5D Classic - Does it still cut it?

Since selling my Canon gear (7D) for Panasonic (for video) I've really missed the EOS system. I've been looking into starting something simple, 1 body and 1 or 2 lenses to use alongside the Panasonic.

I'm quite keen on going FF, but can't justify the cost and hassel involved with going with the 5D2 - I'd have to sell the Panasonic gear and buy video equipment for the Canon.

So I thought about getting a 5D classic, just for stills. Is it still a good idea to go with what's now pretty old digital technology? Are there glaring omissions from the 5D that I should consider? My main worry is the high ISO performance. I'm not going to be in pro situations so it isn't vital, but I can't seem to gauge how well it performs.

Some insight from 5D owners would be great here, and perhaps some comparison to the 7D for reference.

Thanks! Ben

It cuts it now as well as it ever did. ISO is okay to 1600, useable at 3200. Its great for landscape and portrait work. The big downside is now live view, no internal speedlite controls and an simple menu. The LCD isnt great, but thats part of the charm. A blah shot on the LCD comes alive on the PC monitor, its magic.

Still shooting one and love it. Gonzo is right, the LCD sucks (at least mine does) and it's magic on the computer. I do wish for a 5D2 or or a 6D soon though as I do a bunch of video as well and it would be nice to not have to lug 2 bodies around.

The 5Dc thread https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1159990

I'de just bite my lip and go for the 5D2 (or 6D or 5D3). Magic lantern has really extended the life of the 5D2. It doesnt have auto ISO working yet, but I hope they are working on it. The ETTR stuff is really great. Intervalometer and bracketing are a joy to use. The camera is aging like fine wine thanks to magic lantern.

I'd save up another $2-300 and get a 7D again. The AF, the display, the speed, pop-up flash with wireless control, etc. are all worth the difference.

adamo99 wrote in post #15999512
I'd save up another $2-300 and get a 7D again. The AF, the display, the speed, pop-up flash with wireless control, etc. are all worth the difference.

Unless you want full frame.

gonzogolf wrote in post #15999548
Unless you want full frame.

IMO, getting full frame is not worth giving up everything that you gain by purchasing another 7D.

adamo99 wrote in post #15999560
IMO, getting full frame is not worth giving up everything that you gain by purchasing another 7D.

That would be your experience. I want my lenses to work as designed. I want less pixel density. There are reasons to go full frame if you want. You dont, but the OP does. Enjoy your 7D.

adamo99 wrote in post #15999512
I'd save up another $2-300 and get a 7D again. The AF, the display, the speed, pop-up flash with wireless control, etc. are all worth the difference.

Although it seems tempting, my thinking at the moment is:

I shoot landscape/street photography almost exclusively, and like to use manual lenses - making AF/FPS less important.
I never used the wireless control on the 7D, and seldom the popup flash. Although nice features, I'm thinking I could live without them now I'm not shooting weddings.

I'm looking primarily for a full frame sensor, large viewfinder and rugged build quality.
I thought the 7D was fantastic, but I'm just looking for a FF sensor and a nice 50mm prime.

benesotor wrote in post #15999677
I'm looking primarily for a full frame sensor, large viewfinder and rugged build quality.

I thought the 7D was fantastic, but I'm just looking for a FF sensor and a nice 50mm prime.

Have you considered the original 1Ds? The build on the 5D isn't exactly what I'd consider 'rugged'.

adamo99 wrote in post #15999693
Have you considered the original 1Ds? The build on the 5D isn't exactly what I'd consider 'rugged'.

I hadn't actually. But maybe I could keep an eye out for a 1Ds Mark II - some seem to go for quite low prices (bit more than 5D)

I'm not sure what adamo has against the 5D, but at current prices you get a lot for your money.

Id probably be more inclined to go 5D than 1Ds, mostly because of the ISO limitation.

I bought a 5d about 2 months ago, to accompany my 7d. I found I used it more than the 7d because I prefer the picture image quality. It might be in my mind, but no amount of internet comparisons will convince me otherwise. That is not to say I dont like the 7d, it is great, but if I don't need high fps,ISO above 3200 or the af I will use the 5d. I also think that the 5d at 3200 looks better than the 7d at 3200. This is apparently not true according to reviews and comparisons but the high ISO look on a 5d photo to me at least is better

I too bought a 5d a couple of months ago and I use it almost exclusively. Once I bought my 5d2 I instantly sold my t2i and planned to keep my 60d. Well what I noticed is that I never touched my 60d again for months so I sold it and bought the 5d to backup my 5d2. The image quality makes up for the old technology.

When I shoot as a second for weddings I shoot with a prime on both ff cameras and I don't have to worry about having different image quality. With the current crop lineups I'll take a 5d over any of them. Also iso 3200 is quite good with the 5d. So the answer is yes the 5d still cuts it and please don't believe that you can't shoot moving objects with a 5d or 5d2. Just check the 5d and 5d2 threads to see for yourself. You'll find that a lot of the so called "pros" on this forum will tell you that its a portrait only camera. That's so far from the truth.

The 5d is the best bang for your buck right now and will be for some time. You can buy a 5d and a canon 50 1.4 ,1.8 or if you're a 35mm type person the 35mm f2 for under $900.00 bucks. In good light the 50 1.8 stays glued to my 5d...In bad light it's the 50 1.4.

It's true that the lcd display isn't great, but it's not bad. But once you open the file on your screen that's where the jaws drop.