Canon 5D

[christina]

Hi All

At the moment I am using a canon 400D with Sigma 50-500mm lens and Sigma 105mm Macro Lens. I do have a canon 100-400mm pump but am thinking about selling this. I want to change my camera and am thinking about the Canon 5D. Do you know whether this is a wise choice?

Many thanks

Christina

[Leif]

Given the online chatter it looks like Canon will introduce a new model soon. In which case 5D prices should drop as they sell old stock. Nice camera. Depends on what you want it for though. Birds? Maybe a 40D would be better. Landscapes? Ideal. Macro? A 40D might be better.

I could go on, but once you indicate the use, you might be flooded with suggestions.

[christina]

Hi Leif

The use would be macro, birds and some landscape (which I could use the 400D for that). I will take a look at the 40D.

Thankyou for the suggestions.

Regards

Christina

[BillyPilgrim]

Originally Posted by christina

Hi All

I want to change my camera and am thinking about the Canon 5D. Do you know whether this is a wise choice?

Many thanks

Christina

Hi Christina,
I wouldn't recommend the 5d for wildlife (especially bird) photography. It only has 9 focus points which is the same as the cheaper 40d. It also falls down on frames per second with a tortoise-like 3 fps. The 40d has 6.5 fps.

If I had 5d money I'd either save up some more and go for a 1d mk III or buy a 2nd-hand 1d mk II. But I'm sure the 40d would more than suffice.

[eeyore]

its also full frame so you dont get the crop factor that you do with the 40D - this is a benefit for landscapes but a disadvantage for wildlife as you will need longer lenses (or to crop your pics) to get the same angle of view.

another disadvantage is that because the full frame sensor can see the edges of the lens chromatic aberation on cheaper lenses is more of an issue.

The 5D is a great camera for landscape , portraits, and close range lifestyle/candids but it isnt the best for action or shy wildlife.

In your shoes i would either buy a 40D, buy a second hand 20 or 30D, or wait til the 5dmk2 comes out

[Badllarma]

Hi christina if your going for a 40D BUY NEW or with a full warranty. I've just upgraded from a 20D to a 40D (I'm keeping the 20D as it's a very good work horse).

BUT there are (or have been issues with the 40D especially early models) And the Err 99 error although the Err 99 is a general "something is busted" error message, friends of mine have had the error after 1000 activations for it to being returned and the whole shutter system needed replacing (lucky under warranty).
Mine has just been sent back after the Error happen on it's first trip out due to a seemingly dislike for a swap between Canon and Sigma lenses and back, having 80% Sigma this became a bit of an issue hence the return.


So I have no issue with recommending a 40D the 14 bit images which when kept at 14 bit are a shade under 50 meg in size in TIFF format (allowing an eye popping level of detail to be kept from the original RAW file) , 6.5fps is great and also the ability to use more of a mix of ISO levels (based on what my current 20D can do anyway) BUT just in case make sure you have 12 month warranty with it.

[christina]

Thanks guys for the information. I intend to pop along to jessops or Purdy's and try out a few cameras. Hubby has a 1D Mk 11 and, I believe, a 1DS Mk 11 and will give the 1D MK 11 a trial (it always looks soooo big to me lol). Just to confuse the issue further, I have also been looking (on the net) at the 450D. If I opt for the 40D I will definitely ensure that its new (warranty included), in fact, if I do upgrade, I will buy new.I bought a Canon 100-400mm pump lens from a very well known auction site and I'm sure there's something wrong with it, never did give good shots.

Thanks once again for all your information and input and it will be considered when buying.

Happy shooting!

Regards

Christina

[glsammy]

I can certainly recommend the 40D. It's a good improvement on the 20D, it feels altogether slicker in operation. Although the speed difference in continuous mode is only 1.5 frames/sec it feels faster! The auto focus is also quicker, and the Live View mode is very useful with macro shots. I also like the fact the ISO setting is now shown through the viewfinder, and it's range is much better than the 20D. It's easy to adjust the ISO without taking your eye away from the viewfinder. The shutter sound is also softer than the 20D.
For wildlife, I'd rather have the 40D than the 5D.

[christina]

Thank you Graham. I admire your work and if you recommend the 40D then, for me, its a must I'll pop along to the shop in the near future and certainly give it a go. Thank you again.

Regards

Christina