advantages of a 5D over xti

aramator · Jul 9, 2008

im having a hard time convincing my wife to let me get a 5D. im just looking for some real world aspects of the 5D over the xti. i know that you get a full frame sensor, but would it be smart to wait and see if canon is going to replace the 5D with something newer, or just go ahead and upgrade now?

Alpha · Jul 9, 2008

Is it a better camera? Hell yes it's a better camera. How long you wanna hold out for a price drop is up to you.

Mav · Jul 9, 2008

The 5D is outstanding. Full frame, better high ISO performance, very sharp, etc. There's a $300 rebate on them now that's about to expire in 10 days. Can get them new for $1900 USD I think. Even if a replacement comes out, it's not gonna be that cheap.

aramator · Jul 9, 2008

if i could i would go with the 1Ds III

peterbj7 · Jul 9, 2008

I thought that as well, until I studied it further and read reviews of the D3 & D700 & news of the D900. Seems to me the price of the 1Ds III is very hard to justify - I could buy a D3 and new lenses (I have Canon at present) for about the same a 1Ds III body. And I think I'd rather do that. But as I'm not sure I'll just stick with my old-fashioned 5D and make do! The only practical problem with the 5D is that it is more susceptible to dirt than later designs, but unless you live in a dustbowl as I do that's hardly going to affect you. And the images it takes (given a decent lens) are truly outstanding.

RyanLilly · Jul 10, 2008

Just have her hold both of them, the build qualities are worlds apart.

Alex_B · Jul 10, 2008

aramator said:
but would it be smart to wait and see if canon is going to replace the 5D with something newer, or just go ahead and upgrade now?

Are you sure you want to afford the upgrade ?

The 5D IMHO is currently good value for money, and won't drop that much more once the 5D markII or whatever comes out. And how long do you want to wait? a year?

Alex_B · Jul 10, 2008

peterbj7 said:
The only practical problem with the 5D is that it is more susceptible to dirt than later designs,

Actually, I cannot really agree here. I had lots of dirt on my sensor for the first 2000 or 3000 exposures. Had to clean it at least every two weeks.

But after that things got much better. and I rarely have to clean my sensor. And I did not alter my shooting habits, I still change lenses as hell and I still shoot in the same locations and the same weather.

So I suspect the dirt I got in the beginning was actually in the camera, from the manufacturing process, oil, shutter abrasion, whatever.

peterbj7 · Jul 11, 2008

Interesting thought Alex. Though it really is very dusty here, so my situation may well be different.

Alex_B · Jul 12, 2008

peterbj7 said:
Interesting thought Alex. Though it really is very dusty here, so my situation may well be different.

but I have been shooting alot in the UK with my camera too, also in Oxford

could not see it is more dusty there than where I am currently.

table1349 · Jul 12, 2008

aramator said:
im having a hard time convincing my wife to let me get a 5D. im just looking for some real world aspects of the 5D over the xti. i know that you get a full frame sensor, but would it be smart to wait and see if canon is going to replace the 5D with something newer, or just go ahead and upgrade now?

What is the purpose of the upgrade? Will it fulfill a need that your current camera can not meet? If so the choice is obvious.

If not, then maybe it would be better to consider if you have greater needs than a new body. I shoot a lot of collage sports, using a 40D and a 30D. They fulfill my needs. I would love to have a couple of 1D MIII's but they are not nearly as necessary as good glass. That is where my money is going to now. Once my glass collection is pretty much complete then I will look at the 1D MIII or 1D MIV if it takes that long.

Good luck on the decision.

Seefutlung · Jul 12, 2008

It is all about the final image ... you not see any dif between your XTi images and the 5D up to an 8x10 or so. After that the more you enlarge the greater the difference. Also at higher ISO, the differences are greatly increased, the greater you enlarge the quicker you will see differences.

Gary

peterbj7 · Jul 12, 2008

Alex_B said:
but I have been shooting alot in the UK with my camera too, also in Oxford

could not see it is more dusty there than where I am currently.

I'm not in Oxford - I'm on a small island in the western Caribbean.