Best affordable low light SLR?

Hi guys
I've just registered to ask this question. I think maybe it's time to move on from my trusty Canon A1, that's served me well for over 25 years (!). If truth be known, I've used digital compacts for several years in preference, and I don't think I'll ever move back to film. But I love what an SLR can do. I've done a lot of low available-light work in my time and I love it, so whatever I get has to be good at that. Everyone seems to point me towards the 5D, so I have a few questions to ask you experts:-

1 Is the 5D the best model for low light photography in the Canon range?
2 Is there a camera of another make that runs it close, or maybe is better (I'm wondering specifically about Nikon)?
3 Returning to the Canon, I'm considering the 24-105 L-series zoom lens. Is this lens really as good as it's cracked up to be?
4 Does the old rule still apply, that however good a zoom lens there will be a fixed focal length lens that will eclipse its performance?
5 Is the current 5D soon to be replaced, and will the replacement be such that I'd regret having jumped into the market too soon?

There's probably a lot more I should be asking, but as I'm new here I don't want to be too greedy! I can tell that you people like your 5Ds, but if you were starting over again is that really what you would buy? Remember, it's LOW LIGHT that I'm really interested in.
Peter

1. Yes.

2. No, especially not Nikon camera.. (I expect lot of people not to agree with this, that’s my personal opinion.)

3. Yes, it is good, especially in combination with 5D.
Not ideal for low light work, though.

4. Yes.

5. 5D is next in line to be replaced; however, nobody outside Canon headquarters probably doesn’t know the new model’s specifications.

6. Welcome to POTN!

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
1 Is the 5D the best model for low light photography in the Canon range?

It's the best without moving up to a 1-series, which will cost you much more money. The prices on 5D's have never been lower.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
2 Is there a camera of another make that runs it close, or maybe is better (I'm wondering specifically about Nikon)?

Not really familiar with Nikon's lineup.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
3 Returning to the Canon, I'm considering the 24-105 L-series zoom lens. Is this lens really as good as it's cracked up to be?

This is a really great all around zoom lens, although for lowlight specifically it's too slow.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
4 Does the old rule still apply, that however good a zoom lens there will be a fixed focal length lens that will eclipse its performance?

Pretty much, yes. You definitely get what you pay for when it comes to zoom lenses--its usually worth it to buy the more expensive model. However Canon's line-up of consumer prime lenses offer GREAT bang for the buck.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
5 Is the current 5D soon to be replaced, and will the replacement be such that I'd regret having jumped into the market too soon?

Hard to say what it will offer. But with 5D's going for $2199 brand new, that's a pretty good deal. When the 5D was first released, it went for about $3200--chances are its replacement will be around that same price.

Hope that helps!

The current 5D will suit you fine. There's absolutely no reason to wait for whatever comes next.

This is a 1sec exposure at ISO3200. I intentionally didn't apply and noise reduction or sharpening to show off what the 5D can do.

http://www.the-aperture.com/EE/photos​/large/IMG_2248.jpg

I think the fact that Nikon using CCD instead of CMOS already made Canon a winner for noise control

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
1 Is the 5D the best model for low light photography in the Canon range?

The 5d is remarkable for it’s low light performance. I use a 5D at work specifically for those characteristics. However, I just purchased a 40D and in all honesty, it is not that far off. Maybe a bit more noise, but not a whole lot more. But then again, the 400D is not all that much noisier either. It all depends on how much noise you’re willing to accept.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
2 Is there a camera of another make that runs it close, or maybe is better (I'm wondering specifically about Nikon)?

There isn’t right now but there is speculation that the D300 and D3 will offer much improved high ISO performance and if the leaked photos can be believed, both the D300 and D3 looks as if they are going to knock Canon off the high ISO horse

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
3 Returning to the Canon, I'm considering the 24-105 L-series zoom lens. Is this lens really as good as it's cracked up to be?

It’s a darn fine lens. Great choice. There are other darn fine lenses as well. Check out some of the stickies at the top of the lens forum.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
4 Does the old rule still apply, that however good a zoom lens there will be a fixed focal length lens that will eclipse its performance?

All the rules still apply. Digital did not rewrite any other than the medium used to capture the image. Primes generally provide better optical performance than zooms but it’s really lens by lens.

peterbj7 wrote in post #4126909
5 Is the current 5D soon to be replaced, and will the replacement be such that I'd regret having jumped into the market too soon?

Rumor has it and it is definitely next in queue for an upgrade or replacement. But nothing has been announced. It could be weeks, months, or never.

cy88 wrote in post #4127312
I think the fact that Nikon using CCD instead of CMOS already made Canon a winner for noise control

Nikons new cameras are now using CMOS as well. Of course, they are not here yet.

gjl711 wrote in post #4127343
Nikons new cameras are now using CMOS as well. Of course, they are not here yet.

You meant, the cameras that they are bringing out in a year or so?

cy88 wrote in post #4127365
You meant, the cameras that they are bringing out in a year or so?

Those are the ones.

Of course they promissed next month, but the lack of sample pics leads me to believe it's going to me a bit longer.

cy88 wrote in post #4127365
You meant, the cameras that they are bringing out in a year or so?

Yup. D3 and D300 are..
Also Nikon is a master of short supplies.. so I think year or so is correct.

Pete wrote in post #4126981
The current 5D will suit you fine. There's absolutely no reason to wait for whatever comes next.

This is a 1sec exposure at ISO3200. I intentionally didn't apply and noise reduction or sharpening to show off what the 5D can do.

http://www.the-aperture.com/EE/photos​/large/IMG_2248.jpg

Great pic!

Was he posing or does that activity require him to be still. Very sharp subject for a one second exposure.

The Hardcard wrote in post #4128454
Great pic!

Was he posing or does that activity require him to be still. Very sharp subject for a one second exposure.

Since that looks to be a wax figure, he's required to be very still.

It was a dummy!

Shot was taken with an IS lens, braced against a wall.

prime80 wrote in post #4128498
Since that looks to be a wax figure, he's required to be very still.

wouldn't he melt if he were wax?... i suppose you're gonna tell me that's a fake fire too .

ed rader

5D + 85mm f/1.2 L II = killer combo for low light portraits!