Thinking about moving to a Canon 5D

[c995990]

I have a D200 with decent lenses. I like to shoot indoors and in quite challenging lighting situations and at times need to bump the ISO to about 800 upward. But as you know, noise becomes an issue. After looking around and reading, it seems that the Canon 5D will fit my need and budget, but that will mean having to sell all my Nikon gear to finance a Canon purchase. Question is, is it the right thing to do?

To start, I am thinking about getting the 5D kit with a 24-105 IS lens.

Your thoughts, opinions and suggestions will be highly appreciated and will be part of my decision.

Best regards.

[Jay Henley]

I would suggest to anyone that is able to get the 5D to just do it. Awesome camera..... yeah, you will take a hit in the wallet trading or selling off your Nikon gear. I did. I traded my Nikon gear and large format equipment in to Midwest Photo in Ohio and got my Canon gear.

[AndrewCCM]

I agree with Jay.

I shoot in low-light nearly every weekend and my switch to 5D's was the best decision that I have made. My partner that I shot with last year used Nikon D200, D2X and D100...After we started combining images from weddings we worked together and such, he quickly traded it all in on 5D, 24-105, 70-200 IS 2.8L, etc...

A piece of advice with regards to noise...when using high ISO, do your best to expose correctly. Underexposure exacerbates the problem in post.

Good luck!

[JohnT]

If you do get a 5D, be sure to put it in "Clean Sensor" mode, and have look at the sensor. My first reaction was, Wow. Now that's a sensor! (at least in a DSLR)

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by JohnT

If you do get a 5D, be sure to put it in "Clean Sensor" mode, and have look at the sensor. My first reaction was, Wow. Now that's a sensor! (at least in a DSLR)

Oh you'll see it plenty of times when cleaning the dust.. LOL

It's a great camera for sure.. but if you shoot at higher apertures, you gotta keep that sensor clean...Looking forward to seeing how well the Mark III and the auto clean function works...Should be here sometime this afternoon...If UPS does their job.

:)

[Jay Henley]

You might think about getting the faster 24-70 2.8 lens instead for low light situation. It is on my wish list. I have the 24-105. Great lens, but fast is always better. Pick up a 50mm 1.4 also when you can.

[AndrewCCM]

Originally Posted by Jay Henley

You might think about getting the faster 24-70 2.8 lens instead for low light situation. It is on my wish list. I have the 24-105. Great lens, but fast is always better. Pick up a 50mm 1.4 also when you can.

I own the 24-70 F2.8....

To be honest, my partners 24-105 gives better results. The 24-70 is a bit inconsistent at various focal lengths (at least my copy). The F2.8 does help... I really am impressed with how well the IS works with the 24-105 too.. Seem to get more keepers...

I'll probably send my 24-70 in for adjustment at some point. But it gives great results when my subject is within 10-15ft.. Past that and for group shots, I just cannot get it as sharp as I'd like. 24-105..no problem. Weird. Perhaps I can calibrate it myself with the mark III. we'll see.

The 24-70 does focus faster in low light.

Just some more rambling thoughts.. LOL

[c995990]

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions. Now it all comes down to $$$$$. I've seen photos taken from a 5D at low light and high ISO and they are unbelievable.

Thanks!

[photosbyms]

Best camera I have ever used. I'm looking to get a 1D Mark II or III just for the fps, but full frame + small is a great combo. Get the 5D!

[jamesw]

I love my 5D but find the metering to be a LOT more erratic than my 1DsII. For size, weight, and image quality you can't beat the 5D

James

[picasso]

Just went from Nikon to Fuji to 5D. Sold camera and all. Purchased 5D, 70-200 2.8, 28-70 2.8 and 85 1.8. Great camera. You will really like it.

Paul

[akkording]

Went half with my partner/cousin on her 5D and the shutter sounds oh so sweet!

[SkyeDawn]

This is my first post, and I'm looking to save up for a Canon 5D as well. I've been away from photography for a little white (except for more landscape, architectural photos when I travel overseas), and am looking to get into portrait photography.

I thought about starting with a Canon Rebel XTi, but you know what, I've heard SOOO many people rave about the 5D that I feel that I'd regret buying a lesser camera. Especially if I want a decent image quality to sell a few of the pictures I take.

I hope to go pro sometime, but it'll be awhile yet. (I actually have come from a 35mm background waaayy back in high school, and got a degree in film production. So I have some experience with light and exposure, but this is totally different).

Any opinions on whether to start with the Canon XTi for 6 or more months to "train" on, then upgrade to the Canon 5D (I could pay for the Canon XTi in 2 or 3 months). Or save up until spring and go for the Canon 5D? I'm anxious to start, but I hate spending thousands on two separate cameras.

Which should I go for?

Shannon

[fran reisner]

I agree with Jay and Andrew and everyone else. You cannot go wrong with the 5D, or anythng Canon for that matter!

[photosbyms]

Hi Shannon,
Good news and bad news.

Good news:
The 5D will soon be replaced by the hinted "7D!"

Bad news:
The 5D will soon be replaced by the hinted "7D!"

Haha, the replacement for the 5D is coming up in the next 6 months to a year. It will probably feature the 1dsII's 16mpx sensor in a compact body, the size of the 5D. The 5D is getting old in Canon years.

If you wait 6 months, the price of a 5D will surely drop under $2000. I think you will have a great experience with either camera (you will also get to feel both crop and full frame). I would go with the XTi, then when the new model arrives, you can either get a cheap 5D, or the new version.