The full frame 12.8 Megapixel EOS 5D. Discreet enough to avoid attention, with resolution enough to keep the toughest picture editors happy. Travel light without compromise.
Features
* 12.8 MP full frame CMOS sensor
* 3 fps 60 JPEG image burst
* 9-point AF with 6 Assist AF points
* 2.5" LCD
* Picture Style image processing
* DIGIC II
* Records RAW/JPEG images
* Digital Photo Professional software
* Compact magnesium alloy body
* Connectivity options
One sensitive eye deserves another.
Full frame
With no cropping or magnification effect, the EOS 5D's 12.8 MP full frame CMOS sensor (35.8 x 23.9mm) offers full freedom of expression. Wide lenses stay wide and the viewfinder is bright and open. Subtle tonal gradations are reproduced in shadow, midtone and highlights. A low-pass filter and on-chip circuitry suppress false colours and noise. Low (L:50) and high (H:3200) ISO settings extend the standard 100-1600 range.
3 fps
The EOS 5D can shoot a 60 large JPEG image burst at 3 fps.
Auto focus and flash
9-point AF is supported with 6 Assist AF points to improve subject tracking. AF modes include One Shot AF, AI SERVO AF and AI FOCUS AF. E-TTL II communicates with EX series Speedlites for consistently accurate flash exposures, even with reflective or off-centre subjects.
Large LCD
Illuminated by 6 LEDs, the bright 2.5" 230K pixel LCD is viewable from 85° in almost all directions.
Picture Style
Picture Style pre-sets simplify in-camera control over image processing, including a Monochrome mode supporting Black & White shooting with filter and toning effects. Picture Style pre-sets can be likened to different film types - each one offering a different colour response. Each pre-set has control over sharpness, contrast, colour tone and saturation.
DIGIC II
DIGIC II renders colours with precision and accuracy. Fast and efficient, DIGIC II minimises power consumption for prolonged battery life and delivers instant 0.2 second start up time.
JPEG and RAW
JPEG and RAW images can be written simultaneously.
Digital Photo Professional software
The Digital Photo Professional software permits high-speed processing of lossless RAW images.
Compact and robust
The EOS 5D's tough, compact magnesium alloy body weighs just 810 grams; ideal for assignments requiring discretion.
Options and connectivity
The EOS 5D is compatible with over 60 EF lenses (excl. EF-S) and all EX Series Speedlite flash units. Untethered shooting is available with the optional WFT-E1 Wireless File Transmitter. USB 2.0 Hi-Speed permits fast file uploads, while Video Out allows review on a regular TV. An optional magnesium alloy battery grip extends shooting time and offers comfortable portrait shooting with a vertical shutter release. A Precision Matte focusing screen is interchangeable with Grid and Easy Manual Focus screen options.
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Author
Interpreter Member of the Wild Empire
Registered: October 2006 Posts: 316
Review Date: Thu 9, August, 2007
Would you recommend it? Yes |
Total Spent: £2,400.00| Rating: 10
Strengths:
Superb build and image quality. Full size CMOS sensor. 12.8Mp.
Weaknesses:
None found yet.
I have been using this camera for a while now and the results have been outstanding. It is big enough to handle with ease and has sufficient weight to hold steadily.
My previous Canon camera was the 350D and there were enough differences between the two cameras to make me read the instruction manual. However, that said, it did not take a great deal of time to learn how to operate the camera. Fortunately all of my lenses fitted the 5D with the exception of the single EF-S lens supplied with the 350D.
The camera is heavy, but manageable. If the 100-400 lens is fitted the outfit does get too heavy to hang around the neck for long periods of time and a decent bag is required.
This camera came with a bundled kit lens. In this case it was the 24-105mm F4L IS USM which turned out to be a disappointment due to the various inherent distortions. These vary betwee barrel distortion at one end and pin cushion distortion at the other. Great care is needed when photographing any scene which shows the horizon and vertical at either side of the image lean outwards.
With the 24-105 lens fitted together with the included camera strap and a single battery, the outfit weighr in at 1,680 grammes and measures about 180mm in length (without the EW-83H lens hood fitted, but with the lens cap on and an ultra violet filter fitted), 155mm in width and 116mm in height
With the 100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM lens fitted it weighs in at 2,550 grammes. The length of the outfit at 100mm without the ET-83C lens hood fitted is 265mm and extended to 400mm with the lens hood fitted, a whopping 420mm.
With the 16-35mm F2.8 L USM fitted the outfit weighs 1,560 grammes and is 180mm long with the lens cap fitted but without the EW-83E lens hood. This is a good general purpose outfit in this configuration, but not for twitchers.
In use there are various options available for picture styles. Landscape mode gives sharp images whilst portrait mode gives a softer result. Each mode is user adjustable and I have heard other photographers say that they have reduced the sharpness in landscape mode from 4 to 3 to give more pleasing results.
In general I am pleased with the camera and am using it regularly with the 350D and my faithful old Fuji S7000 as backups. I would recommend this camera to anyone who is serious about their photography, but it may tend towards overkill for those who prefer to keep photography as a hobby. For those who like to blaze away to get the right shot, other cameras in the Canon range have better multiple/continueous ranges. The 5D only offers about 3.5 frames per second. It does offer RAW and jpeg recording simultainiously.
------------------------------ Don't bother me with facts. My mind is already made up.
