Is the 5D twice as good as the 40D?

Yes, I left out what I have now. I have a 10D, nothing wrong with it, just wanted to modernize. I think I am considering the 5D because I can have it now....

if you want the 5D then get the 5D, I have a 30D sitting in the backup bag, the 30D is a great body, but once I went FF I never look back.
I don't have or want the 40D, I've already got a 1.6 that'll track just fine at 5fps, lots of noise about the bad AF on the 30D just before and just after the 40D came out....I dunno, mines quick and tracks great.
A real upgrade for me will be a 1D series and for now, I'm not getting paid for my work so I can't seem to find the need for a 1D (yet) I'd rather spend it on glass, books and other things at the moment

mcneguy wrote in post #3953039
think I am considering the 5D because I can have it now....

For me, the 5D was a no brainer because I was coming from 35mm. For what I need in a camera, a 40D has no benefits from the 5D....but that's me. I notice people coming from the 10D series treat FF as some sacred thing that is just so hard to compose from. While it seems like there's a big difference between the price in 1.6x/1.5x vs FF and 1.3x....there is always debates about if one can be superior then another. Whatever! If you're really wondering what FF is like, you could always try renting a 5D.

If you get a 1Ds III you can basically shoot everything, including sports. Not saying that you couldn't do that with the 5d but 2 fps makes a difference. Then again that New Nikon looks nice.

DonaldB wrote in post #3952845
....... recently got into doing some BIF shots...most will say a 5D is not good for birds .........

The way that I heard it was, "the 5D is NOT for the birds."

BTW, those are great bird shots! I had been told that my camera, the XTi was for the birds, but for some reason I have not been able to get very good bird pictures, so far.

Im getting a 5D very soon im exited!

Looks like you have the perfect lenses for it allready(24-105, 100-400, 50) Congrats, you'll love it

Donald Blue... that's an awesome photo. Very crystal clear. Which lens did you use for that?

ACDCROCKS wrote in post #3953104
If you get a 1Ds III you can basically shoot everything, including sports. Not saying that you couldn't do that with the 5d but 2 fps makes a difference. Then again that New Nikon looks nice.

FORTYFIVEHUNDREDBUCKS.​......hell you better be able to shoot anything with it .

ed rader

The 40D is 8x better than the 5D. Come on folks.

The way I look at it is that the 5D and a 1.6 camera function as compliments. They're both better than the other in different areas. I eventually want both.

Lord_Malone wrote in post #3952346
That depends on if you think having full frame is twice as good as having 1.6x crop.

Or spending twice as much on a camera that is not twice as good, but if you only shoot portrait, landscape, weddings, low light, etc. then it is the right choice, but the 40D generally a better all rounder for half the price

ed rader wrote in post #3953780
FORTYFIVEHUNDREDBUCKS.​......hell you better be able to shoot anything with it .

ed rader

Wow, if I could get a 1DsMkIII for $4500, I'd figure OUT a way to afford it!

mcneguy,
I have both, and both are great!
Honestly the main difference I have seen between the two is Full Frame vs. 1.6 The 40D beats the 5D in extras like Frames per second, live view, AF accuracy and showing the ISO. The 5D does have a bit more meg to work with (12 vs 10) and will beat the 40D in shadow detail by a very small amount. The 5D keeps lenses like the way they were with film in Field of View. Color accuracy and noise seem to be very close between the two.
Either the 40D or the 5D will be superior!! to the 10D.