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Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
By: Canon Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 101
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 On: 2008-07-04
Probably like most people that are waiting for that "phantom" 5d MKII, I couldnt wait no more. The rebate pushed me over the edge. Im glad I took the plunge. This camera rocks! Im so glad I upgraded. Im sure the next version is gonna have all the bells and whistles, but this has become a legendary camera. Everyone has already gone over the specs and likes and dislikes. I just want to say anyone waiting for the new version and wondering if they got this, would they be happy......be assured you will be VERY happy.
On: 2008-07-01
I am a pro photographer that has been using the 20 and 40d. The full frame sensor opened up a new world for my photography and lenses. I am especially impressed with the detail Im getting out of the shadows in my images.
On: 2008-07-01
I really like this camera. Its easy to use and for those who want to just point and shot you can, Its pretty smart that way but I prefer to set my own white balance. I love this camera! I cant say enough good things about it. The 2 draw backs I have found are the sensor I would like a self cleaning sensor, and the weather proofing could be just a tad better. I am new to the world of big cameras. So maybe Im being picky, and so far the 2 drops of water I have gotten on the camera havent hurt it. But it did scare me to death. The EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens I got with the camera is a fantastic lens. I call it my walk around lens It does people, scenery, pets, all of it. I like it, its on the camera 99% of the time.
On: 2008-06-25
I just purchased the Canon 5D, the price finally came down to the point that I could afford, I have been waiting years for this camera, read every review on the Web, I really wanted that full frame sensor.
I also own the Canon 40D which is also an excellent camera as far as frames per second, but has some issues that really bothered me, the biggest was that it did not focus well indoors unless there was plenty of light,considering the cost I expected more.The 40D has many bells and whistles such as live view which I never really used and a solid body that feels and look good.
The first thing I tested with the 5D was its focusing ability in low light, it does a great job focusing fast every time, as a matter of fact I couldnt get it not to focus even in the darkest room, this was very important to me.
The camera body also has a a nice feel in the sense that it will probably be the first DSLR that I will not have to buy the battery grip for, it just feels comfortable in your hands.
It is great to have my lenses actually reflect the focal lenghts as listed in the lens.
The 5D produces noticeablly sharper pictures then any DSLR I have ever owned.
I know that there will probably be a replacement before the end of the year for the 5D but it will probably be too expensive, so anyone wanting a full frame camera should probably buy the 5D now, you wont regret it.
On: 2008-06-23
I added the EOS 5D to my Rebel and 30D. What a great addition. So far I had nothing but fun shooting with this camera and the EF 17-40 mm f/4L USM glass. There is a reason this guy here has been shooting with Canon for the last 33 years.
On: 2008-06-22
The price started dropping like a rock ever since Nikon full framers hit mass production and now its almost down to EOS 20D level. The Canon is simpler to use compared to Nikons. Much less buttons & software wizbang, but as a means of getting a picture onto a full size sensor, they do the same thing.
When scaled down to internet resolutions, the benefit of full size sensors cant be beat. Shots at 1600 ISO are indistinguishable from 100 ISO at internet resolution.
At full resolution, there is more noise in the shadows than there was on the EOS 20D. They have to shrink pixel size even with the larger sensor to sell more to the armchair experts.
On: 2008-06-20
I was a die hard 35mm emulsion advocate until using this camera. Weird since I am a Photoshop design junkie, but the 5D is defiantly the best full frame digital camera for the price, maybe since its the only one at its price right now:)
If cost is less of a factor for you wait till the end of the year for the new 5D, but if you want to save a few thousand and dont mind missing out on some of the new features, then get this kit:) The 5D and 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens come as close to film as possible and surpass it where digital is able.
Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
On: 2008-06-16
I have this camera for near 3 months now, and I love it! EOS 5D is still the best full frame DSLR for its price right now plus this kit comes with really high quality Canon L series lens. I bought another Canon L series 135mm prime lens for this camera. You do need high quality lens with this camera. Dont be cheap on the lens! Believe me, you will like the outcome. The good lens can give you the beautiful/right color when you are taking the picture.
Ive been posting some of my photos on flickr, and all the photos are all straight from the camera. None of them was altered by the software. Just go to flickr and search for "Clifford H", then click on the people tab. Check them out, and you will know what I am talking about. Photography is a learning process. Have fun with it!
On: 2008-06-14
Great all rounder shines in landscape nothing comes close for this money, ok a new one be coming but will be $3000 [...]
 On: 2008-06-09
I opened the box, try a couple of days. The pictures turned out to be fantastic, but I was expecting some other features. Hopefully I can still return this camera and get a full refund.
On: 2008-06-09
I just upgraded from the Rebel XTI and cant believe the difference in clarity! If youve got the budget, get this camera....you wont be bummed. If you are shooting in low light I would suggest getting the body only and a lower f-stop lens.
On: 2008-06-04
Ive nothing but good things to say about this camera and its files. Beautiful and worth every cent.
On: 2008-06-03
You wont realized how important full frame is until you own one. 5D is the only full frame DSLR under $5000. Other than full frame, 5D is a robust machine to use. This simply makes it the king in its range.
On: 2008-06-03
And I do mean UPGRADE! The 1st pictures I took with my 5D just blew me away. I have had it for about a month now. I dont know why I waited so long to get one. The image quality is so much better than my beloved 20D. I would suggest anyone on the fence about purchasing one to fall over to the 5D. You wont be sorry.
On: 2008-05-27
Look no further if your looking for a DSLR in this range... Absolutely fantastic... I did my homework for 6 months and decided on this model... I went from a P&S camera to this... A little learning curve but what do you expect from a camera that delivers so much...
I could rant on but if your looking for a great DSLR, this is it...
I did however purchase the body only and picked another lens to go with it...Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Excellent buy as well and I searched all the safe competitive sites... Amazon has the best price for this item...
On: 2008-05-25
It is HARD to take a bad picture with this camera! Until Canon replaces it with something else (the 7D?) it remains king. Yes, it is not weather sealed like its big brother, but you wont get tendon damage either using this baby. I have read of wedding photographers making this their main body and switching the 1D to the backup realm simply due to the fact of wieght and bulkiness: you can change settings one handed on this model, harder to do on the 1D series I hear, especially with heavier lens.
Really, it is hard to go wrong here. You know you WANT a full frame sensor, you know you DO NOT HAVE eight grand to spend on one, you know you want a CANON (the technology leader, just ahead of our Nikon friends) and unless you want to WAIT and hope that a similar footprint comes out soon, this is the camera for you! Beginner, semi-pro or pro; why not learn or switch to a full frame, non-crop factor camera? That way your focal lenghts will be true and you wont have to resort to funny math when you shoot at such-and-such of focal length.
The only con that I have seen on mine is it has HOT PIXELS on the sensor. I noticed this recently for the very first time when I did a several minute, infrared night shot out doors. Nothing that a little Photoshop wont fix, but it was a little disheartning. Mostly I do weddings, portrait work and fun daytime stuff so it wont affect me much.
It you get this, be sure and get the latest Firmware Update as well so you can use 16 GB or larger CF cards.
So what you waiting for? Click BUY! :-)
-Jeff, Johansen Photography
On: 2008-05-25
Amazing, professional camera. Beautiful files straight out of the camera. Its lightweight but its no light weight. The 5D is a full-frame camera that means your wide angle lens will produce the image you would expect.
The price drop made it possible for me to invest in a second body.
You will love it!
On: 2008-05-22
Unbelievable how evolutionary Canon is with their products. They bring out the 5D I believe 4 years ago at a price way lower than the 1DSII variation and even better than the used price of the 1DS and it sells like bonkers. Today is no different with an equally interested market going after the camera. It has plenty of resolution, extremely delicious sensor, and everything anyone would ever need in a DSLR IMHO. Sure, the next version of this will have more gimmicks and be faster, but this will be a legend in the Canon chain of cameras.
On: 2008-05-18
This is a great camera. I recently upgraded from a 20D that I also loved... but after one day shooting with the 5D and then looking at the results, the 20D will only be used in case of an emergency, or for B roll types of stuff. Im a long time pro photog from back in the days of film, and I dont miss those days at all. Todays young photographers dont realize how great they have it with equipment available like this.
On: 2008-05-17
I had the pleasure of testing out my uncles Canon 5D DSLR. Its a little larger and heavier than my 40D, but it is by no means unmanageable. His camera came with the 24-105 f/4 L IS USM kit lens and it made me fall instantly in love with the sharpness and smooth zoom/focus rings. So much so, that I bought the 24-105 f/4 L lens for myself.
The 5D is now a few years old, and it was a great camera for its time. While I was super impressed with the features it had, I am holding off on getting this camera only because there has been so much rumors and speculations about the 5D Mark II replacement that is estimated to be released later this year.
On: 2008-05-12
This camera was ahead of its time back in 2005. Even today with improvements in processing, new equipement, etc., this camera is consistent, sturdy and has excellent image quality from 100 - 800 ISO. Net it out - other cameras provide additional bells & whistles but theyve really only caught up or slightly pushed past the image quality of this camera in 2008. Here are my decisions for purchasing this camera: image quality, big viewfinder, fully utilize my wide lens, consistency in output and control. This camera is a best buy at the current price!
On: 2008-05-09
Amazon had the cheapest price (at the time) and the camera is everything I expected and more. I upgraded from a Rebel XT. At the same time I bought two new L-series lenses - well worth the money. Im still learning all of the features this camera offers. The low-light shots are amazing - the speed is great. Im a semi-pro photographer and am extremely happy with my purchase - even knowing that any day now Canon is going to roll out the upgrade.
On: 2008-05-03
My first and still digital camera was the Canon 10D, 6.1MP. I have taken that from Alaska to Alabama and loved it. If I was to add an addition to the family it would be the 5D. Not only is it quiet, streamlined and efficient, the screen is picture perfect large and clear.
As for now though, the 5D is on hold and the 10D reigns supreme. CP
On: 2008-04-24
This camera is everything I thought it would be and MORE! I took it to Disneyland the week I bought it and took some pictures of the firework show and they turned out perfect! I upgraded from a Canon Powershot S2 IS, and while thats a great camera to learn on, the 5D allows you to I completely recommend this camera to anyone looking for a more professional camera that will allow them to use their full range of camera skills. I love love love this camera!
On: 2008-04-21
Buying this camera involved me changing my bank and walking 5 miles in a snowstorm to transfer cash from one account to another. Why do you need to know this? Because this camera is worth it!
This is a VERY serious camera and, if you put in the effort, it will reward you.
There are a couple of caveats though. It is a big beast and if, like me, you have the extra battery pack it makes it very heavy although it does improve the handling. Also, the supplied lens has a 77mm front element so be prepared to pay nearly $300 for a polarizing filter.
Do you need this camera? Well, if youre asking my advice, probably not. Do you want this camera - oh yes indeed!
On: 2008-04-02
I have owned the 5D for about 5 months. I was waiting for the 5D Mark II but I decided not to wait any longer and I am glad I didnt. Previously I had used a Rebel XT that I still own and have as a second body. Reading the review that gave it only 2 stars is just a bit dissapointing. The overwhelming number of people (pros and amateurs alike) that have truly used this camera as it was designed (that is, coupled with the right choice of lens) have had outstanding results. This camera is excellent when used with the right lens; I have used it with my Canon 16-35mm 2.8 L II and the full frame just sings edge to edge with beautiful,smooth tones and sharpness (think exquisite landscapes). Vigneting is not an issue in my experience; because of all the reviews posted, to go into a full review will be repetitious so I wont. Just for fun, I used a "consumer" lens to test it and it truly shows all the flaws of the cheaper optics; this reinforced the notion that you really cannot use this camera with lower quality glass.
In addition, I have used it with my Canon 70-200mm 2.8 L with excellent results (portraiture and sports).
I am not a Canon snob; in my 20 years of the hobby, I have used and still own a Nikon F with Nikkor lenses, as well as other Pentax and Canon cameras. I truly believe that now Canon has the best selection of lenses to go with many future cameras (I am still waiting for the 5D Mark II). The closest camera that Nikon has that is full frame is the D3, which has received great reviews but retails for $5,000.
Summary- This is an outstanding camera for the price; it has taken my photography to a whole new level.
On: 2008-03-29
Actually, at first, I wanna buy D300+17-55mm f/2.8G. I think the D300 is a really good camera with a lot of advanced function. But the problem is you have to deal with the crop factor, thats how your 17-55mm become 24-80mm. So when you join in the family of full size sensor camera 3 years later,(the ASP size sensor camera will definitely be disappear) you will find your lens which actually is the most important thing for you can not suitable for the full size sensor, like 17-55mm. Nobody will use 17-55mm on your D3 or D3 mark2, right? So, I change my mind. I choose 5D+24-70mm f/2.8G. That means I do not have to buy everything new after 3 years when I change into 1Ds mark3 or something else.
But, you have to know what is the meaning of 5D. 5D is 3 years old. Do not expect too much on some fabulous function. Please just foucs on the real image quality.
And do not wait for the 5D mark 2. Everybody knows that the price will exceed $3000 in the first 6 months.
On: 2008-03-08
There are tons of raving reviews about the amazing 5D, so no repeating all that. There is one reason the 5D is THE choice: the full frame sensor, hands down. The image quality is umatched and is super low noise BECAUSE of the larger sensor. You see it in the top end cameras costing up to eight grand, but the difference is, you get it for this incredible price. Sure, there are things that people arent happy with on the 5D like menus and no weather sealing, but in the end, image quality is what its all about. For landscapes and nature shots and anything else where the rich look of a medium format camera is desired, the 5D does it. Of course, if you can afford the 21MP 1Ds Mk III, go get that. Otherwise, the 5D is primo.
Important things to know:
-No pop up flash. No offense, this is a real camera. Get a real flash for it. Pop up flashes are for snapshots. Better choice: set ISO to 1600 and get natural light images (yep, 1600, and it looks good due to: the full frame sensor! Your friend with the Rebel cant do ISO 1600 without gobs of noise).
-Flash sync at 1/200, not 1/250. If you do sports photos and hook up to the wireless flash systems in arenas, this might be an issue. For everyone else, youll not even notice.
-Get some big CF cards, the RAW files can get up to 15MB each.
-The JPEGs dont come out all that great. Be prepared to use the RAW files and your results will be phenomenal (note: the 5D has built-in "Picture Styles" for JPEGs... you may get good results with that. I only use RAW).
-No EF-S lenses on this camera. It only uses real EF lenses (the better ones).
I cant rave enough about this 5D. To get full frame for this price is insane, I cant imagine using cropped sensor cameras ever again. BTW, your cropped sensor cameras (20D, 30D, 40D, etc) dont turn a 200mm lens into a 320mm lens, it just crops it. Big difference. Dont let that sales pitch fool you. You can crop your 5D image to look the same and still have the image quality of the 10MP cropped cameras. Get the 5D.
On: 2008-02-28
It was hard (and expensive) to go from Nikon to Canon, but worth it. I always felt my Nikon could be sharper. I went to Canon for the Lenses and Im not disappointed, nor will you be. The D5 with the 24-105 L series lens is a beautiful setup, extremely versatile. This is not a compromise camera. Is it perfect, no, but a very, very good camera and lens.
Mainly I use this camera for photographing artwork. I use strobes, and sometimes available light or the 580ex flash. So the lens is plenty fast for my purposes. In fact I try not to go below 5.6 for sharpness. Be warned, if you use the widest zoom, dont fill the frame, there is definite fall off at the corners. The color rendition is beautiful, and nearly flawless right out of the camera, very little post processing is necessary. This was the most frustrating thing about Nikon. Sitting in front of Photoshop fixing bad photos simply sucks.
Then why a rating of 4 and not a 5? I would like to give it a 4.7, because it is not perfect, no camera is. I sometimes use a Hasselblad with a Phaseone digital back and thats not perfect($30,000 setup). The D5 with canon lenses is not a Hasselblad, but at a 10th the price, it is damn close. Did I want the 1ds mark iii? You bet. But for less than 1/3 the cost it is a much better value.
Things I like a lot:
Full frame, L series lenses, true wide angle, reasonable size body, good weight, buttons laid out well, easy menu, beautiful lens, great color, diopter adjust is great, high resolution for the price, good battery life, ergonomic, and a very reasonable price for a great camera.
Things that could be better:
Timer needs to be adjustable (Like a 2 second delay for tripod work), one or 2 buttons for custom settings (instead of the stupid print button). Easier white balance setup and control, confusing resolution descriptions, a pop up fill flash would be very useful in a pinch, time lapse control would be fun.
Things others find missing that I dont care about (but you might):
Not weatherproof, modest multiple capture speed, slow(ish) lens (F-4 isnt bad, and you can get very, very fast Canon lenses if you need them), weight of the lens, slight crop of the image in preview, no live viewing on the lcd, no fill flash, grainy at very high ISO (I found the camera quite impressive up to about 800).
Things that are unacceptable:
None.
A word about RAW. There are many resolution settings on this camera. From medium jpeg to Raw, and Raw with jpeg. This is mainly a studio camera for me, so burst mode is not something I use often. So I wont comment on the speed of capturing multiple images. Maybe if I do portrait work, Ill be glad its there. But I use RAW with everything I shoot, you should too. As much as possible, anyway Yes the files are larger, but so what. A $40 extreme III card can hold hundreds of images. A 500gig hard drive can hold over 30,000! Here is the upside of raw. It gets better with age. Raw processing has improved from Photoshop cs1 to 2 to 3. Old raw files I have actually look better in the new versions. So if you keep your old raw photos untouched, you may actually get better photos in the years to come. RAW allows amazing adjustment. With jpeg or even tiff, you cant go back. They are what they are.
Summary: A camera cannot take good photographs, that is the photographers job. That is why I like this camera so much, it gets out of my way easily, so I can do my part. This is a beautiful camera, with a beautiful lens at a GREAT price. Do buy a good UV filter to protect your lens, and a few CF cards and you are good to go.
On: 2008-02-25
The Canon 5D is the best camera Ive ever owned, hands down. Ive owned Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus and Minolta cameras and this is the best. The size, weight, build quality, everything is just right. Most of all the image quality is unparralled. The Full frame sensor really does make a big difference. The pictures are sharper, with better color and less noise than any camera Ive ever used. There is enough resolution to make gorgeous 24x36 in. prints that look better and sharper than 35mm film. I took some shots at ISO 3200 and underexposed by one stop and pushed them back in RAW, and they noise was invisible on a 8x10 in print, you still probably wouldnt see it unless you were looking from an inch away on a 16x20 in print. I love the viewfinder and its great big view, no more tunnel vision for me. I cant even stand to look in a olympus viewfinder anymore, let alone try to manual focus on it. With the 5D the view is so big manual focus becomes easy and enjoyable again. this camera has really brought back the joy of photography for me. I was getting tired of all the photoshopping with other cameras to get what i wanted. But with the 5D I shoot and print, not worrying about post processing anything,its that good. Try one out, rent or go to the local Wolf camera and play with one you will fall in love with it, guaranteed.
On: 2008-02-21
I researched a number of digital slr cameras recently, and evaluated a number of factors before taking the plunge and going with a system. I looked at Nikon and Canon seriously, and thought about:
1. full-frame v.s. crop sensor
2. build quality
3. pixel size
4. cost-benefit ratio
5. lens availability
When I purchased the Canon 5D it was the only full-frame sensor at a reasonable price point. It still is! The Nikon full-frame 12 megapixel is astronomically costly, and the professional-series Canons are way, way outta my range. My verdict? Good cost-benefit ratio.
(What does full frame mean? For me it meant silky, creamy images with a big dynamic range and no visual noise. Within an hour of opening the box, I had breathtaking results. My ugly dog looked charming and loveable. The flowers on the patio looked wedding-worthy. My freaking lawn furniture seemed so inviting...! Im telling ya that a camera should be able to show you the world...even your familiar world in a new and exciting way...and it seems like magic that, even while learning to use the 5D, it allowed me to re-discover the beauty of my world!) Full-frame also means no conversion factor with lenses. If you loved your old 35 slr film experiences, this will be like falling in love all over again. You can get for-real wide angle, and an 85 mm portrait lens shoots true. (As for Vignetting...schmingetting...get yourself some darn software if its a problem. Youre gonna shoot the good stuff in RAW anyway, so spring for Photoshop CS3.)
2. Build quality-feels substantial. I understand there arent the weather seals that exist on the pro series, so be a little kind to your camera.
3. Pixel size: the 12 plus megapixels make for amazing quality images.
4. Cost-benefit: best price for the features!
5. Lenses: Canon has a wide range of lenses, including the excellent fixed focal length primes. My personal faves are the 50mm and 85mm. The first gives you a "transparent" view of the world. The lens sees pretty much what you see, but records every detail crisply. The 85mm wide open gives the soft out-of-focus background blur called "bokeh" that makes everything you shoot look tender, and focusses on the details you want to capture: the whiskers on a kitten, the bright eyes of a child...all in an environment of softness. Great lenses and a lot of bang for the buck. And, Canon has a huge and growing number of image-stabilized lenses, as well as "l" glass super-high quality lenses.
I love my 5D. Its my new best friend for gadding about town, and for "seeing" my world in a new way.
The downside of the 5D: I wish that I were more quick and adept at changing settings. It may be partly product design, it may be partly me, but it is difficult for me to get to a comfort level with making quick decisions and changes. Fumbling with controls is not creativity. I guess though, that if I practice enough, and get familiar enough, that I will gain more competence in making quick adjustments and getting those golden shots.
Final Analysis: 5D rocks. Yes, they will be developing cheaper, smarter, easier-to-set cameras with more megapixels...technology is improving all the time. But, there is such a thing as a "sweet spot"-and 12 plus megapixels on a full-frame seems to get it almost every time. So, go ahead, do the research, and while you are at it, consider the 5D. Its a beaut!
On: 2008-02-19
I got this camera last year for my husband and he really likes it. It takes beautiful pictures. For portraits, Id also recommend getting the Canon 85mm 1.2 lens and for landscapes and sports, get the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS zoom lens. I know its pricey, but well worth your money. I just wish this camera had its own self-cleaning sensor. Thanks Canon for making another great camera.
On: 2008-02-18
Ive used this camera now for 6 months and own 3, 5D bodies! Ive used it with the following Canon lenses:
24-70mm f/2.8
70-200mm f/2.8
85mm f/1.2
200mm f/1.8
300mm f/2.8
Ive shot EXTENSIVELY with all lenses WIDE OPEN and have not seen ANY vignettely indicated by a couple of other reviews. Are you kidding me? This thing is super sharp from center to edge.
The full-frame censor comes in mighty handy when you need to crop and dont think this is an insignificant thing. If you can perfectly frame all your shots then maybe you dont need this capability.
I would highly recommend this camera as the absolute be value out there in a DSLR regardless of brand.
On: 2008-02-17
Full frame capability is a must for indoor photography where a wide angle is necessary to capture all of the area desired. A definite improvement if you are upgrading from a Canon 10D camera. I would recommend using Canon L lenses to take the best quality pictures from this camera. Full frame makes it a lot easier to see through the camera lens since you get a lot larger viewing area compared to the cameras with a cropped sensor. I found the brightness of the LCD Display tolerable in day light. The camera takes the same high quality pictures you expect from Canon and the sharpness settings are acceptable.
I gave it a four star just because Canon should have at least included a flash or infrared beam for low light auto focusing. Also Canon omitted the standard basic zone programmed settings as in their less expensive cameras. These are minor complaints but helpful for a lot of shooting situations. I would unquestionably choose a full frame over any cropped sensor camera unless my majority of pictures are for long range subjects.
I extremely enjoy using this camera and would not hesitate to recommend this camera. I think the new lower price is very attractive to many buyers since there are rumors that a new version will be out in August 2008.
On: 2008-02-16
I upgraded from the Canon 20D, and I am enjoying the additional bulwark of size and detail from my new images. The body is slightly bigger, feeling more robust. The 24-105 lens in this kit is wonderful, sharp, and responsive.
Originally, I was not thrilled about the increased size in LCD display, concerned for the vulnerability. Now, I am grateful for the True preview of my images while shooting.
On: 2008-02-13
wonderful camera. Ive been using it for almost a year now. No real complaints. The controls are easier to use than previous digital cameras that Ive owned. Excellent pictures even with crazy ISO of 1600. I love to take indoor pictures with no flash using the high ISO and the canon 85mm/f1.2 lens. It can do things I didnt think possible. Highly recommended.
On: 2008-02-13
Its a great camera. My first full frame and Im hooked already. Cant wait for the replacement to come out. My photos are taking on a whole new dimension with full frame.
On: 2008-02-02
For those considering if they should step up to a full frame sensor camera like the 5D, the advantages may not be fully obvious at first glance.
Yes, we all know that an 80mm lens in this camera will provide a similar field of view compared to a 50mm on a 40D due to the 1.6x "crop factor". What many people do not realize is that the crop factor affects the usable aperture as well. F4.5 on this camera will feel identical to F2.8 on the 40D. In other words if you need approximately F2.8 to photograph a subject on a 40D, you can achieve that same result with F4.5 with the 5D while keeping the ISO, effective focal length and shutter speed constant. Or, you could keep the aperture the same and reduce shutter speed significantly.
As a result -
The 5D with the 24-105L F4.0 lens is considerably FASTER and provides a wider effective zoom range than the 40D+EF-S 17-55 F2.8 lens combination.
The 5D with the $1,000 70-200 F4.0 IS will be FASTER than the 40D with the $1600 70-200 F2.8 IS. If you are happy with the F2.8 on a 40D or a Rebel, you will be even happier with the F4.0 on the 5D.
Consider a 50mm F1.4 lens. You will need a 35mm F0.9 on a 40D to produce results similar to the F1.4 on a 5D.
On a more practical level, you can stop down lenses to the aperture settings where their image quality is best and still have reasonable shutter speeds and ISO settings.
With the not-very-large price difference between the 5D and the 40D you might want to factor the above into your purchase criteria. Personally I do not require 6 frames per second - so the 5D is better for me even in sports photography due to the fact that I can use a faster shutter speed and still achieve the same results.
On: 2008-01-31
Ive been using this camera since December and carried it on a month-long trip abroad. I previously used two other Canon DSLRs, the Canon 10D and 350D. So far I have found the 5D a very rewarding camera to use. As others have suggested, it is a great camera for fine art photography, but maybe not so much for sports or journalism.
I read many reviews to compare the 5D the 40D. Because the 5D has come down so far in price, they are somewhat comparable. However, they are significantly different cameras with different strengths. What it came down to for me is that the 5D is full-frame, whereas the 40D is has more current-generation features such as dust reduction and faster shooting rate. I decided to go for the full-frame, for the reasons below.
I havent used the 40D so I cant make a hands-on comparison. But here are the reasons why I like using the 5D compared with my previous DSLRs, the 10D and 350D:
+ The frame seen through the viewfinder is much larger. It is easier to compose the shot and see whats in focus.
+ Lenses work at their normal focal length, without a multiplier. This makes more professional lenses (Canon L lenses) practical to use. For example the 24-105 L included in the kit is an outstanding walkaround/travel lens on the 5D (useful range, stabilization, sharp, good color). There is no comparable Canon L lens for cropped-frame cameras with this effective range. (I used the EF-S 17-85 on the 350D for years and it is not as good; the EF-S 17-55 is not as wide or as long).
+ Greater control over depth of field. Cropped-frame sensors effectively increase the minimum depth of field of a lens. It is much easier to create an image with selective focus using the 5D. In other words, it is easier to pick a subject out of the background by blurring the background.
+ Excellent metering. All the other Canon cameras I have used over-expose (blow out) highlights in contrasty scenes. The 5D meters for the highlights, rarely blows them, and has plenty of shadow detail to recover if needed.
+ Amazing low noise performance. I can go up to ISO 800 without thinking about it; I can go to ISO 1600 and still use the results for most purposes.
+ Excellent low light autofocus and fast overall autofocus. Seems to be able to focus on pretty much anything. Of course, if you let the camera select a focus point and the depth of field is shallow (wide open for low light), then you may not get the result you want.
+ The RAW files respond really well to processing such as curves and fill light; they seem to have more slightly more dynamic range, and definitely less noise, than my previous cameras.
In addition, I find the 5D rewarding to use because it makes me think more about photography again. Specifically, I have to pay more attention to the combination of aperture, focus point, and depth of field, which didnt matter as much on cropped-frame cameras. This may be why some reviewers have found the 5D harder to use. I find its teaching me more about photography.
One reviewer mentioned vignetting (dark corners). Many wide angle lenses exhibit some vignetting and the 24-105 L does too; you will find it described in any good review of the lens. Cropped-frame cameras hide the vignetting. It is also very easy to remove vignetting in a good image editor (such as Lightroom). In my opinion Id rather get the full benefit of the lens (at its designed focal range and depth of field) in return for a few seconds spent moving a slider to compensate for vignetting.
Another reviewer mentioned needing the battery grip to hold this camera easily. I have big hands and I find the 5D easy to handle with a hand strap such as the one made by Sunpak. One end attaches to the right eyelet and the other screws to the tripod mount; the padded strap holds the camera securely to your hand.
Of course I had some concerns about buying this camera when it has been out for two years and may be replaced this year. But then someone pointed out: realistically, what is Canon going to improve on this camera and still keep the price point between a 40D and a 1D? I dont need more resolution. A few up-to-date features (dust reduction, auto ISO) would be nice but arent essential. The 5D will continue to be a competitive camera at least through the lifetime of the current 40D.
On: 2008-01-08
I give this camera and lens combination HIGH marks for dim light shooting. ISO 1000 and higher, and 1/4 - 1/6 sec (and slower too). Lovely results. Just lovely. One session was in the hospital shortly after delivery of the brand new nephew. The other session was at the other nieces apt with her 4 day old. The camera focuses quickly and is useable down to 1/4 sec and slower. This is the best camera Ive ever handled.
I also give Amazon high marks. The first 5D I received had a problem and I returned it. Amazon replaced it quickly and squared up the $. The return was fair and very quick. I am a delighted customer.
 On: 2008-01-05
This is a review by Mr Riley but I agree with everything he states
- Full frame censor: I thought this was a good thing? It is, and it isnt. Simply put, even Canons "L" lenses wont provide even light illumination on the censor. Vignetting is a serious problem for the 5D. Like to shoot wide open, say at f/2.8? Think again, because youll wind up with soft and dark corners every time. Canons own media rep Chuck Westfall discussed this problem rather briefly in the June 06 issue of PCPhoto magazine. If you wont sharp results with a full frame, you need to stop down, a lot. Swing and a miss for portrait shooters looking to shoot wide open.
- Speed: 3 frames per second? Are you kidding me? This simply is not adequate for sports and action photographers. Many DSLRs offer 5 to 8 frames per second, so why 3?
- Build: This thing doesnt feel any different than the Digital Rebel. For this price, it should feel solid and beefy. The camera isnt even weather sealed like its big brother the Canon 1Ds Mark II. The build isnt terrible, but it certainly isnt impressive.
- Features: Where are they? The most needed features are buried deep in a menu. Dont worry though; Canon has included a "Direct Print" button on the camera. I couldnt believe this, what, is this thing a point and shoot suddenly? There are about 100 more important functions this button could have represented. If this is Canons way of offering "a feature rich camera" as stated on their initial press release, then I am at a loss of what to say.
- Performance: Color rendition is terrible. There is a noticeable cyan cast to most images. Auto focus is quick, but inaccurate. Only 65% or so of my images showed critical focus, which Canon told me was, "acceptable." This was the same result from many a lens.
The list goes on, but Im getting a little depressed listing all these faults. Is there anything good about this camera? Certainly.
- Resolution: The 12 MPs is amazing. Image quality, in terms of resolution is stunning. Micro contrast and sharpness is second only to the big Mark II. You will not be disappointed if you are buying this camera for every last pixel.
- Noise performance: There is none, almost. Shooting at ISO 1600 or 3200 is no problem with this camera. Noise levels at ISO 3200 look like that of a Nikon at ISO 400-800. This is a huge advantage of Canons Full frame CMOS chip, as well as the resolution listed above.
- Wide angle: There is no crop factor with a full frame censor. This might appeal to film users who want to maintain their lenses true focal length, or to those who shoot at or below the 28mm range. It doesnt mean youll be impressed with the performance of your wide angle lenses on this camera, but that 15mm fisheye will stay a 15mm.
This camera is a hit or miss depending on who you are, and what type of photography you do. Ive noticed landscape and macro photographers seem to love this camera, and for good reason. They tend to shoot smaller apertures, focus accuracy isnt a problem, and neither is frame rate. Portrait photographers can go either way, but probably wont like it that much; poor color and light fall-off at large apertures are two very serious stumbling blocks. As for the wildlife and sports photographers, thats a big no (most likely). Slow frame rate, poor focus abilities, mediocre build, and the lack of the crop factor (your 500mm isnt an 800mm any more like it was on the 20D) will surely disappoint most of these shooters.
In my final thoughts, if you are thinking of an upgrade from a 20D or a rebel, the answer is probably no, unless you shoot exclusively landscapes, or macro, or you need the resolution for larger prints. If you are buying your first digital SLR, than definitely no. This camera is simply not user friendly. If you are considering it because its a "full frame," think again. Canon has an excellent marketing campaign, but for every advantage of full frame, there is a disadvantage as well. Dont let my review stop you though, go and decide for yourself. The camera might suit your needs perfectly, but I feel for the overall market and majority of users, this camera missed the mark, and thus my low rating. Canons got some homework to do, and they better do it fast.
On: 2008-01-05
Both my review and this camera are complicated, actually. If you are an intermediate or semi-pro photographer as I was when I bought this, you will be in for a rude surprise. This camera makes the 40D seem like a point and shoot.
Now, when I say that I dont mean it in terms of image quality. I mean in terms of operation. On every cropped-sensor Canon DSLR that I have used, the fully automatic mode will do for 90% of shooting situations. On the 5D, the fully auto mode will work about 20-40% of the time. This is pretty much a straight manual camera. This is a camera for the old-schoolers who like to take 5 minutes in front of a subject before snapping a single picture. I used to be one of those old-schoolers a long time ago with my 80s Canon film camera, but I forgot a lot of the knowledge before jumping back into DSLRs with the Digital Rebel a while back.
I used a Digital Rebel, a Nikon D80, and a Canon40D. All of those cameras are awesome but you know what? They spoiled me. They failed to challenge me as a photographer because they were so simple to use and so great in full auto mode.
The 5D is forcing me to slow down and get back to the basics. Its forcing me to hit the books again and have some patience. Im sure this makes the old-schoolers happy.
Am I happy with this purchase? You betcha. I believe I will hang onto this camera for a long, long time. If I replace it as my primary camera, then I will still keep it as a backup.
O.K. so you probably want the pros and cons.
Pros:
Image quality: Really is all that. Dont listen to the reviews saying the images are comparable to the 20D/30D/40D etc. They are wrong. No, you wont see the difference on 4x6 and 5x7 prints. Yes, you will see the difference on 8x10s and up. TRUST ME on this. I shoot with the 40D and 5D together and I see it every day. Would the average person on the street see the difference in 8x10s? Probably not. Will you? Probably, if you are someone with an eye that has been conditioned through hundreds of hours of viewing to see such things.
Noise: the noise is virtually zero with this camera, even at ISO 400-800. At ISO 100 you couldnt find a bit of noise if you had a gun to your head. On my 40D (my current backup) there is plenty of noise even at ISO 100. Now, I use the word plenty in a relative sense--relative to the 5D. If I had not seen the images from the 5D, and the 40D was the nicest camera I had ever shot with, I would say the noise was great. After doing my own side-by-side comparisons, I would say the 5D makes the 40D noise level look "so-so."
Shutter speed: fine with me! Im not shooting from the sidelines at an NFL game. I dont need the shutter speed of the 40D. The shutter speed is PLENTY fast on this one. I have never once said to myself "I wish the shutter was faster just then." It takes nice bursts just fine.
There are other pros of course but those are the ones that come to mind.
Cons:
Body: you pretty much have to get the grip for this one. I can not get a decent handle on this camera without the grip. I have tried and tried with different lenses, and every time the grip is necessary. Its strange, really. I dont know what accounts for this. I dont have the same problem at all on the 40D. In fact I even sold the 40D grip because I didnt need it. On here it is a must. Further body issues: I hate the on/off switch. Unfortunately the 40D has the same issue. I much prefer how Nikon puts it on the top near the shutter button.
LCD: LCD is so small its pretty much useless. I hardly ever use it. Sometimes my models ask me if they can look through a session on it and I always try to talk them out of it because it is a waste of time. A picture can look flawless on that thing and then you see it on a computer screen and its utter crap.
Price: still pretty steep, considering we are near the end of the cycle. This darn thing came out in 2005! Thats a generation ago in DSLR years.
Ease of use: now I do want to state up front that this is really more of an issue for those people who, like me, were buying the camera as an intermediate photographer. If you were already and advanced pro of course this probably would not have mattered to you. As an intermediate or beginner photographer, forget about it. Go shoot for a few weeks and then realize that you are missing 60% of your shots. Then do as I did and hit the books, which will give you not only the knowledge to unlock the full potential of the 5D, but will also give you a deeper understanding of photography in general. I guess I should thank the 5D for making me do this.
On: 2007-12-23
I bought my 5D & 24-105mm L lens back in May 2007 largely based on the results and comments I saw in the various reviews on the Internet. At the time I had the Canon 30D with pretty much all the EF-S lenses. So, I decided to move to full frame digital with the 5D and 24-105L lens forming its base.
The 5D produces some really outstanding images with the 24-105L (and other) lens, but images are not truly distinguishable from or remarkably better than what I had been getting from my 30D. The improvement is certainly not worth the difference in camera price. Perhaps its because my enlargements are never bigger than 8.50" x 11". Regardless, since I sold all my EF-S lenses and the 30D I feel pretty entrenched with my decision.
Please dont get me wrong. The build quality and resulting images from the 5D are top notch. However, the Canon 5D feature set has become downright old in the over two years it has been on the market. The 5D menu system was replaced with the introduction of the XTi, 1DM3, and 40D. Canon recognizes this as evidenced by the steep discounts they have been offering on the 5D over the past few months. Dont get me wrong, the 5D is more camera than I am experienced enough to really get from it. I also like the fact I dont have to do the math when buying a lens to make sure I get the image coverage I am used to getting from my 35mm film days.
Now would be an ideal time to buy the 5D. As long as the buyer recognizes that in exchange for a full frame CMOS sensor and outstanding image, the camera has a smaller than advertised image buffer, slow 3 fps top burst speed, and relatively slow image transfer rate to their computer.
If I had to do all over again I really think Id stay with the APS-C sensor based camera because Canon seems to be putting the majority of their development dollars into the APS size sensor based platforms. The higher noise these smaller sensors are inclined to produce has been effectively designed around by Canon.
This is a common problem with quickly evolving technologies; do I buy now and get a terrific product knowing full well it will be heading toward obsolescence in less than 2 years? One solace I do have is the L and other EF lenses I bought this year will not be obsolete anytime soon.
I still enjoy my 5D but I use my new 40D more. If Canon comes out with its FF replacement for the 5D in 2008 I will take a good hard look at it, and if my past performance is any indication of the future, Ill buy it fully knowing the irrationality of my action. Good thing photography is a hobby for me.
The Canon 5D and the 24-105L lens make an ideal do-it-all combination. It just that you can get substantially the same image quality and focal length coverage for considerably less money. And for some that matters.
 On: 2007-12-10
Ive owned this camera for about 2 years and its been kept in a Pelican case for most of that time as I dont get to shoot too often. When I do shoot, its for business and therefore I need the camera to work. Apparently users in warm and/or humid climates have been reporting that the reflex mirror simply falls out one day during normal operation. I found this out because it happened to me and I was completely surprised to find out that other users on dpreview had the same problem.
It seems (from comments on dpreview) that Canon fixes the problem for free even for out of warranty cams but I have yet to send mine in..oh yes theres no international warranty so if youre not near a Canon service center youre screwed. SO if you get this camera..and it works great otherwise get the following: the bonuses that come with registering, "L" series lenses and a backup cam for paying jobs especially if you live in a warm/humid climate.
Oh and 3 of the 5 5D owners that live in this area have had the same problem..its not a limited issue.
I may be upgrading or changing to Nikon since i can no longer trust this cam..unless Canon lets me know the fixes/replacements are of a sturdier quality.
On: 2007-12-09
This is an excellent camera and since recent price drops it has become an excellent deal. While it doesnt have the bells and whistles of some of the newer offerings from Nikon and Canon (dust removal on the sensor, live view to name two), the design is 2.5 years old. By far the oldest dSLR in Canons line up and one of the oldest digital cameras still being sold.
But where it matters, image quality from the camera still rivals the newest models out there. Great color, low noise, spot on autofocus. This is a tremendous product. Ive used my two 5D bodies every day since Dec 2005 and theyve never failed me.
If there is anything about this camera that bothers me its dusty sensors. I dont think this attracts more dust than other cameras, but the sensor is about twice the size of the sensor in other consumer and prosumer cameras, so there is twice as much surface area to attract dust. But the superior image quality is worth the occasional sensor cleaning.
On: 2007-11-26
If you also shoot wide-angle, welcome: This is our camera.
Ive been a serious photographer since my teen years in the 1970s and early-on adopted the 24-mm wide-angle as my "signature" lens. Consequently, I was disappointed when the digital SLR revolution took off without regard to wide-angle lenses. A 1.6 crop factor is worthless for those of us who work in-tight and up-close. Personally, I havent understood why the industry (Hello, Nikon?) adopted anything but full-frame sensors from the start, or even yet (Hello, Leica?). But for wide-angle shooters, a full-frame sensor is absolutely fundamental to the beast.
This camera, which Ive had for over a year, is better than I ever anticipated. I am not a machine-gun firing in-the-rain sports photographer, so I cant speak to things important to those needs. But as a journalistic-style travel photographer, who captures the intimate joys of everyday life, I am exceptionally pleased with how relatively compact and light-weight it is (a tad heavier than my EOS film cameras; significantly smaller -- and much, much less expensive -- than other full-frame digitals). I am very pleased with how well it handles ISOs of 800 and 1600.
But, fundamentally, for me, it is the full use of my wide-angle lenses (especially the phenomenal Canon 24mm 1.4 "L" lens) that keeps me smiling with every trip of the shutter and every review of its results. Canon, unlike Nikon and Leica, couldve left me and a whole segment of its wide-angle shooters behind, forever stuck with our film cameras. But Canon didnt. And not only that, they brought us along with an incredibly great all-around camera for ALL our lenses (including the fabulous shift/tilt architectural lenses that also cant be used with crop-factor sensors).
Whether you can or cannot afford the 24mm "L" lens, I also highly recommend the nicely priced, super-sweet 20-35mm EF zoom to go with this body -- for those who want and need their wide-angle lenses.
Thank you, Canon! (Good luck, Nikon and Leica.)
On: 2007-11-20
Like most of the folks that are reading this review I tend to do a fair amount of research before making a purchase, any purchase. Well four years ago I picked up the original Canon 300D Digital Rebel. It was a great camera to learn with and I still enjoy looking back at my progress over the years.
If you read any forums or discussions on photography web sites you will no doubt find that most experienced photogs will tell you to spend your money on glass before the camera itself. Thats the path I took and I could not be happier now that I have a great body to go with some great lenses.
Instead of upgrading my archaic 300D (pushing a strong 6.5MP, useless above 400 ISO, in my opinion) over the years Ive upgraded glass with a 15MM f/2.8 fisheye, 24-70 f/2.8L, 70-200 f/2.8L IS and a really sweet cheap lens - 50MM f/1.8 (everyone should have this lens, buy it now if you dont already have it).
Finally I had the focal ranges covered (for now) but I really hated how long my 24-70 was on my Rebel. This is the only reason I went for the 5D instead of the 40D. Honestly, most people will never know the difference between 10MP and 12MP or 3fps and 6fps. A full frame sensor is a whole new game when compared to a crop camera. Believe the hype.
Aside from the fact that my wide angle lenses are now actually "wide" the high ISO blew me away on this thing. Crank this sucker up at 1600 and 3200 and take some photos in low light, without a flash. Go ahead, try it. Incredible.
So far this camera is worth every penny. My only complaint would be that the on/off switch is a pain to use but Im betting they do that to prevent you from turning it off accidentaly. I guess I also wish the ISO was displayed somewhere without having to press the button. And finally, like others have said, who really wants that direct print button?
If you are trying to decide between the 40D and the 5D consider your lenses. If you like long zooms, sports, etc. you will likely want the 40D. If you enjoy wide angle lenses, dont need the burst rates and can see the value of the full frame - get the 5D. Also, if you dont want to find yourself "needing" a Canon L lens or two, dont go full frame just yet.
On: 2007-11-20
Went from a 6MP Rebel to the 20D to this and all have been great, but this is the best.
Be warned, you will be very tempted to buy better glass. This camera is so sharp you notice the softness in your lenses.A perfect example is my 28-70 f2.8 Sigma It is the sharpest lens I have and I have made some wonderful 11&14 prints with the 20D. On this camera the images look almost soft. So I have a 17-40L on order, and want the 70-200 also, If the wife doesnt kill me first. [Both tried at the local camera shop]
Learn to clean your sensor - this is a dust magnet. I am always very careful when changing lenses and have already had to clean this one in the first week!
Images are the bottom line, and this camera really shines there. I cannt imagine better resolution then this.[At least not in a camera I can afford!]
I recently purchased the Canon 9500 printer and have done a couple of 13&19 prints with no grain. You can almost count the pores on peoples faces, and my macro flowers are so real you can almost smell them.
On: 2007-11-15
Hi folks, Im a Professional Photographer of over 20 years. I recently purchased a Canon 5D from Amazon because an editor was needing bigger files than my Canon 1D Mark II bodies would provide. I initially bought the 5D from Amazon because they were a hundred dollars cheaper than my regular camera gear source.
The camera arrived overnight and one of the buttons didnt work. I contacted Amazon and they overnighted an identical camera to me and gave me 30 days to send the broken camera back. This blew me away - that they would do that for me. This is the kind of vendor that I love doing business with.
A few weeks later - I decide I want another 5D body. Ive been shooting with the 5D and just love it. So, yesterday evening I ordered another 5D body from Amazon and had it overnighted. A few days ago I joined the "Amazon Prime" program...which allows me to get 2nd day shipping for free or overnight shipping for $3.99. Yesterday when I ordered my new 5D, I went with overnight shipping for $3.99. The camera arrived this morning in perfect working order.
I was reluctant to order electronics from Amazon at first. Ive always thought of Amazon as a "bookstore". But after my recent experiences with Amazon, I would not hesitate for a moment to buy anything from these guys. They have proven to me that they are worthy of my business and for that - theyll get more of my business in the future!
Oh and by the way - the Canon 5D is a beautiful camera. I sold both of my Canon 1D Mark II bodies and replaced them with 5D bodies and couldnt be happier!
Good luck & happy shooting!!!
On: 2007-11-14
Hi folks, Im a Professional Photographer of over 20 years. I recently purchased a Canon 5D from Amazon because an editor was needing bigger files than my Canon 1D Mark II bodies would provide. I initially bought the 5D from Amazon because they were a hundred dollars cheaper than my regular camera gear source.
The camera arrived overnight and one of the buttons didnt work. I contacted Amazon and they overnighted an identical camera to me and gave me 30 days to send the broken camera back. This blew me away - that they would do that for me. This is the kind of vendor that I love doing business with.
A few weeks later - I decide I want another 5D body. Ive been shooting with the 5D and just love it. So, yesterday evening I ordered another 5D body from Amazon and had it overnighted. A few days ago I joined the "Amazon Prime" program...which allows me to get 2nd day shipping for free or overnight shipping for $3.99. Yesterday when I ordered my new 5D, I went with overnight shipping for $3.99. The camera arrived this morning in perfect working order.
I was reluctant to order electronics from Amazon at first. Ive always thought of Amazon as a "bookstore". But after my recent experiences with Amazon, I would not hesitate for a moment to buy anything from these guys. They have proven to me that they are worthy of my business and for that - theyll get more of my business in the future!
Oh and by the way - the Canon 5D is a beautiful camera. I sold both of my Canon 1D Mark II bodies and replaced them with 5D bodies and couldnt be happier!
Good luck & happy shooting!!!
On: 2007-10-27
a 5 star camera for sure
We increased the quality of our photos by at least 20 % from the D 30
On: 2007-10-25
I am not on the Canon payroll, and I do not feel the need to carry their flag into battle. I just happen to wear a Canon around my neck a good portion of the time, so it is what I know. I am positive that Nikon, Fugi, Pentax, and Sigma all make fantastic cameras and lenses, each with their own distinct advantages and disadvantages. I can only relay my own experiences though, and all of them have been with Canon equipment.
I have owned the Canon 5D for two years now, and I will be the first to tell you that it is not the perfect camera. At 3 to 4 fps, it is not super fast when shooting RAW formats. Its also not sealed up with rubber gaskets, which makes it useless in wet conditions. That shouldnt be a surprise though as it is not supposed to be any of these things. If I was concerned with water proofing and more frames per second, I would have upgraded to the 1D model for about the same price. Then I would have a fast, water resistant camera with a 1.3 crop factor. What was important to me though was the full sized image sensor. I wanted a digital SLR where my 35mm lens behaved like a 35mm lens, and not a 56mm lens like it did on my 10D. Thats what the 5D delivers, and does it at a price I could afford.
From my experience, I can tell you that the 5D is capable of producing some stunning images. The full sized image sensor is definitely way more subject to vignetting in the corners than my 1.6 crop factor 10D is, but Id say its no worse than shooting with slide film. Its also pretty easy to correct. You can either shoot in raw and adjust for fall off in Photoshop, or you can learn not to push your lenses as hard as you could with a crop factor camera. SIf youre upgrading, you might want to save that old 10D/20D for low light conditions when you need all the f stops you can get.
If you want the perfect digital SLR and can afford the sticker shock, look at the Canon 1Ds. Its fast, full framed, water sealed... and somewhere around $7500. If you want something thats fast, water sealed, and you can live with a bit of a crop factor, then the 1D line is what youre looking for. but if you want a full sized image sensor, dont plan on taking your kit out into stormy weather, and are willing to take the time to master the challenges and opportunities that come with no crop factor, then the 5d could be what youre looking for. It may be a compromise or sorts, but it is an outstanding one that will make even the pickiest of photographers very happy.
 On: 2007-10-11
Purchased camera brand new to serve as a backup camera for my wedding photography business. Used for two days without a problem. On the third day, the camera was dead. I tried a new battery-still dead. Trouble shooted issue with Canon-it was determined that the camera was defective and had to be returned.
On: 2007-09-23
Five years ago I bought a Canon S40 to learn about digital photography. At the same time I saw the 1DS and fell in love with the viewfinder and just knew full frame would be my next camera if my EYE improved. Well, this summer I upgraded to the 5D. It was so much fun testing out new cameras because to me they are all just tools to help capture the images my eye sees. I narrowed it down to three different bodies...Nikon D200, Leica M8 and Canon 5D.
All three cameras are excellent. The Nikon being the most feature rich and easiest to use. Leica, the best craftsmanship and simplest in design, and the Canon neatly settling in the middle. Being that I like to shoot without flash 95 percent of the time, higher ISO performance was most important. The Canon 5D blew these two away at ISO 400 and beyond. I could not believe the difference. Sure, Noise Ninja can do magic for noise suppression, but the less it has to start with the better it performs. And one can use slower lenses because ISO 400 and higher are so clean. And speaking about lenses, I found it so much easier to decide on what to buy for my purposes (50 /1.4 and 70-300 Do). Because a 50mm is just that, I just use my feet and snap away. And a 85mm or 100mm is just that for portraits with great bokeh. With the crop factor, it was not so easy. Just because a 35mm gives you a similar view as a 50mm on full frame the images look more distorted and just different. Also, should one buy digital only lenses or full frame ones for the Nikon since they now have a full frame D3 on the horizon. As for Leica, it had a 1.3 sensor so things would be interesting as well.
Also surprising was how pictures looked when printed. The Nikon was good but not quite up to the Canon and Leica level. The Leica was truly impressive until pictures with higher ISO printed. Here the 5D shined and the larger I printed the bigger the difference not to mention the level of detail that was rendered.
Actually, as good as the 5D performed I realized its not perfect by any means of the imagination. It lacks a lot of pro features like weather sealing, 5 fps, dedicated mirror lock-up button, and auto iso. It does however, makes you THINK about your photo. Nikon has tried to simplify this by giving you auto everything. That approach is neat and can give you the sense that it can capture the moment quicker and easier than the Canon or Leica. Which it probably can with auto iso, etc. However, after using the 5D for a couple of months I find it simple and easy to use in addition to having a cleaner design with fewer buttons. I must admit, the Leica was true joy, manual and all. The rangefinder is so cool. And the design so clean with virtually none of the wiz bang features of the Nikon. One really does have to THINK about composing and framing the image and manually focusing it.
So, the 5D captured the best images for the way I shoot and the viewfinder is a true wow. I have no problem seeing the image or framing it. However, the Leica M8 left an enduring impression on how I approach photography.
Now, if only my EYE could improve...
On: 2007-09-19
I got this as an upgrade from my 350d (rebel xt) and it is fantastic. If you have a good collection of lenses, you will notice the upgrade in performance, though on my 28 1.8 prime, the distortion was a little more pronounced than it was on the 350d.
Another thing I wish I had considered was the 5d kit (with 24-105) which offers a significant discount on the lens.
On: 2007-09-06
As a professional photog I purchased this when my fathful 20Ds shutter went south ( which by the way was just at the 50K mark for its rating) anyway I figured I would get the 5D because I had heard so much about it. Well as a Canon shooter...I was not really that impressed. For the extra expense over another 20D or 30D...the only thing that it had over these two cameras as far as image quality was the 12MP size. And as far as I am conserned as primairly a wedding shooter...I really didnt need the extra editing time it would take me to process that large an image file. I do not shoot raw since I can expose an image very well and dont need to shoot raw. As far as the FULL FRAME FEATURE...again..I have been fully digital for the past 5 years...and I actually prefer the cropped sensor since it gave me farther reach with my long lenses. So I guess I got so use to a 1.6 sensor that a full frame seemed way to wide. After all the EF-S 10-20 3.5 superwide lens designed for a 1.6 sensor was all the wide angle Id ever need. So..I sent it back...and I BOUGHT THE NEW 1Ds MARK III....and holi moli...expensive as it was...this camera can capture any shot in any light lightining fast. The shutter at 10fps sounds like an UZI sub machine gun. Now, had I not rationalized ( and thank goodness I did) into a Mark III purchase. I would have bought another 30D and waited for the 40D to be released as I always shoot a wedding or event with two cameras. One Short and One Long.
The 1.3 crop factor on the Mark III is absolutely perfect. If I never see a full frame camera again...I wont miss it at all. Now I cant use my EFS 10/20 on the Mark III but I fixed that...I just bought a 16/35 2.8 L Glass lens for my new baby :)
On: 2007-08-29
I have been using the Canon 10D for several years and decided to upgrade to the 5D. While the 10D was good, the 5D is much better from the photographers point of view.
For one thing it has a much faster response. All digital cameras go to sleep after a minute or so of inactivity. When that perfect action shot comes along the 10D needed 10 seconds or so to wake up. By that time the shot is gone. The 5D wakes up in less than a second. In many cases, that feature alone saves the day.
Also, the Digic II processor in the 5D seems to do a much better job of analyzing the scene and setting the best combination of aperture and shutter speed. I recently shot a white car on a bright sunny day. Normally that would be a very difficult exposure to get perfect. The 5D performed effortlessly on every frame.
I also like the full frame sensor in the 5D. No more multiplying the focal length of the lens by some factor to get the effective focal length. What you see is what you get.
In short, the 5D is a great camera.
On: 2007-08-25
50 years from now if you go to the Smithsonian Museum youll find the Canon 5D on display. It is the first pro-sumer level DSLR that has a full sized frame sensor. If you dont know why thats important - you have no business buying this camera. If you do, then you already know why this camera is so special.
The build is top notch. Solid feel, well laid out controls, wide selection of accessories, everything you could want in a top of the line camera. I honestly cant think of anything I would have done differently. Some of the professional reviews mention little picky things that they would change, but for me this camera is perfect.
On: 2007-07-29
I bought this camera after using the EOS Rebel 2000 Film camera for 7 years. I bought it because of its Full frame sensor.
The camera is very sharp at all ISOs upto 800.
The camera is great for most lighting conditions with default settings. It needs some experimentation for dealing with difficult lighting conditions (high contrast outdoor and indoor).
On: 2007-07-22
I first started out in DSLRs with a Canon Xt or 350D for the numerical crowd out there. Then recently upgraded to a Canon 5D.
The usual good-bad review.
First the good.
Resolution is far better than the Xt, obviously. Blowing up photos to poster size is no problem with the 5D. Even cropping at 100% still shows the detail in the photo (Warning: Zooming in at 100% of a photo to test its sharpness is not wise. How many times do you take a developed photo and hold it close to your face to achieve 100% crop? Probably never.)
The controls are effective in the fact that I didnt accidently change a setting like I did many times with the Xt. And the scroll wheel is a fantastic feature to use, everything from scrolling through picture to scrolling through settings, it is very very effective.
Full frame.
Ahhh yes one of the reasons I upgraded. I had heard so much about this, and at first thought to myself it wouldnt be all that fantastic. WAS I EVER WRONG! Full frame (heard many times) is a dream. The coverage you get is astonishing when compared to a 1.6 camera body.
Perfect for landscape/cityscape photography. If you upgrade to a 5D you will immediately notice this. Also, if youre wondering if you should or shouldnt upgrade to a FF, my advice would to be just go for it.
ISO handling.
Another reason I upgraded. I shot my first wedding with the Xt and even though it performed like a champ, the one thing it was lacking was the ISo handling. Very grainy at 1600. The 5D is arguably the best at ISO handling. When exposed correctly (which is with any camera), the noise associated with high ISO numbers is hardly noticable.
Design.
Nice size and weight. Another plus going from the Xt to the 5D.
Viewfinder.
I have to watch my language when describing this, it is that amazing.
I am truely astonished by this thing. It is like nothing I have ever seen. Looking through it pleases my eye. Very bright, very large...no way there can be a complaint on the viewfinder. A extremely large noticable feature when compared to the Xt.
Now for the bad. Although I dont consider these "bad" as apposed to different
A 50mm lens is exactly that, 50mm. With 1.6x crop cameras a 50mm would be equivalent to a 80mm on a FF camera. Some call it added reach when refering to 1.6x crop cameras. If you are into sports or anything that requires as much zoom as possible this will hinder that added appearant "reach".
FPS.
The frame rate is 3fps which is the same as the Xt. For my style of shooting FPS is not a must have feature. If it is for you then dont get this camera.You will only get frustrated.
Conclusion.
An ugrade that I dont regret one bit. The FF is a true dream. The high ISO handling will come in extremely handy for my upcoming wedding. The size of it is perfect, although I will eventually get the battery grip.
Controls are nicely done. Canon really did a fantastic job on this. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone wanting to upgrade from a 10D, 20D, 30D, XT, or XTi. The only body that can better this is the 1D series.
Get it, you wont be sorry.
On: 2007-07-18
I own a Canon EOS 1Ds, 11.1 mp camera and it is without a doubt a fine piece of equipment but a bit on the heavy side for an old man like me. It is a superlative studio camera but in the field a lot to handle. I also own a Canon G7 12.1 MP camera and it surpasses expectations so much so that I use it as a backup. Now I am the proud owner of a 5D and its unbelieveable! Its simple to operate and (without the battery grip) is light enough to carry all day without hurting yourself. Its the best yet in a long line of great products.
On: 2007-07-14
I dont have to say much, the experts have already said it all. Canon is king and you wont be disappointed with this camera. Theyve left no stone unturned. Id like to get my hands on a 1D and compare the differences, but I have to say, for my needs, this meets the bill.
Im a Designer/Art Director and use this camera for everything from art for print and web to shooting finished pieces for my portfolio. Also used it to shoot a wedding and was quite happy.
One point, if you spend the dough on this camera, expect to also spend it on accessories.
On: 2007-07-11
Ive been shooting professionally since the 70s and most of my work has been in the still life arena. My personal interests have always been more in the area of portraits, landscapes and street shooting (Cartier-Bresson is one of my icons). View cameras and mid-format were my mainstay until I had to start using digital and I came in early, buying the then new Kodak DCS-560 which was the EOS 1N converted to digital and providing state of the art at that time (6.2 MP), for the humble sum of $25,000. Yes, thats right.
I used it as a studio camera and got decent results, pleasing most clients. In later years I rented the latest top runners for jobs as needed and the last one I used in this way was the Mark II. It was great to shoot with and I was able to produce 30x40 tack sharp portrait posters for the client with no trouble, using the RAW files it produced.
So why all this yaddayadda you might ask? Only to establish a) I have a base of experience which may be of some value and b) I am probably pretty fussy about my equipment.
With this being said I bought the 5D because I believed it would give me what I needed (and wanted). I could have bought the Mark III, but I was looking for a camera to do what the 5D does and didnt require the extra features of the Mark III, most of which are really much more technical than even most professional photographers could ever really utilize. I was concerned with what I consider "reality." The DCS-560 is the same general size, shape and weight as the Mark III. I know what its like to carry that around the world. What would the Mark III offer me that I must have that the D5 wouldnt? Better image quality? Not really. Truth is that the D5 image quality is extraordinary and I cant think of a single purpose I will ever encounter where the supposed "improvement" of the MIII would be needed or, really, even apparent. If I were doing some really technical shot which required a feature of the MIII which the D5 lacks, Ill rent one. My opinion is it will never happen.
What about build quality? I like the fact that the MIII is weather proofed and it would be reassuring, certainly, if the D5 were as well. Again, truth is I take very good care of my equipment and always treat it with respect. I dont see myself exposing my D5 to harm by moisture (I can use a camera glove if I need to shoot in a downpour, not a very common occurrence I wouldnt think). Otherwise, the D5 is solidly built, feels very sturdy, and will not succumb to uselessness if exposed to marginal weather conditions, as long as I remain aware enough to just take proper care while using it. Its not hard to do. A journalist or someone who needs to shoot a lot in really serious weather would need to have a MIII. I dont. And that leaves burst speeds. I dont shoot sports and when I need to catch a moment in people shots where Im looking for a particular expression, for example, the 5D speed works just fine. At a certain point, a higher burst speed is really overkill.
All cameras have strengths and weaknesses. To my thinking, the D5s strengths are apparent: superb image quality (be sure to use the best optics. L series lenses, the 100 macro and a few others work for me), excellent build quality and finish, the best ergonomics I have ever found in a camera (shared by the EOS series as a whole) and a really great price. Compared to that $25,000 DCS I bought so many years ago (yes, the technology has advanced and the prices have come down) and even to the MIII, the price is a bargain. The only "weakness" would have to be the lack of extra insurance of a weather proofing construction.
So my experience with this camera has been excellent. I just love it. It satisfies all my requirements and I dont feel that I am compromising any of them, simply because a higher priced and more feature filled model exists. The results I have been getting amaze me. Detail, lack of noise, color saturation and tonality, ease of operation, relative size and weight, battery life, ease of quickly changing modes and shooting parameters, the feel of it in my hands, all speak well to me. Right now its my favorite camera. I like it so much, and it does so much of what I actually want and need, I dont think Ill be looking to replace it for quite a while. If you can embrace reality and not get sucked into hype (what you dont need), you will love it too. Highly recommended!
On: 2007-07-03
This camera is a piece of art in itself. The quality of the build is well designed for any level photographer. Only qualm I have about it is that it isnt weather sealed, which it should be for the price. The size if great if you have large hands and the weight should help steady your shots.
The image quality is incredible, but you NEED TO HAVE L quality glass. Otherwise, dont get this full frame camera because you wont see what this camera can really do.
Overall, as long as you know what youre doing with it, then its just a pleasure to shoot with. Especially knowing the kind of shots you will get at the end of the day. Next stop is the Mark III.
On: 2007-06-28
This camera is a dream to work with in almost every way imaginable! The pictures are consistently amazing and true to what I intended to shoot; right down to exposure, color, etc. A feat seemingly more and more difficult on some of the newer canon models (XTi for one).
The big downside for me, which I found more of an oversight in design than anything, is the large amount of dust accumulation in both the view finder, and on the sensor itself. Even after thorough sensor cleaning with the Eclipse and Sensor Swabs (9 to be exact...ouch thats nearly $50), you will never quite have a clean shot above f/16. This is, combined with the dust in my view finder (which is a shame because it is a beautifully bright view finder) my largest complaint.
I know that all Dslrs eventually need a sensor cleaning, but the 5D excessively so. Be prepared to pony up both the gusto to clean yourself and the added expense. In contrast, on my 1 series Dslr a single pass cleaning lasts me months (5-6) with flawless shots stopped down to f/22.
I know, I know, use Photoshop for the spots right? Well I do and good luck should one of them appear in an area you cannot clone because you need the detail (I find this more so in macro shooting only).
But in short, I do love this camera. I would much prefert to rate it 4.5/5. It is with me 99% of the time I am not at home. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a top notch FF sensor, even with is dusty flaws.
On: 2007-06-27
This camera is a dream to work with in almost every way imaginable! The pictures are consistently amazing and true to what I intended to shoot; right down to exposure, color, etc. A feat seemingly more and more difficult on some of the newer canon models (XTi for one).
The big downside for me, which I found more of an oversight in design than anything, is the large amount of dust accumulation in both the view finder, and on the sensor itself. Even after thorough sensor cleaning with the Eclipse and Sensor Swabs (9 to be exact...ouch thats nearly $50), you will never quite have a clean shot above f/16. This is, combined with the dust in my view finder (which is a shame because it is a beautifully bright view finder) my largest complaint.
I know that all Dslrs eventually need a sensor cleaning, but the 5D excessively so. Be prepared to pony up both the gusto to clean yourself and the added expense. In contrast, on my 1 series Dslr a single pass cleaning lasts me months (5-6) with flawless shots stopped down to f/22.
I know, I know, use Photoshop for the spots right? Well I do and good luck should one of them appear in an area you cannot clone because you need the detail (I find this more so in macro shooting only).
But in short, I do love this camera. I would much prefert to rate it 4.5/5. It is with me 99% of the time I am not at home. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a top notch FF sensor, even with is dusty flaws.
On: 2007-06-23
If you want (whats need got to do with it?) a DSLR with full frame, hi rez, pro-quality with pro features, then scoop up one of these incredible camera 5D bodies. I have owned and used most of the Nikon pro film bodies, and the Coolpix 5700, D100, D1X, D200 (now my wife owns a D40) and thanks the the March 07 rebate program, I switched to Canon after a 43-year relationship with Nikon. Dollar for dollar and pound for pound, the Nikon D200 is, in many comparisons, just about as good as the 5D. I would recommend you give this full frame body a test experience and.... well, a word of caution.... if you get your hands on a new 5D you will find yourself hooked. Line and sinker too. On a budget - get the D200 or if you are a Canon guy, a Rebel XT. Got a little spare loot and photo experience, this 5D is THE absolute. Enjoy.
On: 2007-06-16
I just bought a 5D. I have the 30D and XT. The color with this camera is head and shoulders above the others. I love what the full frame gives you for landscapes as well.
Its as easy to use as the 30D and easier than the XT (due to the selection wheel).
Fabulous camera.
On: 2007-06-08
Sweet slr. Fast, crisp images. Complex configs available, but easy to just pick up n shoot if you have any slr experience.
Only thing Id do different is to look for the xx-300mm zoom lens instead of the 28-105mm. Itll serve more scenarios than its shorter cousin, and its an L class lens, so you can expect stellar results.
On: 2007-05-13
This Camera is excellent for the Prosumer. The full frame is a big plus, looking through the viewfinder on this camera compared to a APS-C size is a big difference. The picture quality is excellent, and it has a great tolerance for noise at high ISO speeds.
I would definitely recommend this camera.
On: 2007-05-13
This camera is superior in almost every way. I quibble a bit about the location of some of the controls. For example, the on/off switch is not in a great location, Nikon has a better location for this on its cameras. This type of complaint aside, which is entirely subjective in nature, You cant find anything better.
On: 2007-05-12
As a photographer, I am not actually good enough to shoot with film (a painful, but true confession); however, because of the shortcomings of digital cameras, for what I like to do (late night, low light stuff - with a lot of black and not much light!) I have cycled through endless film approaches, in hopes of capturing that perfect moody image...
Then, to overcome the problems of small negative film, I have cycled through medium format film approaches (Bronica ETRS, SQ-Ai, Hasselblad)...
In both of the above cases, it leads to the inevitable coming home with the proof sheet and thinking, "dang, that sure seemed more interesting at the time"...
Well, this camera has changed all of that! I dont generally shoot any pictures of people, but circumstances led to my first use of this camera being for studio shooting some portraits with a friends borrowed studio lighting... I shot a few folks and then went back to my computer and downloaded the images from the card... when I viewed them at "actual pixels", I honestly gasped... these images looked like when you go up to one of those awful (if youre my age) 8x mirrors and get the shocking glimpse of every pore, hair and flaw of your face... this was the sharpest, cleanest (shot at ISO 100), best white balanced, best contrast, AND MOST CONVENIENT photos that I have ever taken - with ANY previous approach...
Astounded, but still not 100% onboard, I took the thing out into the night... I am doing a portfolio on night diners and was truly 100% satisfied with the out-of-the-camera results of my first shoot... but when I put a series of varying exposures into Image Stacker and POW - another gasp moment! Noise FREE... black, black, BLACK blacks... and so tack sharp and detailed as to look almost unreal...
I sold my Hasselblad, XPan - selling my Bronica SQ-Ai... through with film...
Gathered some great lenses with the film camera money... this came with the amazing 24-105mm... since have purchased the even more amazing 70-200mm / 2.8, the 17-40mm, the 100mm macro, the 100-400mm and the TS-E 45mm. Truly incredible works of art! The 100-400 and the TS-E fall a bit behind on sharpness, but the others are just breathtaking!
Now, my wife has purchased a Rebel XTi (temporary, while she awaits a higher resolution update to the 30D - Telephoto sports stuff is her love, so the reduced sensor size works to her advantage), so she can have access to all of my lenses... so now, well be selling her well equipped Olympus E500 kit, as it has gathered dust since the Canons came into the house...
For me, the 5D is truly the perfect camera... I get to immediately see that my tack sharp, perfectly exposed, perfectly color balanced photos are boring and get to move the tripod over a bit and work it until I capture what my mind thought was there... So for me, the saying around the house is "F is for FILM and F is for FRUSTRATION"... I can finally let it go (exept I have my eye on a 4x5 view camera that holds some promise - of course, I should give one of those Calumet full movement bellows on the 5D before I venture back into film!)...
Okay, I have to go shoot some pictures... you should grab one of these and do the same... I cant imagine any way in which you could be disappointed!
On: 2007-05-12
As a wedding photographer I love the Canon 20D, nice and light and at a good price I can afford six of them. But, recently I started shooting for a local magazine and felt I needed a better camera. The full frame feature is the number one reason for this purchase. I found that I missed getting the full effect of my lenses such as the 28-70mm, 15mm and my recent purchase of the 85mm. The magnification was just too much. Ive used the camera at all of my weddings this year and am very pleased in the look and ease of operation of this camera. Im not a chimper but the larger screen helps a fella with bifocals see quickly and accurately what I am capturing. Im still learning how to get the most out of the newer features and will take my time and not change what I do too quickly.
On: 2007-05-07
Having used the 20D 30D and now the 5D I can not tell you how much better it is.
The resolution and saturation of the full frame sensor just leaves the 1.6 frame 20/30D in the shade.
The camera is almost identical smaller framed brothers so making the change to the 5D is easy.
The only thing you will notice is the speed.
The 5D is slower than the 20D and 30D so if you are looking for 8fps then you will have to go the next step.
Oh and the battery grip is also a must if you are gong to be away from a power point for long periods of time.
Im on location in Bangladesh right now so have to carry backup batterys.
On: 2007-03-09
The camera is amazing but to bad the one i received from amazon was defective. I tried to get them to do an exchange but they said they could not replace the item. So i had to return it and wait a month for my refund and purchase it from a local dealer in the meantime for $300 more.
On: 2007-02-22
Here are the basics that I considered and have found out from about 9 months of ownership. Keep in mind opinions on photography equipment varies greatly by the user and what the equipment is used for so while I think the 5D is near-perfect, others might not.
While the positives and negatives seem even in number, the positives FAR outweigh the negatives. I have no regrets about my purchase.
Positives
+Full frame sensor: allows me to acheive true wide angle photographs with no crop factor
+Image size: I have had a number of large (20"x30") prints made and the results are flawless
+Ability to shoot in RAW: While the files are huge (12MB+ each), the information and options this format provides has really expanded my technical and creative abilities.
+Build quality: While I havent tried the true Canon Pro series (1 series), the 5D is pleasantly sturdy and feels solid in my hands. I can see how some might find it too heavy, especially with an L series lens.
Negatives-
-Lens requirements: Because of the full frame sensor, the 5D brings out the best (and worst) out of the corners and edges of your lenses. You will be able to tell a lesser quality lens more easily on the 5D than on a cropped sensor lens. The obvious negative is that better lenses like the L-series are generally much more expensive ($600+)
-No flash: Not a big deal to me but Ive noticed that people are surprised when they see the 5D has no flash. This doesnt matter that much since built in flashes are rarely useful in most situations.
-Dust in sensor: Make sure you get a good sensor cleaning kit shortly after getting the 5D. There are steps you can take to minimize dust like changing lenses rarely and always indoors but you will need to clean the sensor every few months depending on use. To test if you need to clean (on any DSLR), put the camera on a tripod or flat surface, point it at a white wall , focus, and shoot with a long exposure and small aperture (5+ seconds and f/16 or smaller). If there is any junk on your sensor you should see it.
On: 2007-02-08
I waited for this camera for a long time before I took the plunge into Digital SLRs.
I love to use wide angle lenses and hated to lose part of the image on its predecessors.
I have been very surprised at how good the images are, better than any film camera film combination I have ever owned.
I have also been somewhat depressed by the appearance of sensor dust and would see this as the major operational problem Canon needs to address.
I am not convinced by self-cleaning cameras, they need to remove the dust not shake it somewhere else in the body. We need easy clean sensors or reasonably priced accessories to do the job. Not the rip-offs we are being offered now.
On: 2007-01-10
Big screen for review- easy to use -Big file
On: 2007-01-09
We use this camera only for professional work. We cant even dream a better camera than this for this budget.
Only problem we have is that the camera is so good it shows of the defects when we use a cheap lens!
On: 2007-01-05
This is one of the greatest things ever in my opinion for both professional, and amateur photographer. Af least, it was for year 2006.
And I am very happy to tell everyone that many of my current works for magazine are actually using this wonderful camera.
There are several distinct advantage using this camera in the professional environment.
1. They are affordable full size sensor camera. Output quality will meets most of requirement given by the client.
2. Battery is interchangeable with 20/30D, so it is ideal candidate for 2 camera configuration with 20D/30D.
3. As far as Portrait photography are concern, it is currently one of the best in image quality and compared to the 1DSs older design sensor, when situation is ideal, it sometimes create superior result.
4. Very low ISO noise, it is really useful for anyone who frequently shoot for low available light situation. ISO800 was useable even for the magazine purpose.
5. Relatively lower shutter noise compared to the 20/30D that are helpful for some of noise sensitive shoot.
6. Availability of third party add on are actually important to me when I looked for camera. 5D is very good with availability and compatibility or such 3rd party equipment. And I am very happy to use many of 3rd party products with 5D.
1DS, due to the its form, has major difficulty with some of affordable 3rd party tool, most notably bellows system.
7. Weight is considerably less compared to the 1DS series and it is still full sensor size camera.
8. DOF of full size sensor camera thus great Bokeh can be archived if used with great lens.
9. Ability to shoot AdobeRGB color space RAW format
10. Fairly easy to find additional equipment at the local camera store, when you are on the road (I think
that is very important)
There are some disadvantage for this camera
1. It is 12.8M pixel despite the fact it is full sensor (or Leica format) size and it is 4M pixel smaller than 1DS MKII. And there are few occasion, it will not be enough for the given assignment(You really need to consider type of work you do)
2. It does have lower burst rate compared to 1D MKII or 20/30D that is not exactly ideal for the performance art, sports events, or outdoor bird photography.
Due to that fact, I normally bring my 20D with me, so if I need decent burst rate, I will rely upon my 20D instead.
3.It is not weather sealed, thus, you really cannot take it out when weather is not exactly ideal without shortening cameras life. So, it is not ideal camera for field photographer who shoot at challenging environment.
4. It is still expensive for the amateur and, it is still expensive for the professional photographer with rather low fee structure.
5. 9 point sensor is more than enough for the most of people. It is however, not for the some of professional who requires quick focus and shoot. It is bit frustrating to work with its AF, if you are used to with 45 point sensor of 1D/1DS series.
On: 2006-12-18
Who ever thought that people want cameras with APS, or smaller sized sensors? The lens magnification fact is extremely bothersome, and Digital-only lenses? If you are an avid film shooter, and want to switch to digital, or use a digital camera as a part of your workflow, this is THE camera to get, assuming of course you are willing to make an investment. Canon Double Rebate promotion does not hurt either. This camera has everything you would expect from a professional tool, and more. It has a bright viewfinder, thanks to a larger mirror. The focusing screen is good for general shooting, and different screens are available for specific uses. All functions are easily accessible, and most common functions are attached to hard buttons. The shutter is smooth, focusing is quick. Overall, this is an excellent camera, I just wish it was cheaper. But, you get what you pay for. I highly recommend this camera for landscape and panorama shooters, where a full frame sensor is essential.
On: 2006-12-17
Ive had my 5D for nearly a year and have used it in a wide variety of conditions. It took about five or six months for me to really get to know the camera. Now that it and I understand each other, Im extremely satisfied with the images it produces.
The controls are logical and well placed. The fine gradations of f-stop, ISO, and shutter speed allow great control. The grip is good and the build is very solid. While I understand that the 5D is not weather sealed by Canon standards, Ive taken it on a drizzly three day backpacking trip and many rainy weekend sports events. Other than sluggish performance from cold batteries, Ive never had a weather related problem.
The 5Ds dynamic range is also outstanding. You may need photoshop work to rebalance light and shadows in high contrast situations. An amazing amount of tonal gradation and detail is sometimes waiting to be brought to life in the dark and bright areas of a picture.
Resolution is also outstanding. Ive been very pleased with the 13X19s Ive made of many landscapes. Youll want good glass for this camera, to squeeze everything you can out of that wonderful full frame sensor. I really appreciate the way the full size sensor allows you to get a full 24mm wide angle out of a lens like the 24-105mm.
Low light performance is also outstanding. I shot an Xmas program picture in a church last week from a distance of 35 feet at 105 mm and ISO 800 (1/80, 4.0), with no flash. There was faint (and manageable) noise in the shadows, but the spotlighted performers in the foreground were crisp and clear. Wow!
I miss having an in-camera flash, but the camera is almost too big and certainly weighs enough as it is. I shot a wedding and reception some months ago, with a zoom lens and an external flash on the camera all evening, and learned a lot about how much the camera weighs.
One minor complaint: the auto white balancing is not perfect. Images taken under indoor lighting without flash often have color casts. Custom white balancing works pretty well, but if youre moving through different kinds of light, you may have processing work to do.
Apart from the reservations Ive stated, Im really impressed and happy with my 5D. Its plenty of camera for even discriminating users. I think it will be at the top of the DSLR world for many years to come.
On: 2006-12-17
Who ever thought that people want cameras with APS, or smaller sized sensors? The lens magnification fact is extremely bothersome, and Digital-only lenses? If you are an avid film shooter, and want to switch to digital, or use a digital camera as a part of your workflow, this is THE camera to get, assuming of course you are willing to make an investment. Canon Double Rebate promotion does not hurt either. This camera has everything you would expect from a professional tool, and more. It has a bright viewfinder, thanks to a larger mirror. The focusing screen is good for general shooting, and different screens are available for specific uses. All functions are easily accessible, and most common functions are attached to hard buttons. The shutter is smooth, focusing is quick. Overall, this is an excellent camera, I just wish it was cheaper. But, you get what you pay for. I highly recommend this camera for landscape and panorama shooters, where a full frame sensor is essential.
On: 2006-12-13
The 5D is worth it, and then some. Id buy it again in a heartbeat. Visually it performs better than anything else Ive seen. Im VERY attached to 35mm and this camera either matches film (beautiful tones; sumptuous shadow detail) or outperforms film by a margin (flexibility, detail, the utter lack of noise at high ISO settings).
I completely disagree with the assertion elsewhere that vignetting is inevitable. I shoot wide open almost all the time because I dislike flash. Youll find me indoors in the dark Seattle winter with the aperture wide and the ISO cranked to 800. The low noise/high resolution sensor is perfect for this. It out performs my 30D by a huge margin under such conditions.
Build quality? Theres probably a grain of truth there. I hear the Nikons are better sealed, but the 5D feels neither cheap nor shoddy.
I use both the cheapy 50mm/f1.8 and the expensive 24-70 f2.8L series. They only time Ive seen any vignetting is when shooting at 24mm under bright sunlight; f4.0 to f8; I see some light roll-off in the corners as noted by M.Ryley, but none of the softness that he mentions. This phenomenon is simply not there at all with longer focal lengths.
As for speed - maybe I have faster CF cards since I bought them recently, but this hasnt been an issue for me at all. However, I do prefer to use my faster 30D for sporting events where speed is of the essence.
Im a semi-pro; Ive been taking picture for over 20 years. I asked 5 full time professionals and a few gifted amateurs to recommend a camera before I made this purchase. Every one of them recommended the 5D - citing image quality. It gives probably three-quarters of the performance of the 1D at only one third of the price.
I recommend this camera.
On: 2006-12-12
The 5D is worth it, and then some. Id buy it again in a heartbeat. Visually it performs better than anything else Ive seen. Im VERY attached to 35mm and this camera either matches film (beautiful tones; sumptuous shadow detail) or outperforms film by a margin (flexibility, detail, the utter lack of noise at high ISO settings).
I completely disagree with the assertion elsewhere that vignetting is inevitable. I shoot wide open almost all the time because I dislike flash. Youll find me indoors in the dark Seattle winter with the aperture wide and the ISO cranked to 800. The low noise/high resolution sensor is perfect for this. It out performs my 30D by a huge margin under such conditions.
Build quality? Theres probably a grain of truth there. I hear the Nikons are better sealed, but the 5D feels neither cheap nor shoddy.
I use both the cheapy 50mm/f1.8 and the expensive 24-70 f2.8L series. They only time Ive seen any vignetting is when shooting at 24mm under bright sunlight; f4.0 to f8; I see some light roll-off in the corners as noted by M.Ryley, but none of the softness that he mentions. This phenomenon is simply not there at all with longer focal lengths.
As for speed - maybe I have faster CF cards since I bought them recently, but this hasnt been an issue for me at all. However, I do prefer to use my faster 30D for sporting events where speed is of the essence.
Im a semi-pro; Ive been taking picture for over 20 years. I asked 5 full time professionals and a few gifted amateurs to recommend a camera before I made this purchase. Every one of them recommended the 5D - citing image quality. It gives probably three-quarters of the performance of the 1D at only one third of the price.
I recommend this camera.
On: 2006-11-24
I have owned the Canon 10D but could never get used to the "cropped" view from the limited sensor. I barely used that camera over 3 yrs of ownership, preferring to shoot with my film Nikon. With the 5D, the full field of view is back. The "sweep" one feel in framing a picture through this camera is just marvelous. The images (with "L" lenses) are just stupendous. Arguably better than film. This is the first camera less than $6000.00 to be every bit as good as film. I highly recommend it if you are a serious amatuer or professional photographer.
On: 2006-11-14
This is my first and very expensive entry into digit SLR photography.
I have used canon point and shoot digital camera previously.
I was avoiding DSLRs because I used to rarely use my EOS film SLR.
The convienience of a point and shoot from that experience was overwhelming.
Unfortunately so are its limitations.
So back I came, and the only choice though expensive was the EOS 5d for its full frame sensor! The pain was reduced by the double rebates.
Wow! This is a revelation! Beautifull images, lot of control.
I did notice that the AF was not as fast as my old Elan IIE.
I was also disappointed that for the price there was a lack of weather sealing. I am not happy with canon for this, but I really appreciate them for making a full frame sensor in a difficult marketable slot as far as their line up was concerned.
This camera also needs prime or L lenses, because the sensor will reveal the inadequacies of inferior lenses. This adds to the cost.
This is an exceptional photographic tool that I hope to use to improve my skill as I explore all its capabilities!
On: 2006-11-04
This camera is amazing. I have been a canon user for many years, upgrading as I go. I can not think right now of a camera they could come out with to make me want to upgrade from the 5D. This will certainly be my camera for some time to come.
On: 2006-09-07
This is an excellent camera. I upgraded from the EOS 20D which was also a great camera. I upgraded for a couple of reasons. The first was the Full Frame sensor. The EOS 20D has a 1.6X crop factor which effects your lenses overall focal length. On the EOS 5D you get the true focal length of your attached lens. Just like film SLR cameras. Awesome! The one problem Ive noticed with the Full Frame sensor on the EOS 5D is it is huge. When you are changing lenses this sensor picks up every little piece of dust, dirt and fibers like a vacuum. Im constantly cleaning the sensor with a blower. I also had to bring it to a Canon service center. Just to remove some of the dust off the sensor that my blower could not remove. The Canon service center was very far from my home. (Very annoying). I never experienced this problem with the EOS 20D. But, the images you get from the full frame sensor are far superior to the smaller sensor on the EOS 20D.
The other reason I upgraded was the larger LCD. The 2.5 LCD screen is a nice plus. The images look bright and sharp.
Overall I love this camera. Build, features and image quality are excellent!!!
On: 2006-08-27
After 3 decades as a Nikon 35mm film loyalist I was tired of waiting for a 35mm sized digital sensor where I could use the 17mm focal length end of my expensive Nikkor 17-35mm lens (click on the comment bubble at the end of this review and read my clarification). A co-worker let me test drive his Canon 5D, Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM and SanDisk Extreme III 2 GB card.
Viewing the images on his LCD computer screen helped me decide to sell everything Nikon and switch to the established DSLR leader, Canon. Finally, no more heavy and bulky Nikon F5 and having to pay and wait for film processing! No more scanning negatives for hours each night!
As an owner of the 5D, XT, EF 17-40mm f4L USM, EF 70-200mm f4L IS USM with tripod collar and Canon Speedlite 580EX, the thousands of RAW images taken in ISOs ranging from 50 to 3200 with the 5D have been truly satisfying. Note: the XT is also a winner.
The 5Ds image quality stunned every person I have given 4" x 6" and 8.5" x11" colour and monochrome images to. Credit must be given to Canons Digital Photo Professional (DPP) RAW processing software, Canons i9900 bubblejet printer (please read my Amazon review), Canon paper and Canon ink. I rarely have to use Adobe Photoshop CS2 anymore because of DPPs quick-to-use tools.
The 5D and any one of the lenses with flash fits nicely into a Tamrac Velocity 7 bag (please read my Amazon review). The larger Tamrac Velocity 9 bag will fit the entire 2 body with lenses and flash kit but the bag is a bit awkward (please read my Amazon review).
A built-in flash would have been nice but not absolutely necessary because writing times to the CF card would have been longer delaying the next shutter release. Also, battery life would have quicky dwindled. Stick with the 580EX when flash is required.
Bottom line: If you believe that it costs Canon more to manufacturer a full-frame CMOS image sensor and dont mind spending several months salary | | |
