5D in the modern world - still up to it?

Hi,

I'm considering full frame, but as I do wildlife, BiF etc so could not loose the speed or crop I would like to play with one as a second body.

So given that I'm used to a 60D (and used to own a 7D), but that I can't afford to splash out on the 5DII (or upcoming III), is the 5D classic still up to the job or would I find it antiquated for want of a better word?

Cheers,

John

Features are really dated. but in terms of IQ and getting the job done? Yes. A lot of wedding photographers still uses it.

I'd still be using the 60D for the bulk of the stuff I know that need reach/speed, reserving the FF for static slow shots like studio work, landscape, that sort of thing.

But would you mind expanding on features being dated a little?

If you don't need the bells and whistles of the modern bodies, the 5Dc is still a great choice. The files that come out of the 5D are simply stunning IMO, even compared to the newer bodies.

I used it at a studio 3 weeks ago, and the files that came out of this camera still puts a smile on my face. I still prefer the files of the 5DC, there's something so honest about it compared to a 5DMII IMO. Not bad for 5-6 year old tech.

Sounding very nice, but I may have just bumped into a snag - my lenses - I know all my EF lenses will work, and my Tamron 70-300, but I'm not sure about the Sigma 17-50 EX DC HSM, I've checked their site and they are no-where near as helpful as their compatibility chart has a dash against the 5D, but then every single Sigma lens has a dash against every full frame - surely Sigma haven't blocked and entire range of Canon's have they?

Well, the first thing you'll notice is the small rear LCD and the fact that you just won't find it very useful for analyzing your images. A lot of us just use it for the histogram, highlight alerts, and just the most general glance at the image to make sure something didn't go really wrong!

But then, one of the other "first" things you should notice is that it has a nice big and bright viewfinder to show that full frame image! It doesn't quite offer 100% coverage, but it still is nice to use!

Image quality is still great, even after all these years! True it's ISO limited -- if I really need ISO 3200 or higher, I'd grab another body (my old 1DM3 delivers there) but I really prefer not needing that high ISO for my day-to-day shooting. The 5D is great at its native ISO 1600, and if you really want/need 3200 it does have the "Expansion" ISOs of 50 and 3200.

But, despite all the good that can be said about the 5D Classic, it's still an older body/technology. If you've never shot with one or, say, a 20D or a 30D (they have the same body design), then you may find yourself really set back in using the 5D. In fact, I'd suggest I'd suggest trying one out for a while before making the leap.

Now, a lot of us 5D owners actually enjoy shooting with it, old "classical" features and all, but that doesn't mean that we would turn down, say, a 5D2. It just means that it's nice to have the old familar 5DC in your hands, and to get nice images out of it!

Now, one thing you'll hear about both the 5DC and the 5D2 is the "lousy AF". Well, true, it's outdated, sure -- it is an improved version of what you get with the 20D/30D, but still is not the best around any more. So, in low light it can struggle and the outer points can become useless, whereas the 1D bodies and now the 7D boast some amazing AF capabilities, and I gather the 50D and 60D bodies have a pretty nice AF.

But you know what? I've been shooting with the 5D for four years now, and still it is one of my go-to bodies, especially for, well, anything that I can take my time with and that doesn't require the high performance of my 1D3 -- birds, wildlife, sports, and some types of event photography.

John_N wrote in post #13258778
Sounding very nice, but I may have just bumped into a snag - my lenses - I know all my EF lenses will work, and my Tamron 70-300, but I'm not sure about the Sigma 17-50 EX DC HSM, I've checked their site and they are no-where near as helpful as their compatibility chart has a dash against the 5D, but then every single Sigma lens has a dash against every full frame - surely Sigma haven't blocked and entire range of Canon's have they?

The thing with some of the lenses is that they are designed for crop "digital" bodies/sensors, and as a result you don't get a properly projected image on your full-frame sensor. So, look closely at the specs for the lenses and, if you can't find the answer ask here. You could ask in the 5D Classic Admirers' thread, or a thread in the Lens section(s) -- either the Talk section or find a thread for the lens in the Photo Sharing Archive section (they do feature threads for lenses that will mount on a Canon body).

Sigma. DC = crop. DG = Good (ff)



Furthermore, with Tamron... Di = FF. Di II = crop.

Cheers guys, I was lucky with the Tamron and got the DI, not Di II - that was pure luck!

I have read (on the 5D admires thread )that the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 XR Di would be the one to go for if I don't want to sell a kidney! But I'd loose OS and range on the 60D

Now the next bit of fun would be finding a 5D to play with - of just buy one and sell it again if I don't use it much I guess.

Yes the Tamron 28-75 is a pretty darn good lens, I've liked every copy I've owned (3 so far, 1 right here in front of me but my 5Dc doesn't get here until tomorrow) - Lightweight, cheap, and sharp. Focusing isn't as fast as the USM glass, but c'mon we're talking a fraction of weight and price for 90% of the performance. I lucked out and bought a Canon mount that seems to be in pretty good shape for $250. Typically they run around $300 or so.


As for the 5Dc - should be easy enough to find a decent deal on a clean used copy and sell it for little to no loss if you don't like it. The only thing I could see "tanking" your resell value, barring you dropping the camera or something, is if the 5D3 was actually announced, and current 5D2 owners actually jumped ship (selling their 5D2 bodies used) for 5D3 bodies - this might put a bit of pressure on 5Dc prices, but really not too much.

Heh! Yeah, the release of the 5D3 should make for very interesting times -- if it has all that we hope for, then it should have a huge impact here. And, the dropping of the prices for both the 5D2 and, maybe, the 5DC will have a lot of people looking freshly at these bodies!

Two words: Hell yes.

Glass Plates are still relevant if you want to learn the ancillary skills necessary to get quality images...

I have the 5Dc and the 5DII and still use both. Unless it breaks I'm sure I'll be using the classic two years from now as well. I get great images from it.