First Happy New Year, everyone! Like you, I've probably been thinking about all the new photo opportunities I'll be taking this year. But I'm thinking about something else too...OK, I'll admit it. I'm tempted to switch (sort of).
I'm looking at the Canon 5D as a replacement for my (very, very) old EOS Elan that I've now had for a record 18 years and it's still kicking. I've seen friends' 5Ds and I'm impressed with the output and the price seems about right on EBay ($1600ish) for the body which maintains my investment in lenses.
So, I have several questions out there for other Canon 5D users...I'm looking for your EXPERIENCE, not your guesses or hearsay. There are a lot of folks here who have actual experience so I'm considering this very carefully. Canon has always been a solid performer for me, so I need to know if that's still true in reality, not just in reviews.
- What is your actual experience with battery life under standard/hostile conditions? (I've heard 3 hours max under heavy shooting or really cold...And I watched Erik's die in the brutal 0 degree cold, so I thought I'd get real data here...) My EOS will hold out for a long time but I want to know if I need lots of extra batteries or bigger ones...or a different camera. The stories seem to vary widely on this.
- What's your actual experience with lens sharpness on the (full-frame) sensor? There's some talk and evidence that some lenses show a significant falloff that is more visible under digital than film, making the sharpness of the lens even more important with digital...
- Have you had any problems with the 5D's not-quite-as-good-as-1DMkXXX weather seal? My Elan was anything but "super weather proof" but I was never really plagued by any problems of that nature. I'm curious to know what your experience has been.
Thanks for any input you have...
-Dave
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 2, 2008 at 2:08 PM
I will be interested to hear the responses also as I am planning an upgrade from my now ancient Canon 10D.
But I will probably wait for the 5D II to be released this year before making a decision. The almost three y/o 5D is a great camera which still competes directly with new Nikon bodies. So this year will be an interesting one for Canon users. That is for sure.
I have use the 5D extensively and just upgraded to an MFDB system. I have not put it on ebay yet but will in the next couple of weeks so I can't really say what I sold it for.
Battery/cold: I used the BG grip which holds two batteries and could shoot pretty much the whole day in the cold. I would always carry a spare set of batteries in my pants pocked so they stayed warm but don't recall ever switching the batteries in the field. The coldest I remember was about 15F with no problems.
Lens Sharpness: I used the 17-40 and the extreme edges on the lens were not as sharp as I would have liked but I would say that is the lens and not the sensor. I have seen extremely good images from the 5D using the new 16-35mm II lens. Never shot film so I can't comment on that. The 5D sharpens up really well though and I have printed many as large as 30x40 with very good results. You definitely have to hone your sharpening skills or use something like PhotoKit sharpener to get the best results on big prints. You will want a really sturdy tripod but looking at your gallery I would say technique will not be a problem.
Weather Seal: No problems there, but I try to shield everything from the weather with plastic bags until I am ready to shoot. The weather sealing on my 1D is definitely a better feel though.
Overall the 5D is a great camera and I can't say anything negative about it.
Posted by Todd Caudle on January 2, 2008 at 2:27 PM
1. I own about four batteries, and as you probably know, I shoot quite a lot. That said, if I have three batteries charged when I leave the house for a multi-day trip, I rarely think about it. I do have a converter so I can recharge batteries in my truck during down time (like as I'm rolling down the highway to my next destination), but that's just for insurance. Yeah, like any battery, 0 degrees will sap the power. But while I've never calculated how many shots I can take on a single charge, I've never had an issue with battery life, and prudently carry extra charged batteries with me to avoid the possibility.
2. Even though I owned 35mm Canon cameras before going to the Dark Side, I really switched to digital from LF and MF. Chromatic aberration was a new experience for me early on, but there are indeed many mitigations for just about any shortcoming of lenses being out-resolved by image sensors. Manufacturers are working hard to produce lenses that can take advantage of today's digital sensors, so the possibilities will only get better.
3. I've shot in some incredibly adverse conditions, and wiped the camera down when I'm done. Someone here on RMNP had a problem with either a 5D or 1Ds, but I don't recall who. My experience has been that I don't want to stand in a downpour without taking some steps to protect the camera, but I've sure done that. Standing on the edge of Linville Gorge with Jerry Greer in October '06, we both did just that, shooting under a steady rain for an extended period of time that soaked everything. Maybe I got lucky, but that means I've gotten lucky many times since buying the 5D.
In short, there are so many advantages to digital that even real disadvantages pale by comparison, and most have fixes. Take the leap if you want to get into digital for a pretty good price, or wait til the inevitable upgrade to the 5D comes along.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on January 2, 2008 at 3:32 PM
I thought you were talking about going film Dave!
Even though I don't have a 5D, I've got to echo Todd's comments. My little rebel XT has been used in drizzle, snow, fog, etc... No problems yet. I've used it in 0F to -10F temps and it hasn't died though the battery life is shorter than in warm weather. I'll be taking it later this month for overnight camping at 12,000 feet where I'm sure the temps will be well below 0F at sunrise. I'll have extra batteries with me, but I have no doubt that the camera will function (I have some doubts that I'll be functioning though).
I would recommend extra batteries. Li-ion stay charged for a long period of time unlike Ni-MH, so you can charge them in advance of when you need them. I have 5 batteries total for my XT. 4 are from Sterlingtek and those have performed very well. I paid about the same for the 4 sterlingtek batteries as one Canon replacement would cost and I've noticed no difference in performance. With my XT I always get at least a full day out of a charge in normal weather. I'd expect a half day per battery in extreme cold.
I also found that the Canon grip for my XT would inexplicably drain my batteries. I'm not sure what is going on with this, but was not happy when I arrived to shoot a wedding with a nearly dead set in the grip.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 2, 2008 at 4:27 PM
A lot of great advice from experienced 5D users.
Of the three concerns you have mentioned I think finding a WA lens that that will resolve 'fine detail' across the entire frame all the way into the corners will be your biggest challenge. Canon's new but pricey 16-35L II looks pretty good.
In planning my 5D upgrade I am looking at alternative lenses which perform exceptionally well at the wide end all the way into the corners such as Zeiss, Zuiko and Leica primes. These can be used in manual mode with EOS adapters. I just picked up a Zeiss 35-70 which works great on my 10D producing really nice results. I can't wait to try it on FF.
Posted by Jesse Speer on January 2, 2008 at 4:59 PM
The only lens I have that shows noticeable falloff issues is the 17-40mm. The corner sharpness of the 17-40mm shots frustrates me when making large prints (20x30 is "large" for me) - or viewing at 100% on screen. At print sizes below 16x24, it's hardly noticeable. This issues makes me want a 16-35mm II or the new Nikon 14-24mm - only because I often print big.
Battery life has never been a problem for me. But I honestly don't track life span for charges. I carry 4-5 batteries during multi-day trips or really cold day/overnight trips. For all other conditions, one battery will keep me going all day. When I'm winter camping, I'll use/carry three of them on any one shoot/hike. Two of them are keeping warm in an inside coat pocket, with hand warmers, and one in the camera. This has never failed me regardless of the weather. I've had to use a rotation of all three in zero/subzero temps. (And even batteries that seem to die in the cold often come back to life once warmed.) I'd get at least two extra batteries.
I've found the sealing to be very, very good. I've used my 5d with "L" lenses in light downpours frequently ... same with my Tamron 28-75mm. And even a few minutes or so in heavier rains. When the "shirt wipe-downs" stop working, then I pack it up. I'll use it uncovered in any type of snowfall. I was really worried about sealing before buying. Now, I barely think about it.
Have fun Dave. It's still the best body for the money out there given the offering of lenses right now, in my opinion.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on January 2, 2008 at 8:56 PM
I've had similar experiences to Todd, Jesse, et al concerning the 5D. The only thing I want to add is if you are concerned about battery life, purchase SterlingTek's BP511 equivalent batteries. They are rated at 2000mAh (versus the 1100mAh of the BP511) so they last significantly longer on a charge. They can also be charged using the Canon charger. Best of all they are only $11.99! I've been using a couple of them for over a year now without any problems. Highly recommended! Here's a link to them...
Posted by Fred Stearns on January 2, 2008 at 10:08 PM
It all been said. I have had a good experience with the 5D. Using the 100-400 with the IS turned on, I have shot mountain goats all day on one battery, though it was getting low when I was through. The battery does not last as long when it is cold, but that is to be expected. I have had no trouble in the light rains that I have shot in, nothing like Todd's downpours. I have had vignetting problems using a regular polarizing filter on the 28-105, but I solved that by getting a thin filter.
All that said, I am waiting for the 5D Mark II, or whatever it will be, to relegate my 5D to backup status. I would buy it again, even if I could use the crop factor of the smaller sensors.
Posted by Nick Moore on January 2, 2008 at 11:02 PM
I am a relatively new 5D owner (just over a year); I started out with film using the 7e, then EOS 3, and a 20D. In comparison to my film cameras, the 5D feels and handles like the 7e, but with upgraded features. So far I have had no problems with the 5D weather sealing as everyone else has said, though I would say it is not quite as good as the EOS 3 (film) because of the function buttons being external etc.
I really haven't subjected the battery life to the extremes that Todd and Mel have, but it's always a good idea to carry backups, and I do also have an in-car charger.
I would agree with comments about lenses, with the full frame digitals lens quality is an important factor. The 17-40L (which I do use) can be a little soft around the edges, I have found the 24-105L to produce great images on the 5D though!.
Discussion
10 repliesI'm looking at the Canon 5D as a replacement for my (very, very) old EOS Elan that I've now had for a record 18 years and it's still kicking. I've seen friends' 5Ds and I'm impressed with the output and the price seems about right on EBay ($1600ish) for the body which maintains my investment in lenses.
So, I have several questions out there for other Canon 5D users...I'm looking for your EXPERIENCE, not your guesses or hearsay. There are a lot of folks here who have actual experience so I'm considering this very carefully. Canon has always been a solid performer for me, so I need to know if that's still true in reality, not just in reviews.
- What is your actual experience with battery life under standard/hostile conditions? (I've heard 3 hours max under heavy shooting or really cold...And I watched Erik's die in the brutal 0 degree cold, so I thought I'd get real data here...) My EOS will hold out for a long time but I want to know if I need lots of extra batteries or bigger ones...or a different camera. The stories seem to vary widely on this.
- What's your actual experience with lens sharpness on the (full-frame) sensor? There's some talk and evidence that some lenses show a significant falloff that is more visible under digital than film, making the sharpness of the lens even more important with digital...
- Have you had any problems with the 5D's not-quite-as-good-as-1DMkXXX weather seal? My Elan was anything but "super weather proof" but I was never really plagued by any problems of that nature. I'm curious to know what your experience has been.
Thanks for any input you have...
-Dave
But I will probably wait for the 5D II to be released this year before making a decision. The almost three y/o 5D is a great camera which still competes directly with new Nikon bodies. So this year will be an interesting one for Canon users. That is for sure.
Battery/cold: I used the BG grip which holds two batteries and could shoot pretty much the whole day in the cold. I would always carry a spare set of batteries in my pants pocked so they stayed warm but don't recall ever switching the batteries in the field. The coldest I remember was about 15F with no problems.
Lens Sharpness: I used the 17-40 and the extreme edges on the lens were not as sharp as I would have liked but I would say that is the lens and not the sensor. I have seen extremely good images from the 5D using the new 16-35mm II lens. Never shot film so I can't comment on that. The 5D sharpens up really well though and I have printed many as large as 30x40 with very good results. You definitely have to hone your sharpening skills or use something like PhotoKit sharpener to get the best results on big prints. You will want a really sturdy tripod but looking at your gallery I would say technique will not be a problem.
Weather Seal: No problems there, but I try to shield everything from the weather with plastic bags until I am ready to shoot. The weather sealing on my 1D is definitely a better feel though.
Overall the 5D is a great camera and I can't say anything negative about it.
2. Even though I owned 35mm Canon cameras before going to the Dark Side, I really switched to digital from LF and MF. Chromatic aberration was a new experience for me early on, but there are indeed many mitigations for just about any shortcoming of lenses being out-resolved by image sensors. Manufacturers are working hard to produce lenses that can take advantage of today's digital sensors, so the possibilities will only get better.
3. I've shot in some incredibly adverse conditions, and wiped the camera down when I'm done. Someone here on RMNP had a problem with either a 5D or 1Ds, but I don't recall who. My experience has been that I don't want to stand in a downpour without taking some steps to protect the camera, but I've sure done that. Standing on the edge of Linville Gorge with Jerry Greer in October '06, we both did just that, shooting under a steady rain for an extended period of time that soaked everything. Maybe I got lucky, but that means I've gotten lucky many times since buying the 5D.
In short, there are so many advantages to digital that even real disadvantages pale by comparison, and most have fixes. Take the leap if you want to get into digital for a pretty good price, or wait til the inevitable upgrade to the 5D comes along.
Even though I don't have a 5D, I've got to echo Todd's comments. My little rebel XT has been used in drizzle, snow, fog, etc... No problems yet. I've used it in 0F to -10F temps and it hasn't died though the battery life is shorter than in warm weather. I'll be taking it later this month for overnight camping at 12,000 feet where I'm sure the temps will be well below 0F at sunrise. I'll have extra batteries with me, but I have no doubt that the camera will function (I have some doubts that I'll be functioning though).
I would recommend extra batteries. Li-ion stay charged for a long period of time unlike Ni-MH, so you can charge them in advance of when you need them. I have 5 batteries total for my XT. 4 are from Sterlingtek and those have performed very well. I paid about the same for the 4 sterlingtek batteries as one Canon replacement would cost and I've noticed no difference in performance. With my XT I always get at least a full day out of a charge in normal weather. I'd expect a half day per battery in extreme cold.
I also found that the Canon grip for my XT would inexplicably drain my batteries. I'm not sure what is going on with this, but was not happy when I arrived to shoot a wedding with a nearly dead set in the grip.
Of the three concerns you have mentioned I think finding a WA lens that that will resolve 'fine detail' across the entire frame all the way into the corners will be your biggest challenge. Canon's new but pricey 16-35L II looks pretty good.
In planning my 5D upgrade I am looking at alternative lenses which perform exceptionally well at the wide end all the way into the corners such as Zeiss, Zuiko and Leica primes. These can be used in manual mode with EOS adapters. I just picked up a Zeiss 35-70 which works great on my 10D producing really nice results. I can't wait to try it on FF.
The new Nikon 14-24 is looking like it out resolves even Canon's newest best WA 14L II prime. You can see the results on 16-9 here:
http://www.16-9.net/lens_tests/canon14l2_nikon1424/nikon1424_canon14l2_a.html
Battery life has never been a problem for me. But I honestly don't track life span for charges. I carry 4-5 batteries during multi-day trips or really cold day/overnight trips. For all other conditions, one battery will keep me going all day. When I'm winter camping, I'll use/carry three of them on any one shoot/hike. Two of them are keeping warm in an inside coat pocket, with hand warmers, and one in the camera. This has never failed me regardless of the weather. I've had to use a rotation of all three in zero/subzero temps. (And even batteries that seem to die in the cold often come back to life once warmed.) I'd get at least two extra batteries.
I've found the sealing to be very, very good. I've used my 5d with "L" lenses in light downpours frequently ... same with my Tamron 28-75mm. And even a few minutes or so in heavier rains. When the "shirt wipe-downs" stop working, then I pack it up. I'll use it uncovered in any type of snowfall. I was really worried about sealing before buying. Now, I barely think about it.
Have fun Dave. It's still the best body for the money out there given the offering of lenses right now, in my opinion.
http://sterlingtek.com/ln03-canon-bp-511-dlc511.html
All that said, I am waiting for the 5D Mark II, or whatever it will be, to relegate my 5D to backup status. I would buy it again, even if I could use the crop factor of the smaller sensors.
I really haven't subjected the battery life to the extremes that Todd and Mel have, but it's always a good idea to carry backups, and I do also have an in-car charger.
I would agree with comments about lenses, with the full frame digitals lens quality is an important factor. The 17-40L (which I do use) can be a little soft around the edges, I have found the 24-105L to produce great images on the 5D though!.
Happy New Year again,
-D