I have wanted a 5D ever since I saw my first MK1 years ago but have never been able to afford one so I got the 40D instead to hold me over for a while. I was using a D30 prior to the 40D so it was a HUGE upgrade and I am very happy with the camera. I would still like a full frame model but I am not getting rid of the 40D so I'm wondering, if I keep the 40D for things like wildlife and get the 5D1 for landscapes, which one will serve me better for low light indoor stuff like my kids' plays and concerts? I've seen reviews that compare the 5D1 to the 20D for image quality and high ISO performance so I'm wondering if I shouldn't just keep waiting until the 5D2 prices fall to within my reach. I'm pretty happy with the 40D's performance at 800 ISO but with my 70-200 2.8L IS I would still like to have another stop or two for the indoor stuff. How would the 5D1 ISO 1600 and focus speed compare to the 40D at 800 ISO in low light?
I do use live view but I would still have the 40D for that and I only use it for macro anyway. I think it's nice that the 40D has the dust busting feature at shut-down but my D30 didn't and I never had a dust problem with it. So if I wait and get the 5D2, will I be able to replace the 40D all together? I would likely still keep it for the extended range with wildlife but is the 5D2 performance in autofocus, ISO and overall speed good enough that I could use it for everything else?
The AF system in the 5D2 is the same mediocre AF system of the 5D1, which in turn is almost the same as the 20D. However, the 5D2 is better in other ways including the most important feature - better IQ. The question is how much will you have to wait.
From the way prices on the 5D1 went, I'll have to wait for the 5D4 before I can afford a 5D2. Sad but true. Are you implying that I will need the 5D2 if I want image quality equal to my 40D?
