Posted by Chris Ebright on January 10, 2007 at 4:51 PM
I am seriously considering the Canon 5D and just wanted to ask a few questions. First, I am moving up from a Nikon D70 with 18-70 zoom, and looking at the Canon 17-40 and 24-105. Has anyone made this same jump, and if so, what was your gain in max print size? I know print size is subjective, but i am looking for a relative difference to gauge from. Second question, what is the highest iso on the 5D that you recommend for large print sizes? i am used to the D70 being terrible for noise at anything above 400, so again looking for a relative gauge of what people feel comfortable with on the 5D. I know there are a bizillion reviews out there, but I am looking for honest answers from actual field tests by landscape photographers, not just test targets and theoretical. thanks.
I love my 5D. The files are generally cleaner than any Nikon capture I've ever seen (including the high end). The 17-40 is a fantastic lens though there is some sample variation so you may want to compare a couple and keep the sharpest one.
The 24-105 is very versatile but in my opinion not as sharp as other lenses (my 17-40 and 70-200 are both sharper in the overlapping ranges).
Print sizes really depend on the specific image. I've been happy with 16x24 prints from a single capture (and of course the sky is the limit with stitched images).
One thing you should be prepared for is sensor dust - dust just seems to materialize on it whether it's exposed or not so be prepared to do some cleaning and cloning.
Guy
Posted by Kah Kit Yoong on January 10, 2007 at 10:23 PM
I have the D70, D200 & 5D. The 5D & 17-40mm combo is great, with the lens being very good value. You do get a fair bit of vignetting with this and also the 24-105mm. I agree the latter is a great all-round lens but not as sharp as other L-class lenses. My 16-35mm 2.8L is similar sharpness to the 17-40mm but seems to have less vignetting. Neither the 16-35mm or 17-40mm are a match for my Nikon 12-24mm which has far less barrel distortion and better sharpness. The 5D produces significantly cleaner images that the D70 & D200. The difference in resolution between the D70 & 5D is very significant, easily visible on my 15 inch laptop even. I wouldn't like to print my D70 images any larger than 8x12 inches. Noise perfomance on the 5D is good to ISO 800.
Posted by Don Miller on January 11, 2007 at 12:25 AM
I've been using the 5D since its introduction. I don't have a problem printing large with a properly exposed ISO 1600 image that has had some noise reduction applied.
I have the 24-105. It's a great all around lens. I used it last night to shoot a group portrait by candlelight. 1/15 @ f5.6. Great results
For landscape, if you often won't use a tripod, it's a good choice. I agree it's not the sharpest L, but hand held it is an excellent choice. With that as my primary lens, I probably wouldn't go with the 17-40, but with a very wide slow prime.
Another combination for not much money is 17-40, 50 f1.8, and 70-200 f4.
I've just switched to the new IS version of the f4 70-200 and it is a great lens. I don't care for IS on a wide lenses for landscape. With Canon it's not a big deal to crank up the ISO.
You are probably aware of the double rebates on Canon now. The 5D is down to a nice price. I paid the full $3300, and would do it again without hesitation.
Posted by Chris Ebright on January 11, 2007 at 12:32 AM
Thanks for the comments everyone. The double rebates are exactly why I am seriously considering. Unfortunately the rebate is up on friday, so i have to decide quick!
Posted by Don Miller on January 11, 2007 at 12:41 AM
I believe the rebate has been extended. usa.canon.com
Be sure to keep a copy of the UPC codes
Posted by Svein-Frode on January 11, 2007 at 12:25 PM
I like the 5D, but sensor dust is a constant problem with this camera.The files are great (better than scanned 35mm slides with a Nikon LS5000) and the 17-40 is OK. It's the camera that made me leave 35mm film for good. I'm not anal about corner sharpness and vignetting. I get by, my prints sell so I don't worry. That said, I sure would like better wide lenses from Canon, but customer staisfaction isn't one of their prioritized areas as market leader.
Posted by Don Miller on January 11, 2007 at 1:17 PM
Wides wider than 35mm are a issue with Canon. Here's a link with some tests:
http://www.16-9.net/ultrawides
Posted by Don Miller on January 11, 2007 at 1:20 PM
Wides wider than 35mm are a issue with Canon. Here's a link with some tests:
http://www.16-9.net/ultrawides
Posted by Don Miller on January 11, 2007 at 1:21 PM
Wides wider than 35mm are a issue with Canon. Here's a link with some tests:
http://www.16-9.net/ultrawides
Discussion
9 repliesThe 24-105 is very versatile but in my opinion not as sharp as other lenses (my 17-40 and 70-200 are both sharper in the overlapping ranges).
Print sizes really depend on the specific image. I've been happy with 16x24 prints from a single capture (and of course the sky is the limit with stitched images).
One thing you should be prepared for is sensor dust - dust just seems to materialize on it whether it's exposed or not so be prepared to do some cleaning and cloning.
Guy
I have the 24-105. It's a great all around lens. I used it last night to shoot a group portrait by candlelight. 1/15 @ f5.6. Great results
For landscape, if you often won't use a tripod, it's a good choice. I agree it's not the sharpest L, but hand held it is an excellent choice. With that as my primary lens, I probably wouldn't go with the 17-40, but with a very wide slow prime.
Another combination for not much money is 17-40, 50 f1.8, and 70-200 f4.
I've just switched to the new IS version of the f4 70-200 and it is a great lens. I don't care for IS on a wide lenses for landscape. With Canon it's not a big deal to crank up the ISO.
You are probably aware of the double rebates on Canon now. The 5D is down to a nice price. I paid the full $3300, and would do it again without hesitation.
Be sure to keep a copy of the UPC codes
http://www.16-9.net/ultrawides
http://www.16-9.net/ultrawides
http://www.16-9.net/ultrawides