Upgrading to 5D Classic??

[missy__m]

Hi there,

I have a beloved Canon 30D, but it's time to upgrade. Obviously I would ideally love a Canon 5DMkII, as I really feel I might as well go full frame so I am buying lenses that will last me forever.

I have found the 8MP of the 30D not enough for printing (not that I do it often), and I love the bokeh you can get on wide angle lenses in low light with the 5DMkII.

However, I am not sure I can afford it right now AND I'm not sure my skills justify the price (yet). Would buying a 5D Classic and some good lenses be a better investment? Or is that a really stupid idea and I should just bite the bullet? I'm not sure if the Digic II processor in the MkI is that much of a jump from the 30D but on the other hand I'd have the full frame, 4mp more and hopefully better lenses....has anyone owned both the 5D Classic and the Mk II? Any comparisons?

Thank you for any advice!
/A

[bohdank]

I have had a 40D, 5D and now 5DII but the question I have is..... how big are you printing that the results aren't satisfactory ? Do you crop a lot ?

[AlanU]

The arguments would be "would you be able to see a diff in print"
My XTI has been an excellent starter dslr for me. I've printed 11x16 and have found it doing a great job.

I was an extreme pixel peeper before and it drove me bonkers. The 5dmkII is an amazing camera but the 5Dclassic is still well respected for high IQ. Just by viewing photos without 100% zoom you can still see diff in IQ from a 5d to 5dmkII.

Getting the EF/ or compatible lenses for full frame will open up artistic opportunities. Your better off buying 2000+ dollars worth of lenses rather than tapping out on just buying 1 body. BUT ...... I guess it comes down to your decisions. If you have alot of lenses already then jump to a new body.

The "richness" you get from going full frame is noticeable on screen but on print you "may" see less of a difference. I'll take the IQ of my 5d classic compared to my 1dmkIII anyday but if things move quickly I'll grab the appropriate tool (1dmkIII).

[daft_togger]

I have a 5D Classic and I recently bought a 1d Mark 4....I still have a lot of time for my 5D, ok it's dated now in terms of higher ISO performance...but image quality when used with good glass is still superb, full frame glory.....if you can't get a 5D II, then the 5D Classic is a good 2nd choice....you'll still see a big difference from your 30D....

[By-tor]

I picked up a 5Dc friday and love the shots that come out of it. My 7D produces some outstanding stuff also, but just something about that FF sensor that puts a WOW in my shots...

[form]

Print difference probably won't be noticeable unless you're printing really big enlargements over 11x14 I think. I own a 5D II and 2x 5D originals (and 40D) and I used to own a 20D, and I saw an acceptable 24x36" print from my 20D from way back...

[Brennan.M]

I have a 30D right now and will be buying a friends 5Dc in August, I borrowed his for a while and played around with it. Well worth it. You won't regret it at all. IQ is better and the bokeh compared to a crop body is awesome.

[Mark-B]

What are you trying to print that the 30D can't handle? I've printed (Mpix or WHCC) many 4x6, 8x10, and 16x24 images from my 20D. They all look great, although 16x24 is probably stretching the limits of an 8mp image.

Nothing wrong with picking up another camera just because you feel like it, but if your small to medium size prints aren't coming out good with a 30D, they might not be any better with a 5D.

[LiquidSword]

I've printed up to a 22x28 picture from my 1D2 (same MP as 30D), and see no problem. Granted, this was a landscape shot, so maybe a portrait or people might not be as forgiving. Either way, I was happy with such a large print from an 8 MP camera.

[eye2i]

Nice Avatar. I actually just finished watching Spirited Away


Back to your question. Yes, noticeable difference in IQ switching from a 30D-->5DC. 5DC is still a great camera, if you can get by without the live view feature and dust cleaning sensor then this is the one for you. Just check the pictures in the 5DC thread to convince you.