Would I notice much of a difference between 50d & 5d?

mdollan

mdollan

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As title really:

Would I notice much of a difference between 50d & 5d?

Obviously the 5 is full frame, but would I lose any quality?

I currently have a 50d and some L glass.

24-70L
70-200L

I've read recently read a few comments on other threads saying that L glass is wasted on the likes of the 40/50d.
 
Slower AF but better colour redition and dynamic range. And of course your field of view will change.

Cant see how L glass is wasted on 40/50D's other than edge performance isn't visable, you will still get all their other benifits.

Question is what do you shoot mainly and why are you considering the change? knowing this will help tailor the camera to your requirements.
 
I think you'll find a big difference - but I don't have data, so maybe you need to look at some datasheets.

Personally I find the full frame sensor a really big deal. It is not just more pixels, it is better pixels. The rendering on the 5D is awesome.

I'd rather have a 5D1 than a 50D, but you're probably talking about getting a 5D2, in which case I'd say (imho) there was no competition, 5D2 everytime.

That said, I don't know the type of photography you are into. It may be difficult to justify the difference in price, especially if you're not earning from photography.
 
I'm currently not earning - but putting a lot of time, effort and money into learning portrait and wedding photography.

At the moment, Steve, was just looking at the 5d1, but either way you prefer the 5d?

Need to get my hands on a 5d for comparison, just thought I'd get others ideas - was hopng someone might have a 5d1/2 and a 40/50d as a backup body with similar lenses that I have.

I guess I was hoping for the easy option :lol:
 
I went from a 50D to a 5DMK2 and the difference is night and day...........The images from the 5D are just stunning, they have a 3d type effect with a colour depth and warmth i have never seen on a crop sensor - its almost a crime to resize them for web viewing :D -
 
Mark

For wedding/portrait work I would certainly go for either 5D everytime. If you get the 5D2 then the enormous sensor gives you loads of options on fast moving reportage. You can crop in and still have huge images.

The image difference Paul mentions is in line with what I expected.

I have a spare body 30D - but its rendering is so dull and lifeless by comparison, I would rather hire a 5D than use my 30D as a backup. I keep the 30D in the car in case the stuff on location gets stolen. Perhaps the 50D is better than the 30D, but I have heard Canon went over the top with the sensor size and have just too many pixels for a cropped sensor, so maybe the 30D isn't much worse than the 50D.

Getting really good rendering on subtly lit faces can transform a portrait. You can do it on a 30D/50D but everything is so much harder and sometimes the images look as if you've been trying too hard.

Paul nails it when he says that the 5D has a 3d-ness to its image quality.

If you want to go even further, get yourself an incident light meter.

All the best

Steve
 
5D will have less noise and better overall IQ than the 50D. L glass is not wasted on any EOS digital camera

mdollan said:
As title really:

Would I notice much of a difference between 50d & 5d?

Obviously the 5 is full frame, but would I lose any quality?

I currently have a 50d and some L glass.

24-70L
70-200L

I've read recently read a few comments on other threads saying that L glass is wasted on the likes of the 40/50d.
Click to expand...
 
stevedunster said:
Mark

For wedding/portrait work I would certainly go for either 5D everytime. If you get the 5D2 then the enormous sensor gives you loads of options on fast moving reportage. You can crop in and still have huge images.

The image difference Paul mentions is in line with what I expected.

I have a spare body 30D - but its rendering is so dull and lifeless by comparison, I would rather hire a 5D than use my 30D as a backup. I keep the 30D in the car in case the stuff on location gets stolen. Perhaps the 50D is better than the 30D, but I have heard Canon went over the top with the sensor size and have just too many pixels for a cropped sensor, so maybe the 30D isn't much worse than the 50D.

Getting really good rendering on subtly lit faces can transform a portrait. You can do it on a 30D/50D but everything is so much harder and sometimes the images look as if you've been trying too hard.

Paul nails it when he says that the 5D has a 3d-ness to its image quality.

If you want to go even further, get yourself an incident light meter.

All the best

Steve
Click to expand...

The 50D is WAY better than the 30D. :)
 
I have both of the lenses you mention, and they both work extremely well on a 5D. The 24 end of the 24-70 obviously works much more like a wide angle on the full frame.

Images from the 70-200 are wonderful, though you may feel it lacking for reach slightly at the top end compared to a crop camera.
 
I have a 5d2 and a 50d... I think both are great cameras - but without doubt - the 5d2 nails it in low light every time.. I did a low light stage show this week - with the 24-70 on the 5d2 and the 70-300 DO IS on the 50d.. The 5d2 was shooting at 3200, and the 50 at 1600 - but on reviewing the images, you'd have thought it was the other way around...

The trouble is - once you have a 5d, you'll then start asking questions about a 1dmk4... It's never ending :)
 
Mark,
I have a 5d Mk1 for sale HERE and only live down the road from you in Grantham. You're welcome to drop by (or we could meet somewhere between) and have a go first if you're interested. I "could" tentatively be interested in a swop + cash for the right 50d.
Webby
 
Hi Ian, thanks for the kind offer, but I think I'm going to hold out for a 5dII - got lots of saving to do! My only concern is, like Chris says, where does it stop?

No one says it was going to be cheap...:lol:
 
stevedunster said:
I think you'll find a big difference - but I don't have data, so maybe you need to look at some datasheets.

Personally I find the full frame sensor a really big deal. It is not just more pixels, it is better pixels. The rendering on the 5D is awesome.
Click to expand...

Steve really hit the nail on the head here. APS-C sensors produce images with a lower dynamic range and worse colour rendition because of the size of their pixels. If you read EOS magazine, there was a good article there which explained it in detail.

There really is no competition, the 5D Mk2 is going to be superior to the 50D, but that doesn't make the 50D a bad camera or mean that the L glass is wasted on it, just that the 5D is built using a pro level sensor, which might explain why it's used a lot by professionals :D.
 
Interesting thread, I currently have a 40D and will be upgrading probably in the summer time. I can't decide whether to go for the 7D or the 5D II, I do all sorts of photography, probably slightly more towards the sports/action side which would suit the 7D better as it has a cropped sensor and faster focusing times, but then I think I will be keeping the 40D as a backup so maybe I should go for the full frame option....decisions decisions....
 
5D mk2 has 21 mpixels and full frame. Quality on it is outstanding and I'd have one everytime if I could afford it and just did portrait/studio work.

L glass is never wasted, especially on a 40D/50D. Not sure where that was heard.
 
n1kcy said:
Interesting thread, I currently have a 40D and will be upgrading probably in the summer time. I can't decide whether to go for the 7D or the 5D II, I do all sorts of photography, probably slightly more towards the sports/action side which would suit the 7D better as it has a cropped sensor and faster focusing times, but then I think I will be keeping the 40D as a backup so maybe I should go for the full frame option....decisions decisions....
Click to expand...

Good luck with your exciting choice Nicky.

The 7D certainly has a faster frames/second rate but I wasn't aware that it was any faster focussing, I thought focus times were down to the lens. Perhaps somebody could clarify this.

I've also heard people, even magazines, say that a cropped sensor gives a better zoom because of the 1.6x "magnification" and therefore is better for stuff like sports/wildlife. I think this is untrue. When it comes to showing your image 1:1, the full frame sensor has exactly the same as the cropped sensor, but it has a load more around what a cropped sensor would have. So if you think you are getting a better zoom because it is being multiplied by 1.6 - I believe this to be untrue.

My choice? I'd go for the 5D2 everytime. I don't do a great deal of action work, but when I do, I tend to only use single shot.

Enjoy with relish Nicky the choosing of your new camera

Steve
 
Byker28i said:
5D mk2 has 21 mpixels and full frame. Quality on it is outstanding and I'd have one everytime if I could afford it and just did portrait/studio work.

L glass is never wasted, especially on a 40D/50D. Not sure where that was heard.
Click to expand...

I must have read the same post as the OP, the guy then immediately contradicted himself by saying the crop sensor only covers the middle of the image from an EF lens and that is the sharpest area. It is unfortunately how stupid rumors start. L glass is rarely wasted, certainly not on a 50D.

stevedunster said:
Thanks - you'd think it would be or canon would never sell any, but I did have a friend who had a 40D and 30D and he swore he preferred the 30D.

Steve
Click to expand...

I bought a 50D to replace my 30D, with the intention of selling the 30D... but I couldn't do it. I still have a soft spot for the 30D as it was my first SLR. The 30D now mostly has a 100mm F2.8 L macro attached.
The 50D is great, a really snappy camera to use and with a great screen, a pleasure to use. I prefer it to the 30D, mainly for the speed and screen.

The 5D2 is in another league- the images are soooo sharp it never ceases to amaze me. The reduced DOF is lovely too. :) Not to mention the excellent high ISO performance. Very impressive shots at 6400. An outstanding camera. :thumbs:
 
User Name said:
I must have read the same post as the OP, the guy then immediately contradicted himself by saying the crop sensor only covers the middle of the image from an EF lens and that is the sharpest area. It is unfortunately how stupid rumors start. L glass is rarely wasted, certainly not on a 50D.
Click to expand...

Was it in this thread that you were availed of such twaddle, perchance?
 
I believe it was ;)

What worried me was I'm the proud owner of 3 L lenses and I'm extremely happy with them :lol:
 
User Name said:
I bought a 50D to replace my 30D, with the intention of selling the 30D... but I couldn't do it. I still have a soft spot for the 30D as it was my first SLR. The 30D now mostly has a 100mm F2.8 L macro attached.
Click to expand...

I used to swap between the 100mm F/2.8 and the 50mm f/1.4 to get any punch out of it. Fitted with a battery grip it was a wonderfully enjoyable camera...but nostalgia is one thing, you'd never get me to swap it for my 5D :lol:
 
Surely you can see the point I was making, though. I think the premium one pays for L lenses cannot be fully realised on a crop sensor, where only the 'sweet spot' of the lens is visible anyway.

What I'm trying to say is a lot of the lens you are paying for is the good bits you will never see on a crop body, so in essence you could see it as some cash being thrown away. I wasn't trying to start any arguments or rumours, just throwing in my 2p :shrug:
 
trencheel303 said:
Surely you can see the point I was making, though. I think the premium one pays for L lenses cannot be fully realised on a crop sensor, where only the 'sweet spot' of the lens is visible anyway.

What I'm trying to say is a lot of the lens you are paying for is the good bits you will never see on a crop body, so in essence you could see it as some cash being thrown away. I wasn't trying to start any arguments or rumours, just throwing in my 2p :shrug:
Click to expand...

The fact that there was a verrrrry noticeable difference in IQ between my 55-250 and my 70-200, with the latter's sharpness being consistent all the way through the focal and aperture range, which is not the norm unfortunately for a lot of zooms, not to mention the USM leaving the cheaper lens completely in the shade, was definitely enough for me to know what all the fuss is about ;)
 
mdollan said:
I think you did :lol:

It's not the first time I've heard similar comments though, so you're not the first :)
Click to expand...

Doesn't mean it's not b*ll*x, though :p
 
I think that's the way I'm going to go, David.

Now to find the cash :lol:
 
If it helps push you further in the "right" ;) direction, I went from a 40D to a 5D, and there's just something about the 5D pictures that was "missing" from the 40D. I've never done a back to back comparison to pin down what it is exactly, but there's definitely something.
 
I have a 50D and 5D2 and the differents when shoting indoors or in darker area's is amazing. I also use my 5D2 for portraits and it's great. Keep my 50D for shooting out doors and wildlife pictures and as a back-up.

As for "L" glass on a 50D, all I would say is, you can only get out what you put in.
 
I really do want to mkII Greg, it's just finding the cash to fund it. I could sell my 50d to help with the purchase, but to be honest I'd sooner keep it as a backup body.

I don't use anything but L glass <shameless plug>now in the process of selling my EF-S lenses</shameless plug> and I am more than happy with the results, however, if I could step it up a notch with the 5d/5d2 that'd be even better.
 
If you can't stretch to a MKII go for the MKI and upgrade later, you'll still notice a big difference plus you can keep your 50D as a back-up;):D
 
I shoot with a 5D and a borrowed 5D mk II as a second body on jobs.

I've never really used a 50D in anger, but most of the images I see from that, and from the 7D for that matter, just look 'digital' to me. And yes, I do mean that in a bad way. :D

The 40D, I don't like, can't really say how much the 50D changed things, but the 5D kicks the 40D in the face in my opinion. I think I preferred the 30D to the 40D, not sure why.

The 5D mk II is a very nice camera, huge files to deal with though, and I don't think the skin tones come out as nicely straight off the camera as they do with the 5D. Not a big deal though. Video quality is very very good also.

I was thinking of buying a 5D mk II to go alongside my 5D, but in the end decided to stretch for the 1D mk IV instead, so I've got everything covered. (Going in to buy this weekend I think).

5D mk I would make a good 2 body set up if it means you can afford to keep your 50D. Long lens on the 50D, and standard / wide on the 5D. You might end up looking at the 5D mk II as soon as you buy the mk I though...
 
Good thread this.
This review which compares the 7D with the 5DII backs up what people are saying.
While viewing 100% is not always a realistic test, there is something about all that extra texture that makes the images go POP and WOW when printed at A3.

My own experience is that stood next to a 40D user photographing waterfalls using identical settings; my images will have texture in the water whereas theirs was near to pure white. The exposure away from the water looked identical. There's something else going on other than pixel count.
 
Jayst84 said:
I shoot with a 5D and a borrowed 5D mk II as a second body on jobs.

I've never really used a 50D in anger, but most of the images I see from that, and from the 7D for that matter, just look 'digital' to me. And yes, I do mean that in a bad way. :D

The 40D, I don't like, can't really say how much the 50D changed things, but the 5D kicks the 40D in the face in my opinion. I think I preferred the 30D to the 40D, not sure why.

The 5D mk II is a very nice camera, huge files to deal with though, and I don't think the skin tones come out as nicely straight off the camera as they do with the 5D. Not a big deal though. Video quality is very very good also.

I was thinking of buying a 5D mk II to go alongside my 5D, but in the end decided to stretch for the 1D mk IV instead, so I've got everything covered. (Going in to buy this weekend I think).

5D mk I would make a good 2 body set up if it means you can afford to keep your 50D. Long lens on the 50D, and standard / wide on the 5D. You might end up looking at the 5D mk II as soon as you buy the mk I though...
Click to expand...

Thanks, James, for some great advice!

Will definately be getting a 5d to start off with, just gotta get rid of my 500d first.

I've also never tried a 40d, but from what people are saying th 50d is a great improvement.

I'm terrible when it come to buying stuff, I rush into things and don't research things properly - I know when I buy the 5d, I'll end up wanting the 5d2 a month or so later - I just love thowing money away :lol:
 
DuncanDisorderly said:
Good thread this.
This review which compares the 7D with the 5DII backs up what people are saying.
While viewing 100% is not always a realistic test, there is something about all that extra texture that makes the images go POP and WOW when printed at A3.

My own experience is that stood next to a 40D user photographing waterfalls using identical settings; my images will have texture in the water whereas theirs was near to pure white. The exposure away from the water looked identical. There's something else going on other than pixel count.
Click to expand...

That's a great write up Dancan, good find!

That's been book marked for furure reference ;)

It is that quality I'm looking for, that added depth in a shot!
 
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