Vacation setup 5D mkII, XSI, G10 comparison

[marknagel]

<p>In search of the perfect vacation setup (light weight vs. quality) I ended up buying an XSI and G10 for an alteranative to hauling my 5d and lenses when I want to go light. I've used all three quit a bit and here are my findings if anyone is interested.</p>

<p>http://www.nagelhome.com/phototest/psslr/</p>

<p>Mark</p>

[catchlight]

<p>Mark, there will be a lot of interest in your test, as many shooters debate the "image quality vs. convenience" question when deciding what gear to take on trips.</p>

<p>The old saying is true: "The best camera (or lens) is the one you actually take with you". I've been carrying a 5D without grip and a 24-105/4 IS lens for the past few trips, but found myself leaving it behind some days because I was tired of hauling the weight and bulk around.</p>

<p>For that reason, I just got a G10 to use on days when experiencing new environments in comfort is more important than image quality, and for settings where there is lots of light.</p>

<p>Your conclusion agrees with my experience: take the DSLR and a fast lens for low light conditions, for shooting fast action, and for when shallow DOF is needed. Take the G10 when you have plenty of light for capturing mainly static subjects.</p>

[hillsdalemichigan]

<p>Thanks for the test. Didn't you notice even though the g10 had a higher noise than the xsi the details of the g10 were a little better/sharper? Did you try to remove the noise from the g10 file and try to pp to see if ended up coming out better than the xsi?</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<blockquote>

<p>The old saying is true: "The best camera (or lens) is the one you actually take with you". I've been carrying a 5D without grip and a 24-105/4 IS lens for the past few trips, but found myself leaving it behind some days because I was tired of hauling the weight and bulk around.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Weight and bulk is pretty subjective and depends a lot on your physical size, condition, toughness and how serious you are about your photos. I'm a small guy--5'8" 135lbs--but can carry the 5D 24-105 all day without a problem. Add the grip and a large flash and it starts to eat into my shoulder after a few hours. So I tossed the grip and settled for the 220EX and I'm good for 12 hour days trekking across Europe. A gripless 40D/50D with 17-85 would be so tiny and light it would be almost like a friggen point 'n shoot. I bought a XTi the other year to use as a point 'n shoot but missed the QCD too much for FEC/EC and M mode. I missed too many photos while digging through the menus.</p>

[tdigi]

<p>Mark Thanks for the information. I have been searching for a good travel combination as well. Many times an SLR is just to much to lug around especially with big L lenses and I would rather enjoy my trip then carry around heavy gear. I think the G10 is perfect for these situations especially if your outdoors with good light. I plan to add a G10 before my next trip as well as a waterproof camera. </p>

[robert_johnstone]

<p>Quote:-</p>

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=166736">Puppy Face</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/2rolls.gif" alt="" title="Frequent poster" /> </a> , Feb 28, 2009; 04:02 p.m.</p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>The old saying is true: "The best camera (or lens) is the one you actually take with you". I've been carrying a 5D without grip and a 24-105/4 IS lens for the past few trips, but found myself leaving it behind some days because I was tired of hauling the weight and bulk around.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Weight and bulk is pretty subjective and depends a lot on your physical size, condition, toughness and how serious you are about your photos. I'm a small guy--5'8" 135lbs--but can carry the 5D 24-105 all day without a problem. Add the grip and a large flash and it starts to eat into my shoulder after a few hours. So I tossed the grip and settled for the 220EX and I'm good for 12 hour days trekking across Europe. A gripless 40D/50D with 17-85 would be so tiny and light it would be almost like a friggen point 'n shoot. I bought a XTi the other year to use as a point 'n shoot but missed the QCD too much for FEC/EC and M mode. I missed too many photos while digging through the menus.</p>

<p>LOL there's 70 grams of difference between the weight of your 5d body as to a 40d/50d body....so it must be said in ur words A gripless 5D would be so tiny and light it would be almost like a friggen point 'n shoot. ROFL</p>

 

[jay a. frew]

<p>Thanks for the info Mark!</p>

<p>Cheers! Jay</p>

[hydra_invencible]

<p>I dont find interesting this test at all. We cant really see the OBVIOUS difference between a 5d mark II and a g10, since there is no noise comparision on these two.</p>

 

[PuppyDigs]

<blockquote>

<p>LOL there's 70 grams of difference between the weight of your 5d body as to a 40d/50d body....so it must be said in ur words A gripless 5D would be so tiny and light it would be almost like a friggen point 'n shoot. ROFL</p>

</blockquote>

<p>True if ya don't carry a frickin' Speedlite! I need one. With the 40D/50D you have a popup and can do without if you really need to slim down. My trick with the 5D is to use the 220EX loaded with lithium batteries. lithium weights less than half the amount of alkaline. With the before mentioned rig you are propelled straight into freakin' hog heaven twin revive style! Yeeeee Haaaaa!</p>

[marknagel]

<p>Hydra,<br>

Since the 5DmkII and XSI's noise is virtually the same up to ISO 1600, I thought people could figure it out from the XSI vs. G10 shots. I guess I shouldn't have assumed so much. Next time I'll post 800% pixel peeping crops to show the differences.</p>

<p>m</p>

[Brad_]

<p>>>> Since the 5DmkII and XSI's noise is virtually the same up to ISO 1600, I thought people could figure it out from the XSI vs. G10 shots.</p>

<p>One of the reasons I'm still sticking with my XSi for street photography. And of course <i><b>much</b></i> less weight and bulk, especially when you add a FF 17-55 f/2.8 to the 5D...</p>

[PuppyDigs]

<blockquote>

<p>And of course <em><strong>much</strong></em> less weight and bulk, especially when you add a FF 17-55 f/2.8 to the 5D...</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Hmm, the EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS USM? Great optic. You could use it on a 5D if you changed the EF-S mount to EF and didn't mine the dark corners. Of course, to avoid bang the reflex mirror don't use 17-20mm ever...</p>

<p>I used the 40D/17-55 2.8 as my travel cam and carried it all day 7 days a week for 3 weeks last summer. I'm none the worse for the wear. Will probably take the 50D/17-55 2.8 as a ploint 'n shoot this summer.</p>

<p>My porta-cam travel gallery:<br>

http://emedia.leeward.hawaii.edu/frary/galleria14.htm</p>

[Brad_]

<p>>>> Hmm, the EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS USM?</p>

<p>My mistake. I meant the 24-70 f/2.8L and 5D. Sorta the same view as my Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 on my XSi. Except 1/3 the price and probably half the weight. I like shooting light - one handed. Especially when the flash is in my other hand.</p>