gear, why Professionals choose better gear is mostly to save time and effort and not necessarly to get better pic qulaity. As a hobiest you most likely will not miss the better features.
You are dead right about 1DX being bulky , it should be a major consideration.
But for street you might find even 5D to be more than best size, you might want to look into Fujim but otehr wise 5D is very good body with not regrets.
For a 5D, a 34K shutter count is nothing for a 5D and 27K price is resonalbe but not extra cheap either EF. EF is a system that has no future and no one will put big money on it, it is only left for enthusiasts now.
That's my 2 cents, hope it helps
On a lighter note, don't buy the 5D and send it my way
Quote from: ashutosh1979 on February 18, 2026, 12:12:46 PMHi Sheesh
At the level you are, the diffrence between 1DXM2 and a 5DM3 is only acadamic, it won't translate into any better pics. With this catergory of gear, why Professionals choose better gear is mostly to save time and effort and not necessarly to get better pic qulaity. As a hobiest you most likely will not miss the better features.
You are dead right about 1DX being bulky , it should be a major consideration.
But for street you might find even 5D to be more than best size, you might want to look into Fujim but otehr wise 5D is very good body with not regrets.
For a 5D, a 34K shutter count is nothing for a 5D and 27K price is resonalbe but not extra cheap either EF. EF is a system that has no future and no one will put big money on it, it is only left for enthusiasts now.
That's my 2 cents, hope it helps
Thanks for your valuable advice!
I know the EF mount and lenses are obsolete and thing of the past, which is bugging me quite a bit.
If I go with this offer then I'll have to make up my mind that this will be a temporary setup (for a year or two), and not expand the setup.
If you buy a DSLR right now, you'll be stuck with a DSLR lens too. Better get a mirrorless camera, which will also allow you to do better hip-level street photography due to its eye-AF capability. Plus the cameras are smaller and less conspicuous, especially Sony and Fuji APS-C models. Both systems give you lots of options for OEM and third party lenses. The Fuji has lots of dials for manual control, but it's costlier too.
Quote from: Sheeesh on February 19, 2026, 02:23:27 PMQuote from: ashutosh1979 on February 18, 2026, 12:12:46 PMHi Sheesh
At the level you are, the diffrence between 1DXM2 and a 5DM3 is only acadamic, it won't translate into any better pics. With this catergory of gear, why Professionals choose better gear is mostly to save time and effort and not necessarly to get better pic qulaity. As a hobiest you most likely will not miss the better features.
You are dead right about 1DX being bulky , it should be a major consideration.
But for street you might find even 5D to be more than best size, you might want to look into Fujim but otehr wise 5D is very good body with not regrets.
For a 5D, a 34K shutter count is nothing for a 5D and 27K price is resonalbe but not extra cheap either EF. EF is a system that has no future and no one will put big money on it, it is only left for enthusiasts now.
That's my 2 cents, hope it helps
Thanks for your valuable advice!
I know the EF mount and lenses are obsolete and thing of the past, which is bugging me quite a bit.
If I go with this offer then I'll have to make up my mind that this will be a temporary setup (for a year or two), and not expand the setup.
Actually you can go along way with this setup 3-4 years easily even more, just don't get jealous of the latest gear and keep an eye open for good used lenses, what you need to decide is suitability for the kind of work you want to do. That is long discussion to start.
Quote from: ashutosh1979 on February 19, 2026, 05:05:28 PMQuote from: Sheeesh on February 19, 2026, 02:23:27 PMQuote from: ashutosh1979 on February 18, 2026, 12:12:46 PMHi Sheesh
At the level you are, the diffrence between 1DXM2 and a 5DM3 is only acadamic, it won't translate into any better pics. With this catergory of gear, why Professionals choose better gear is mostly to save time and effort and not necessarly to get better pic qulaity. As a hobiest you most likely will not miss the better features.
You are dead right about 1DX being bulky , it should be a major consideration.
But for street you might find even 5D to be more than best size, you might want to look into Fujim but otehr wise 5D is very good body with not regrets.
For a 5D, a 34K shutter count is nothing for a 5D and 27K price is resonalbe but not extra cheap either EF. EF is a system that has no future and no one will put big money on it, it is only left for enthusiasts now.
That's my 2 cents, hope it helps
Thanks for your valuable advice!
I know the EF mount and lenses are obsolete and thing of the past, which is bugging me quite a bit.
If I go with this offer then I'll have to make up my mind that this will be a temporary setup (for a year or two), and not expand the setup.
Actually you can go along way with this setup 3-4 years easily even more, just don't get jealous of the latest gear and keep an eye open for good used lenses, what you need to decide is suitability for the kind of work you want to do. That is long discussion to start.
Getting jealous is not an option, I have other things to take care of... but cannot get let dreams remain unfulfilled as I age. Hence I am looking for budget setup to be able to start somewhere at least.
It was really nice talking to you. See you around!
Thanks once again.
I would personally recommend getting a smaller mirrorless camera. Speaking from personal experience, the bigger and bulkier the camera, the less likely you would be to take it around. Bigger cameras would also be much more conspicuous for street photography.
Unlike video, most cameras from the last 5-10 years still hold up very well for photography imo, so you can't really go wrong. I would suggest prioritising a camera that you think is fun rather than one that has the best specs.
Goodluck and happy shooting.