What Old DSLR would you buy in 2025?

[mayers]

I used to have a 5DII but it got stolen like 10yrs ago, a long with all the glass and batteries, accessories, etc. I was bitter and left the hobby because I didn't want to rebuy everything (about $6-7k at the time).

I am over it now and have seen some nostalgia about how the old 5D, 6D, and other full frame DSLRs still have that dreamy/hard to reproduce look. Plus, it'd allow me to spend more on good glass. So what old school DSLR would you recommend? I saw a 6D for $200. I'm sure I could get a 5D variant for that or cheaper. Is the 6D "better" though? Thanks!!

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

In order for us to make good recommendations, we would need to have an actual budget for this endeavor?  Body, lens(es) accessories.  

As you have been out the hobby for a decade, and have no old gear to use or integrate with, it would truly make more sense to purchase a mirrorless body and lenses.  The 5DmkII was a good camera.  Now it's 17 yrs old.  Technology has dramatically improved in the last 10 years.  Mirrorless is more affordable than you might think.  Canon also sells refurbished bodies and lenses which come with the same one year warranty as new products.

[March411]

Rick makes some very valid points, I would add that looking at the older DSLR's, while the price is attractive it would be difficult to get them serviced in the event that something went wrong and you required parts. I attached is a list of the DSLR's still supported and the end of service dates below, it will open as a PDF. The 90D had a bad date so I left a question mark.

Based on the AF systems alone and the greatly expanded focus points mirror-less will give you much better results with an insane improvement in your keeper rate. I have used the Canon refurbished market place as Rick suggested and every piece of gear was like new.

[normadel]

Unlike my colleagues here, I am a proponent of buying good used gear....but ONLY from the major used dealers, like MBP.com, UsedPhotoPro.com, or KEH.com. They offer big selections, good warranties (up to six months), rate their wares, show shutter counts, and show pictures of the actual item.

You can set yourself up with a nice outfit for far less than all the mirrorless stuff out there. The 5D Mk IV is widely available (it's still sold new also). Look at the 6D Mk II rather than a plain 6D. A 7D Mk II is a beautiful camera (crop-sensor) and you can use less-expensive EF-S lenses with it.

While mirrorless has been all the rage for some time, DSLRs offer a lot of value.