bellavance

<p>True. If you can't (or won't) afford the 5D Mark II, a good used 5D with a new (I would never buy a used lens) 24-105/4L will give great (but a little dusty) images.</p>

<p>Dust can later be removed in Photoshop...</p>

<p>I've sent this to my dealer. I'll wait and see what he responds.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>I've had this camera body on order with an authorized Canadian Canon dealer since early November. I've then sold my 5D, and was expecting the new camera for the end of November, then December, and now January will be ending soon, and still no camera. Are they shipping any to Canada?</p>

<p>Pierre</p>

<p>My 5D sucked dust like a vacuum cleaner. This is one of the reasons I've sold it and ordered the 5D Mark II, which I'm still waiting for by the way... Canon Canada, when will you ship?</p>

<p>The 5D Mark II is better sealed and has a self cleaning sensor, all of this should help.</p>

<p>By the way, the 24-105 is a perfect general purpose lens for me. Extremely sharp, wide enough and long enough most of the time.</p>

<p>Pierre</p>

My 24-105 (on a 5D) will sometimes very quickly hunt back and forth for focus in bright light for a few seconds. Strange.

Any opinions why?

Pierre

When I had this lens, I used a thin B+W circular polarizer and a Canon lens hood, and got very good results. Sold it when I purchased the 5D.

Pierre

Depth of Field wide open is impressive with the 5D. It can really separate your subject from the background/foreground.

Image size in viewfinder is bigger and not having to multiply all your lenses by 1.6 if you're used to 35mm is nice.

After getting the 5D, I sold my 20D.

Pierre

Replace the Skylight filter with a lens hood, and get a slim polarizer.

Pierre

My experience with the 5D: I use my 24-105/4L IS almost exclusively when traveling.

I also bring the Zenitar 16/2.8 Fisheye, along with Canon's 17-40/4L and 70-300/4.5-5.6 DO IS lenses, but don't use them much.

Pierre

I had purchased a DVD Burner and returned it because it took forever to burn a 4GB DVD at the end of the day. I use two portable hard drives when traveling.

Pierre

I called Canon Support and got their help in installing the program that came with the camera, and it worked.

Pierre

L Glass usually improves a little when stopping down just a little, but is perfectly usable wide-open, in my view.

Pierre

If you put your hand in the fire, it will burn...

No lens can shoot in the sun and have no flare.

Pierre

Are you certain you have the right lens hood?

It's the EW-83F and it's very deep.

Pierre

Chasseur d'Images has said that the 350D has a tendency to bloom (kind of overexpose some colors) even without overexposure.

You should be happy with either one, though. Don't skimp on lenses.

Pierre

No problem with 10D, 20D and now 5D, even though I prefer the Zenitar 16mm fisheye on my 5D.

Pierre

Salesmen sometimes know even less than we do...

One truth: The less you remove your lenses, the less you'll have to clean your sensor.

I say: Do like me and leave the last used lens on when not in use, but take care that the camera's mount is not bearing the weight of the long lens. A flat surface will do fine.

Pierre

When ready to order, send an email to each Canadian Dealer present on the web and ask for their best price, telling them you're ready to order.

In my experience, Camera Canada - http://www.cameracanada.com - can sell at good prices, and they're nice people. They've sold me a 5D with 24-105/4L IS for just about the same price I'd have gotten from B&H, and they only charge $15 for shipping. Buying it in Canada also allowed me to get the Canon Canada $300 rebate on the 5D.

My local dealer: LL Lozeau, in Montreal, can also be surprising once in a while.

As our two currencies are getting closer in value, I've noticed that Canadian prices are slowly getting in line with US prices: The 24-105/4L IS is even cheaper in Canada than in the USA.

Pierre

Dry Cleaning is best, but an occasional cold water Wash and Dry is OK.

Seriously, I've taken the habit of formatting the card after use. It's probably easier on the card, but I can't be certain.

Question: Will formating flag any bad sectors on the card?

Pierre

IS turns off when you turn off the camera, as it's fed by the camera, and is only energized for a few seconds (listen to it) when you press the shutter button. If you've just pressed the shutter, just wait for it to stop (one second or two) before removing a lens, and it will park itself securely.

Pierre

17-55 on a crop body looks like 27-88. You can't use this lens on the 5D because of its full size sensor.

Pierre

I'd hesitate to operate my camera in front of a vacuum cleaner, because these things can also move dust around.

After reading about it on http://www.birdsasart.com I've started using a small lenspen to clean my 5D's sensor. Quick and easy. First the Giottos Blower, then the lenspen. If there is crud, I use the Sensor Cleaner from http://www.visibledust.com then the blower and the lenspen again.

Pierre

The Canon Camera Museum:

http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/

Pierre

It compares somewhat roughly with the 10D.

Be careful and don't pay too much, because this is old technology and replacement parts could also be hard to find.

I suggest you buy a used 300D or 350D. You'll be much happier.

Pierre