Canon bodies in the $400-600 range

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/24/2015 11:14:50 AM · #1

So I was browsing KEH - it seems that several Canon bodies are within this price range.

Which would you choose for indoor/mixed lighting condition work with either a 50mm 1.4 or 85mm 1.8 prime depending on format?

5D, bargain condition - $418
1D mkIIn, EX- condition - $528
7D, bargain condition, $549

The 50mm 1.4 is $289 for bargain condition, and the 85mm 1.8 is the same price.

Most likely no big prints would be made, but autofocus speed/accuracy is appreciated. I might be getting a 100-400mm lens for wildlife shots eventually.

High ISO performance is a plus, but I'd be getting a fast lens for low light and subject isolation. Long exposure performance isn't really a big deal, my Fuji is good at that, and I wouldn't be using this one much for landscape stuff. Size and weight isn't a big concern, I love the way the 1-series cameras handle and I think it's worth the heft.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

01/24/2015 11:26:09 AM · #2

Forget the 7D, it's a notoriously noisy/granular beast. The 1D is a crop-sensor camera also. For my money, the old 5D is still producimng just remarkable image quality, smooth and silky...

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

01/24/2015 11:37:30 AM · #3

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Forget the 7D, it's a notoriously noisy/granular beast.

Interesting. I can't make an actual comparison since I don't have a 7D, but Wendy

VaWendy was telling me that the other day. I had mentioned that my Rebel T2i outspecced my 50D in image quality and low light performance. I would have expected the 7D to be superior, even though it is a crop sensor, it is marketed as a low end pro model.

01/24/2015 11:47:54 AM · #4

is depends on what you are shooting.

the 5d will offer the best image quality especially in mixed lighting but the worst af performance. indoors it will offer you a wider view with those two lenses. as far as the lenses, it also depends on the use. id go with an 85 for outdoor use and a 50 for indoor use. an 85 is way too tight indoors, especially on a crop, but its superior to the 50 in image quality and focus speed (i think its canon's fastest focusing lens) and its the ideal focal length for many for portraits.

01/24/2015 11:57:04 AM · #5

Shooting whatever I can line up really - events, outdoor portraits, etc. Maybe weddings if I develop a local portfolio of other stuff and can line any up.

I expect the Fuji and 18-55 to be my primary camera/lens for the wider end of things, storytelling shots and such but if I'm going to be zoomed in I'd pick up the other one.

Want to go with Canon since I still have a 550EX flash and an intervalometer.

I don't really trust the Fuji autofocus so I'd probably be at ISO 1600-3200, f/8, focus preset and whatever shutter speed I can get indoors. It's still pretty clean that way if I don't underexpose.

If I got the 5D, I'd probably be at ISO 100 or 200 at 1.8 for the same shutter speed. If it was really brutal I'd bounce with the flash.

01/24/2015 12:06:17 PM · #6

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Forget the 7D, it's a notoriously noisy/granular beast. The 1D is a crop-sensor camera also. For my money, the old 5D is still producing just remarkable image quality, smooth and silky...

Well, according to this thread, the 7D is the better choice over the 5D in pretty much all aspects. You mentioned AF and shooting wildlife, which is something that the 7D would also be much better at (can't comment on the 1D), as it has a fast versatile AF system.

Now, compared against the 5D II, you would have some decisions to make, but I don't think the original is going to outperform the 7D.

I have the 85mm and 7D, and that combination does have a blistering AF speed.

Message edited by author 2015-01-24 12:06:43.

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

01/24/2015 01:10:59 PM · #7

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

I have many shots from gymnastics, in the worst of lighting conditions shot with my 7D if you would like to have something to help your decision. There is definitely noise in the images, and I am guessing the 5D would probably have less noise in that light, but I don't think you would have a noticeable difference when comparing the same image at the same size. The 5D is a 12 MP camera to the 18 MP 7D. The differences when pixel peeping at 100% will have little relevance (if any) in a side by side comparison of the same scene. Correct me if I am wrong (I am sure someone will) but scaling the 7D image down to match the size of the 5D will eliminate much of that noise.

I have:
85mm @ ISO 400 (f1.8)
70-200mm @ ISO 3200/6400 (f2.8)

Another thing you may want to take into consideration, the 7D will trigger your 550 EX off camera.

PS - The ideal thing would be to get more money and get a 5D III, that would make your choice easy 8-)

Message edited by author 2015-01-24 13:12:00.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

01/24/2015 01:15:22 PM · #8

Originally posted by FromDaRock:

...I don't think the original is going to outperform the 7D.

You would be very, very wrong. While the original 5D is pretty noisy by today's standards, it will run circles around the 7D in low light, and at base ISO the 12.7Mpx sensor will produce images with tremendous nuance and detail. The AF system on the 5D is much-maligned, and it is certainly a simple system, but it performs well. The thing it does not have is micro-adjustment, so if you have lenses that have some focus offset, the only recourse is having Canon calibrate them to the body.
I still have my 5D body, and it's a great backup camera, still produces great images at nearly 10 years old.

01/24/2015 01:53:11 PM · #9

The off-camera triggering intrigues me - how does that work?

As for the more money part, I will get a pretty good tax return but it's mostly going to paying debt I already have. I doubt the extra cost would earn me enough to make it worth it any time soon.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/24/2015 02:46:26 PM · #10

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

It's an optically based system with the on camera flash triggering a compatible off camera flash. You have full flash control from the camera menu, with the exception of 2nd curtain, if memory serves me correctly. It works pretty well, with obvious issues in bright light or with line of sight, since it is an optical trigger. I still use mine sometimes, even though I have radio triggers since it takes less set up.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

01/24/2015 06:28:33 PM · #11

From a guy who's owned most of what you're talking about, here's the rub:

5D classic- 12.8MP silky smooth, really fricken excellent camera all around. Weakness is AF
1DMkII - 8.2MP Good fast AF, nice character to the noise, little more reach with long lens, little less bokeh with fast lens (compared to 5D)
7D - I've owned the 50D - Crop sensor is better for long reach, and the AF on the 7D is good, but here's the thing, it's not just a noisy body, but the noise is "BAD" noise (patterned, striped, etc) - unlike the 1D which is a bit noisy, the noise that you get here is just ugly (the 1D feels like film grain).. Basically, don't do it.

--

Frankly, for my money, the 1D series is the best for shooting moving subjects or in lower light when using AF - the 5D will deliver better image quality consistently though, it's just an absolutely wonderful machine.

Hope that helps.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

01/24/2015 09:56:32 PM · #12

Hmmm...

I guess I'm leaning toward the 5D for now, partly because I already have a 1.6 crop sensor in the Fuji and I wouldn't mind trying full frame out. While the video ability on the 7D is kind of cool, I barely use it on the fuji and I don't think that would change. The flash triggering would also be kind of cool but not sure if I'd use it much either.

As far as the 50 vs 85 choice, I guess I'll do some shooting at the long end of my 18-55 and see if I feel it's too long.

I sure like the photos I've seen from the 5D and 85mm 1.8 though.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

01/25/2015 01:02:12 AM · #13

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

I sure like the photos I've seen from the 5D and 85mm 1.8 though.

Only thing better might be the 135 f/2 and the 5D.

P-A-U-L

Canon EOS R6

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

01/25/2015 03:46:47 AM · #14

Tempted to pick up a 5D on EBay to see what all this full frame malarkey is - would that be a foolish thing to do if I have a 70D? The prices in UK For 5D on EBay seem very good.

jagar

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+

Sony Sonnar FE 2.8 35mm ZA

01/25/2015 04:20:50 AM · #15

It takes a lot more than money to get a canon body, constant discipline and dedication is what you need, never miss your workouts and don't give in to chocolate and wine, no pain no gain ;-)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/25/2015 11:53:26 AM · #16

Originally posted by P-A-U-L:

Tempted to pick up a 5D on EBay to see what all this full frame malarkey is - would that be a foolish thing to do if I have a 70D? The prices in UK For 5D on EBay seem very good.

Nope, it's a great idea. Prices are indeed very attractive, ans they are a joy to work with.

01/25/2015 12:38:32 PM · #17

Well, the 85mm for $289 seems to be sold out, now they're starting at $313 without caps, $342 with. Tempted to just buy a new one since there is a $50 rebate and it's $369 after.

Guess I could always take really good care of it and sell it if I don't like the focal length.

01/25/2015 12:54:40 PM · #18

Originally posted by MadMan2k:

I find it to be good lens, but I don't use it that much. I expect to go FF some day and I think I would get more use out of it then. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

01/25/2015 01:25:14 PM · #19

right now i only shoot with an 85 and a 135. the 135 has a look that the 85 just cant reproduce otherwise i'd be an 85mm only shooter. its the perfect focal length for me right now.

P-A-U-L

Canon EOS R6

01/25/2015 01:57:39 PM · #20

Originally posted by Bear_Music:

Originally posted by P-A-U-L:
Tempted to pick up a 5D on EBay to see what all this full frame malarkey is - would that be a foolish thing to do if I have a 70D? The prices in UK For 5D on EBay seem very good.

Nope, it's a great idea. Prices are indeed very attractive, ans they are a joy to work with.

Thanks Robert. I may well give this body a go. Very curious to see what a full frame feels like and what the results are. Always useful to have a backup camera for holidays tho I do realise my lenses are not all compatible

01/25/2015 02:44:46 PM · #21

the biggest difference for me was the depth of field control. you don't have to shoot the lenses wide open to get the shallow dof on a crop, and when you do shoot wide open say 1.8 or 2 the background just melts away to nothing.

Jon, one thing to consider is that the 7D will give you more options for less expensive lenses, with the 1D or 5D you stuck with buying primes or expensive L zooms, with a few exceptions that aren't exceptional.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

01/25/2015 03:57:37 PM · #22

Originally posted by Mike:

Jon, one thing to consider is that the 7D will give you more options for less expensive lenses, with the 1D or 5D you stuck with buying primes or expensive L zooms, with a few exceptions that aren't exceptional.

That is a good point, but I'm planning to keep using the Fuji for things that don't move. The sensor in it really impresses me for night work which is what I enjoy shooting the most, so the next purchase down the road would be a fast wide angle for that to really pick up the galaxy detail in dark places.

Getting the Canon with the intent to use it for shooting people for money (don't knock down my door, FBI, I'm still talking about photography), so primes and longer lenses are what'll go on it.

P-A-U-L

Canon EOS R6

02/09/2015 10:59:01 AM · #23

Picked up a cheap second hand 5D Mark I and very pleased with the results. Not so pleased with the lack of auto ISO but I need to learn to overcome that.

This was taken with the 5D and 85mm 1:8

02/09/2015 11:18:02 AM · #24

yep, that's the full frame look.

and at 3.2 no less. :)

Message edited by author 2015-02-09 11:18:31.