Canon 5D ( Mk I ) questions.

Ady Williams

Ady Williams

Suspended / Banned
Messages
655
Name
Adrian
Edit My Images
Yes
Hiya,

I'm looking to trade in my current gear, and get a Canon 5D ( Mk I ), and was just wondering what peoples views are regarding this camera, as I've seen a few people mention problems with shutters and metering.

Thanks for any thoughts on the subject.

Adrian


( PS, I did try searching for the info, but couldn't find anything. )
 
For years they were considered THEE wedding togs camera, very reliable and good all rounder. I don't think I've read any problem posts on here re early 5D shutter failures.

Full frame so will not take EF-S lenses.

Reasonably lightweight.
 
Had mine for 2 1/2 years now and it's responsible for my current semi pro tog status!

Be warned :).........

It's fab.

The first time I used it properly as a tool to take an image exactly as I visualised, that's when I became addicted........................"My name is AliB and I'm a fullframeaholic..."
 
It's a cracking camera, the only things that are annoying with it are the AF system is a bit naff, but works okish with fast glass and centre point focus but the outer pionts can be a bit hit and miss, and the abismal LCD quality, in fact the only thing that is usefull on the LCD is the histogram.
That said I still love it and doubt I will be replacing it for a while.
 
Great camera, the quality of the pictures I think far exceed the price you can get a 5D body at. But as above, the outer focussing points are carp...really rubbish.
 
When everyone says the AF is crap....how would it compare to the entry level bodies? like maybe a 400D/450D etc?
 
I moved to a 5D from a 1Dmk1, that took some adjustment. As mentioned, the AF is distinctly "average", and was something of a let down after the 1D. Additionally, the 5D thrives on quality glass. eg. I used to own a 50mm F1.8, which worked fine on the 1D, however it couldn't AF to save it's life on the 5D. That resulted in a move to an 85mm F1.8, which is a stonking lens and my preferred option for portrait work.

In short, the 5D is just not a sports camera. The FF sensor results in a lack of reach at say airshows and the AF must really be used on the centre point for anything that moves. Having said that, it's taken what I think are some great shots on easier targets.
Zak
 
Blue Eagle said:
When everyone says the AF is crap....how would it compare to the entry level bodies? like maybe a 400D/450D etc?
Click to expand...

I can only compare it to my old 20D and it is as good or better. I don't do sports or wildlife. Can't say I can think of a time when I was annoyed by the cameras ability to focus. It has not been as issue ever.
 
I used to have a 1000D and the AF is significantly faster and more accurate on the 5D.

The downsides with 5D is crap LCD, useless print button, no built in flash so have to buy a decent flash. Also theres a steepish learning curve compared to entry level bodies.

Plus side its the cheapest full frame camera and the angle is wide wide wide.
 
It doesn't have all the modern features but the image quality more than makes up for it
 
This is a useful thread as its a move i've considered too!
 
Beautiful camera. The image quality is up there with today's 12mp FF cameras. Yes the AF and ISO performance can be bettered, but you'd have to pay twice as much for that.
 
If it's image quality you want then the 5D is hard to beat. OK so the viewing screen is a bit small. but then I only really use it to check the histogram.

No flash, no big deal, a decent external flash is better anyway. Only problem is once you've gone full frame it's damned hard to go back to a smaller viewfinder.

My 5D regularly comes out instead of the 1Ds depending on the situation. Also BP511 batteries are dead cheap compared to the £99 tag for the 1Ds's
 
henryf4 said:
I used to have a 1000D and the AF is significantly faster and more accurate on the 5D.

The downsides with 5D is crap LCD, useless print button, no built in flash so have to buy a decent flash. Also theres a steepish learning curve compared to entry level bodies.

Plus side its the cheapest full frame camera and the angle is wide wide wide.
Click to expand...

Your saying that you want it to have a built in flash, and direct printing button?
 
Blue Eagle said:
When everyone says the AF is crap....how would it compare to the entry level bodies? like maybe a 400D/450D etc?
Click to expand...

I have both the 5D and the 400D and I think performance of the outer points is similar. Performance of the centre point is pretty good I would say but I'm sure it's not up to "1 Series" standard.

I got the EE-S screen which makes manual focusing possible and I often find myself using that in low-light situations if I have time. If I have no time, I'll just use the centre AF focus point.
 
It's a brilliant camera. I got mine reluctantly as it was the tool for the job at the time but I was wary of it's ability to come with my daily shooting needs.

Well it's been a couple of years now it's still producing the goods and taking the knocks day in and day out. The AF is as bad as people say it is and I don't use the metering often enough to really say one way or the other but the IQ and build quality both exceed expectations.

I'm not sure why people don't like the LCD? It's plenty big enough to see a preview, check focus and see the histogram. What else should it be doing?

In short, it's still a great camera. Buy it. :)
 
I just moved up from the 450D to the 5D mk I with 24-105mm L IS lens and I love it. I've experienced no AF problems and the pictures are excellent quality, including low-light. It took a bit of getting used to having no built-in flash or live view but otherwise I have no regrets.
 
maarten.dhaese said:
I got the EE-S screen which makes manual focusing possible and I often find myself using that in low-light situations if I have time. If I have no time, I'll just use the centre AF focus point.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I also recently changed to the Ee-S screen and I feel that the AF is more accurate with that. Of course I might be imagining it.
 
Uneducated_Rick said:
Your saying that you want it to have a built in flash, and direct printing button?
Click to expand...
I would prefer a small little built in flash. There's a direct printing button on the 5D and it could have been more useful to make it customisable button ie change ISO.
 
Merovingian said:
And you're troubled that you can't afford a 1dmk4!!Bizarre:shrug:
Click to expand...
How is my comment of the 1dmk4's price on another thread is relevant to this thread about 5D? Bizarre:shrug:
 
Good thread just recently gone to permanent full frame myself with the 5D, used to have the 40D since that launched, the 40D obviously had the advantage of digic 3, id say the auto focus is marginally (very marginally) better than the 40D, probably due to the 6 hidden assist points, but to get the best from it you defo need good glass, the 50mm f1.8 for example is a VERY strange one, focuses fast in pub like lighting, but struggled in a well lit kitchen, very hit and miss then......but then that lens is abit pants as far as focus goes.

Sigma 70-200 f2.8 = VERY fast focus
Sigma 15-30 = fast focus
Tamron 28-75 = reasonably fast focus, but slower
85mm F1.8 = damn near instant everytime
50mm f1.8 = hit and miss at best


Screen as said is pants, have an anti glare screen on top of it that protects back of cam, write times to the CF card are also limited, compared to the 40D at least. CF door is naff quality also compared to the 40D (im sure all these issues are addressed in the MK2 !)

BUT the image quality it pushes out just has some sort of awesome thing about it, truely feels magic what this cam is capable of, when time allows im going to get this thing the 24-70 L (IS version if thats out soon), and watch it shine, the L glass focus system will help loads I recon.
 
henryf4 said:
How is my comment of the 1dmk4's price on another thread is relevant to this thread about 5D? Bizarre:shrug:
Click to expand...
Assume the 1000d was a first camera? and assume this was in the last fifteen months? Why would you even be contemplating a 5k pro camera. To me at least, that's bizarre.
 
Merovingian said:
Assume the 1000d was a first camera? and assume this was in the last fifteen months? Why would you even be contemplating a 5k pro camera. To me at least, that's bizarre.
Click to expand...
1000D was my first camera 13 months ago, 5D is my present camera and I would like to own a 1D camera in the future. Did I know in advance that 1Dmk4 is going to be 4-5k? No... Plus I didnt see any stated rules for minimal time of camera ownership of a particular model before people can upgrade to a 1D series.
 
henryf4 said:
1000D was my first camera 13 months ago.....I would like to own a 1D camera
Click to expand...
But why would you want to upgrade to a several thousand pound pro camera a year after starting?!:shrug::bonk:
Don't worry though, you're in just the right place. Here, everyone's driven to own a 1d/1ds/D3/D3x :lol:
 
Cracking camera. I moved to one from a 400D, I'd say the AF is similar.. struggles in low light, and not 'fast' in good light, but then it's not built for that.

That said, I still shoot AFL (Aussie rules football) and don't have too much trouble.

If you do get one, get a card reader as well. Otherwise you're in for a looooooong wait uploading pictures.

The screen's a bit soft and dull, but who cares about that?
 
I have had mine for about three years now and i think the camera is far better than my skill
so im selling mine and i will stick with my 40d.. (for now)
btw some of the best shot i took with the 5d was at a airshow.
 
Madpup said:
I have had mine for about three years now and i think the camera is far better than my skill
so im selling mine and i will stick with my 40d.. (for now)
btw some of the best shot i took with the 5d was at a airshow.
Click to expand...

If you're selling after xmas, looks like I'll be in the market for one! ;)
 
For image quality its hard to beat. Agree with all comments about AF and LCD though.
I love mine,:love: and despite just ordering a 7D I am going to keep it.
 
rickj said:
it atrachted dust to the sensor big time
Click to expand...

Big thumbs down, this is the major disadvantage I noticed moving from a 400D. I really should get the balls to clean it myself, rather than paying every few months.
 
Re hidden AF assist points on 40D - they are also present on the 5D, need to enable them in the custom functions menu.

Re "dust magnet" - honestly not had this issue, in approx 18 months of ownership i've puffed it off just once with a blower brush thingie.
 
Been using one for 3 and a half years or so. Yes, the sensor gets dusty - but I don't shoot stopped down much. The AF isn't as good as the MkII, and the screen isn't great by current standards, and high ISOs aren't a patch on the MkII either.

Mine's done 35k exposures and locks up occasionally: took it to the authorised repairer in Glasgow who stuck it on their test rig and said there was fault on the main board - £300 or something to fix. So I haven't bothered - and don't use it for anything important.

But I wouldn't part with my 5D - still an excellent camera I think (and suspect my main board issue is unusual.)

Richard
 
i've only had my 5D a few months. I bought used from Jacobs with a years warranty on it. The mirror fell out in 2 weeks (not mine or jacobs fault), and it got stuck between the back element of my 70-200 2.8 IS. I panicked and when I took the lens off the mirror snapped inside the body, but THANK GOD the lens was completely unscathed due to the deep recess at the back. I sent to Colchester Camera (avoid like the plague!!!!!!!) for the free Canon recall/repair on the 5D mirror's. They said they would only replace the mirror, and not even clean the shards of glass left by the old mirror unless I paid £190 for it. But anyway, I got Jacobs and Canon involved, and Colchester begrudingly serviced it free of charge (I think Canon UK foot the bill).

but anyways, I have my 5D back and I love the camera. My 40D still has a soft spot in my heart, but I would recommend the 5D to everyone. I dont think its that difficult to use. I think my L series lens are at home on the 5D and fully make use of the FF. As previous stated, the LCD is poor, but I generally use it to check my shot composition and thats it.

If you buy one, just double check if it has had the free mirror upgrade, if it hasnt, a canon agent will do it free of charge. Get that done, and your laughing..

I took these with the 5D and a 24-70 2.8 L

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=173181
 
hsuffyan said:
If you buy one, just double check if it has had the free mirror upgrade
Click to expand...

Would you mind posting a picture of the amendment? The pictures on Canon web site are so pathentically small that it's impossible to see what the mod actually is!

Cheers
 
yeah, will do tonight! :thumbs:

the way to tell is that the new housing has plastic clips/clamps that run alongside the mirror on the right and left hand sides, that slightly over hang the mirror. As I recall, the original housing was adhesive glue the edges were flush.. i.e. no black plastic clips visible.

but an image will hopefully make it clear!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top