Canon 5Dc vs 40D – Wedding Last Resort Body

I'm looking to purchase a second backup body (last resort camera) to be used or kept in my bag for weddings this season. I currently use two 5D3's at the same time and I love it. I do however have concerns of having one body fail and only being left with one body to finish the wedding day.

With that said, I am looking to purchase a third, inexpensive, body to be kept in the bag until something terrible happens and I need it.

Between the 5Dc and 40D, my questions are:
1. Which produces better image quality?
2. What is the low light performance like with each body? How far can the ISO be pushed for receptions?
3. Is the 5Dc ($500) worth the extra $300 over the used 40D's ($200)?

If you think there are better options out there for me, what are they and why? The 5D2 is still too expensive for what I will be needing it for, in my opinion.

The 5D classic has far better image quality and better low-light performance. It is definitely worth the extra money.

5Dc hands down. I love mines for events and I feel like it beats my 60D in IQ.

Vixen89 wrote in post #16776219
5Dc hands down. I love mines for events and I feel like it beats my 60D in IQ.

How does the noise and image quality compare at ISO 1600 and 3200 to your 5D3?

buy 50D just in case you may need more reach sometimes , the price is very close to 40D ,it has microadjustment , flash menu ,....


5d 1600+ iso
http://www.pixel-peeper.com …_max=none&res=3​&digicam=0

Staszek wrote in post #16776228
How does the noise and image quality compare at ISO 1600 and 3200 to your 5D3?

I'll take some test shots, I never really got to ISO 1600 in most things I shoot. I'll be home in an hour and I'll dig out my 5D3.

majix wrote in post #16776234
buy 50D just in case you may need more reach sometimes

I'm covered to 420mm at f/4, I don't typically need longer than that. Nice thought though.

40D ISO completely sucks. It's a great camera but low light shooting is a complete joke. IQ is good if 10MP is good enough for you, which 10MP should be good enough for anyone shooting RAW. I'm sure the 5DC more than outdoes it with low light, even though the ISO isn't super expandable. Also, the 5Dc will do ISO 50 on the other end, while the 40D won't. If you're worried about framerate, the 40D was the best prosumer body in the business in that department (at the time of production of course).

Staszek wrote in post #16776140
I'm looking to purchase a second backup body (last resort camera) to be used or kept in my bag for weddings this season. I currently use two 5D3's at the same time and I love it. I do however have concerns of having one body fail and only being left with one body to finish the wedding day.

With that said, I am looking to purchase a third, inexpensive, body to be kept in the bag until something terrible happens and I need it.

Between the 5Dc and 40D, my questions are:
1. Which produces better image quality?
2. What is the low light performance like with each body? How far can the ISO be pushed for receptions?
3. Is the 5Dc ($500) worth the extra $300 over the used 40D's ($200)?

If you think there are better options out there for me, what are they and why? The 5D2 is still too expensive for what I will be needing it for, in my opinion.

1.) 5Dc, easily.
2.) I'd use the 5Dc at 800 without hesitation. 1600 if you HAVE to. 3200 is poor by today's standards.
3.) Yes, easily.

Heya,

I would suggest sticking with full frame, since you're used to how you use your line up of lenses for composition and expected views, etc. It also will be sharper, better range, better ISO performance, etc.

Very best,

Staszek wrote in post #16776228
How does the noise and image quality compare at ISO 1600 and 3200 to your 5D3?

I cant compare to the 5D3, but to my 6D, ISO 1600 is quite good, and 3200 useable with a little cleanup (personally I dont bother, the grain is good). The profile of the noise is very easy to work with.

great thing is that 5D images look very much like 6D images when using dual bodies, where I've shot with a 6D and 60D pair, and the images are much different. If you're using lightroom presets, you'll find that the 5D files will take them much better than the 60D files.

in short, it's a great backup/second body for me. No FOV shenanigans to deal with. If I'm shooting 24-70 on one body, and 135 on the other..... I wouldnt want an APS-C FOV on either. Say APS-C on my 24-70, I'de miss out on the wide angle dramatic shots. 135mm on APS-C, then I have a much bigger gap from 70mm - ~200mm FOV. Some people may be ok with this, but my glass is built for FF, and if I need something longer, I'll get the proper lens.

Not sure if this will help you but while I was testing between my 5Dc and 5D3, I was quite surprised how well the 5Dc was holding on it's own. I also don't know how to get to 3200 on the 5Dc so I used the ISO H in the test vs. the 3200 in the 5D3.

My answer still stays firm, 5Dc ! This was tested with the 24-70 II on both camera bodies at f/2.8.

https://www.wetransfer​.com …2d9b20140322061​315/4b2235

Vixen89 wrote in post #16776807
Not sure if this will help you but while I was testing between my 5Dc and 5D3, I was quite surprised how well the 5Dc was holding on it's own. I also don't know how to get to 3200 on the 5Dc so I used the ISO H in the test vs. the 3200 in the 5D3.

My answer still stays firm, 5Dc ! This was tested with the 24-70 II on both camera bodies at f/2.8.

https://www.wetransfer​.com …2d9b20140322061​315/4b2235

ISO H is the expanded mode for 3200 set up in the custom functions

I used a 40D and later bought a used 5D. That was the last day I used the 40D for anything but sports. Its better IQ, and ISO performance. It produces IQ that equals the 5DIi but with smaller files.

seanp3 wrote in post #16777249
ISO H is the expanded mode for 3200 set up in the custom functions

Oh perfect then! I saw in the custom functions I had ISO expansion on but it had shown up as the letter H. Did it right after all!