40D & 5D Owners - For Portraits, Which is Better?

I just finished PP some portraits I took for a friend's daughter. She is a senior and wanted some pictures taken in her home. So, I brought my flashes, stands, umbrellas, etc., and put the 85 1.8 on the 40D and then on the 5D. The 85 is my best portrait lens.

I noticed the 40D shots were very nice. I processed those first because it was the first time I used the camera for that. Then I PP the 5D shots and WOW! There was an incredible difference in sharpness and clarity.

Sorry I can't post the pictures, as the young lady hasn't given me her okay yet, and I'm still working on the proofs. When I get the okay, I will definitely post. I even want to put one shot on my business card.

But has anyone else been doing comparisons and finding one camera better than the other for portraits?

I've been seriously considering getting a 40D. I would like to see your comparisons.

I have both the 40D and 5D as well. The 40D is an excellent camera, as is the 5D, but I use them for different things. I use the 5D for lower light and motionless subjects, while the 40D is excellent for action shots, while still remaining good in low light. The colors from the 5D, in my opinion lend themselves more to portraits, because there is just something about the way that camera captures a subject. Also, with the 1.6 crop of the 40D, I feel it lends itself from the get-go as a more action/ distance related camera. Of course, either camera can be used for any type of shooting, they each have their strong points and weak points. I feel as a pair, they are a perfect compliment to each other.

I thought that too, but I don't do that much sports. I do mainly weddings and events. So this is something I have to consider. I have 2 weddings scheduled, and if I need WOW portraits, I'm going to have to consider buying the 5D replacement or another 5D, if the 40D images are not up to standards.

Geez you guys are killing me. All this 5D reading makes me want one. I would love to see your shots side by side if you get permission from the young lady.

5D is better for potrait since the noise is lower.But 40D is not bad either

danielyamseng wrote in post #4752673
5D is better for potrait since the noise is lower.But 40D is not bad either

that depends since most portraits will likely be done with the use of flashes and in this case, noise is irrelevant.

on a side note, i have been shooting with the 5D along with my 1DmkIIn and as far as i can tell, if there is a difference between the 2, it is not as big as some people will have you believe. the 5D is very nice but i for one did not notice that incredible WOW that everybody is talking about...

Yes we need side by side comparisons to make a legit decision. Come on Suzy........start sharing.........or give me the girls number and I will get permission.

I think you pretty much answered your own question in the original post, the 5D gave you what you were looking for. I'd wait till the 5D's replacement is introduced if you see the 5D lacking in departments you are using...Personally I'm getting the 5D for the same thing, although my "events" are photojournalistic in nature so high ISO noise control is much appreciated...

Ive had both the 5D and the Mark2N at the same time, and ive used both in similar if not the exact same settings on quite a few few shoots. Maybe I just suck, and the 5D is more forgiving, but the photos out of my 5D were usually always noticeably better overall.

Ive also used the 5D along with the 40D, and I would chose the 5D for portraits over the 40D any day. I like having a full frame camera for portraits.

I sent the Mom my e-mail for permission, but no response yet. I'm dropping off the proofs tomorrow. So, I will definitely try.

I used the 40D for basketball on Saturday and it is remarkably better than the 20D for sports. That's why I bought it. I may shoot a roll of film with my EOS 3 also next Sat. and compare. That would be fun.

Crop out her head and any other identifying features. We just want to see the difference in sharpness and vibrance.

blonde wrote in post #4753046
on a side note, i have been shooting with the 5D along with my 1DmkIIn and as far as i can tell, if there is a difference between the 2, it is not as big as some people will have you believe. the 5D is very nice but i for one did not notice that incredible WOW that everybody is talking about...

so how does the 1dm3 compare with those two cameras? btw, you don't think the resolution of the 5d is a big thing?

ed rader

I would have thought it would be all about the lens, and that with the same lens on each, at any reasonable magnification level (1024 x 768 on screen or perhaps an 8 x 10 print) there would be no real difference between the two cameras. Very interested in seeing what you've got (and hopefully help justify the new 5D I just bought last month).