The 7D appears roughly similar to the 7D. The overall image detail of the 5D appears to be better throughout the ISO range, while disappearing slightly at higher ISOs. This appears to be mostly due to "sharpness" rather than noise. That correlates well with the-digital-picture reviews. The 5DII blows them all away. Almost too far away, as if the lens is better adjusted to be camera body. It's incredible how much better its images are in that comparison at every setting. Too bad I really can't afford it.
Save a little more cash and get the 5D2, if you can. Thats if you already have EF lens to go with it. If not you cant go wrong with the 7D. The joystick on these cameras is a game changer for me compare to the 60D and the rebels line that doesn't have that.
I really want a 5DII. I have for a while. It's amazing how little the price of that camera has dropped considering how long it's been around and how many FF cameras are out now (especially the reasonably priced 6D).
I should be able to get a great deal on a 7D, which brings it to the same price point as the 5D. That's where my indecision came from.
I think I'm going for the 7D. It is more advanced and feature packed than the 5D. The 5D MAY have it beaten on IQ (depending upon the metric), but the improvements are slight if even present. Plus the video. Plus it's newer.
Thank you, everyone, for your tremendous wisdom and varying points of view. This has been immensely helpful.
Andrew, if you have an old beat up or non working Canon body; film or digital, or point-n-shoot, you can trade it into Canon through their Loyalty Program. They give you a 10-20% discount off a refurbished body, you get a 90 day warranty with these bodies, unlike if you buy used.
Here's Canon's Loyalty Program phone number: (866)-443-8002. It's toll free. If you don't have a body to trade in, get a cheap one off ebay or from a local camera shop that sells used/old Canon bodies/gear.
Refurb bodies/lenses are like new, my last refurb lens purchase was last year at xmas, the EF 100 f2.8L IS Macro. With tax and shipping it came to $756, it arrived at my door in 3 days.
Refurb bodies, lenses, flash units, can be seen at Canon's retail web store, the web address for in-stock refurb bodies is below...
The 7D is more advanced in many ways, but the 5D definitely wins on ISO performance, per Snapsort. Between the two, for wedding work, I'd pick the 5D hands down for the full frame sensor, ISO reach, and viewfinder size.
I've owned my 1Ds since 2003. I was seriously considering the 1Ds2, but recent research would have me picking up the 6D instead. If I *had* to buy a full-frame cam.
I'd like to point out the fantastic AF that's available in the 1Ds. Also that Canon set the cam to underexpose compared to today's cameras. I always have +1/3 EC dialed in, without blown highlights nor skies. Noise is less than everyone says when exposure is ETTR'd to a more correct value. I shoot 1000 ISO when needed, without excessive nor intrusive noise. The OP might want to pick one up to try, and re-sell if he doesn't like it. That way he will *know* if it meets his needs at a low price.
amacal1 wrote:
I really want a 5DII. I have for a while. It's amazing how little the price of that camera has dropped considering how long it's been around and how many FF cameras are out now (especially the reasonably priced 6D).
You dont sound like someone who would upgrade too often, try to get what you want in the first place. 7D is no slouch and Tony makes it sing like its no ones business, but 5DII holds its own depending on intended use.
I went from a XTi to a 7D for the same reasons as yours. I'm also into wildlife so the crop sensor was a bonus, making my 100-400 into a 160-640 equivalent. The 7D is a marked advance on the XTi in all those areas you mentioned except that in good light the image quality is the same, maybe even a little worse. This is balanced by the high ISO capability of the 7D, it will produce a good image long after the XTi has given up.
If low light is a priority I would save up some more and go for a 6D, as I believe it is a considerable advance on the 7D in this capability. My plan is to get a 6D + 24-105 bundle or equivalent at some stage.
Sorry, hit the 'send' button too soon. I don't think the 1Ds1 is an option, too old, too slow. The 5D is still a nice camera, but it is also now old, and the lack of auto sensor cleaning is a disadvantage that may be important to you. Some find cleaning sensors easy, and think nothing of it, but others like myself view it with trepidation, only you know where you sit. Our XTis had auto clean, as does the 7D. I've not had to clean any sensor since going digital, but I'm sure that would not be the case if I had a 5D.
I currently have all three.
the 1Ds is silly to get as a main. it's just too slow and the battery stinks.
for my needs I prefer everything about the 5D over the 7D with the exceptions of the battery life, focus system and frame rate.
7D has a spiffy level, live view, video, micro adjust(!), button customization (mostly), external flash control goodies(nice), killer battery, the screen is better and operation in general is far snappier. I found the general IQ on par with my 450d rebel. nothing like any of the older full frame bodies. I never felt like the extra pixels offered anything for cropping relative to the 5D and the higher iso settings never left me with an image I was crazy about.
the 5D can focus, the view finder is very nice and easily accepts focus screens, and the image quality great.
the 7D has many features that, if important to your use, make it the only choice.
for my use I vote 5D, 7D and 1Ds in that order.
You dont sound like someone who would upgrade too often, try to get what you want in the first place.
+1
The 5D was a landmark camera (I've had four, still have one) but really it's abilities are wildly overstated in forums to an almost mythical level. Yes it has a nice 12.8 meg sensor but it's nowhere near as good as a 5D2, which is what you really should get.
I had the 1Ds for several years. It was/is a great camera, and can be had for cheap. The IQ is outstanding and build is second to none.
With that said, and perhaps because I have moved on to a D700, but ISO performance is obviously not that great above like even 400. Battery life sucks, and they are not that cheap (even Lenmars). LCD isn't the best either - which isn't a make or break, but is nice to have the newer stuff. It is also a dust magnet - bad.
What is your budget? Can you wait until you save more to get a newer body? 5D2 has great IQ,and isn't that expensive ($1100-1300 for a well taken care of body)
Here is a file, recently worked taken with the 1Ds.
My budget caps off at about $900 and I'm hoping to not have to go that high. I'm getting the 7D for $650. Every 5DII I've seen is in the $1300-$1700 range, not $1100-$1300.
Really? A buddy of mine picked up a 17-40L and 5D2 for about $1600.
I just searched the B&S forum, because I thought perhaps I was wrong on pricing. However, I am finding they are selling in this price range. Personally I would save the extra coin and get a 5D2 over a 1Ds or even a 5D.
If you aren't super invested in Canon, consider a D700 as well. I am not here to start a war, just giving my personal experience (shot with Canon since 30D was new and switched to Nikon on October). D700 can be had for pretty cheap as well. Build is great, AF is much better than 5 series, and ISO performance is better as well. Not as much MP, but there is always some give and take - especially if you are on a budget. I know Which is why i got the Samyang 14m over the 14-24 .
Which is why i got the Samyang 14m over the 14-24 .