5D Mk 1 - Thoughts?

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Greenninja

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I currently use a 50D and a 30D. Although I do a lot of motorsport these days I also shoot a load of other stuff - macros, landscape, still life - and pretty much stuff you meet walking around. A proposed trip to Namibia is also positively influencing this decision.

I'm in a position where I can look into a 5D Mk1 - this would be in addition to rather than replacing current kit.

Being an "older" model I'm worried that it may be dated in comparison to more modern cameras - is this a real factor or does the wow factor of full frame-i-ness outweight this? I know it won't have the focus speed or burst rate of the 50D.

Really interested to hear current thoughts on the Mk1 - any comments much appreciated.
 
The wow-factor is definitely still there with the MkI mate! It's a bloomin' good camera and despite being a few years old it still holds it's own in terms if image quality, AF and noise. The only thing the 5D lacks is gadgetry stuff like Exposure Similation modes, video and stuff like that. You said you have a 30D, well I had friend who recently upgraded from a 30D to a 5D MkI and he said "it's almost the same camera but with a bigger, better sensor and noise handling" if that's any indication.

I use mine for shooting landscapes, portraits and events and it's hasn't let me done once yet :thumbs:

Edit: Oh and if you pair it with a 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM or a fast prime you'll definitely be on to a winner! :)
 
I never hear anything negative about the 5D Classic...

Oh, and
Bendihossan said:
The only thing the 5D lacks is garbage stuff like Exposure Similation modes, video and stuff like that.
Click to expand...

Fixed it for you Steff...
 
:agree: Still a hugely capable camera for the things you want to do with it.

If I posted some pics I took with mine you'd be pushed to work out if it was the 5D, 1Ds or D700 I took them with :)
 
trencheel303 said:
I never hear anything negative about the 5D Classic...

Oh, and


Fixed it for you Steff...
Click to expand...

Actually, exposure simulation can be useful if you've got a 10 stop ND on the front as it's damn near impossible to see anything through the viewfinder! It's not absolutely necessary because you can take the filter off and focus/re-compose and slot the filter in again.

Video however...:p
 
Only real limitations are that the screen is not very bright (near useless in bright sun) and with fast lenses only the centre point does a good job. Also there's no pop-up flash.

Other than that, the IQ is excellent and the battery lasts forever.

If/when you do get one, check it has had the mirror mod as it can fall off otherwise. Being fixed free-of-charge at the moment by Canon service.

HTH
 
Thanks all - it does ever sound like this would be a sensible addition to my bag.

I'd read a bit about the mirror problem - I understand it's a glue issue that canon fix with a bit of bracing - so I assume that it should be easy for even a mechanical luddite such as I to spot it. If it's not done I assume it's a case of sending it to canon to fix it?
 
Greenninja said:
Thanks all - it does ever sound like this would be a sensible addition to my bag.

I'd read a bit about the mirror problem - I understand it's a glue issue that canon fix with a bit of bracing - so I assume that it should be easy for even a mechanical luddite such as I to spot it. If it's not done I assume it's a case of sending it to canon to fix it?
Click to expand...

I think the glue problem was only an issue on early models in hot climates :)
 
trencheel303 said:
I never hear anything negative about the 5D Classic...

Oh, and


Fixed it for you Steff...
Click to expand...

You need to read this months BJP when it's out ;)

I think I'd like to have a classic 5d as backup to my mkII.
 
Yeah its an awesome awesome camera, still use mine and that gen of technology, nice big 1.5 MP/cm² pixels, haha. Dont worry about all that ISO 6400-12800 rubbish on the new cams (as nice as it is to have), just set the 5D to 3200ISO and underexpose 1 stop = ISO6400. I do have to say that in low light the centre focus point is the only one that works well, but then apparently the mark 2 has the same autofocus ?!. Everything else its fine.

I do alot of gig, performing arts and events photography and using those settings I can get some pretty good stuff, under ISO 3200 I guess its awesome then :thinking: :lol:

:thumbs:
 
If you'd asked a similar question just 2 years ago, most people would have called it one of the best cameras on the market for pure IQ. It's not suddenly started taking naff photos, just because it's been replaced.
The AF is only on par with a 40D, and the ISO is not going to compete with say a D700.
Do bear in mind that it does still have resolution very close to a D3/D700 and clearly has the key benefits of FF (above all it's lovely shallow DOF).

Enjoy.
 
I went from a 30D to a 5D, the controls are pretty much the same.

Fantastic camera that never fails to please, although the AF in very low light is a bit of a pain and the LCD in bright light isn't that good.

However, if image quality is top of your list then it'll be spot on!
 
Thoughts? Best Canon camera I have owned (and I had a few!!)
 
5D mk I is still 'wow'. Used a friends for some portraits a few weeks back and it helped make the decision to exchange my 40d for the 5Dmkii. The only negative I found was that it was slow... You get used to viewing images in quick succession on the rear screen on newer cameras,but found I had to
wait for the 5D to respond, and wait what seemed ages to see the shot after you've taken it. Other than that, still a lovely camera.
 
Fantastic camera, have now got 2x 5D Mk11`s but still not got rid of my Mk1. Should really put it FS on here though.
 
The 5D has the same menu system as the 30D so an easy transition for you.

The mirror problem is a free fix by Canon.
 
Still use mine as much as I do my mk2
 
Why is it that there are always so many mk1's floating around the used market though? Everybody sings about how good they are and from that i would have assumed that there wouldn't be so many up for sale...
 
Because so many people upgrade to the mk2 or other cameras. It is a good bit of kit, mine is used on school shoots of about 200 kids per session.
 
It'll take superb images. Had I not come accross a great deal on my mkii I'd still have it. Did miss the sensor cleaning though when I had it. Always worried about dust etc.
 
Love my Mk1 - stonking camera. Have it paired with the 24-105mm most of the time - great combination. Would take a lot to make me part with it...
 
Excellent camera, I won't be upgrading mine until it's dead. Then I will probably get another Mk1, I don't need 21 mp, video, or live view.
 
Huss1100 said:
Excellent camera, I won't be upgrading mine until it's dead. Then I will probably get another Mk1, I don't need 21 mp, video, or live view.
Click to expand...

+1! Moving to a 5D was the best decision in my photographing life (other than buying a Planar 50/1.4...;))
 
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