Canon 5D

[bennyboy]

3.5 times the cost of a 30D? Show me where I can get a 30D for 480 quid, I'm sold.

[50d-boy]

In Canada the 30D costs $1650 CDN (body only) (825 quid/ 1160 EUR) The 5D $ 3800.00 CDN (body).....(1900 quid/2675 EUR)

Sorry, a correct comparison is that a 5D is 2.5 times more expensive as a 30D

 

The point is that some consumers who are not aware of the light fall-off or how to work with it, and spend 2.5 times more for a 5D, get dissapointed, depending on their specific use of the camera.

 

J

[lovcom_photo]

John, from my online research, the 5D only costs 2 to 2.3 times more then the 30D, not 3.5 times....US pricing.

[Jim_Tardio]

<i>Hi,

 

First I just want to say that I'm not trying to create a fight or generate discontent, but merely asking for opinion.</i>

<p>

And opinions are exactly what you got...just remember that opinions aren't facts.

<p>

Just for kicks, ask this same question on the Nikon forum. You're sure get lots of opinions there, too.

[radu_diaconu]

Jim,

 

You are absolutely right, these are opinions. I'm sure that the Nikon Forum would be divided as well, the 5D has a lot of followers with its large viewfinder...

 

Thanks.

 

Radu

[Jim_Tardio]

Radu, the 5D is a great camera. So is the D200. So is my little Panasonic LX-1 and my FM3a and my Stylus Epic, as well as my Canon S45...and my Xpan.

<p>

If it works for you it's the right camera :)

[yakim_peled1]

<P> It's the same old question - "which camera body should I buy?" - and the same old answer. It's not the specific body which counts or the specific features it contains, it's "Which <b>system</b> is better for <b>you</b>?". The camera is the heart of the system so it's important to choose the one which is more suitable to you. I - personally - don't see how any other system can match Canon or Nikon. Those two are in the peak as they have a wealth of lenses, flashes and other accessories no other system can match. Naturally, for the average amateur and with the wealth of third party lenses abundance this may be a moot point. So, here are some <b>system</b> differences between them. </P>

<P>1. All EF (but not <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html#efs">EF-S</a>) lenses are <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/lenses.html#compatibility">perfectly mated</a> with every EOS body. This is <a href="http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/nikon_articles/other/compatibility.html">very different</a> than Nikon. As far as I am concerned, this is the most important issue. </P>

<P> 2. Canon has more AF lenses. BTW, mounting a manual focus lens on an EOS body is <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-manual-lenses/">a bit of a chore</a>. If this is your goal than Nikon is a much better option. They have a lot of optically excellent MF lenses that can be had for a fraction of the price of their AF counterparts.</P>

<P> 3. Canon has more IS lenses. </P>

<P> 4. Canon has more USM lenses.</P>

<P> 5. Canon has more TS-E lenses.</P>

<P> 6. Prices of comparable items are generally cheaper. Check for the lenses that specifically interest you and compare.</P>

<P> 7. MLU (Mirror lock up) is very handy feature for tripod shots. It is very rare in Nikon's AF bodies (I think that only the F4 and F5 has it) while is abounded in the EOS line. </P>

<P> 8. Another unique feature of the Canon system is DEP mode. DEP mode allows you to designate near-far points of focus and the camera sets depth of field between those two points. In DEP mode, you merely focus on the nearest point you want sharp, then you focus on the farthest point you want sharp, then you re-compose your picture and the camera sets aperture, shutter, and focus to achieve the depth of field you designated. </P>

<P> 9. Nikon's flashes are generally considered superior to Canon's but if you don't mind fiddling a bit in <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index3.html#fec">FEC</a> and <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/index3.html#fel">FEL</a>, all equates. Canon flashes made great improvement with the introduction of <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#ettl">E-TTL</a> and <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/eos-flash/#ettlii">E-TTL II</a>.</P>

<P> Remember that after you buy the body you invest large sums of money in lenses, flash etc. Thus, swapping a system is a very costly move so I advise you to first look carefully into the pros and cons of each system and then - and only then - choose the system which best suites your needs. From now on, choosing the right body is much easier. </P>

<P> Search. A lot has been written on that subject. Here are some links for a start. </P>

<P> See <a href="http://www.photofocus.com/showarchive.php?aid=80&cid=5">here</a>, <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/beginner-faq/general.html#which">here</a>, <a href="http://photonotes.org/articles/why-canon/">here</a>, <a href="http://www.photo.net/equipment/what-camera-should-I-buy#35mmslr">here</a>, <a href="http://www.photo.net/equipment/35mm/canon-v-nikon">here</a>, <a href="http://www.photozone.de/bindex2.html">here</a> (click on CANON vs. NIKON? WHAT ABOUT MINOLTA? AND PENTAX?), <a href="http://www.nikonlinks.com/unklbil/bodylens.htm">here</a> and <a href="http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/nikon_articles/other/compatibility.html">here</a>.</P>

 

<P> Oh, which body? Well, both bodies are very good. Choose the right system (and, naturally, good lenses) and any of them will give you many satisfactory moments and pictures. Whatever you choose, shoot a lot and be happy.</P>

 

<P> Happy shooting , <br>

Yakim.</P>

<P> P.S. You do realize that you are asking this in an EOS forum, do you? You won't find many people here that will advise you to go with Nikon :-) </P>

 

 

[radu_diaconu]

Yakim,

 

Thanks for the comments, I know that you can produce great work with any system.

 

My question is more specific on how those that have used both D200 and 5D like it. For me, the biggest feature of the 5D is its viewfinder, because I prefer Nikon's ergonomics.

 

I know that this is the EOS forum and most of the people here are Canon users, but I just wanted to hear some opinions. I could have asked the same question in the Nikon forum and probably would have had completely different answers.

 

Anyway, thanks for the links and thanks for your comments.

 

Regards,

 

Radu D.

[jim_d5]

"The Canon 1 series are BETTER then Nikon's UI because with the Canon, it takes TWO hands to change most controls....preventing accidental changes to controls.

 

One-handed changes to controls is a liability, not a feature."

 

BINGO, Dan wins the prize! This is exactly correct, and for people who actually handle their camera nothing beats Canon's 1 series and the trickle down effect it has had on the EOS 3 and other higher end models.

 

I still say after all this, it IS the image stupid! But, stupid, in order to get your image you got to be able to push the right buttons and, as Dan points out, not push the wrong buttons.

[ci_p]

Actually, the problem is accidental / inadvertant modification of camera settings. And requiring a button to be pressed whilst turing a dial seems to be the general solution with many cameras. However, with nikon, you do this with one hand, with canon, you need two.

 

So nikon - index finger right had presses button. Right tumb turns dial. S-A-M-P .easy.

Canon left index finger presses button, right index finger turns dial. Tv-B-P-A-M.

 

And then canon goes one better with the rear command dial linked to exposure compensation which you can inadvertantly adjust with your nose. Hence the button to disable it. Maybe great image, but wrong exposure messes it up.

 

Needing two hands is bad, because your left hand is supporting that big expensive heavy lens and as soon as you need it to press a button on the body you have a problem, since you (or at least me) can't support the entire kit with just a right hand on the camera body.

 

The great thing about being able to operate a camera with one hand (if you're two handed), is that your other hand can be doing something else, like opening your bag, supporting your lens, entertaining your subject, holding onto something for dear life, or whatever.

[rod fountain]

get the 5D. the 20D with 1.6 crop & 5fps is perfect for action, motorsport etc. and the 5D is right at home either in the studio or on location for set-up shots or for slower moving action...ie a fashion runway. I use both for these exact purposes and i'm absolutely sold on both cameras. There is nothing they can't turn their hand to. Reportage, landscape, action, fashion, product pictures etc... Get a couple of the new 580EX speedlights and your laughing. Good Luck.

[ronald_olsen]

I agree with C IP and others who say that the ergonomics matter. If you don't believe this, travel with a Nikon D2x and a Crown Graphic, as I do. The 4 x 5 camera wins handily when it comes down to final image quality, no question. But, I can't tell you how many shots I've missed due to not having film loaded, double-exposing films, not focusing, not cocking the shutter, not setting aperture, etc etc. The shots I do get are fantastic, but I have a much higher miss rate with this old press camera than with the D2x; I can pull it out of the bag with one hand, flip it on with my forefinger, and BANG I've made the shot. Granted, the differences in Nikon vs Canon digital models is more fine, but it's still there. To others that say it's the final image that matters, I say you are also right, but the ease of getting the image will have an effect on how it turns out; it lets you concentrate on composition instead of having to take excess time fiddling with settings. The Nikons are very good ergonomically.

[radu_diaconu]

Thanks everyone,

 

Ronald, You're right, I also have a Speed Graphic and it is a joy to use, but extremely slow to set up and to get the shot, but when you get it, it is much worth it.

 

I'm planning to do a personal project in Emergency rooms with my speed grpahic, it will be fun.

 

Thanks everyone.

 

Radu

[karl_keung]

has anyone compared the viewfinder between 5D and D200? which is brighter for manual focus?