5D or 5DMkII...it's as simple as that.

skygod44 wrote in post #7035184
Good points MichSt. But I'm worried that really, we're all being a bunch of numbskulls in that just perhaps, dSLRs have already peeked for real-world photography...

If that’s how you feel, then why bother with getting a 5D at all? If you really need a backup, why not pick up a used 30D or new 40D? Then you can save a ton of money and use it for glass, or your savings account. You’ve probably already found that for real-world photography a 30D is far more than adequate.

I'm such a micro adjustments fanboy now. The Mark II is worth it just for that.

5D and 85L

5D MK2

Micro adjustment.. and buy glass without the worry.

stellgar wrote in post #7042529
5D MK2

Micro adjustment.. and buy glass without the worry.

I have only had two issues with focus error, and I'm fairly certain that microadjust would not have fixed them.

My 135L focussed perfectly within normal portrait range, but at longer distances it started to miss (backfocus). I cannot see how microadjust would fix this, as any long range fixes would have screwed it up at shorter ranges. Canon was able to fix it after two trips to service, the second with example images and a body.

The other was the 50L. I owned two copies, one of which was a disaster and the other of which had the focus shift issue. Nothing could fix that.

Not to knock microadjust, but I'm not sure that the feature would to date have helped me with any lenses.

I have both the 5d classic and Mark II....If money was a concern i would shop around for a used 5d classic and buy some good glass....If money was no object, get the MarkII and also some good glass......For portraits alone the ff is worth it.....

JeffreyG wrote in post #7042604
I have only had two issues with focus error, and I'm fairly certain that micro-adjust would not have fixed them. Not to knock microadjust, but I'm not sure that the feature would to date have helped me with any lenses.

****** STOP THE PRESS ******

First of all, thanks to all the new ideas. JeffreyG, yes, I think you have a point. The AF micro-adjust probably wouldn't make that much difference, and certainly not $700~$900 difference, as long as I'm choosing good glass....

....but how about this?
Over the last week of so, I've been trying out pretty-much everyone's suggestions (from my "She just doesn't like photography" thread), and along with some rave reviews I had from some work at a concert, my wife conceded that when she decides to treat herself to a new designer hand-bag (her own very expensive hobby), it'd only be fair if I treat myself to a new camera body....and a new lens if I like....
.....drum roll please.....
........even if I want a 1DMkIII !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How's that for success?

So I'm now going to continue to review the 5DMkII threads, probably not the 5D Classic threads - as, let's face it, I will want "the latest and greatest", even if I wait and get it with some new glass - and the 1DMkIII threads!

Let's just hope Missus Skygod keeps being impressed, and I keep being able to impress! Oh the fun of it all

I upgraded from the 5D to the 5D Mark II and I haven't noticed any significant change in general IQ either then the increased resolution. Which is nice to have, but not all the time. What impressed me is the LCD screen, I know it is the same as the one on the 50D but I feel it is different. The 50D brightness settings are a bit strange, sometimes too dark or bright, hard for me to find a good setting. Live View and Movie Mode is a nice addition, also not necessary but one of those "nice to have" features. The sensor cleaning is an obvious upgrade, don't know if it really does anything but I hope to think it does. As for the micro adjustment, I don't use it (fortunately). My lenses are all focusing like they should. I went through an in depth check a while back with all my lenses and they all passed the focus test =D. I think if you don't mind the LCD on the 5D, it would probably be a better buy. With the prices of second hand 5D bodies dropping, you could save quite a bit. The difference between a brand new 5D and 5D Mark II is small, so if you are thinking about buying a brand new 5D, then maybe you should just get the 5D Mark II. All in all I enjoy my new 5D II, it offers great IQ much like my original 5D, except now it has all the new features of 2008/9. But If I were you, I would get the 5D and with the money I save get a lens you want =D.

brianch wrote in post #7043976
I upgraded from the 5D to the 5D Mark II and I haven't noticed any significant change in general IQ either then the increased resolution. Which is nice to have, but not all the time. What impressed me is the LCD screen, I know it is the same as the one on the 50D but I feel it is different. The 50D brightness settings are a bit strange, sometimes too dark or bright, hard for me to find a good setting. Live View and Movie Mode is a nice addition, also not necessary but one of those "nice to have" features. The sensor cleaning is an obvious upgrade, don't know if it really does anything but I hope to think it does. As for the micro adjustment, I don't use it (fortunately). My lenses are all focusing like they should. I went through an in depth check a while back with all my lenses and they all passed the focus test =D. I think if you don't mind the LCD on the 5D, it would probably be a better buy. With the prices of second hand 5D bodies dropping, you could save quite a bit. The difference between a brand new 5D and 5D Mark II is small, so if you are thinking about buying a brand new 5D, then maybe you should just get the 5D Mark II. All in all I enjoy my new 5D II, it offers great IQ much like my original 5D, except now it has all the new features of 2008/9. But If I were you, I would get the 5D and with the money I save get a lens you want =D.

Thanks for the input, Brianch, but I feel guilty as you must have missed my "STOP THE PRESS" message....Missus Skygod has finally conceded that when she decides to get a new Louis Vuitton bag, I can get a new body...even a new 1DMkIII, so I'm going for either a 5DMkII or a 1DMkIII , and either way, with new glass.

Life is good!

brianch wrote in post #7043976
My lenses are all focusing like they should. I went through an in depth check a while back with all my lenses and they all passed the focus test =D.

Minor amounts of miscalibration in the lens will be reasonably easily tolerated on the 5D or the 1DmkIII, both of which have rather large pixels and can therefore tolerate a reasonably large circle of confusion before the shot becomes less than tack sharp. That becomes less true at wider apertures, of course.

With the smallest pixel size of any DSLR produced today (as far as I know, anyway), the 50D is the least tolerant of any misfocus. On that body, the microfocus adjustment feature is a necessity, particularly with wide aperture lenses.

The 5DmkII has a pixel size the same as that of the 30D, so if your lenses are tack sharp on the 30D, they'll be tack sharp on the 5DmkII as well (assuming the body is properly calibrated).

skygod44 wrote in post #7044072
Thanks for the input, Brianch, but I feel guilty as you must have missed my "STOP THE PRESS" message....Missus Skygod has finally conceded that when she decides to get a new Louis Vuitton bag, I can get a new body...even a new 1DMkIII, so I'm going for either a 5DMkII or a 1DMkIII , and either way, with new glass.

Life is good!

Wow... Congrats. You're in quite the win-win situation here!

The 1DMkIII sure looks tempting. Have you ever held one? I'm going by memory here, but I think they weigh something like 40 ounces. Does that matter to you?

SoundsGood wrote in post #7044835
Wow... Congrats. You're in quite the win-win situation here!

The 1DMkIII sure looks tempting. Have you ever held one? I'm going by memory here, but I think they weigh something like 40 ounces. Does that matter to you?

Yeah, a bit heavier than my 30D, but I'm used to carrying with the 100-400 hanging off the front, so a bit more weight won't be a problem.
But I'm back to the waiting game really, as Missus Skygod hasn't enough for a new bag at the moment, and if I want a 1DMkIII, I might as well do it properly and get a new lens too....

Might as well.

will5 wrote in post #7033424
I went from a 30D to a 5D MK II and love it. Buy the MKII, you'll only want the 5D MKII in a years time so so just get it now.

Looking at your sig I would get the kit, the 24-105 L has not yet left my 5D MKII.

Thanks - was wondering if I'd made a mistake ordering the 5D2 (I have a 30d) - am happier now! (I shoot a lot at ISO 800+ theatre shots)