Missing full frame....

D

daveb99

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I'm thinking about going back to full frame (currently have a 550D, stunning camera but there's something about my old 5D images I miss...!)

Budget would only stretch to a used 5D Classic (Mark I) body, I'd have to pair it with:

50mm 1.4
Canon 28-135 IS or Tamron 28-75 2.8 (can't afford the Canon 24-105 or 24-70 2.8)
L zoom or telephoto prime (currently got 70-200 F4L IS, 300F4L IS on its way)

In terms of IQ the 5D would of course trump the 550D every time, but there are other considerations:

5D minus points:

- No built in flash (useful for fill flash)
- Size/weight
- Poor screen (does it matter....?!)
- No sensor cleaning built in

Plus points:

- Beautiful detailed IQ, better high ISO
- Build quality
- Superb viewfinder
- Better handling

Can anyone help me out - any other considerations? I don't use my 550D for video, not sure I ever will. I do mostly general photography including natural / candid shots of my kids, some landscapes, and a little motorsport but only 2/3 times a year.

Also - has anybody got experience of the Tamron 28-75 2.8 on full frame? Seems they can be had for approx £200 used, seems like a lot of lens for the money. The 28-135 IS clearly has more range, so is arguably a better walkaround lens I guess.

Any thoughts /experiences are most welcome...!
 
Probably wouldn't gain much if anything on ISO performance, the old 5d wasn't particularly great if I recall and I would have thought the 550d's high iso performance would be the same, if not better!
 
The lack of a built in flash is a big stumbling block for me but if you want a full frame camera with a flash your only option at the moment is the Nikon D700.

I've been thinking recently about getting back to a more basic photography. Years ago I was happy with just one lens and maybe I could be again or if not with one lens then maybe with just a couple. Maybe a standard zoom and a fast prime would be enough as unless we pixel peep I'm pretty convinced that the difference in lenses will be largely forgotten.

If the spotty sensor worries you reducing lens changes may help and you could always do a test and clean before heading out for the day, that's what I do.

So...I'd say go for it, if you can live without the flash.

PS. I don't think that the poor screen matters. We managed for years without a screen at all and if you only use it to check composition and blown highlights it's good enough and at least it isn't a giant nose print magnet on the back of your camera like the new ones are.
 
wow. didn't know that 5d mk1 was full frame. the first standard sized full frame in fact ! which one is the first ? 1ds mk2 ? don't know anything about canon's :)
 
Starastin said:
wow. didn't know that 5d mk1 was full frame. the first standard sized full frame in fact ! which one is the first ? 1ds mk2 ? don't know anything about canon's :)
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the original 1Ds from 2003 was Canon's first full frame digital. I've got one, beautiful thing, built like a tank, but it's ISO capability is absolutely horrid, and really makes one appreciate recent technological advances. A max of ISO 1250 which isn't pretty makes me thankful for having an f/1.4 lens...!
 
The cheap way back to FF would be a 35mm film body, although that does of course lose the immediacy of digital (even if you do your own D&P at home). For a couple of hundred quid, you should be able to pick up a fairly high end film body and fund film/D&P costs for a fair number of films.
 
The 5D and 50mm f/1.4 (and 70-200mm) make for a great partnership and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Tbh I find my 450d still gets used even with the 5d, but they do produce different types of images. If I had one camera it would definitely be the 5d though.

Alternatively you could pick up an EOS 650 for £30 and have a play with full frame that way. It takes EF lenses and Autofocuses. :)
 
woof woof said:
Maybe a standard zoom and a fast prime would be enough
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Indeed it is, depending on what you do. It can be very liberating adopting the "less is more" principle. I have never been a fan of having many lenses, partly because my style doesn't demand it and partly because I would probably just use 1 or 2 anyway leaving most unused.
 
Thanks guys - it's a tricky one this. The 550D is a very good package, light, small, more portable, latest technology, with great IQ, but I keep looking at my old 5D images and much prefer them!

I think noise wise, the 5D Mk1 is still better than the 550D at higher ISOs, i.e. 400 upwards.

Perhaps I should try to buy one and compare it against the 550D directly, i.e. take the same shot at the same FL / aperture with both?

Problem is - 90% of my shots are with a 'walkaround' lens (currently Tamron 17-50 2.8) which won't fit the 5D. The only lens I have which fits both is the 70-200 F4L IS, so it would have to be a long FL comparison...
 
I think it will fit the 5D and I'm certain that I've seen example shots. What you'll get is an image in the middle of your 5D full frame image so I don't know how good it'll be for comparison, once you've cropped it.

Is there any chance of borrowing a lens off someone? It doesn't have to be anything special, maybe if you trot along to your local camera shop you could try a lens you're "interested in buying" ;)
 
5D is a much better and nicer package overall. The size is ABOUT RIGHT, nice big viewfinder, much better colour reproduction, great ISO performance and sharpness. The only downside is the lack of sensor cleaning if you stop down a lot. It is still considered a pro camera by Canon CPS and still fully supported, whereas 550D is not. 5D mk2 is something I am seriously considering myself.

I'd give Tamron 28-75mm a go, or perhaps Tokina 28-70mm f/2.6-2.8 which is arguably even better. If you don't like them you can always sell on without losing much if anything.
 
i recently (last week) picked up a mint 5d classic for £495 and im chuffed to bits with it
i also picked up a 2nd user (off here ) 17-40L. for £400
it was a real bargain
ive used a 350d and 30d for a few yrs now .neither has sensor clean and probably similar screen on the 30d and 5d . so ive yet to experience the new gizmos (.bigger screen sensor clean, more mps. live view etc)
but i recently got sensor cleaning tools from copperhill images in the states and started cleaning my own sensor, bit daunting at first but after 1st or 2nd clean it gets easier, ive just ordered a bigger sensor wand and wipes for the 5ds sensor.
so dont need the cleaning function, sure the lack of flash is something that i miss. but i got a sigma 500 super flash unit so i will have to get used to using (and carrying that around)
all in all early days, but im very glad i got the 5d
 
marky.b said:
i recently (last week) picked up a mint 5d classic for £495 and im chuffed to bits with it
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Wow - that is a great bargain.....are there any more going for that sort of money that you're aware of? Where do you buy it? They normally seem to go for anywhere between £650 - £750 depending on age, condition and approx shutter clicks.
 
daveb99 said:
Wow - that is a great bargain.....are there any more going for that sort of money that you're aware of? Where do you buy it? They normally seem to go for anywhere between £650 - £750 depending on age, condition and approx shutter clicks.
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as you can imagine i was a bit wary but all turned out well
it was off

http://www.ephotozine.com/classified-ads/p-1

the lens off jno on here



oh and it came with 2 batts and the grip and a magic lantern guide as well
right place right time
 
daveb99 said:
Thanks guys - it's a tricky one this. The 550D is a very good package, light, small, more portable, latest technology, with great IQ, but I keep looking at my old 5D images and much prefer them!

I think noise wise, the 5D Mk1 is still better than the 550D at higher ISOs, i.e. 400 upwards.

Perhaps I should try to buy one and compare it against the 550D directly, i.e. take the same shot at the same FL / aperture with both?

Problem is - 90% of my shots are with a 'walkaround' lens (currently Tamron 17-50 2.8) which won't fit the 5D. The only lens I have which fits both is the 70-200 F4L IS, so it would have to be a long FL comparison...
Click to expand...

I use a Tamron 28-75mm on a 5D2 and its a excellent lens, IQ on a par with the Canon 24-70mm - As for sensor cleaning, it only delays the enivitable you will still need to clean the sensor.

You can compare cameras here

As for flash onboard its very limitted - i've had it on a D300 and a 50D and still used a external flash.........just like i do on the 5Dmk2
 
Kanine said:
Probably wouldn't gain much if anything on ISO performance, the old 5d wasn't particularly great if I recall and I would have thought the 550d's high iso performance would be the same, if not better!
Click to expand...

The 5D is much older and only goes to ISO 3200, but will blow away a 550D at ISO 1600 ;)
 
trencheel303 said:
the original 1Ds from 2003 was Canon's first full frame digital. I've got one, beautiful thing, built like a tank, but it's ISO capability is absolutely horrid, and really makes one appreciate recent technological advances. A max of ISO 1250 which isn't pretty makes me thankful for having an f/1.4 lens...!
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I was looking at them the other day. well, when I read about them in wiki. as I thought that 1ds III is the first 1d fullframe. one 1ds mkI went for 1000quid in fleabay, I think it's still a lot of money, well - for me anyway . how would you compare the low ISO with 5D mkI ? Unless I can get sony a900/a850 for around 900quid S/E after 2 months I might look the Canon way for some old FF. never considered a Canon before this.
 
Thanks everyone for your help so far.

Decisions, decisions, I have first refusal on a 5D + genuine BG-E4 grip. It is all boxed, totally mint, very little use, the seller has had it from new and it's only 2 yrs old (original receipt included), extra batteries, all box contents etc. Bearing in mind they were released in 2005, a two year old one is about as new as you can get (wasn't the Mark II released in late 2008?).

There are quite a few on eBay but not many like this one....it's getting more difficult....I do like the size & weight of the 550D, and it works well with my Tamron 17-50 2.8 as a walkaround (albeit short of reach at times), but the IQ of the 5D is really tempting me!

I'd be pairing it with a 28-135 IS or Tamron 28-75, plus a 50mm 1.4 USM - can't justify the 24-105 at the moment......should I just get on with it and buy it?!
 
Well I've taken the plunge and decided to buy the 5D mentioned in my post above, it is arriving tomorrow...

Checked the serial number and it begins with 2. Someone told me once that they are the best 5D Classics (Mk1) to buy....not sure why, can anyone enlighten me?

Seriously looking forward to getting back into full frame and my 6 week old 550D might well be up for sale shortly!
 
you will love it
i took mine out yesterday for a session in the peak district. 1st real session since i got it 2 weeks ago and its awesome
the amount of detail it captures is superb
blows my 30d away
i got the 17-40 to go with it (see pic in this post) but found the 24-70L stayed on most of the time, cant believe how wide the 24 end is on full frame
 
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