Choosing a body, help.

[MelissaHaws]

Hey guys, I am changing systems from Pentax to with Canon or Nikon. I love to hear peoples advice since I've never shot with either. I'm leaning toward a canon since I really like the SOOC image characteristics and the bokeh characteristics of many of the canon lenses seem more pleasing...maybe? But anyway, leaning toward Canon but still considering Nikon too.

The body shouldn't be more than $1000 for my budget. While I can find comparisons of the 7d 60d and 550d I can't find a comparison online of something like the original 5d and the 60d. These are comparible in price right now, but is the original 5d just far to outdated to even compare to the 60d? What's the focus system like, because I know people were having a real hard time with the Mark II. I love the idea of having a ff camera but realize it is not everything. My current camera (Pentax k-x) does not have any sort of blinking light indicator when focusing. I also have to look at my lcd and push like 4 buttons just to change my focal point when using single point AF. It is the biggest pain in the butt to do so, so something like a wheel or joystick and light indicators in the view finder are important to me too. (this may be something almost all cameras have, but I haven't really used any but my own!)

So what's your thoughts about 5d vs 60d. or is the Nikon 7000 my best bet?

 

[o hey tyler]

I'd go with the 5D. I have one, and still shoot with it on the regs. I also shoot with a 5D Mark II as well, but prefer the smaller file size of the Mark I.

What do you plan to shoot? The focus system in the 5D series isn't incredible (except for the Mark III which IS incredible), but it gets the job done. I can post shots that I've taken with the 5D 1 if you'd like to see.

 

[Mach0]

Comes down to what you are shooting. However, @less than $1,000, the 5D sounds pretty damn good.

 

[jrizal]

Some comparisons...

Canon 5D vs 60D

Canon 5D Mark II vs 60D

Canon 60D vs Nikon D7000

Based on the models you mentioned, the 60D is better than the 5D but loses to the others. From a practical standpoint (price, performance, lens costs, etc.) I'd go with the 60D. But if you want a full frame camera then the 5D Mark I needs a better look.

PS Oh how I can afford to upgrade my D3100 to any of the models you mentioned.

 

[gsgary]

You say you want to shoot weddings so there is no contest 5D all the way for me
My 5D at iso3200

 

[Derrel]

The 5D's viewfinder information LED's are basically INVISIBLE in bright outdoor lighting conditions. Seriously. I shot my 5D at the beach this past weekend and could not see any of the exposure information when looking through the camera...the shutter speeds and f/stop info LED system's non-adjustable readout is so,so,so,so dim and weak it's pathetic. My shooting partner's 60D on the other hand had BRIGHT, and CRYSTAL-CLEAR exposure information that was easily seen through the finder.

 

[gsgary]

The 5D's viewfinder information LED's are basically INVISIBLE in bright outdoor lighting conditions. Seriously. I shot my 5D at the beach this past weekend and could not see any of the exposure information when looking through the camera...the shutter speeds and f/stop info LED system's non-adjustable readout is so,so,so,so dim and weak it's pathetic. My shooting partner's 60D on the other hand had BRIGHT, and CRYSTAL-CLEAR exposure information that was easily seen through the finder.

I don't have that problem with mine

 

[Derrel]

Many,many people have the problem. The in-finder LED display is so pathetically dim that it disappears in bright, outdoor lighting conditions. Worse camera I have ever seen on that score.

Here are a few dozen people who have noticed the problem. 5D - dim viewfinder info display: Canon EOS-1D / 1Ds / 5D Forum: Digital Photography Review

and http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1032&message=31372927&changemode=1

 

[gsgary]

Must be my eyes but i have never had a problem seeing the display

 

[o hey tyler]

Must be my eyes but i have never had a problem seeing the display

Neither have I, and I've shot the camera in just about every possible lighting condition, aside from a vacuum.

 

[MelissaHaws]

the in-vewfinder dim led display thing does turn me off since that's one of my biggest frustrations with my current camera (NO in-viewfinder focus points...although it does have the other info) But if others aren't having the problem, is it a user difference or individual camera difference I wonder.

FYI, my usage fore the camera will be generally of 2 things: portraits, and my own family/kids. I very much would like to to get into weddings in the near future, rather than family portraiture I think. Maybe in a couple years I'd like the MarkIII and I wonder if it would be advantageous to have 2 sizes of camera or to have the same size as my (eventual) backup.

About the focusing system though, I thought the MarkII had some problems, but that the original 5d didn't so much? Does it also have some issues in your experience? Do you find it works better in any one focusing mode over anther? Like would you generally always use the center focus and recompose, or is it pretty good with other points? I use continuous focus a lot with my active kids and if only the center point is accurate then this probably would turn me off it.

 

[StandingBear1983]

the in-vewfinder dim led display thing does turn me off since that's one of my biggest frustrations with my current camera (NO in-viewfinder focus points...although it does have the other info) But if others aren't having the problem, is it a user difference or individual camera difference I wonder.

FYI, my usage fore the camera will be generally of 2 things: portraits, and my own family/kids. I very much would like to to get into weddings in the near future, rather than family portraiture I think. Maybe in a couple years I'd like the MarkIII and I wonder if it would be advantageous to have 2 sizes of camera or to have the same size as my (eventual) backup.

About the focusing system though, I thought the MarkII had some problems, but that the original 5d didn't so much? Does it also have some issues in your experience? Do you find it works better in any one focusing mode over anther? Like would you generally always use the center focus and recompose, or is it pretty good with other points? I use continuous focus a lot with my active kids and if only the center point is accurate then this probably would turn me off it.

Did you investigate about Nikon as much as you investigated Canon, did you try both brands in your hands? - the Nikon D7000 is one hell of a camera, 100% viewfinder, mag alloy body, 39 AF points, great sensor for low light, and you got a wide range of lenses to choose from.

what ever you choose, if your into mostly portraits go with 2 primes, 50mm and 85mm both 1.8f if you don't have money for both go for the 50mm or even the 35mm 1.8G which is the cheapest of all of them but still a great lenses on cropped sensors. when taking pictures of children you usually need fast glass.

 

[MelissaHaws]

Did you investigate about Nikon as much as you investigated Canon, did you try both brands in your hands? - the Nikon D7000 is one hell of a camera, 100% viewfinder, mag alloy body, 39 AF points, great sensor for low light, and you got a wide range of lenses to choose from.

what ever you choose, if your into mostly portraits go with 2 primes, 50mm and 85mm both 1.8f if you don't have money for both go for the 50mm or even the 35mm 1.8G which is the cheapest of all of them but still a great lenses on cropped sensors. when taking pictures of children you usually need fast glass.

Honestly I probably looked into Canon a little more. I looked at some comparisons of some canon vs nikon SOOC pictures and lenses. It seemed like the Canon had a more pleasing SOOC picture. I don't know what it was, maybe a little more punchy in the color or contrasty. The Nikkons looked a little flat. I suppose I could add a bit of black and contrast or color in PP anyway, but the less PP work the better, right. The comparisons on some of the fast primes I noticed the canon had a bit of a more pleasing bokeh. This is all quick first impressions and preferences. I have not held EITHER in my hands and really need to go out to a camera store and do so, but haven't had a chance lately with my husband doing finals and I don't want to bring my kids to a camera store... eeek, that would be a disaster! :0( I'm still very much considering the d7000 as I've heard its an amazing camera. It's a bit pricey at $1000-1200 or so while I have found both the 60d and 5d around $750 used. Maybe a D90? Don't know anything about it, but more in my price range. Better go read more reviews, lol!

Oh and thanks for the advice about lenses too. I was thinking along the same lines as you there. I currently use a tamron 28-75/2.8 as well as a 50/1.4. I always want my 50 on cause I love the image quality and super fastness (fastness, lol?) I get, but it's just so tight. I'll probably go the 35 rout instead of 50 unless I get the 5d. And an 85 fo sho.