Congrats on deciding and your purchase-to-be! Come back and let me know how it goes would you? I'd really appreciate it! I'd love to know how significant of an IQ difference we're talking about here.
thanks, I shall keep you posted
Where is the evidence for this statement? By my judgement, the 5-year old sensor in the 5D, despite being FF, fares no better noise-wise than your current 550D. And the 550D offers an additional 2 stops of ISO (6400 and 12800) above the maximum in the 5D, just in case you want or need to use those settings. In addition, your 550D would appear to have a slightly greater dynamic range at ISO100, and up to a full stop greater dynamic range than the 5D at ISO 1600.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos550d/page14.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos5d/page21.asp
People need to get away from the broad generalizations (FF sensors are better, works better in low light) and look at the specific sensor performance of the camera(s) they are looking at.
Don't forget that you also lose some other enhancements such as a larger and much sharper LCD, and LiveView functionality.
I'm not saying there aren't good reasons to get a 5D (build quality, viewfinder, etc), but a generic "full frame" and "great high ISO performance" (which is IMHO not true) don't seem like compelling enough reasons...
Ruahrc
Thanks for that, I was waiting for someone to flag something along these lines.. I appreciate the input, definately aids my decision. I dont mind losing the fancy gimmicks of a 550d, however your statement about generalising full frame stands out.. I know its not full frame wins vs aps-c every time.. though, come to think of it, I was generalising ha
Incoming meaningless numbers.
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/en/Camera-Sensor/Sensor-rankings/(type)/usecase_sports
"
Sports Score is based on Low-Light ISO performance (values in ISO index). Low-Light ISO indicates the highest ISO sensitivity to which your camera can be set while maintaining a high quality, low-noise image (based on a Signal-to-Noise-Ratio [SNR] of 30dB, a dynamic range of 9EVs and a color depth of 18bits)."
1. Nikon D3S
2. Nikon D700
3. Nikon D3
4. Nikon D3X
5. Canon 5D Mark II
6. Canon 1Ds Mark III
7. Canon 1Ds Mark II
8. Sony Alpha 900
9. Sony Alpha 850
10. Canon 5D
What do you know, a 5 year old camera makes the top 10.
Thanks for that, interesting haha
Hi
I am a Wedding Photographer and I use a 7d frequently. Despite it being an APS size sensor (1.6 crop), the low-light performance is superb. Not only that, but if you shop around you can now buy this (body only) for just over £1000.00
I know that this is £300 more than the used 5d, but to be honest, IMHO it is actually a better body all round. High ISO noise is better than the 5d (and only marginally worse than the 5d MkII) and of course you then have the benefit of a full warranty. Speedlight Wireless control is very useful too, if you have a flash (I use a couple of 580ex MkII flashes, superb).
Hope this helps ?!?!?!?
I've used the same persons 7D, and I just couldnt justify buying one since I recently got my 550d. I wanted to have two nice bodies, one better for shooting, the other more for video. Thanks, but i've already thought of this and not going to get a 7D haha
Since the arrival of the 5D mk2, the 5D mk1 has barely moved down in price. Don't have any high hopes for a huge reduction in price when the mk3 is released.
Thats the second hand market saying there is something to be said for have FF. Regardless of the quality of newer cropped sensors at the moment.
True, very true.. though tbh i think £700 is affordable.
Remember that sharpness (mtf) is a product of the entire system. In terms of digital files against digital files, that system would be lens and camera. So while a 17 megapixel camera should have a higher theoretical mtf than a 12 megapixel one, that's only before lenses are taken into the equation. And lenses behave differently on full frame vs. crop. Using a given lens, mtf is worst at the edges and that favors crop sensors, but you still get more lp/h over a larger surface area no matter how bad the edges are, which favors full frame. The 5d has way bigger pixels, and thus less diffraction at a given f-stop (identical at a given depth of field).
So there should be some situations where your 550d is better, some where the 5d is better, some where the 5d is better except in the corners, etc. The 5d is superior for wide angle (in theory) and will be more forgiving of imperfect lenses and technique, but it seems your wide lens is EF-S, so you'd need a new wide for the 5d. Unless there's a specific reason you need full frame, maybe you don't. The viewfinder will be a whole lot better, though.
I'm glad I can actually understand that haha! i'm afraid im rushing replies as im in a hurry, but thanks for a technical view on this question, it does make me ask more questions on the decision..
Just some more input for ya.
I have a 30D, and would like to get a FF at some point as well.
However, in looking at your equipment in sig, your glass is kinda so-so. You may be better off investing glass, as this will stay with your for a lifetime, where bodies come and go. Not saying not to get the second body (I would like one too), but maybe beef up your arsenal of glass first, so that you can get more out of your current body, and then have all the more tools when you get the second body.
You mention the 17-55 f/2.8 IS. I know it is APS-C only, but it is a great lens. I have it on my 30D. Dump your 18-55 and pick one of these up.
The Canon 85 f/1.8 is another stellar lens(have it). It would work on both bodies, has some real nice bokeh, and low light capabilities. Wont break the bank either....only around $300 - $400.
Macro lenses are fun. I have the Canon 100 f/2.8 Macro lens. Super cool, and not super big bucks either.
Any of the 'L' lenses are good
I have the Canon EF 70-200 f/4 L IS. It is great. You would be better off flipping out your 70-300 for one of these. Quality outlives reach (get something in the 400mm to get out further then this). The f/2.8 version of this lens is super cool too.
Anywho, just some food for thought. Enjoy your decision....either way you go will work out fine in the end
Yeah I realise I need good glass, it's just damn expensive! I would love L glass it's just my mind saying 'why are you paying £1000 for a lens, you could have a 5D for that money with change
' But obviously I realise that a good lens is in alot of cases more expensive than your camera, but it matters just as much! I just need to adjust myself to this realisation! I just want one, nice, L glass (24-70 2.8L.. mm) as that would be ideal for video and I would love the range that would cover on a crop body. Whilst I seem to know have this natrual attraction to get a 5D i really do need to focus on getting good glass, even if it is expensive - the aforementioned camera shop is always getting bits in and out of the store secondhand, its just it goes so quick so I cant save up for it.. I think in the new year I'm going to put money aside every month just incase nice glass pops up. Give it till the end of next year i could easily have 2 nice L lens', that would be fantastic on my 550d, and a 5D if I got one. Perhaps subconciously im telling myself a 5D will push me towards taking (and this term is used loosely) 'better quality' pictures, whereas saving for some nice glass would so me many more favours. And as mentioned, glass stays with you a lifetime, the bodies wont..
I would think about getting the 85mm 1.8, though as mentioned I need to get some better prime zoom lenses, as I already have the 50mm 1.8 - I know its IQ compared to the 85mm 1.8 is poor (the same guy with the 5D and the 7D i've used has this lens too.. sounds like i'm making this up!) as i've used it, very, very nice lens.
To end this essay, I think your post has infact driven me to get nicer glass, and THEN think about going FF and keeping my FF.. I guess getting a 5d at the minute is like sticking $20 tyres on a $200,000 ferrari!
Thanks, it's amazing how one post can change my mind so much.. new glass it is next year then
Thanks all! Further input would still be appreciated, especially on the new glass side haha
I do love this place.
