What should I buy? 5D?

If it's within your reach, then the 5D maybe the way to go. As for prints, I'd doubt you'd see much if any difference between the 30D and the 5D unless you print bigger than 8x12 inches. It costs more for the 5D and if just a matter of figuring out if the features that the 5D offers is worth the money for you that's all. It's individual.
I think dpreview's test of the 5D would be a good place to start as well.

Good luck

Thanks for all the help, I decided to get the 5D, but I have one more question, how large a memory card should I buy? is 2 gb enough??

k9trainer wrote in post #2730730
Thanks for all the help, I decided to get the 5D, but I have one more question, how large a memory card should I buy? is 2 gb enough??

Good choice! I've got a 4gb in mine, but your milage may vary

depends on how much you shoot.
A 2GB card should hold about 180 or so RAW shots. Some think this is nothing but then if you are coming from film, is about 7 rolls of 24 exposure films enough for one shoot?

Depends on your view. Newegg.com has Ridata 150X 2GB cards for pretty low price. I've got two with no problems. They're very fast too.

That being said, I should be looking at 2 to 4 GB and cards that are high speed, like 150 times?

Congrats on your new cam body.

Done deal, very excited to get back into the picture taking world and I cant wait to shoot with the new 5D

k9trainer wrote in post #2730730
Thanks for all the help, I decided to get the 5D, but I have one more question, how large a memory card should I buy? is 2 gb enough??

some people say its better to use more smaller cards then fewer bigger cards because less risk of loss from a corrupted card

I ended up purchasing the 5D with 28-135 IS USM lens and also purchased the
ATP ProMax 4GB 150x CompactFlash Memory Card to go with the camera, It seemed to be the fastest card, but then again this is new to me.

Think that should be a decent start up kit for sure. I'm not a big fan of the 28-135 though. I've had it before and sold it for a Tamron 28-75. But it's range will certainly be more versatile.

Have fun.

I'm in the same boat. 5D should arrive tomorrow. I got a flash too since I have some lenses from my Elan.
I ended up getting a 4GB sandisk extreme III at frys for 140 and there is a $30 rebate from sandisk.
Good times to come...
except paying it all off.

I have the 350D & can highly recommend it as a nice bit of kit that will give great results for the minimum amount of money spent.

The 5D though is in another league & should produce even better results but as always its not so much the equipment but the person behind it, depending on skill level you can still get stunning results with a 350D, ive sold some photos using my setup & its a great camera, but I would imagine (as I dont own one) that a 5D would just have the edge when it comes to using the camera, its like a rolls royce in the camera world.

Both cameras have the capability of producing top images but are really in 2 difference brackets, the 350D is without any doubt the best camera around for the price, value for money & image quality is right up there, the 5D on the other hand is altogether a much more expensive beast requiring even more expensive lenses.

I would say if anyone can comfortably afford the 5D with really good glass then go for it, I was going to buy the 5D instead of the 350D but when I worked out my finances it was just too much of a stuggle to get the money, one day maybe!

Nick

k9trainer wrote in post #2729704
First post in a long time, so I guess I'm new to the forum. I'm trying to decide what DSLR to purchase, I've been out of the camera scene for quite some time now, but now I have the bug. In the past I was shooting with a Hassablad 500c, mostly shooting portraits and weddings, I no longer have the hassablad and want to get back into shooting. I doubt I will shoot weddings again but love to shoot portraits and animal pics, I also spend allot of time in Hawaii and would like to shoot landscapes. So here is the dilemma, should I purchase something like a Canon Rebel or go straight to the 5D. There is such a difference in cost but it seems like FF is the only way to go. I need to make a decision fast if I'm going to take advantage of the rebate as it ends tomorrow. Is the 5D really all that different than a non FF camera?
Any help would be appreciated.

take the advice already gioven and go and HANDLE one, look through the VF etc

I BET you go for the 5D immediately with you being used to the Hassy