DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Phil's 5D Review is Posted
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 14 of 14, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 11/12/2005 10:58:20 AM · #1
Phil Askey has posted his 5D review here for those who are interested.
 11/12/2005 11:04:20 AM · #2
Looks veryy tempting :)
 11/12/2005 11:34:58 AM · #3
And here's another review by Ken Rockwell...he mentions the 5d, and also there is a link on the page to look more indepth to it.

//www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d200-vs-canon.htm

Message edited by author 2005-11-12 11:36:47.
 11/12/2005 12:53:05 PM · #4
Makes me want a 1Ds Mark II.

How do you like your 5D by the way?
 11/12/2005 01:34:29 PM · #5
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
Makes me want a 1Ds Mark II.

How do you like your 5D by the way?


The 5D is pretty much everything I hoped it would be. In fact, as far as low-light performance, it consistently exceeds expectations. The one thing that always frustrated me wit the 10D was the AF performance. With the 5D, my frustration has turned to amazement. Mount an f/1.4 lens, crank the ISO to 1600, and shoot by the light of a single tungsten bulb... focus by the light of a computer monitor (or moonlight!)
The startup and image review response feel quick/resonsive, similar to a 20D, and far superior to my old 10D. There are a few other "real things of beauty", such as:
- RGB histogram (why did this take so long?) ;-)
- ISO in the viewfinder at the push of a button... yup, loving this!
- The large buffer is fabulous, as well as not having to wait for the complete write to begin review.

There are a VERY few "bummers":
- The LCD, though large and high-res, is a little dim, even at full brightness.
- Mirror lock-up is still buried in the menus, though we can now use the "user" setting to enable it with the mode selector dial
- There is still a very minor "hot spot" on some loooong exposures (think astro work) that requires post-processing. It's minor.
- There is the "USM/AI Servo banding" issue, which apparently may not be unique to the 5D. Happens infrequently when a USM lens is focusing at the moment of the exposure. I've seen it a total of once, during a test where I was trying to force it. Couldn't replicate it.

Overall, this is one amazing machine, when mated with excellent glass.
11/12/2005 01:56:34 PM · #6
I've been debating between the 5d,1Ds, and the 1Ds Mark II.

I'll be selling my 1D Mark II soon I think. ;o)
 11/12/2005 01:59:43 PM · #7
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
I've been debating between the 5d,1Ds, and the 1Ds Mark II.

I'll be selling my 1D Mark II soon I think. ;o)


*starts saving*
 11/12/2005 02:09:41 PM · #8
Originally posted by mavrik:
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
I've been debating between the 5d,1Ds, and the 1Ds Mark II.

I'll be selling my 1D Mark II soon I think. ;o)


*starts saving*


Let me know when your done saving... ;o)
 11/12/2005 03:23:18 PM · #9
Sorry to spoil the party, but looking at the dynamic graphy on the review, it seems equal to the 20D. Then there is the CA issue now, due to the use of the images from the corner.

I think the good thing is when comparing the RAW studio images, it seems pretty comparable to more expensive Nikon D2x and Canon 1Ds MII.

I guess banding issue is something that Canon has to fix (with a firmware?) after they fix the 24-105IS flare issue.

I agree with you Fritz, the start up/review time is fantastic, no more waiting. Large RAW buffer is really nice. Now I never slow down on the II N either. The ISO in the viewfinder is nice as well.

The new 2.5inch LCD is dim in the II N as well. I think they must be going to a dimmer LCD to conserve battery power.

Perhaps since a 5D review has been posted, we can move onto the next greatest and latest D200 performance ponderings then onto the speculations of 30D's specs when it will probably be released on 2/06.
:)

Message edited by author 2005-11-12 15:25:15.
 11/12/2005 03:36:03 PM · #10
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
Let me know when your done saving... ;o)


lol

I won't seriously be upgrading until about June/July. Even then it may be another 20D vs. a 1D II tho I want the 1D II bad.
 11/12/2005 04:00:48 PM · #11
First, this is not a Canon / Nikon thing for me. The 5D is a great camera for someone who already owns Canon and does not want to move up to the EOS 1Ds MII. They did a good thing introducing a full frame at a lower price.

But it will be interesting to see what it looks like when the complete review is done on the Nikon D200 compared to the Canon 5D. So far it looks good for the D200. For those who do not already own Canon it may be a harder choice as the price diff is significant. It is my opinion that the full frame issue is slowly going away as lens manufacturers are building for the smaller sensors now. Technology changes and old conceptions sometimes fade away. There is nothing magical about "full frame", just a comfort level that it is "the same" as 35mm technology. Film photographers have been having similar arguments about going to digital in the past. Although they still go on it is now well known that digital gives much more tonal range than did film or slides (in 35mm) and can capture scenes that film just could not. It will be an interesting journey the next couple of years to see how this all pans out.

For now this is the DPReview comparison: D200 vs 5D

edit: sp

Message edited by author 2005-11-12 16:14:24.
 11/12/2005 05:32:19 PM · #12
Things are becoming more interesting with the introduction of the 5D.
However, I think a better comparison will be betwen the upcoming 20D replacement in 2/06 vs the D200 in terms of price and sensor size.
 11/12/2005 05:35:24 PM · #13
Originally posted by kirbic:
The one thing that always frustrated me wit the 10D was the AF performance. With the 5D, my frustration has turned to amazement. Mount an f/1.4 lens, crank the ISO to 1600, and shoot by the light of a single tungsten bulb... focus by the light of a computer monitor (or moonlight!)


Wasn't AF performance improved with the 20D?
Not to dis, but I have no trouble with AF and f/1.4 lenses in the conditions you mentioned (D70).

The 5D is a great camera and I do not expect the D200 to match it. DR-wise it will not be such a big problem, because even the D2x stays pretty close, but I expect the noise of the D200 to be worse compared to both the 5D and the D2x. The price difference is a whole other thing. :)

/me is happy @ Nikon and DX.


11/12/2005 06:15:33 PM · #14
Originally posted by Azrifel:
Wasn't AF performance improved with the 20D?
Not to dis, but I have no trouble with AF and f/1.4 lenses in the conditions you mentioned (D70).


AF was definitely improved in the 20D; I have little direct experience with the 20D under very low light conditions, but from experiences of others, I'd say consensus is that the AF on the 5D is superior to the 20D, but not by a grat margin. Seems to track better, and does as well or better in low light, without an AF assist lamp.
The AF on the 5D is also deadly accurate with fast WA lenses, something that non-1-series Canons have struggled with in the past.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/21/2025 03:03:49 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/21/2025 03:03:49 PM EDT.