I started 2021 with a high energy, and I wanted to explore a lot more outside the world of Micro Four Thirds, now that I am not tied to any particular brand, so I finally decided to get myself a full frame camera, the legendary Canon EOS 5D DSLR. Recently I found a used unit at an impossibly low price which I just could not ignore, and I nabbed the used Canon 5D unit (thought a bit chipped and worn, it is still fully functional) together with a 50mm F1.8 for about less than RM700/USD180 in total. Why not? It was a guiltless purchase, and honestly I cannot afford any of the latest and greatest full frame cameras from any brands, knowing that the pandemic is still looming and I don't exactly have that many jobs coming in.
I have made a new video, shooting with the Canon 5D + 50mm F1.8 II here (click).
Important Disclaimers:
All the images were shot in the first week of January 2021, before the full lockdown/movement restriction order was imposed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I have no affiliation to/association with Canon, and no one is asking me to share my opinion on this product, I bought the Canon 5D and 50mm lens with my own money.
No, I am not abandoning Olympus system, please stop feeling betrayed or thinking that I have become promiscuous. Olympus OM-D is still my main workhorse, I shoot primarily with E-M1 Mark II, E-M5 Mark III and E-M1 (original), and I have a plethora of M.Zuiko lenses still for my work and more serious use, such as making YouTube videos. However, I am a photographer and I love ALL cameras, please allow me to enjoy the rich diversity of the camera world, I beg you!
This was not my first encounter with the Canon 5D, I have loaned it from a friend before, shot with it extensively on my shutter therapy sessions and even produced an article which I published on Ming Thein's site here (click). I really did love using the 5D and I have thought of getting one myself, but I also do not want to be seen using other camera brands while I was an Olympus Visionary. Since I have blogged about my experience using the Canon 5D before, and quite honestly, my opinion has not changed, I shall not repeat what I have said in the previous article.
Why did I get the Canon 5D? Well, old cameras are not bad cameras, and I have always wanted a full frame camera. Who does not? The price is so cheap, I just cannot ignore it, and I did enjoy the full frame shooting experience - super shallow depth of field with the 50mm F1.8 shot at wide open, this was something I could not accomplish with Micro Four Thirds system.
Also, the 5D + 50mm complements my other recent purchase, the Fuji XF10 really well. The XF10 is compact, LCD screen only, has a wide angle fixed 28mm equivalent and quite slow to focus. While the 5D is quite the opposite - huge hunk of a DSLR, needs to operate via optical viewfinder, I paired it with 50mm, a tighter focal length and the AF is generally fast and reliable. On the Fuji XF10, I need to work harder for my shots because I am not that good with wide angle shooting. On the other hand, the Canon 5D which I paired with 50mm is much easier for me to use, 50mm equivalent focal length is something I am already so familiar with and can just immediately compose to get the shots that I really like. They both complement each other well, or I can pick and choose whichever one to bring out with me on my coming shutter therapy sessions.
Here are some fresh images, all shot on the Canon 5D + 50mm F1.8 II
(Technical notes: General image settings - shot on Aperture Priority, ISO varies from 100-800 as necessary, F-number is wide open at F1.8 for shallow depth of field shots, or stopped down as necessary to F4-5.6 for more depth of field. All images were shot in RAW and post-processed in Capture One Pro.)
Have you owned a Canon 5D Original/Classic before? Or do you still keep yours, and actively shoot with it? Let me know, share your experience, I'd love your thoughts on this legendary camera, a truly gamechangers in the modern, digital imaging world!
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I sold mine few years ago and bought omd om10. That canon is one of the best full frame cameras, Excellent colours and eneough resolution for everything.
ReplyDeleteMy Canon 5D (Mk I) and EF 50mm F1.8 II are the last fully operational Canon EF system equipment I currently own. Having shot Canon film and DSLRs for a few decades, there is still a lot to like about the 5D. Files at 100 & 200 ISO are almost noise free and still hold up well today. High ISO performance beyond ISO 400 is OK, but my EM-5 was better at ISO 1600 and above. No live view or auto ISO is a bit of a throwback to the past but is part of its charm. The "plastic fantastic" EF50mm 1.8 II, is only reasonably sharp in the center of the frame wide open, but is biting sharp at f2.5 or smaller apertures. OOF highlights are a bit of problem (seen above in one photo), so that should be avoided if you can. AF is a bit slow and noisy, and not as reliable as when using a Canon lens with a ring type USM AF motor. I have used the lens for a few decades and it still works just fine!
ReplyDeleteI sold off most of my Canon gear early last year, but the price offered for the 5D was so low it made sense to keep it.
I left my Nikon D2x / D200 combo for a Canon 5D / 1D Mk III (and the damn AF submirror fiasco, but that's another story...) combo. In my opinion, the 5D was an OK camera with a great sensor. The D2x was a great camera with an OK sensor. I was shooting events for other photographers and they were happier with the better sensor.
ReplyDelete.. but I went back to Nikon when the D700 was released and used 2 D700s for 8 years!
DeleteI own three of them. I've done weddings and fundraisers and other events with them. In all these years I've never found another full-frame sensor that looks so much like film. I have used mine well above 800 iso without any problems. I own newer full-frame cameras but I can't get rid of the 5D classic. Of course, I come from the film era where I used some pretty hefty medium format gear. The 5D is just as good.
ReplyDeleteSome photographers are using Canon 5D Classic not as an alternative to modern cameras. But, many people love the smooth film-look its images exhibit. Just lay two images of the same subject from 5D Classic and Sony A1 side by side and see for yourself.
ReplyDeletei own three 5d classic and canon r6, and i prefer images from 5d. R6 has much better sensor, much higher dynamic range and very good high iso performance, great autofocus, IBIS... basicly no flaws from photo side of view. And yet R6 is usually at home colecting dust..
ReplyDelete