Opinions on Canon 5d Mark I ?

D

DennisVR

Messages
11
Name
Dennis
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi,

What are your opinions on a 2nd hand 5d Mark I ? It would be my first DSLR. Maybe i need to learn to walk before i run, but i'm really keen on getting a Full Frame camera. Portraits look so much better on full frame imo.

I wondered about getting a Nikon but Canon seems to be ahead in the video departement. I realise the 5d Mark I doesn't have video, but in the future i would like a 5d Mark II.

Dennis
 
It was a good camera a few years ago, and still is!

If portraits are your main focus (excuse the pun :D), then it'll be more than enough. It's not really designed for fast-moving subjects, so if you're going to be doing sports, wildlife etc as well, then you might want to re-think. However, if you're dead-set on full-frame, and portraits are your thing, I'd imagine you'd be very happy!

Chris
 
DennisVR said:
Hi,

What are your opinions on a 2nd hand 5d Mark I ? It would be my first DSLR. Maybe i need to learn to walk before i run, but i'm really keen on getting a Full Frame camera. Portraits look so much better on full frame imo.

I wondered about getting a Nikon but Canon seems to be ahead in the video departement. I realise the 5d Mark I doesn't have video, but in the future i would like a 5d Mark II.

Dennis
Click to expand...

For a first DSLR absolutely not!!:bonk: You'll get lost in the controls and won't have a clue what to do with it. It'll be irritating to use because you aren't used to it and you'll end up downgrading anyway. Like you said "learn to walk before I can run". Start off with something like a 30D or 40D and when you feel comfortable that you've reached the limits of what you can achieve with that camera, then you upgrade. It's probably also worth noting if you've not owned a DSLR before that it's the lens that makes a bigger impact on your photos rather than the camera. Buy a 30D/40D and get a nice long and fast portrait lens like a 70-200 f/4 L and you won't be disappointed and you'll have a better footing to learn from and eventually upgrade to full frame.
 
Very good camera. Especially for the money now, makes it a great buy over some of the hugely over-priced entry level bodies.

It's no harder to use than any other camera. You have aperture, shutter speed and a shutter release button. It still has P and the green square as well if you want them.

Mine still serves me well, and I've no intention of moving it on.
 
Bendihossan said:
For a first DSLR absolutely not!!:bonk: You'll get lost in the controls and won't have a clue what to do with it. It'll be irritating to use because you aren't used to it and you'll end up downgrading anyway. Like you said "learn to walk before I can run". Start off with something like a 30D or 40D and when you feel comfortable that you've reached the limits of what you can achieve with that camera, then you upgrade. It's probably also worth noting if you've not owned a DSLR before that it's the lens that makes a bigger impact on your photos rather than the camera. Buy a 30D/40D and get a nice long and fast portrait lens like a 70-200 f/4 L and you won't be disappointed and you'll have a better footing to learn from and eventually upgrade to full frame.
Click to expand...

Seriously? What controls are there to get lost in. I'm sure the 40 has more options than a 5D, and the 30D runs almost identically to a 5D.
 
Bendihossan said:
For a first DSLR absolutely not!!:bonk: You'll get lost in the controls and won't have a clue what to do with it. It'll be irritating to use because you aren't used to it and you'll end up downgrading anyway. Like you said "learn to walk before I can run". Start off with something like a 30D or 40D and when you feel comfortable that you've reached the limits of what you can achieve with that camera, then you upgrade. It's probably also worth noting if you've not owned a DSLR before that it's the lens that makes a bigger impact on your photos rather than the camera. Buy a 30D/40D and get a nice long and fast portrait lens like a 70-200 f/4 L and you won't be disappointed and you'll have a better footing to learn from and eventually upgrade to full frame.
Click to expand...

Is there more to it than selecting aperture, shutterspeed and ISO ?

I'm aware that glass>body. But since a fullframe will actually make me gain a few f-stops my 50mm 1.4 lens will perform like a 50mm 1.2 lens on a crop sensor. So one could argue that i actually save money buying a full frame camera :D

I realise that i won't be able to take good pictures from the start but i guess it will have everything i need to learn. And i won't be able to blame it on the camera if i don't succeed in taking good pictures.
 
Bendihossan said:
For a first DSLR absolutely not!!:bonk: You'll get lost in the controls and won't have a clue what to do with it. It'll be irritating to use because you aren't used to it and you'll end up downgrading anyway. Like you said "learn to walk before I can run". Start off with something like a 30D or 40D and when you feel comfortable that you've reached the limits of what you can achieve with that camera, then you upgrade. It's probably also worth noting if you've not owned a DSLR before that it's the lens that makes a bigger impact on your photos rather than the camera. Buy a 30D/40D and get a nice long and fast portrait lens like a 70-200 f/4 L and you won't be disappointed and you'll have a better footing to learn from and eventually upgrade to full frame.
Click to expand...

I'd disagree with this! I started out with a 450D, because it's all I could afford, even though I knew I was going to upgrade eventually (and I've just bought a 50D :D). If the OP has his heart set on a 5D, then why buy something else in the mean time?

If you buy a 30D or 40D, chances are you'll be selling it soon, and for less than you paid for it. So you'll lose money, and end up with a 5D eventually anyway! The only models I think really aren't suited to new owners are the 1 series.

The lens comment is a good one though, the 5D is a good camera, and needs to be coupled to a good lens to get the most out of it. Bear in mind it won't accept ef-s lenses from the canon range (they're made only for crop sensor cameras), and some other 3rd party lenses (they all have different designations that you'll have to learn!).

It'll be a steep learning curve, but if you stick at it, you'll get so much more back!

Chris
 
I was seriously tempted last year to get a 5D mk1, if it had been in stock I would have bought it (computer said they had 2!!) in the end I got a 50D (which I think is a better all-rounder).
However I just loved the 5D viewfinder and the feel of the camera, if I was going to do just portraits I would still buy it over the Mk2 (I cant justify the extra cost for video etc).
It wont baffle you, it's a camera, that's all.

Have a look at some of the shots on here taken by people with 5D's they are just so high quality and colours etc just blend so nicely, a brilliant piece of kit.
 
I can't see how the 5D is any different or difficult to use to a crop body. You only need a hand full of controls, ISO, WB, aperture, shutter speed....anything else that frightens you you can turn off or ignore.
 
The 5D is an amazing camera. Image quality up to ISO800 rivals the more recent and expensive Nikon D700 (I know, I have owned both). The 5D doesn't have the latest bells and whistles, but where it counts it still excels, and thats image quality.

The post from Bendihossan is absolute nonsense with regards to "getting lost in the controls". The 5D is as easy to use as a 30D.

That said, the 30D is a mighty fine camera and I've taken some great portraits with it and the EF-S 60mm/2.8 lens. You may want to start out with a 30D and something like the EF-S 60mm and see how that suits your work. Buy secondhand and you'll be able to recover your money if you want to sell on (certainly for lenses, true for bodies if you sell soon after buying).
 
Bendihossan said:
For a first DSLR absolutely not!!:bonk: You'll get lost in the controls and won't have a clue what to do with it. It'll be irritating to use because you aren't used to it and you'll end up downgrading anyway. Like you said "learn to walk before I can run". Start off with something like a 30D or 40D and when you feel comfortable that you've reached the limits of what you can achieve with that camera, then you upgrade. It's probably also worth noting if you've not owned a DSLR before that it's the lens that makes a bigger impact on your photos rather than the camera. Buy a 30D/40D and get a nice long and fast portrait lens like a 70-200 f/4 L and you won't be disappointed and you'll have a better footing to learn from and eventually upgrade to full frame.
Click to expand...

Totally disagree - i went from 50D to 5DMK2 the menus are very similar and the relationship between ISO,Aperture and shutter speed are the same regardless of model or manufacturer. Personally if you don't need the 'magnifying' effect of a cropped sensor I'd go straight to the 5D. Oh and for portraits get the 85mm f1.8 :) or the 85mm f1.2 if you have the cash.
 
As long as you start with basic controls such as your ISO, WB, Aperture and shutter speeds, then the rest can be explored at a later date surely?

If you only really plan on doing portrait work, then go for it, its an amazing camera for the cash they go for now. I am planning on upgrading my 30D to a 5D in the distant future because while they might not be the market leading FF camera now, its still a cracking camera by a long way
 
Thanks, for the encouragment. I thought i would get :bonk:'ed and :cuckoo:'ed more :)

I'm still willing to consider a crop sensor if someone is able to convince me that a crop sensor can be just as good as a full frame sensor for portraits. Without having to resort to a more expensive lens to get the same results.

Next challenge will be to tell my Nikonian father-in-law i'm gonna pickup a Canon
 
Dennis: the EF-S 60/2.8 is one of THE sharpest lenses. At 96mm equivalent, its ideal for portrait work. Its one lens I miss from my Canon days. That and a 30D will cost you less than a 5D body only.
 
DennisVR said:
Next challenge will be to tell my Nikonian father-in-law i'm gonna pickup a Canon
Click to expand...

I have that same problem. Had to tell him i was changing my wife over from Nikon to Canon :D
 
DennisVR said:
I'm still willing to consider a crop sensor if someone is able to convince me that a crop sensor can be just as good as a full frame sensor for portraits. Without having to resort to a more expensive lens to get the same results.
Click to expand...

Dude, just get the 5D!
You will only find yourself wanting one evntually anyway, you will feel you are missing out on something if you dont. And if you can get it at a price you can afford, why not? :thinking:
 
chrisgeary said:
Dennis: the EF-S 60/2.8 is one of THE sharpest lenses. At 96mm equivalent, its ideal for portrait work. Its one lens I miss from my Canon days. That and a 30D will cost you less than a 5D body only.
Click to expand...

I have to check out that lens. But i think i'm more into 85mm/1.4 or 50mm/1.4 lenses. I'm a sucker for shallow DOF :)
 
I suppose that one thing possibly worth considering is that some people report that the 5D is a bit of a dust magnet. It might therefore be worth stocking up on a rocket blower and some cleaning kit and reading up on how to clean the sensor if you don't know already.
 
MJ Stebbings said:
Dude, just get the 5D!
You will only find yourself wanting one evntually anyway, you will feel you are missing out on something if you dont. And if you can get it at a price you can afford, why not? :thinking:
Click to expand...

I'm still hankering after a 5D :)

I suppose its like hankering after an Aston Martin having bought a Jag.

We all know the 5D has imperfections but they add to its charm because the IQ is still so damn good.


Matt
 
DennisVR said:
I have to check out that lens. But i think i'm more into 85mm/1.4 or 50mm/1.4 lenses. I'm a sucker for shallow DOF :)
Click to expand...

the 85 1.8 is a great lens at an affordable price and has limited dof (especially on a FF camera) at 1.8, plus its slightly soft at 1.8 so perfect when you dont want the ultimate in sharpness for some portrait work, its crisp from 2.5 onwards though.
 
MatBin said:
the 85 1.8 is a great lens at an affordable price and has limited dof (especially on a FF camera) at 1.8, plus its slightly soft at 1.8 so perfect when you dont want the ultimate in sharpness for some portrait work, its crisp from 2.5 onwards though.
Click to expand...

I have an old Nikkor 50mm 1.4 pre-AI. Which i use with my 35mm adapter on my camcorder.

What convertor would i need to mount it on a 5d ?
 
I started out with a 350D then went to a 30D, I now have two, I always knew one day I would go FF.

Now looking to start to upgrade, with the 5D and 1DIIn.
 
Bendihossan said:
For a first DSLR absolutely not!!:bonk: You'll get lost in the controls and won't have a clue what to do with it. It'll be irritating to use because you aren't used to it and you'll end up downgrading anyway. Like you said "learn to walk before I can run". Start off with something like a 30D or 40D and when you feel comfortable that you've reached the limits of what you can achieve with that camera, then you upgrade. It's probably also worth noting if you've not owned a DSLR before that it's the lens that makes a bigger impact on your photos rather than the camera. Buy a 30D/40D and get a nice long and fast portrait lens like a 70-200 f/4 L and you won't be disappointed and you'll have a better footing to learn from and eventually upgrade to full frame.
Click to expand...

I'll join the queue to disagree with you too :)

I started with a 20D. The controls on the 5D are virtually identical. The 5D exposes a little better than the 20D and has plenty of detail. Coming from a film SLR many years ago the view through the 5D just seemed right.
A 5D might spoil you but it will not be more challenging than any other DSLR.

Oh and my 5D is no dust magnet. I clean it far less often than the 20D.
 
My 20D went through a phase of attracting contaminants onto the sensor but these days it needs cleaning much less even though I do more lens changes. I can only assume that bits have pretty much stopped coming off the camera internals.
 
To those who've disagreed with me about "getting lost in the controls", I've got several friends who shoot using 30D and I've let them use my 5D for a few hours and they all have admitted to finding the 5D harder to use with regards to the menu functions. Physically the camera is no great deal different to any of the EOS XXD with regards to button allocation and functions. I upgraded from an EOS 30 (film) to 400D to a 5D and I found the move to the 5D a bit daunting and I'm still finding new things that it'll let me do every now and again! :)

Saying that, if you do get a 5D you won't be disappointed with what the camera can do. Read the manual fully (maybe more than once!) and as the above people have said some fast prime lenses won't go amiss. But I can't stress enough that I think it would be better to walk before you can run.
 
DennisVR said:
But since a fullframe will actually make me gain a few f-stops my 50mm 1.4 lens will perform like a 50mm 1.2 lens on a crop sensor.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure exactly what you're saying a full-frame camera will gain you a few stops of, but to clarify, a lens set at f1.4 will let in exactly the same amount of light on any sort of camera.
 
SamHH said:
I'm not sure exactly what you're saying a full-frame camera will gain you a few stops of, but to clarify, a lens set at f1.4 will let in exactly the same amount of light on any sort of camera.
Click to expand...

I read that as being that full-frame cameras will handle ISO better, hence the extra 'stops'.
 
SamHH said:
I'm not sure exactly what you're saying a full-frame camera will gain you a few stops of, but to clarify, a lens set at f1.4 will let in exactly the same amount of light on any sort of camera.
Click to expand...

chris321 said:
I read that as being that full-frame cameras will handle ISO better, hence the extra 'stops'.
Click to expand...

I think hes refering to the shallower DOF with a FF sensor at the same FOV and focal length of a cropped sensor. Have a read here
 
I have a 5D mI and love it, one in the sale section just sold for under 500, a steal IMO.

Might look at a 1DsIII when (if) they come down a bit, but perfectly happy with the 5D. I don't think it'd be any harder to use than a xxD, I don't remember using the scene modes even on the 350D. You'd have to get a flash gun though as I'm sure you're aware.
 
A while ago I came into some money, and decided I wanted a new camera. Off I went to Jessops fully intending to buy a 5DII but when I got there I felt guilty about the amount and convinced myself I'd be happy with a 50D. Well, yeah I love my 50D its a great camera but recently I have been regretting my decision. I don't have the cash now and I really really want to upgrade to a 5DII. I have no idea when I will have the money for it and really wish I'd done it properly back then. You live and learn.

Oh dear. I have just noticed Jessops do 12 month interest free...so, how do I convince her £138.73 a month won't make a lot of difference?
 
Recently acquired a 5D MK1.......flippin marvellous. Coupled with good glass images are fabuloso!! it's a camera, no more no less. You don't have to have an entry, mid level or any other before you are qualified to own one. Get it and enjoy it.
 
My 50mm 1.4 lives on my 5D at the moment, next on my list is the 85mm 1.8. Super Value for Money in my opinion.
 
If you're into landscapes or portraits then the original 5D would be an excellent choice.
About the only real issue I can think of is that in very humid conditions (like the far east) the mirror occasionally fell off. Yes I am being serious, but almost certainly not in the UK, and it's a free fix (recall) from Canon anyway. I'd certainly consider one, very good camera for the price you can pick one up now.
 
DennisVR said:
ok!

I intend to get a fast prime but which all-round lens would you recommend ?
Click to expand...

The 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM kit lens is a brilliant piece of kit and absolutely worth every single penny. Can't fault it! At f/4 it's not the fastest of the L series glass but three stops of IS has an equivalent aperture of f/1.4 so it's great in low light too :)
 
As it's old technology the ISO performance won't gain you any 'stops' compared to the latest sensors - it's probably about the same, if not worse than say the 50d.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top