05-15-2011, 12:35 PM
[quote name='gunnar' timestamp='1305315757' post='8297']
Hi all! I've got a crazy idea of buying a classic Canon 5D camera. Any reason I shoudn't? I'm desperate of switching to FF from 1.6 crop (canon 500D), but spending £2000 on 5D2 is not an option, I'm not that serious into photography.
Most critical points for me are
1. FF for wide angle photo. 5D ticks this one obviously
2. Good high ISO performance. Now, is it anything comparable to that of 5D Mark II?
Are there any drawbacks which would have stopped you from buying this camera if you were considering it?
Please post your opinions!
[/quote]
I have both a 5D and 5DII (and a 40D which I haven't used for 18 months). I bought the 5D from someone who got it as a back-up for a 1DsII but rarely used it. I use cameras very lightly - I've probably taken less than 1500 shots with it in the 18 months I've had it, so I disagree with the point made by Rainer earlier about heavy usage. Then just over a year ago, I got a 5DII to cheer myself up during the miserable and depressing greyness of Feb/ March 2010, after which I stopped using the 5D. My intention was to sell it (it's in mint condition) and to keep the 5DII. However, in the last month or so I've started to use the 5D more to compare it with the 5DII and I'm beginning to think I prefer the shots from the 'classic' to those of the 5DII. Shots from the newer camera are definitely more detailed (the files are HUGE) but there's a 'grittiness' about them, almost too much contrast and not the subtle microcontrast of the older camera.
The 5DII also has LiveView, of course, which I rarely use, as well as HD video which I used twice to try it out, but it's not really my thing. Also, very high ISO performance of the 5DII is better (I'm talking 2000+ here). I have a thing about digital noise; I would rarely use the 40D above ISO 400, whereas I find the 5D fine up to 1600 and I've taken very good low light shots at 2000-3000 with the 5DII but there's a lot of NR and signal processing going on there so you lose quite a bit of definition and get even more contrast and grittiness. But for me, FF is the way to go; my 17-40L is now the WA zoom I wanted it to be and the shallow DoF with my other lenses is a great bonus. Just can't decide which body to sell - can't justify keeping both FFs - ATM I'm leaning towards selling the 5DII.... but that may change...decisions, decisions!
Michael
Hi all! I've got a crazy idea of buying a classic Canon 5D camera. Any reason I shoudn't? I'm desperate of switching to FF from 1.6 crop (canon 500D), but spending £2000 on 5D2 is not an option, I'm not that serious into photography.
Most critical points for me are
1. FF for wide angle photo. 5D ticks this one obviously
2. Good high ISO performance. Now, is it anything comparable to that of 5D Mark II?
Are there any drawbacks which would have stopped you from buying this camera if you were considering it?
Please post your opinions!
[/quote]
I have both a 5D and 5DII (and a 40D which I haven't used for 18 months). I bought the 5D from someone who got it as a back-up for a 1DsII but rarely used it. I use cameras very lightly - I've probably taken less than 1500 shots with it in the 18 months I've had it, so I disagree with the point made by Rainer earlier about heavy usage. Then just over a year ago, I got a 5DII to cheer myself up during the miserable and depressing greyness of Feb/ March 2010, after which I stopped using the 5D. My intention was to sell it (it's in mint condition) and to keep the 5DII. However, in the last month or so I've started to use the 5D more to compare it with the 5DII and I'm beginning to think I prefer the shots from the 'classic' to those of the 5DII. Shots from the newer camera are definitely more detailed (the files are HUGE) but there's a 'grittiness' about them, almost too much contrast and not the subtle microcontrast of the older camera.
The 5DII also has LiveView, of course, which I rarely use, as well as HD video which I used twice to try it out, but it's not really my thing. Also, very high ISO performance of the 5DII is better (I'm talking 2000+ here). I have a thing about digital noise; I would rarely use the 40D above ISO 400, whereas I find the 5D fine up to 1600 and I've taken very good low light shots at 2000-3000 with the 5DII but there's a lot of NR and signal processing going on there so you lose quite a bit of definition and get even more contrast and grittiness. But for me, FF is the way to go; my 17-40L is now the WA zoom I wanted it to be and the shallow DoF with my other lenses is a great bonus. Just can't decide which body to sell - can't justify keeping both FFs - ATM I'm leaning towards selling the 5DII.... but that may change...decisions, decisions!
Michael