40/50D v 5D Mk1

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Slicker

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315
Name
Paul
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Yes
Right,

Time has come for me to upgrade from my 400D.

I was planning on looking for a good deal on a 40 or 50D depending on whats around and what I can get hold of.

Then I thought, what about a 2nd hand 5D Mk1. I am guessing I can get a 5D for about the same price as a new 50D (or therabouts).

I still have a couple of EF-S lenses and I know I won't be able to use them, but I am prepared to look at wither the 24-70 or 24-105 L to go with the 5D.

I was halk planning on getting the 17-55 IS if I bought the 50D so the money can go on a different lens.

Now - I know the 5D is a few years old now and I know the benefits of having a FF sensor.

But, is a FF sensor better than having newer technology??

Thoughts?

Paul
 
mainly portraits and sports.

and dare I say it - a few weddings as well....
 
Why not wait and see what the new 7D is like? It will beat both cameras for the sports and be better than the 50D for portraits/wedding. Of course 5DII will probable still be superior for still stuff being full frame.

Also what lens will you use? Remember S lens are only ok for crop sensor!!
 
I am not sure that I will be able to stretch to the 7D, or even the 5dMK2... I am looking at a MK1.

If i go for a 40/50D, Lenes will be 17-55 2.8, 50mm 1.4, 70-200 2.8 and 17-85

If I go for the 5D, Lenses will be 24-70(or105), 50mm, 70-200
 
You may lbe better off with the higher fps of the 40 or 50 for your sports.
 
yeah - that is in the back of my mind....

Is there a great IQ difference between the 40/50D and the 5D1?
 
I am at a similar place, just sold literally all my lenses (with the exception of the nifty fifty) and also my Canon 400D with battery grip, in order to fund a new body.

I was considering a second hand 40D, but I shoot portraits mainly, I wish to do more landscapes, and like you, dare I say weddings (only done one so far).
The 5D Mk II is the natural choice, but also WAY out of budget. So the 5D Mk I is screaming my name.

Everyone I have put this dilemma to has agreed that the 5D MkI is for me. It may be older technology, but it is still very very highly regarded. Alot of people say that the 5D just seems to produce 'special' images. I know that means nothing, but I've heard nothing but praise about it!

I say go for it :)
Only trouble is, that the 3fps might be a bit slow for your sports stuff.
 
also got to look at the factor that the 5D1 will be 2nd hand, not new like the 50D!

personally i'd never buy a 2nd hand body; lens yes, but not the body, no - just me :/
 
Wow, you're missing out. I find that for the most part people who own high end cameras know how to look after them. So you find yourself getting fantastic deals from people who can't help but upgrade when the next best thing comes out.

There are some cracking 40D deals around for this very reason, lots of people felt the need to get the 50D.
 
agreed there's good deals, but i'd always want a new body as opposed to a used one - why would you want 2nd hand when you can afford to buy new?

anyhoo, drifting off topic here - mpb's got a 2nd hand 5D at the mo i think
 
yeah - I have seen the 5D that MPB has... thats really what got me thinking about it....

so, in the real world - what is the IQ difference like between the 40/50 and 5?

also - what is the AF system in the 5D? I am not sure, is it the same 9point as the 40D?
 
Slicker said:
yeah - I have seen the 5D that MPB has... thats really what got me thinking about it....

so, in the real world - what is the IQ difference like between the 40/50 and 5?

also - what is the AF system in the 5D? I am not sure, is it the same 9point as the 40D?
Click to expand...

In my opinion, for landscapes and portraits, the 5D rules over any current and past Canon XXXD and XXD camera in terms of image quality.

Whether or not you can make the most of the full frame sensor using older technology is up to you.

As for the AF system, it's right there in the MPB description of the camera...

MPB said:
a high-precision 9-point AF system with 6 assist points
Click to expand...

And of course, full specs can be found here.
 
the 50 has superior AF and FPS to the 5d, has the best screen of the 3 you are looking at, seriously it is a joy to use
the 5d has superior dynamic range IQ and is full frame and pretty

the 40 is like the 50 but older and slightly less good
 
I noticed you touched on this briefly but regarding lens choice, a 5D will show up faults with cheaper lenses badly. You really need L series glass to get the best from it. Even so you may get more problems with vignetting if not careful.

I've never owned a 5D but have owned a 1DS MKII and that did suffer from vignetting with certain lenses at wide open apertures.

Not a problem though with something like a 40/50D which doesnt use the entire lens surface available.
 
i love both the 40D and the 5D. But I would say to pick the 40D as it has the edge for sports. The 5D is better at high ISO handling I think, but as you mainly do portraits I presume you don't push the ISO up to the extremes. The 40D is presentable upto about 1250 imo. A 24-70L on 40D is smashing for portraits. I know FF has its advantages, but I think the trade off is not too much.

Some portraits on a 40D - Street Candids - 40D + 24-70L

Childrens portraits - 40D + Tamron 17-55 2.8 + 70-200 2.8 IS L
 
To me the best will be a 50D it will be best for your sport and with a good IQ will do you well for your portraits.
With your sport you gain the 1.6 on your lens plus with high Mg pix you can still crop
The High IQ and fast processor is much better on this camera and a nice 3ins screen with much higher definition
Now if you said you were only going to do weddings then that would be a different answer
 
I think its allways good to be as "future proof" as possible so personally I would go for the 50D if possible-I am sure that there will be a lot appearing used (probable on here!!) when the 7D is available!!
 
hmm,,, thanks for all the replies.. I think I am edging towards a 50D, but the lure of a FF sensor is tempting....
 
if anyone is buying a 2nd hand 5d mk1, make sure it has had the mirror housing upgraded free of charge from a canon dealer. my mirror fell out and cracked and caused some damage inside the camera, so get it done if you havent. its free. but its still an awesome camera. no regrets!
 
hsuffyan said:
if anyone is buying a 2nd hand 5d mk1, make sure it has had the mirror housing upgraded free of charge from a canon dealer. my mirror fell out and cracked and caused some damage inside the camera, so get it done if you havent. its free. but its still an awesome camera. no regrets!
Click to expand...

Do you know if there is a way to tell if this work has been done already without asking previous owners which may prove difficult?
 
I think they add some sort of clips to either side of the mirror to anchor it better. Not sure if they are obvious compared to one without though?
 
chameleon said:
I think they add some sort of clips to either side of the mirror to anchor it better. Not sure if they are obvious compared to one without though?
Click to expand...

it should be quite easy to detect. the old mirror is held together by..... wait for it........ something you would only expect from Nikon(:gag:) .........adhesive glue!

the new fitting has visible plastic clips on either side of the mirror.
 
I have just been in the same situation as you.
Had a 40D and was going to buy the 5D MKI but realized even with a crop factor on my 40D i was still cropping images, i use to have the 30D and hated having to clean the sensor and as the 5D was also known as the dyson this put me off. I like the 3 inch screen on the 40D and also knew the 50D had some nice little additions.

I tend to shoot wildlife, Planes and general photography, i have a great wide lens should i do any landscapes and i did know the 50D was probably a better option as i could not afford the 5D MKII.

I went for the 50D and feel sure i made the right decision; also i think the value of the 50d will hold longer than the 5D MKI.
i am considering buying a cheap 5D MKI as a back up to my 50D if that makes sense.

Both great cameras sure you will be happy with either.
 
coldpenguin said:
Shouldn't be difficult. I doubt anyone who sold it to you would mind telling you if it has been done.
Click to expand...

It's possible for a camera to change hands several times and the most recent owner may be non the wiser about whether it has been fixed or not.
 
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