Gearing up. Frozen over choices (5D 7D). Help!

<p >I wouldn't normally post this type of thread, but I really am at a loss here.</p>

<p > <br>

I haven't had a decent rig in a while due to some financial strain (student debt...). I saved up and have about $2000 (give or take a couple hundred) that I'm dedicating to gear. For the past 8 months or so all I've been shooting with is my S90. I'm very partial to Canon. I also buy most gear used, which I'm comfortable with.</p>

<p>First off, the two main types of photography I'm into is portrait and urban landscapes, which I've been having some recent success with here in Montreal. I prefer primes, but am not entirely averse to zoom lenses.</p>

<p>The thing is this: I've got it in my head that I absolutely want/need full frame. I love the look, the short depth of field, the straight raw file quality, and the general lovely nature of the classic 5D. For my style of shooting, with full frame equiv., the two focal lengths that appeal to me most is 35mm and 85mm, naturally given my style.</p>

<p>So, what I've thinking about is a 5D mkI with 35 f/2 and 85 f/1.8. Used, this kit will run somewhere around my 2k mark. But:</p>

<p>Am I crazy? A technological dinosaur with god knows what kind of shutter count, horrible LCD, poor AF? Shouldn't I nab a 7D and EF-s zoom? I do have a little skill at video, grading and post, which I enjoy. But on the other hand, full frame is gorgeous and lends itself to the photos I shoot. From what I've read, the 5D mkI's files can still go toe to toe in many cases with current tech. Am I missing something?</p>

<p>This is the internal dialogue I've been having over the past weeks and can't shake a conclusion loose.</p>

<p>Please help.<br>

Also, sorry for the long post. Didn't want to leave anything out.</p>

<p >-Adam</p>

 

<p>The AF of the 5D isn't as good as the 7D's, but I promise it will annihilate the AF on your S90. So that's something. (Note the 5D mk I and mk II have basically the same AF.)</p>

<p>The shutter count on a used 5D mk I would be a concern.</p>

<p>You might wait a little longer, save a little more and pick up a used 5D mk II with a 28-135 and 50 f/1.8.</p>

<p>I rarely noticed problems with my 5D's AF, but I was used to the AF of the 10S, A2, 1N, Elan 7E, 10D and 20D that came before it. Sheesh, it was the best of the bunch and even the "primitive" AF of the 1990s worked fine. The only thing that drove me nuts on my 5D was the small, dim and greenish LCD. It was so poor I couldn't even use the histogram during daylight hours (outside). No problem in dim light of course.</p>

<p>I've heard of a few mom 'm pop shops with new "old" stock but probably your best bet is to buy a 5D from a gentleman amateur whom owns lots of cameras. They tend to be well taken care of and have low shutter cycles. Avoid pros selling off old gear as they tend to be beat. It's not uncommon for wedding and event photogs to rack up 100,000 shutter cycles or more annually...</p>

<p>I upgraded from a 5D to 5D2 a couple years back. Although the AF is basically the same design, Canon must have tweaked it as I found it more surefooted. Specially, the outer AF points lock AF just fine with my 50 1.2L. The 5D had problems with that and only that lens.</p>

<p>I really don't think you will see much difference in image quality between the two. I have no problem buying older used cameras as I have just bought a 1Ds. What you have to ask yourself is, do you need a full frame or a crop body? I use the full frame 1Ds for wideangle applications including landscape and architecture using primarily a Nikon 8/2.8, Nikon 14/2.8, and Canon TS-E 17/4 L. I use a fast crop body Nikon D2X for telephoto applications including sports primarily with a Nikon 80-200/2.8 and Nikon 400/2.8 with/without teleconverters. In the mid focal range of lenses that you describe, 35 and 85 equivalent on full frame, either body will do equally as well. So, are you more likely to develop a taste for wideangle or for telephoto? Your future plans may help guide your decision.</p>

<p>Adam, I don't use or have the 5DmkII however, I'm satisfied using my 20D when I use my 400/500mm for wildlife (mostly birds) and using my 5D mk1 for every thing else (16mm-300mm). I'm currently waiting (in no hurry) for future camera's before I buy again (8D/5DIII). Addressing what you should get depends on how much money you are willing to spend and your expectations. I purchased both of my camera's when they were first available and I'm still satisfied. (Lenses should be your major concern not the camera). I expect that you would be completely satisfied with a 5D mkI for your intended use.</p>

<p>Adam, first let me congratulate you on living in Montreal, one of my favourite cities. Our daughter attends McGill, and I find lots of reasons to go and visit her from here on Vancouver Island. <br>

I sold my 5D a year ago and replaced it with a 5D MkII. I do a lot of theatrical, concert, and dance shooting and am impressed by the improved low light performance of the MkII over both the original 5D and my 1DMkII. The bigger LCD is also great, I'm glad to have video capabilities, and I love those huge RAW files--especially when I need to crop.<br>

I shot with film for many years and am really happy to be back to using a full-frame body as the norm, where the focal length of every lens is exactly what's written on the side of it. As much as I like my 1DMkII, I only take it along now to events like surfing and ski racing that require a high frame rate and weather sealing.<br>

There are usually a few low actuation 5DMkII's on the Fred Miranda buy and sell forum, and you can tell by the seller's feedback and forum posts what he's been doing with the body he has for sale (pro vs. amateur, etc.).<br>

Good hunting!</p>

<p>I own the 7D, and would normally highly recommend it. However- what you've described, Urban landscapes and portraiture-would be better served by the 5 series-(prefferably the MKII) mainly because of the FF. I doubt you will run into a situation where you would realise the advantage to the 7D's AF, or at least often enough for it to outweigh the benefits of the 5DII for your intended usage. Other's may disagree, but the 5DII is also reputed to have a better noise signature at higher ISO's, and an overall better shadow retention (from reviews I've read/examples I've seen). Ultimately, the sensor size you choose to go with will dictate your lens choices in terms of size or range (zooms).</p>

<p>Went through the same curve on the 7D vs the 5D. Ultimately, it came down to the likelihood that EF lenses for full-frame sensors will probably be around longer than the APS-C lenses. Why? There is a limit to the information density that can be packed into a sensor. When the 5D's and 1Ds' undergo another feature/density upgrade, you'll have the right lenses. If an APS-C (7D) at 18MP is pushing the backplane pixel-discrimination boundary, the next and perhaps final step for a DX (full frame) upgrade would be in the vicinity of 36MP before moving to medium format. Your glass investment may be better protected by staying with full frame lenses. In image comparisons between the 7D and 5D, the 5D has an edge that may be attributable to the lower pixel density. I bought the 5D knowing that I'd sleep better after getting over the cost. </p>

<p>Guys,<br>

Thanks so much for the input. To be honest, everyone is making me feel much better about considering the 5D, in light of my lens preferences.<br>

The only thing now though is trying to find one with a decent shutter count and as close to perfect body as possible. I fear this might take some time, but I just want to be shooting...<br>

Brent: Montreal is amazing! I moved here about 3 years ago and, while it's hard getting settled socially in a new city, there is so much collaboration and inspiration in/on these streets that I'm madly in love. <br>

So I guess now my only issue is trying to get over my crush on the 35 1.4L. :)</p>

<p>If you have a yearning for full frame then buying a 7D will always niggle you. A 5D classic is a killer camera and still puts MOST modern DSLRs to shame when it comes to image quality. Only the D700, D3, D3x, 1Ds3, Alpha 900 and 5D2 can compare. And that's not many cameras when you consider how many DSLRs are on the market today.</p>

<p>I recently went through a similar process and ended up with a typical compromise: a 5D + a 40D. I wanted the 5D to use with an ultrawide that I already had and I wanted to replace my old and trusty 10D with a crop frame for long lens work. I'm pleased with the results fromboth cameras. I'd say your budget is very realistic but you might want to investigate the Samyang 85mm if portraiture is a big thing. The price is right and the two Samyang lenses I already have (8mm and 14mm) are startling for the money.</p>

 

<p>portraiture, low light, general IQ... the 5d is sure to pleased.<br>

BIF, Sports, video, fast movers.... the 7d will not disappoint.</p>

<p>What sort of photography do you like? The 7d is a well rounded camera. But if absolute IQ is needed, then only a full-frame sensor can satisfy.</p>

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<p>"two main types of photography I'm into is portrait and urban landscapes"</p>

 

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<p>This indicates FF would work best IMO. Buy a used 5D classic.</p>