Canon xD - ISO vs AF vs Image Quality

Marcus Geezer

Marcus Geezer

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After upgrading to a 5D Mki late last year, as a FF stop gap to a 5D mkii, sit and wonder whether the 5D Mkii is perhaps my next and hopefully my last upgrade for the time being. It seems to tick all the boxes, but I have a level of doubt about whether it really is the generic workhorse camera I'll need as my business (hopefully) continues to grow from occasional to part time to full time.

The 5D is a great camera but the ISO performance isnt brilliant and the AF leaves a lot to be desired, and coupled with the average screen and older menu system will continue to only be a stop gap.

So what camera next? One way in my mind to consider what is best next is to measure up ISO / AF / IQ over the xD range of camera's. Can you help me put the following camera's in order of performance across the three areas? Plus any additional comments would be helpful?

5D Mkii
1D Mkiii
1Ds Mkiii
1D Mkiv

Thanks!
 
Marcus, what are you shooting? Is it portraiture, as on your website, or are you looking at branching into other areas (sports for example) that may require different camera characteristics?

I've not used the 1D series in anger (other than having a half-hour play with a 1D3) but having used the 5d2 for a fair amount of time, I have to say that compared to the 1D series (and my own Nikon D2x) it feels like a rushed camera that doesn't quite set itself apart that much from the xxD range.... maybe a good marketing ploy from Canon but not convincing for me.

The handling is going to be very familiar to your original 5D and the buttons are all pretty much in the same place as any other Canon of that body size. The AF however is poorly conceived, with the nine AF points gathered towards the centre of the viewfinder, which makes focussing off-centre not intuitive; compared to the 51-point AF of the D300 and D700 it's not able to compete.

AF speed with the 17-40, 24-70, 70-200 and 100-400 that I had available was good, no better than a 50D but no worse either

. That big LCD screen seemed very good for reviewing images but like all Canon's I've used in the past, nothing looks pin-sharp. Image resolution is superb, especially with good glass attached, but it's more of benefit when blowing things up large - at smaller output sizes you don't really notice the difference unless you're utilising higher ISOs, which the 5D is pretty good at.

High ISO performance is good but this is probably where it's a massively subjective area because everyone has different expectations; for studio stuff this is going to be pretty much irrelevant I suppose.

The viewfinder seemed ill-suited to wearing specs - I struggled at times to correctly read the info displayed at the bottom.

As a camera it's good but it doesn't really feel like you're getting much more than what's on the 50D to be honest and TBH, it seems like a camera that's been designed for being stuck on a tripod where focussing isn't as big a deal, and not one for on-the-fly use out in the field. Yep, resolution is massive, and ISO performance is good, but it just doesn't seem like a proper 'pro' offering if you get what i mean.....
 
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Marcus, until you use a 1 series (or Nikon) you don't really completely realise how utterly pathetic the AF system on the 5's and (x)xxD's are. The only real upgrade from your camera that fits the bill is one of the 1 series bodies.

If you shoot wide open at all you NEED the AF of a 1 series for any kind of consistent accuracy.
 
This is the main concern I have to be honest and I need to think next about what will be the best money earner, where I'm not sure a 5D Mkii will cut the mustard and make me feel satisfied it is the best to have, but that it might be? Paid work tends to be mainly portrait type work, but also need quick AF and good high ISO performance for the corporate networking and social type events. I don't do any paid for sports/action, but do take pics of local footy matches and paintball tournaments on a support basis.

My next camera really needs to be the top of the upgrade path, sooo.... it would be nice to have that camera that can take the absolute best quaility portrait and networking event shots, but also be capable of being used for action.

Seems to be 5D Mkii vs a 1D something or other?

Further thoughts anyone?
 
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Marcus, how invested are you in Canon?
 
Quite heavily from my perspective, but maybe not from others (all is relative I suppose). Canon 5D, Canon 40D, spare batteries, two L lenses, 50mm F1.8, radio triggers, 4 speedlites.

Did look at what I could get from a used sale then change over to the dark side, but not sure i really would or could get the same level of kit.

In the meantime I think I've decided that a 1d doesnt suit my style of photography, so it's probably gonna be a 5D Mkii as my next and hopefully last upgrade.
 
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From what I have read the 5d2 isnt a great leap from the mk1, so I wouldnt be seeing it as a last upgrade with the mk3 in the wings if rumours are true.
IQ wise and noise wise I think my 1Dmk2 and 5Dmk1 are very similar BUT the feel of the IQ on the 5D has an undefinable quality over the 1D.
Whether your clients would notice unless they had a side by side comparison is hard to know.
If my living rested on a camera it would have to be a 1D in my bag, its a tool and I'd adapt my style to how to use it, think of how you have adapted to use different operating systems on a PC, its a shock at first but it comes good soon enough.

Matt
 
Money no object I'd pick 1Ds mkIII without much thinking. In fact, I will pick one up when the prices get more reasonable - more like mkIIs now.

1D mk3 (and mk4) is an excellent camera all round. The only issue is 1.3x sensor, and 'only 10MP'. It should really have FF in it. That camera is 1Ds mk3 minus 10fps, which doesn't matter to me very much. 1Ds mkII has a great IQ, better than 1D3 - mostly due to 16MP vs 10MP. The trouble starts with poor batteries, and a dust magnet sensor. Even with these limitations I think it is somewhat better all round than 5Dii.

But maybe don't rusk getting 1Ds III just yet. 5Dii is due for an upgrade shortly as it is nearly 3 years old. It should *hopefully* get weather seals and updated 7D AF. I'd buy that if it materialises.
 
Thanks for taking the time to share.

I have spent a week reading reviews, model vs model comparisons, looking at historical threads on this forum and the Canon forum and think I have got a feel of the ISO vs AF vs Image Quality.

ISO. Excluding the 1D Mk IV, the 5D Mkii seems to produce the most passable images at high ISO.

AF. If you want the best AF around, then go for a 1D. The 5D is not brilliant but ok if it works for you, however the 5D Mkii although not at the level of the 1D series aint bad at all. Probably comparable with the Canon 40d/50d level.

Image quallity. The full frame is the way forward for good smooth images. Crop sensors, even on the 1D at 1.3, just don't compare.

So for my style of photography, I think the 5D MkII is the way forward, and probably the best choice from the entire Canon range?
 
I've just come from a 1dsII to a D3 and i can say without a doubt the 1 is not on a par at high iso with a 5dii. None of them touch the D3 though, which is as good at 6400 as my 1 series was at 400.

Marcus, with regard to AF system, it comes down to how you shoot. If you use fast primes a lot then the 5DII is going to give you far more trouble and far less keepers due to the configuration and quality of the outer focus points and you need a 1 series or Nikon. If you shoot around f5.6 and narrower and focus/recompose then you'll be fine.
 
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The23rdman said:
I've just come from a 1dsII to a D3 and i can say without a doubt the 1 is not on a par at high iso with a 5dii. None of them touch the D3 though, which is as good at 6400 as my 1 series was at 400.

Marcus, with regard to AF system, it comes down to how you shoot. If you use fast primes a lot then the 5DII is going to give you far more trouble and far less keepers due to the configuration and quality of the outer focus points and you need a 1 series or Nikon. If you shoot around f5.6 and narrower and focus/recompose then you'll be fine.
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Thanks Dean.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
...however the 5D Mkii although not at the level of the 1D series aint bad at all...
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Exactly. I can't see what all the fuss is about, and I've had a D700 and 1D Mark III in the past so have good basis for comparison. The Af points aren't as nicely spaced out over the frame as either of those two cameras, but other than that it behaves very well. It's an excellent camera.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
I need to think next about what will be the best money earner
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To be honest you can earn money the same with your 5D2 as a 1D4s. The 5d is a classic camera, which will see you well for most things you will ever need. High Iso again is not much of an issue with modern dslrs unless you pixel peep, and in terms of that the only people interested are other photographers.

If this truly is a case of wanting to upgrade to earn money. Invest in some studio lighting or some location lighting (such as the quadras) which will give you a much higher earning potential than a new camera.

As for AF the 5d and 5d2 are the same AF wise. I shoot live music and action sports fine with mine.

I think unless you get into the willy waving & pixel peeping most high end DSLRS are excellent for most things. Remember the things you spend hours working on or worrying about the client will never notice nor care.

Do you really need the AF capabilities and reach of a 1 series should be more important question you need to ask yourself.
 
Need better ISO perfomance than is on my 5D so the 5d Mkii beckons, which indeed does have better AF perfomance than the classic. This will be a step in the right direction to better earning potential methinks as my current studio lighting setup works for me.
 
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I think they key thing here is you need a more happy looking avatar picture. :)
 
Having recently gone from a 5d to a 5d2 I can confirm that it is way better when the ISO starts to rise, and I am so pleased with it - to the extent that I have not used the 5d since buying the new one, and may well get me a second 5d2 once money has started growing on trees..!
 
You can have 2 X 5dMkII for the cost of new 1D and always have a spare/back up camera which is a fundamental rule of professionalism in this field. It's is hella'good camera, full frame, good electronics. If your subjects are not moving you'd be hard pressed to see any appreciable difference in IQ by spending more on a body.
 
Marcus Geezer said:
Need better ISO perfomance than is on my 5D so the 5d Mkii beckons, which indeed does have better AF perfomance than the classic. This will be a step in the right direction to better earning potential methinks as my current studio lighting setup works for me.
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It's the same AF module in both the 5d and 5d2. Shutter lag and mirror blackout as well.
 
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