Why would anyone want a 5D (original)?

[Overread]

So as the MIII hits the streets and people are offloading things the 5D price second hand has dropped fairly low (considering where it started) so I'm considering if there is any reason at all that I need consider a 5D camera body. I keep hearing about this amazing thing that is 35mm sensor size; but I'm sceptical as to if its worth actually getting one when I don't shoot portraits (of people) or weddings.

Add to that its rather lower class AF (compared to the MIII and my 7D) and its lack of auto sensor cleaning (I think) as well as its older body and ISO range as well as the fact that whatever one I get will be used. Is it worth it? Do I need that angle of view and would anything but my macro work and odd landscape benefit from it (and to be fair landscape wise I have an 8-16mm for crop and macro wise the smaller depth of field possible is the clear bonus over 1.6crop).

So convince me - I've yet to really work out the reason for wanting a 5D if there is one at all.

 

[flasharps]

Once you go full frame, you never go back! I am more into still photography than shooting video. I had a Canon 7D and a 1DS. The 7D is a crop sensor and 1DS is a full frame sensor. I purchased the 7D to replace the 1DS. Keep in mind I have the original 1DS. When I compared the photo's, the full frame sensor pictures looked better than the pictures taken with the 7D. To me it looked like color was processed better and the depth of field is different. I couldn't get past that.

Long story short.... I sold the 7D and purchased the 5D Mark2. I am not by any means putting down the 7D. It's an incredible camera. It was a personal thing that I couldn't get past regarding the image.

Just my .02.

 

[o hey tyler]

I have a 5D and 5D2 and I still use the 5D a lot of the time. It's still a great camera, and if you don't need super crazy high ISO it still puts out wonderful images.

 

[Dao]

You know Overread, I am kind of in the same boat now.

I am thinking about getting a refurbished 7D. And I almost bought the 5D MKII on Sunday when Canon offer 15% off on their refurbished 5DII ($1495 + tax after discount). But it was too late when I got home on that night. They were all sold out. (People who bought them already received the cameras and they are in great conditions)

Now, I am back to 5DMK1 vs 7D (or Mk2 if they have the same promotion again)


For you, since you already have a 7D, so if I were you, I will pick up a full frame camera. Remember, in general, we really do not need them. It is the desire, not the need. I can come up with a lot of reasons for me to buy an item, but most important reason is ..... that make me a happier person (at least in the beginning LOL ).


Anyway, as far as the dust removal goes, I do not think it is a deal breaker there. From what I read, those auto dust removal system doesn't work too well anyway. A hand held camera air blower works much better then the system anyway. (Of course the sensor cleaner kit even better)

 

[jaomul]

12 big mp on a large sensor with full frame perspective at a low price. Seems like a lot to like

 

[Overread]

Dao - aye I agree its not a "need" but a "want"; the thing is I like to buy things to fullfill a need; otherwise they end up gathering dust on a shelf. At present the only real excuse I can think of for a 5D is to go for Mishel type photos with macro (ie taking full advantage of the reduced depth of field possible with the fullframe sensor).

The other argument is this 35mm amazingness of quality that I keep hearing about but --- it just sounds like adoration as opposed to fact


Of course the other option is to forget the 5D and go for a higher end (better af at least) 35mm film EOS camera from Canon. Downside is paying for film; lacking the digital interface that I'm used to and being limited on shots (I seriously do not think I would be using high FPS with film!) - Along with the fact that I'm fairly sure I can't push the film ASA/ISO as high as I can on the 5D (at least not without hunting out more specialist supplies of higher ISO/ASA film).

 

[Village Idiot]

I don't know about the latest generation of self cleaning sensors, but about when the 5D MKII came out, pretty much all of them except for Olympus were useless. There's several comparisons that show how truly terrible they are at cleaning dust particles from the sensor

A good blower is a much better option.

 

[Robin Usagani]

The only reason I will be keeping my 5DII when I get 5DIII is because they use the same batteries. If not I would have sold the 5DII and shoot with 5Dc.

5Dc is awesome! Isnt sensor cleaning just the mirror flicking? You can easily just blow it with rocket blaster while the mirror is up (or cleaning wet cleaning kit).

 

[Village Idiot]

Dao - aye I agree its not a "need" but a "want"; the thing is I like to buy things to fullfill a need; otherwise they end up gathering dust on a shelf. At present the only real excuse I can think of for a 5D is to go for Mishel type photos with macro (ie taking full advantage of the reduced depth of field possible with the fullframe sensor).

The other argument is this 35mm amazingness of quality that I keep hearing about but --- it just sounds like adoration as opposed to fact


Of course the other option is to forget the 5D and go for a higher end (better af at least) 35mm film EOS camera from Canon. Downside is paying for film; lacking the digital interface that I'm used to and being limited on shots (I seriously do not think I would be using high FPS with film!) - Along with the fact that I'm fairly sure I can't push the film ASA/ISO as high as I can on the 5D (at least not without hunting out more specialist supplies of higher ISO/ASA film).

A 20mm lens will also behave like a 20mm lense on a FF sensor. I took a photo with the 20 f/1.7 on my Oly E-P3 and even though the FOV is 40mm, the distortion definitely looks like 20mm.

This is with the Oly PEN @ 20mm. Their photos aren't actually crooked and the wall doesn't curve if you see it in person.

If you were to shoot with a 40mm lens, you wouldn't acquire as much perspective distortion.

 

[Overread]

True point, for indoor work it would help over the 1.6crop where sometimes I can find I end up wanting/using the 35mm I have even though it does cause some perspective distortion (though I'll hasten to add that outside of the 35mm the only good lenses I have are 70mm or longer so I've no 50mm normal to bridge the gap - but the 35mm is still more comfortable feeling to shoot).

 

[Mrgiggls]

Those legs.....AAAAHHHHHH MY EYES!!

 

[Village Idiot]

Those legs.....AAAAHHHHHH MY EYES!!

How about you find another forum to be super annoying on?

 

[Alex_B]

I experienced both the 5D and the 5D II, the 5D is a very fine camera, and some of my best images were shot with it.

Unless shooting macro or wildlife, I would not want anything else but a 35mm sensor. Your lenses will feel a lot different and maybe you will find a sort of photographic creativity within yourself which you never realised so far.

You might currently not like the wider angles yet. But if you get a full frame and start re-exploring the world through your old set of lenses, this might inspire something.

So give it a try, might not work for you, but what can you lose? Just re-sell it after 3 months if you do not feel it was the right thing for you.


p/s sensor cleaning on the 5D II makes a difference for non sticky dust, but you still need to do some cleaning by hand from time to time.

 

[Alex_B]

Isnt sensor cleaning just the mirror flicking? You can easily just blow it with rocket blaster while the mirror is up (or cleaning wet cleaning kit).

no, the mirror is not involved, but the sensor unit.

Furthermore, my policy is never to blow into the camera. It usually does get more dust in than out. I always use a speck grabber or similar to get the sensor 100% clean of micro dust.

 

[fokker]

Buy an old cheap used 5D and a 50mm 1.8 and you will have fun I promise