5d mark II vs 20D???

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Archive 2009 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

RianFlynn
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p.1 #1 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

Hey friends,

I'm making a video about the importance of good lenses and lighting over amazing camera bodies.

Photo one was shot with a 5d Mark2 and a 16-35 2.8L II

And photo two was shot with a $350 20d with the 18-55 (non is) kit lens...
But this time with a $600 alien bee lighting rig.

$4500 camera and lens vs $950 of crap we found on craigslist for our video.

Would you have been able to tell? (no photoshop on either of these)

5dii and 16-35L:

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20d + kit lens:

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Jul 02, 2009 at 08:27 AM

Tomagado
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p.1 #2 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

Why not just use the best you got and not care? Which is what you're saying. But really, why not shoot with the latest greatest camera, lenses, and light, and just focus more on shooting.

If you have a 10d, use it. 1DsIII, use it. Hassy, use it. AB, Profoto, Bron. I don't care. More shooting, less caring about gear.

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:31 AM

Tomagado
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p.1 #3 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

P.S. I prefer the first. Not for any technical reason, but I like his expression more. The second looks like every image ever taken with a strobe above ambient off and above. Go hack at it with some ps work and put in some background, do that photoshop voodoo and make it into something worth looking at. Otherwise, it's just a boring image :/

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:33 AM

Arka
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p.1 #4 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

I think part of the point that Rian is trying to make is that lighting is a lot more important than optics in just about any case. Particularly in the realm of portraits, fashion, or other types of staged "people photography," many people who are prepared to budget hundreds or thousands of dollars on latest red-ringed optics might do better by spending their money on some lights, and modest optics. It especially makes sense for this kind of photography, which is usually shot at pretty high f/ numbers anyway.

Arka C.

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:35 AM

RianFlynn
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p.1 #5 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

^^^

yeah exactly. This video i'm making is about the importance of lighting. for the price of a 50d body you could buy a set up that could produce any of the photos I do.

The fact that a camera i paid $350 for keeps up with my $4500 camera its testament to that

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:39 AM

Tomagado
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p.1 #6 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

lordarka wrote:
I think part of the point that Rian is trying to make is that lighting is a lot more important than optics in just about any case. Particularly in the realm of portraits, fashion, or other types of staged "people photography," many people who are prepared to budget hundreds or thousands of dollars on latest red-ringed optics might do better by spending their money on some lights, and modest optics. It especially makes sense for this kind of photography, which is usually shot at pretty high f/ numbers anyway.

Arka C.

But isn't that an obvious point? Or does it really need to be pointed out to the people taking photos of brick walls and zooming to 1600% ? I thought they were just written off anyway ?

But still, you get what you pay for. More expensive lights are better. Paul Buff makes cheap lights that are highly effective and are wonderful. However, anyone saying that more expensive lights aren't worth it because nobody needs faster recycling, better flash consistency, better color consistency, better build, yadda yadda yadda, are only saying that because they don't need the features. Those new Profoto Pro-8 Airs are amazing. Some people need the features, almost everyone else doesn't. So stay with what suits you.

Same with cameras and lenses. If you don't want the sharpest, distortion free, contrasty, corrected piece of glass, don't buy it. You can probably make a great image with kit lenses. Or a pinhole camera. I mean, people are making tons of money shooting with cheap gear because they sell themselves well. Tons of distortion? Make it your style.

Blah blah blah.

Take more pictures. Care less about gear.

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:43 AM

Tomagado
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p.1 #7 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

RianFlynn wrote:
^^^

yeah exactly. This video i'm making is about the importance of lighting. for the price of a 50d body you could buy a set up that could produce any of the photos I do.

The fact that a camera i paid $350 for keeps up with my $4500 camera its testament to that

I guess it does need to be said then. I always figured if you have to tell someone to care more about the image than the gear, they probably don't enough passion or the right drive for what they think they want to do.

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:46 AM

RianFlynn
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p.1 #8 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

Tomagado wrote:
I guess it does need to be said then. I always figured if you have to tell someone to care more about the image than the gear, they probably don't enough passion or the right drive for what they think they want to do.

While that can be true in some cases, i think it perfectly normal for a beginner to miss that point completely. Most people just starting think its all about how many MP you have

This video is for the newbie. I just figured i would post a couple samples

I could have shot with the hasselblad to make it a $20,000 camera vs $350 with the same results, but i think a high end "prosumer" camera fit the bill

Rian

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:57 AM

Tomagado
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p.1 #9 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

RianFlynn wrote:
Tomagado wrote:
I guess it does need to be said then. I always figured if you have to tell someone to care more about the image than the gear, they probably don't enough passion or the right drive for what they think they want to do.

While that can be true in some cases, i think it perfectly normal for a beginner to miss that point completely. Most people just starting think its all about how many MP you have

This video is for the newbie. I just figured i would post a couple samples

I could have shot with the hasselblad to make it a $20,000 camera vs $350 with the same results, but i think a high end "prosumer" camera fit the bill

Rian

But I think you're misleading by saying you get the same results. Different sensors give different feels. For amateurs, this may not be too apparent, but you'll soon learn to love MF. And for true beginners, why not steep them in the beauty of natural light first?

Jul 02, 2009 at 08:59 AM

RianFlynn
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p.1 #10 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

Nah man i think you are missing the point. I'm showing that the camera body is not as important as it seems. I actually put the trigger on the 5d and the flash results were MUCH better.

PS. this video is people made for people who are interested in getting into portrait and rock photography

Jul 02, 2009 at 09:05 AM

Peter Fry
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p.1 #11 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

Try printing them both large and then say they are the same

Jul 02, 2009 at 09:05 AM

RianFlynn
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p.1 #12 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

how large?

8 MP is not as good as 21, but most people aren't going to notice the difference. its been awhile since i have shot something this "low res" but really its not bad. Check out the 100% crop. Keep in mind this is a 20d and a plastic kit lens! haha

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Sorry i had to reopen the raw and it didnt save my last settings, but you get the idea

Rian

Jul 02, 2009 at 09:14 AM

Steady Hand
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p.1 #13 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

Hi Rian,

I think it is a good concept. Good idea to try to help others too.

Should give more people confidence to use a lower priced kit and a desire to use light to make better images.

I look forward to watching your video.

The last one (Dinosaur) was great. Not that I expect a soundtrack like that on an educational short...

Jul 02, 2009 at 09:40 AM

RianFlynn
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p.1 #14 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

Don't worry Steady!

This is actually a multi-video concept my buddy and I are making called "talk nerdy to me". I can assure you that there will be some sweet music to go along with it!

Rian

Jul 02, 2009 at 09:42 AM

Michael Sessio
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p.1 #15 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

They both seem like pretty good examples of bad lighting, bad processing (or lack thereof). Natural light vs strobe, both are lacking.

Sure the 20D can capture good images. I have one, a 5D, a 5DmkII. It doesn't take long pushing the files around in Photoshop to realize the 5Ds have much, much more headroom to work with. It's a better tool, end of story.

It's funny I was actually shooting in very similar conditions just a few hours ago. I went for natural light.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

I could have done something similar with my 20D but I can guarantee the file would have succumbed to a lot of noise, and therefore been less desirable than my $$$$ 5DmkII. The newer technology simply works better.

Jul 02, 2009 at 09:46 AM

RianFlynn
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p.1 #16 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

killer work dude!

Jul 02, 2009 at 09:47 AM

Steady Hand
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p.1 #17 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

You guys either work "late" or are up early.

Jul 02, 2009 at 09:56 AM

Steady Hand
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p.1 #18 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

Michael,

I like your first photo.

But, I think Rian's point is that someone who wants to make nicer photos might consider using light rather than thinking they have to have a more expensive body or lens to improve.

You obviously have the gear you need to shoot what YOU like to shoot.

Many others do not have the funds to buy a 5Dmk2 let alone a 5D (or both)...or L glass etc.

You are fortunate to have what you have.

Others like to make photos and have to make do with much less.

So, I think Rian's concept will be interesting to LOTS of folks who want to photograph their friends and local bands and will prove they can make nice photos without having to buy lots of expensive gear that is perhaps outside of THEIR budget or financial ability.

Jul 02, 2009 at 10:02 AM

RianFlynn
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p.1 #19 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

working late

Jul 02, 2009 at 10:17 AM

Peter Fry
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p.1 #20 · 5d mark II vs 20D???

The best photos are taken from behind your eyes

Jul 02, 2009 at 10:18 AM

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