Smaller SLR

pearce_jj

pearce_jj

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Good evening. Yet another "which one" I'm afraid :nono:

The 5D having packed up has opened up another option, as SWMBO suggested getting another cheaper and smaller camera for general use, and of course getting the 5D fixed.

Primary use will remain general family stuff. Hence I'm thinking existing 24-70/2.8 and 85mm/1.8 will be fine, so just the body.

Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.
 
All the smaller bodies are 1.6x crop so you will lose the wide end of the zoom, 24 becomes 38mm. If that's ok then it's really up to if you want hd video (550D) or not (older).
 
500D looks like the ticket. Is the 1000D worth a look?
 
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I agree, going from 5D to 500D would be bad enough, the ergonomics will make you want to throw the thing at a wall. The viewfinder will make you think you're losing your eyesight.

But a 40D is not smaller than the 5D which is the only reason I didn't recommend it.. It's a great camera at a great price right now. The 40D (and 50D) also shares the same batteries and chargers as the 5D (if I remember correctly) which is not to be overlooked. However you will get the 1.6x crop factor which may be a problem as I said.

My real recommendation would be to get another 5D of course ;)
 
The smaller cameras will be severely unbalanced with a 24-70/2.8 on it (i.e. tendency to lever forward from the weight of the lens on the smaller lighter body). We have just upgraded our 450D (to a 7D :)) precisely so we can put a bigger lens on it and feel that the camera/lens combo is in balance (we chose the 7D for other reasons as well..)
 
I think some people have got the wring en of the stick. You are talking about another camera as well as a repair for your 5d yes? If you are the only one using it I am not sure there is a point. However, if your wife wants to use it too then any of the later xxxd models will be fine. However there will be massive balance problems with the 24-70 and the 85 will seem far too long for everything apart from headshots unless you really stand back!

You could, therefore, to get roughly the same range either get a camera with kit lens or get a tamron/sigma 18-50 and also the 50 f1.8. Would give a similar setup and something the wife can handle easily that is portable and well balanced!
 
Really can't imagine going back to 500D from 5D... :p
I mean although 500D is not a bad camera, it is weird to use a non-full frame camera after using a full frame one....
If you are not going to use the camera to shoot some HD video, I would really recommend you not to do so.....:bonk:
 
hashcake said:
From an Audi A4 to one of these http://www.kia.co.uk/New-Cars/Range/Compact/Picanto.aspx ?

Both will get you from A to B but we are talking about refinement and build quality :D.
Click to expand...

That's true, the Kia is a much better car than that overpriced overhyped VW :lol:

What you want is a smaller and cheaper digital recording medium to mount your decent lenses onto and I'd guess that the 1000D would fill this function well, if you can avoid body snobbery and live without the features that the cheaper body lacks. Any balance problems caused by the slightly smaller body will IMVHO be insignificant and easily overcome by placing a hand on the underside of the lens.... easy peasy... and just what I did when using a big lens on a 300D.
 
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Interesting, many thanks to all. Woof-woof pretty much has it - I'm heading mostly towards 135L on the 5D so 85mm on a xxx(x)D would probably be "the norm".

Food for thought :)
 
I suppose the ultimate small SLR is probably the Pentax Auto 110 fi you can find one and can live with the limitations the 110 format brings with it (mainly the limited choice of films available for it and possible problems getting it D&Ped.) Next on the list would probably be an Olympus OM10 - 35mm is far easier to find and get processed.

However, I expect the OP means DSLR and that means in their case a small Canon body. Maybe whichever model he used before upgrading to the 5D Mk1? that way, he'll be familiar with the handling and so will be able to use it to his best advantage almost as soon as he picks it up and can pass on that knowlege to his wife when he lets her have it when the D5 is fixed.
 
Sony Nex 5 with lens adaptors you can use all your old lenes with it
 
pearce_jj said:
Good evening. Yet another "which one" I'm afraid :nono:

The 5D having packed up has opened up another option, as SWMBO suggested getting another cheaper and smaller camera for general use, and of course getting the 5D fixed.

Primary use will remain general family stuff. Hence I'm thinking existing 24-70/2.8 and 85mm/1.8 will be fine, so just the body.

Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

One of my backup bodies is a 550D. Being small and light it also serves as my 'personal off duty camera' too. It's a great performer (well up to pro standards in terms of IQ) with some amazing features, hard to fault and ISO performace is very good indeed. I refuse to lug around a big heavy body when I'm not working and this is perfect. Of course putting a big L lens on it takes away the 'light and small' bit of the equation, so I tend to use my Sigma 17-50 f2.8 OS on it (or smaller lighter cheaper Tamron equivalent). Cracking combination.
 
Great info here, many thanks. Anyone able to comment on used 450D vs new 1000D?
 
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