Canon 550D or 5D mk 1?

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I got a used 5D mark 1 a few months ago and, while I like it, I think it's really starting to show its age, technically-speaking. I got it mostly for landscapes and architecture photography and, while I have no complaints, I don't really see any improvement on my 450D for the size of photos I print out (9"by 6"). I recently started getting into low-light and HDR photography so reckon the 550D with its digic 4 processor and massive plus-or-minus 5 stops exposure compensation settings will be amazing for this. Other advantages are smaller size and weight and HDR video (not essential to me but a nice bonus). Of course it will mean stepping down from full-frame to cropped again but does this make any real difference if you're not blowing pics up to poster-size?
 
Rooster said:
I recently started getting into low-light and HDR photography so reckon the 550D with its digic 4 processor and massive plus-or-minus 5 stops exposure compensation settings will be amazing for this. Other advantages are smaller size and weight and HDR video (not essential to me but a nice bonus).
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I think you will do someone a big favour by selling them your 5D :love:. Seriously, it is one of the best Canon pro bodies for landscape, architecture and studio work and I cannot imagine what it could be lacking. However that thing requires a little bit of skill and experience to get the top results. By doing HDRs you are clearly going the other path. I cannot imagine what you get out of these silly HDRs and how can you justify the time wasted on them. If you want to do it properly learn a little bit about the light and buy a few Lee grad filters. Although someone has to support Canon R&D and perhaps you should do that by getting a spanking new 550D.
 
Hmmm. It's probably superficial but I was thinking of the screen, which is all but useless unless you use the histogram. And 12mp is starter territory nowadays. and it's such a pain to lug around with the 24-105 L lens. I'm just whining, aren't I? I used to hate HDR but recently did a few decent ones which don't look like cartoons so I'm a convert. Also I'm getting into light-painting and other low-light stuff so the huge ISO range and low noise of the 550D is attractive. Not that the 5D is shabby in that department.
 
iso handling doesnt really matter when it comes to landscape photography does it? Most shots would be taken with a tripod right? I had a 500D and 2 5D's for weddings and I still preferred the 5D over the 500D with its big screen, better resolution and ISO handling. I just felt the 5D still packed more punch into those pixels than the 500D. But thats just my opinion!
 
Stick with the 5d or maybe send it to me so I can sit it next to my 5D2. The 5D is leaps and bounds in front of the 450D.

It's as good as you'll get for Landscapes and architechture.

If your wanting more of HDR then just stop it up or down yourself.

My 5D2 mostly sports a 24-105L or sometimes the 17-40L for landscapes. For wildlife a 100-400L.

Whilst you may still only want to print small the 5d will still give you more scope for better output.

If it's the weight then get an Optech Pro neckstrap and bin the Canon cheesewire. Only my 100-400L give me arm ache but thats because it's like carrying a barrel of oil round with you.
 
ChrisH said:
Stick with the 5d or maybe send it to me so I can sit it next to my 5D2. The 5D is leaps and bounds in front of the 450D.

It's as good as you'll get for Landscapes and architechture.

If your wanting more of HDR then just stop it up or down yourself.

My 5D2 mostly sports a 24-105L or sometimes the 17-40L for landscapes. For wildlife a 100-400L.

Whilst you may still only want to print small the 5d will still give you more scope for better output.

If it's the weight then get an Optech Pro neckstrap and bin the Canon cheesewire. Only my 100-400L give me arm ache but thats because it's like carrying a barrel of oil round with you.
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im going to be selling my 5D to fund my second MKII... look out for it ;)
 
I usually carry over the arm but those Optech straps do look good, cheers.

Yeah, I usually use the tripod for landscapes but when out on a trek it's cumbersome. By "stop it down yourself" you mean in RAW?
 
Not sure about the 5d but on the 5d2 if you set your rear switch all the way up you can hit your ISO button and set the camera to take a shot up to -2 stops or +2 stops.

If you want to do HDR set it to -1 stop take a picture, set it to -0.5 take a picture and so on, you would have to take your tripod to do it. You can then stack as many shots for HDR as you want.

Fot HDR I reckon 10 shots at -2 going to +2 should give you what your looking for.

I know the 450D can do bracketing where it shoots a number of shots in quick succesion but there's more than one way to skin a cat.

hsuffyan

I wish I could afford another full frame body but my bank balance is now stressed beyond it's limits LOL :D

Optech straps may seem to be expensive but they are worth every penny, I use one with my 5D2 and 100-400L and it saves my arm no end. Get the origional Pro not one of the fancy coloured ones they aren't as nice.

http://optechusa.com/product/detail/?PRODUCT_ID=8&PRODUCT_SUB_ID=&CATEGORY_ID=4
 
i was going to buy one of those optech straps but i didnt feel comfortably trusting the clips with my £1000's worth gear. are they really that safe?
 
Rooster said:
Hmmm. It's probably superficial but I was thinking of the screen, which is all but useless unless you use the histogram. And 12mp is starter territory nowadays. and it's such a pain to lug around with the 24-105 L lens. I'm just whining, aren't I? I used to hate HDR but recently did a few decent ones which don't look like cartoons so I'm a convert. Also I'm getting into light-painting and other low-light stuff so the huge ISO range and low noise of the 550D is attractive. Not that the 5D is shabby in that department.
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The screen is not perfect but good enough to confirm exposure and delete the shot.

12mp is fine for prints at A2 and higher sizes. Do you need to print over a skyscaper? You need to consider the relative sharpness per pixel where 5D wins outright vs 550D. Following your logic a Blah 89046i 16mp compact is better than 5D, isn't it? There are also issues like dynamic range, low ISO noise, etc. 550D is not so good at those.

HDR once again is utter waste of time. Get over it.

Weight. Have you held a 300mm f/2.8 lens on a pro body?.. or at least a 1D with 70-200mm f/2.8 or 24-70 with flash? No? Well these are slightly heavy. 5D + 24-105mm is light enough for female photographers as Canon put it in one of their ads. My frying pan (without a flash) weighs more than a 5D and I haven't switched yet to a dark side (i.e. Teflon).
 
daugirdas said:
HDR once again is utter waste of time. Get over it.
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Where do you get off talking too him like that? :nono:

So you don't like HDR GET OVER IT, lots of people do.

The 5d is definately the better camera. Persavere and you will learn to love it.
 
Dave Stone said:
Where do you get off talking too him like that? :nono:

So you don't like HDR GET OVER IT, lots of people do.

The 5d is definately the better camera. Persavere and you will learn to love it.
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I wanted to say that but I'm on thin ice at the moment so decided to stay diplomatic.

HDR certainly has its uses; I suspect a lot of those who moan about it just do so out of inadequacy, i.e., they can't do it themselves.
 
trencheel303 said:
I wanted to say that but I'm on thin ice at the moment so decided to stay diplomatic.

HDR certainly has its uses; I suspect a lot of those who moan about it just do so out of inadequacy, i.e., they can't do it themselves.
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Ach, I don't mind. I used to be a member of the anti-HDR taliban myself until recently. I now see it has its uses, if done subtly.

Incidentally, how is demolition going at Inverkip? Any chance of urbexing or is it locked down?
 
Hsuffyan

i was going to buy one of those optech straps but i didnt feel comfortably trusting the clips with my £1000's worth gear. are they really that safe?
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I trust mine with my 3 grands worth :D
 
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