Opinions on the 5D (Mk1)?

Hey all,

Wasn't sure if this was a 'workshop' question or not, so just threw it here and a mod can move it if necessary.


Anywho...

Seeing some 5D Mk1's appearing for about €500-€600 or so, and contemplating picking one up somewhere down the line. 5DII is a bit too expensive for me at the moment (at nearly €2,000) but I wouldn't mind a full frame camera for the odd times when it may be useful (wide-angle shots, low light, etc.) and just as a new toy to play with.

What I'm looking to find out is how it compares these days? One of the big things about full frame that I know of, is the ISO performance of a full frame camera is supposed to put 1.6x crop cameras to shame (now, a 7D vs 5DII online test I seen didn't exactly agree, but the test looked to be almost over-exposing the photos, so I don't know how a 5D1 would look compared to a 7D in actual dark situations in real life use).

My main body is a 7D and my second body is a 20D. I was thinking of adding the 5D to the mix (or replacing the 20D with it) so I have an extra little piece of technical wizardry in my bag of tricks (a full frame camera, should I ever need it).

So I just thought I'd throw a thread up to see if anyone is balancing a 5D1 with a 7D, or if anyone is still using a 5D and could comment on it's ISO performance and general use (any complaints, or reasons to praise it?)


Has it aged very badly, or is it still holding it's own? Is it worth picking one up these days for the odd time it may be used? Would I be better off putting my money away for another 7D down the line?


Apologies for all the questions

the_doctor199

It's certainly not a bad camera, but I imagine the 7d is still quite a bit better, especially at iso1600+. Unless you find yourself really needing to go wider often, I'd stick with the 7d (or wait for the 5d III to come out and pick up a mkII).

challengemaster

Yup, I've the 5D/7D combo these days

I'm using the 7D more as the main body lately but thats just lazyness tbh

IMO the 5D is still a great camera, but comparing the noise performance to a 7D is sort of silly. They do handle noise well, because it's not actual noise you end up with, it's grain, which looks lovely tbh. But I certainly wouldn't expect it to be competing with the 7D in low light



That was taken at ISO1600

The only thing I can really fault it on these days is the screen. After getting used to the 7D the screen on the 5D looks horrible, but once you view the photos on the big screen they're fine!

Borderfox

I still use a 5d as one of my wedding cameras, nothing wrong with it and have some beautiful shots with it and will continue to as long as it can. There is no comparision with a 7d, it a much different camera aimed at a different market, but as soon as you pick it up and look throught the viewfinder you will realise that

challengemaster

challengemaster wrote: »

Yup, I've the 5D/7D combo these days


IMO the 5D is still a great camera, but comparing the noise performance to a 7D is sort of silly. They do handle noise well, because it's not actual noise you end up with, it's grain, which looks lovely tbh. But I certainly wouldn't expect it to be competing with the 7D in low light

Y'see, generally speaking, i always thought Full frame cameras were supposed to deliver much superior noise/grain (is there a difference?) handling abilities over the measly crop sensor cameras like the 7D.

So I'm not sure now if when people say it's silly to compare the two, is it because the 7D has come on so far and so good that it clearly surpasses the olden technology of the full frame 5d, or because the full frame will always outperform a crop sensor camera?

Borderfox wrote: »

There is no comparision with a 7d, it a much different camera aimed at a different market, but as soon as you pick it up and look throught the viewfinder you will realise that

How do you mean, exactly?

I'm a bit confused. People are saying that they're two very different cameras, but not quite saying how (or which is superior)?


If it makes any difference, I've never so much as held a full frame camera. I've used a 1D Mk II for a while before (1.3x sensor I believe) but never has a 5D even seen it's way into my hands.

ditpaintball

I use one in the studio some times as a back up wheh the 1D's are out at work. In the studio your at iso100 anyways, so the images are perfect. Never took it out side to test iso though, but id imagine it still stands up pretty well.

Borderfox

I have used some of the newer models and still love using the 5d, its hard to explain the appeal but for me it holds its own really well especially for weddings. Most of my work is low light and high iso so I have learned how to get the best out of it.

Shot at iso 3200 one stop underexposed and brought up a stop in pp, so that should make it iso 12800, not bad for a Camera first released in 2005