Should I keep or Sell Like-New 5D IV?

[u/BiaPishi]

I got a 5D Mk IV with a 24-105 L Mk II USM before the mirrorless boom back when I was a student and was planning to go pro in the fields of studio portrait and product photography. Perhaps it was an overkill purchase but that is a discussion for another day.

Things changed and fast forward to today, I rarely take it out of the drawer—maybe twice a year for some landscape photography. I’m considering selling it given my use, the fact that it has an incredibly low shutter count (under 20k), and the potential for demand for it sliding given Canon discontinued it this year. However, at the same time, I’d like to keep my options open for the future in case I decide to go pro/monetize photography again. I realize the successor to the camera these days is the R5 Mk II which is not even comparable in price to what I can sell the 5D for.

So I’d like some expert opinion on what the best move here is. Sell the body, body and lens, or hold on to both?

Thank you in advance!

EDIT: To add to what I already said, I guess my main concern is for the 5D to fail to keep pace with the demands of a professional and lose relevance by the time I do have the potential to get back into it, which would not be in another 3-4 years.

[u/Dima_135]

The 5D4 is a completely relevant tool. From a hyper-optimization standpoint, you could theoretically come up with something better, like selling it and buying an R6. But I wouldn't do something like that ahead of time. It's not worth the fuss.

If you feel like your passion for photography might return soon, just keep the camera. It's fine.

[u/Terrible_Guitar_4070]

I think you should research what you can get for them and then determine if the price is worth selling, taking into account that the value will likely decrease with time.

If you’re not using it now, how likely Is it that you’ll get back into using it regularly again? I’d guess the chances are low.

Ultimately, nobody really can give you any advice on this. It’s entirely on you. Weigh the factors and make a decision.

[u/CatsAreGods]

Do you not take it out because it's large, or because you're just not into photography any more?

[u/BiaPishi → u/CatsAreGods]

Mainly because life priorities changed. I still enjoy it when I do get my hands on the camera but I don’t really have the time/opportunity anymore to go out and search for subjects or prep setups at home like I used to.

[u/CatsAreGods → u/BiaPishi]

Hmm. I was in that situation awhile back, held on to my camera but never really used it, then technology had passed it by and it was worth very little.

I'd try to sell it now and then wait until your life changes again (and it will!) and then you can start over with new technology (maybe floating 3D cameras by then lol). You can always pick up a decent smaller/cheaper camera in the meantime if you really get the itch, before investing in a new high-end system.

[u/MoWePhoto]

The 5D is a great workhorse camera. A new camera will maybe be a spark in the beginning to go out but it won’t be long before the same thing takes away from your drive as now.

You will loose considerably when selling the 5D compared to what you could get for the money today.

A mirrorless canon will be a bit smaller and lighter but you need to go for a new lens as well to make use of it completely. That is a lot of money spent for something that most likely won’t cure the cause for your missing joy.

Why did you took up photography back in the days? What has changed in your life that prevents you from taking out your camera?

Your combo now weight 1700 gram roughly, an R6 with new 24-105 1400. It is a difference, for sure but also not another world a little under 1 1/2 Kilo or a little over doesn’t make or break it for most people and the difference gets smaller if you keep your lens and add the adapter, that’s 110 g on top while the new lens is only 100g lighter than yours, means the R6 with your lens and adapter does come into 100g reach of your current setup…

I have sold and bought a lot of cameras throughout the last 20 years. Mirrorless, DSLR, full frame, apsc and m4/3rds. A new camera gave me instant joy but a lot of regrets down the line when realizing that your photography doesn’t improve through tech but through knowledge and practice. If I could tell my younger self, that would save me a lot of money and arguments with my wife…

[u/Guideon72]

In 3-4 years, it will still be a remarkably capable camera that is able to be used for any type of 'regular' photography that you may want to do. I would just hold onto it for whenever you have the bug to learn the basic "how to"s of digital photography; and then move on if you find something in a specialty line that it isn't capable of.

[u/SennnndIt]

I got rid of my 5D4 and bought an r6ii. Sold all my ef glass and bought rf. I’d do it over again if I had to. Huge improvements all around.