5D mkI or mkII

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Archive 2009 · 5D mkI or mkII

PDoc
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p.1 #1 · 5D mkI or mkII

Hi folks,

It's finally time for me to make the move to full-frame, after about 5 years of crop-sensor photography (300D, then 400D). I was lusting after a 7D, and was about to plurge the cash, when a brief spell of sobriety led me to examine my rationale. I mostly shoot landscape and portrait - so the 7D would have been the wrong choice. A better move would be to full-frame, and a used 5D mk1 or new 5D mk2 conundrum.

The price difference is about £1k - a hell of a lot to me. I can get a used, but well treated mk1 for about £800, whilst the mk2 is closer to £1700. My current lens setup (don't laugh too hard) is:
Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 17-85mm IS (the worst lens I've ever owned, inc. the orignal 18-55mm), Canon 70-200 f4L, nifty-fifty.

What I'd like to know is if the mk2 is worth the huge price difference to someone who:
1) isn't interested in video
2) has never used LiveView, so doesn't know what they're missing
3) has never shot with over 10MP
4) really needs to buy some glass (17-40 first, then 24-105 when I have enough magic beans)

Cleaning a sensor doesn't bother me - I work in a lab, so I just use a jet of argon and a high-vacuum line to clean them. But is the older LCD any worse than that of my 400D?

Thanks in advance.

Nov 20, 2009 at 12:27 AM

reno.peterson
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p.1 #2 · 5D mkI or mkII

You can't go wrong with the 5D Classic, 12.7mp. It'll leave you more "magic beans", leaving you a touch closer to getting the 24-105 a little sooner, too. I love that lens...Starting with the 17-40 is a pretty good choice also, you already have the Portrait zoom with the 70-200. And your standard is covered also.

Pretty passionate about the disdain for the 17-85...Even the original 18-55 was better in my mind also. Good luck and Good Decision....

Seeing your flickr's the 5D is a PERFECT fit in your arsenal.

Oh and why would we laugh?
My current lens setup (don't laugh too hard) is:
Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 17-85mm IS (the worst lens I've ever owned, inc. the orignal 18-55mm), Canon 70-200 f4L, nifty-fifty.

Reno

Edited on Nov 20, 2009 at 12:47 AM · View previous versions

Nov 20, 2009 at 12:41 AM

Russ Isabella
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p.1 #3 · 5D mkI or mkII

PDoc: The 5D was and still is a wonderful camera. Given your need for glass, buying an original 5D plus lens(es) seems the best route. I'm still very happy with my 5D, which I occasionally shoot alongside a 1DsMKIII. I'm sure the 5DII has more to offer, but as you point out, you won't miss most of it because you've never had it. Get a 5D and enjoy!

Nov 20, 2009 at 12:42 AM

neighhoma
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p.1 #4 · 5D mkI or mkII

Stick with the 5D and get some good glass!

Nov 20, 2009 at 12:47 AM

amyandmark3
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p.1 #5 · 5D mkI or mkII

Agree with the others, the 5D is a great camera, and adding that extra £1k in glass will definitely help your photography more than putting it into the 5DII (especially when you don't want/need video or live view).

Mark

Nov 20, 2009 at 12:52 AM

gdanmitchell
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p.1 #6 · 5D mkI or mkII

My response to this question has been and still is: "If you can afford the 5D2 it offers some very useful features that are not limited to just the greater number of photosites, including somewhat better low light performance and the live view feature, etc. On the other hand, if you are cost-constrained, the 5D was and is a fine camera and it will produce excellent images."

Dan

(I have both)

PDoc wrote:
Hi folks,

It's finally time for me to make the move to full-frame, after about 5 years of crop-sensor photography (300D, then 400D). I was lusting after a 7D, and was about to plurge the cash, when a brief spell of sobriety led me to examine my rationale. I mostly shoot landscape and portrait - so the 7D would have been the wrong choice. A better move would be to full-frame, and a used 5D mk1 or new 5D mk2 conundrum.

The price difference is about £1k - a hell of a lot to me. I can get a used, but well treated mk1 for about £800, whilst the mk2 is closer to £1700. My current lens setup (don't laugh too hard) is:
Sigma 10-20mm, Canon 17-85mm IS (the worst lens I've ever owned, inc. the orignal 18-55mm), Canon 70-200 f4L, nifty-fifty.

What I'd like to know is if the mk2 is worth the huge price difference to someone who:
1) isn't interested in video
2) has never used LiveView, so doesn't know what they're missing
3) has never shot with over 10MP
4) really needs to buy some glass (17-40 first, then 24-105 when I have enough magic beans)

Cleaning a sensor doesn't bother me - I work in a lab, so I just use a jet of argon and a high-vacuum line to clean them. But is the older LCD any worse than that of my 400D?

Thanks in advance.

Nov 20, 2009 at 01:18 AM

Sexymaru
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p.1 #7 · 5D mkI or mkII

5D Classic is awesome, you save $1000 which can go to an L glass.

I'm in the same boat as you, I don't need video and I don't use Live View. I think the only big (not really) advantage the 5D2 gives is the LCD, 3 inch at 920,000 pixels is really about 10 times better than the 5D1's.

Nov 20, 2009 at 03:15 AM

Sobax
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p.1 #8 · 5D mkI or mkII

I got 5D classic...I own 50D...and don't miss that high-res LCD on 5D..just get used to.After I got 5D ..50D will find some use only for macro ( have EF-s 60mm).
So get 5D+L glass, and start save $$$ for 5DIII..which will be amazing I guess.

Nov 20, 2009 at 03:33 AM

PDoc
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p.1 #9 · 5D mkI or mkII

Thanks for the advice, folks. I'll be buying a 5d mk1 in the next month or so.

BTW, the reason I said 'My current lens setup (don't laugh too hard) is:' is all down to that damned 17-85. I knew when I bought it that a 17-55 would have been far better, but the price difference was too high. I should have stuck with the 18-55 IS I had at the time, and saved further.

The annoying thing about it is that from a specifications POV, it's pretty nice - decent range, IS, FTM, and not ridiculously slow. However, from an IQ perspective, it's like using a very fancy milk-bottle. I might not sell it - I might keep it just so I can stamp on it repeatedly

Nov 20, 2009 at 02:05 PM

veroman
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p.1 #10 · 5D mkI or mkII

Sexymaru wrote:
.... I think the only big (not really) advantage the 5D2 gives is the LCD, 3 inch at 920,000 pixels is really about 10 times better than the 5D1's.

The 5D Mark II is a better camera in nearly every respect compared to the 5D Mark 1, which I owned and happily used for pro and personal work for several years.

The Mark II improves upon the Mark 1 in the areas of color accuracy (Mark II colors are significantly more accurate), dynamic range, high ISO performance, color depth, tone curves, resolution (obviously), overall handling and metering. The improved metering of the Mark II came as a surprise, since it's not much discussed in either the reviews or these forums. But the fact remains, the Mark II's metering ... while still not of Nikon caliber ... is a definite step forward compared to the Canon Mark 1. HD Video, Auto Sensor Cleaning and Live View are of little significance compared to the other aspects of the Mark II ... although I do appreciate Live View when I use my Nikon manual focus lenses.

- Steve

Nov 20, 2009 at 02:59 PM

pliukait
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p.1 #11 · 5D mkI or mkII

You probably already know this but, just to make sure, you do know that damned 17-85 is not going to work on the 5D.

I don't even think it will mount.

I've had both the 5D and 5D2, both create wonderful images. With the money you save getting the 5D you can put that towards the 24-70 F2.8L or 24 - 105 F4L.

Good luck, you won't regret it.

Nov 20, 2009 at 03:13 PM

PDoc
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p.1 #12 · 5D mkI or mkII

pliukait wrote:
You probably already know this but, just to make sure, you do know that damned 17-85 is not going to work on the 5D.

It didn't bloody work on my 400D either

Thanks for your concern though!

Nov 20, 2009 at 03:18 PM

dhphoto
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p.1 #13 · 5D mkI or mkII

I've got both and just feel the need to say, IMO the 5D was and is a great camera, but the 5DII *IS* better in almost every way (except the focusing system)

The 5DII has liveview, 14 bit RAW files, more meg, more FPS, sensor cleaning, much nicer LCD screen, My menu, Video if you want it, some weatherproofing etc etc.

It's a significant upgrade and placed next to the 5D does feel considerbly more modern in operation (to me).

Just saying.

David

Nov 20, 2009 at 03:35 PM

jerrykur
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p.1 #14 · 5D mkI or mkII

dhphoto wrote:
I've got both and just feel the need to say, IMO the 5D was and is a great camera, but the 5DII *IS* better in almost every way (except the focusing system)

The 5DII has liveview, 14 bit RAW files, more meg, more FPS, sensor cleaning, much nicer LCD screen, My menu, Video if you want it, some weatherproofing etc etc.

It's a significant upgrade and placed next to the 5D does feel considerbly more modern in operation (to me).

Just saying.

David

+1.

The MK2 was a significant upgrade from the original 5D. The LCD is so nice and combined with LiveView makes it easy to focus on the tiniest detail. The video is actually pretty useful and you can grab still images in the middle of shooting video.

Nov 20, 2009 at 05:18 PM

Gavin Sim
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p.1 #15 · 5D mkI or mkII

I just upgraded from a 400D to the 5D2 so many nice features as mentioned alreday very happy indeed.

Nov 20, 2009 at 05:27 PM

4honor
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p.1 #16 · 5D mkI or mkII

I just got my 5D2 (started with the 450D) for weddings and portraits. I love it so much, it's almost weird...

Anyways, for you, I'd say the 5D1 is your best camera. But then I went to Flickr, and saw that you shot some wedding stuff. Well, if you are serious about weddings, then I'd say get the 5D2 for it's high ISO performance... But, if no weddings, then it's all 5D1 for me.

Nov 20, 2009 at 07:05 PM

mjb30
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p.1 #17 · 5D mkI or mkII

I've had my 5D Classic about two weeks now and you will not regret the purchase if you get one!!

I echo the others in saying buy a 5D and some good glass.

Nov 20, 2009 at 07:58 PM

kjrain
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p.1 #18 · 5D mkI or mkII

5D+7D should beat 5D2

Nov 20, 2009 at 07:59 PM

WilliamG
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p.1 #19 · 5D mkI or mkII

kjrain wrote:
5D+7D should beat 5D2

Eh? How does that even make sense....?

Nov 20, 2009 at 08:49 PM

Jim Healey
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p.1 #20 · 5D mkI or mkII

I own them both.

The MkII is an improvement ... but that doesn't alter the greatness of the original 5D.

I think you will enjoy the "old" girl just like I have since 2005 ... especially knowing you can add a nice lens for the price difference.

Nov 20, 2009 at 10:12 PM

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