Canon 5D: Still relevant

   I have been tempted many times this year to pick up a full frame camera to compliment my 1.3x crop bodies. With the price of a new 5D Mark II over $2,000, I knew it wasn't financially possible to pick one up at this time. That left me with the good old 5D. A 12 mega pixel, full frame, 3 fps workhorse since its introduction in 2005. This camera has a cult like following for landscape photographers and photojournalists. Now that you can pick up a used one in good condition for around $1,000, it is a great deal!

  The 5D is a camera I have always been interested in purchasing. It just took me a bit longer than I imagined before I was actually able to get one. I wanted a camera that would allow me to photograph massive landscapes....now I just need to find those landscapes!

Mint 5D Package

   Once I decided to pick one up I scoured the normal places to look for one; Ebay and Craigslist. I also was able to browse the Fred Miranda and Photography On The Net Buy/Sell forum which is a great help. I was able to see what the average price was for a camera, how much they were actually going for, and what kind of demand their was for them. Even looking now to see what is out there, the average asking price is around $1,100 shipped. At this price, the sellers usually include some original accessories as well as a spare battery or two. Shutter count can vary, but I have seen cameras for sale with an average of 15k-25k clicks.

   I am very anal about the condition of my gear. I wanted a 5D that somebody loved like their own and took care of religiously. Upon checking Craigslist one last time I found that camera! It was a local gentleman selling a 5D, Grip, and 24mm TS-E lens for $2,200. I was in contact with him and he was willing to break up the package because I didn't need the lens. We agreed on a price and I picked it up the next day.

   I got a wonderful deal on a camera that was barely used and very well taken care of by it's original owner. My deal consisted of a 5D with an estimated 300 clicks! Yep, you read that right, three hundred. Not three hundred thousand, not three thousand, but three hundred! He used it for one client shoot and then never really used it much after that. It is a newer model with the Mirror fix already completed from the factory. Also included was a like new Canon battery grip, 2 batteries, Magic Lantern Guide, Canon Remote Shutter release, Canon EX15 eye extender, Ee-D focusing screen and all the original boxes, manuals, warranty cards, Cd's, and cables for everything! To say this was a good deal is an understatement. I picked up everything for less than what I see the camera bodies going for alone.

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Top

   I am just starting to get a feel for it before I shoot my first wedding using it. It is a bit different using the 5D after shooting with the 1Ds week after week.The shutter sounds different, it's lighter, and I have to get used to just how wide 17mm actually is on a full frame camera. When comparing it to my 1DIII and 1DIV I have a few things I don't like.

1. Lack of a self-cleaning sensor - I've read that dust is more of an issue with this camera and it requires more frequent cleaning.
2. Bland LCD screen - The colors don't really pop compared to the newer LCD in the 5D Mark II. (The 5D's 2.5" LCD has 230,000 dots compared to the 5DII's 3" LCD which has 921,000 dots).

   As you can see when it comes down to it, this is still a phenomenal camera! It is no wonder there are still such a vast amount of photographers using it. I plan to pinch some pennies and pick up a Canon 15mm F/2.8 Fisheye soon. I look forward to using this camera for a long time!

   For a whole bunch of photos and info on the 5D check out the POTN 5Dc thread