I'm looking to upgrade my camera and haven't quite been able to decide if I should get a 40D or a 5D. I currently am shooting with a 20D and primarily a 10-22mm lens. IF I upgrade to the 5D I'd have to sell the 10-22 and purchase a 17-40. I really like larger prints, so thats the main reason for wanting a new camera, but I can't decide if the 3 more mega pixels are worth the extra cost of switching over to the 5D. I was thinking about doing a lot of stitching with the 40D to get some high res files, but that can quickly turn into a lot of work and is quite a problem when working with longer exposures (something I would really like to experiment with more) This is quite a big decision for me, and I really don't want to screw it up. (I'm currently leaning towards the 5D). Any info, thoughts, insights would be greatly appreciated.
I shoot Nikon but having had similar woes myself lately with the D3 Vs D300, here’s my own cut on the situation.
The main difference I can tell between the 5D and 40D is;
1. Full Frame Sensor Vs Cropped
2. Frames per second
So here’s my two cents worth;
If you are shooting a lot of birds in-flight or any other form of action photography then go for the 40D as it has a, higher frames per second burst rate. Also the cropped sensor is more beneficial giving you greater magnification i.e. a 500mm lens on a 40D will give you a total focal length of 650mm. If you shoot more landscape work then go for the 5D because of the Full Frame sensor, but it is a slower camera.
I really only shoot Landscapes which is why I was leaning towards the 5D, but I might have to settle with the 40D as I don't know if I can afford a 5D right now.
Another consideration is a 1ds Mark II, you can buy them used for about $3,500 (I know this about 1,500 more than a new 5D). It is heavier than the 5D but built like a tank, 100% veiwfinder and much better battery performance (16.7 mega pixels too). Personally, I had nothing but issues with my 5D(so beware of buying a used one) I know others have had great results, my body was flawed in many ways. If you go for a 5D, remember that a new version is due out soon. No matter what you choose, a 1DS Mark II or 5D with the 24mm tilt is a unbeatable landscape combo!
Posted by WAYNESIMPSON on May 13, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Jeremy,
I would go for the 5d and 17-40. This setup is what I shoot 90% of my landscapes with. The files handle processing well and the wide angle advantage of ff is very nice. I know a 5d is a bit of an investment, but I think it is well worth it. I have made 20x30 prints with no problems from this camera, and stitched panoramics that could print 7 or 8 feet wide no problem. I think the 5d has just enough resolution for landscapes and would'nt want any less personally.
I was in the same boat 6 months ago. I wanted a 5d, but would have had to upgrade my lenses as well as purchase a new body. After considering the numbers, this wasn't possible. I ended up buying a 40d, and am quite happy with it. In retrospect, the 5d/17-40 combo is still the better choice if the money is there. If you look at the ESS gallery, a good percentage of the photographers are using that same setup with outstanding results.
Even with a nearly new 40d in my bag, my long term plan is to upgrade to a full-frame camera (probably the 5dmkII or whatever it'll be) down the road. I'll probably keep the 40d around to use for action shots and times where i need that extra reach.
I switched from a 20D to a 5D and found that aside from the increased resolution, the larger viewfinder was actually the biggest benefit. I think it's been helpful in improving my composition, as it makes it easier to look around the frame and make sure every part of your composition is just right.
Thanks for all the input everyone. I think I'm going to have to just go with the 40D mainly because of the price.I already have the 10-22mm lens, so its going to be much cheaper for me than having to upgrade lenses as well. Hopefully later on down the road I'll be able to purchase a 5D, maybe they will announce the new version and the prices will drop.
I am basing this on the rumoured updated to 5D, which I have every intention to buy. And until it comes out, whenever that will be, I need a new camera. I already use 350D with Efs 10-22, but I personally feel that an upgrade is in order.
So what to do? 40D or 5D? I also shoot only landscapes. 5D is almost three times more expensive than 40D. But it gives better results for landscapes. But in turn again all I am doing is getting a camera till the update to 5D comes. I have been waiting for that for a year now, and still there are nothing but rumours about it. So I am tired of waiting.
Ramunas - In the USA the 5D is about $1900 and the 40D about $1000, so maybe the price difference isn't as great as you think it is. In that case, if you can afford it, go ahead and get the 5D and new lens if you can justify the price. If/when the 5D replacement comes out, you'll have the lens (but you probably won't get much for the body - but it could be a nice backup).
Jeremy, the XSi has the new pixel technology pioneered by the 1D Mk3. While normally 12 Mp on a 1.6 crop sensor would be just too noisy, that new technology should make noise on the XSi relatively low compared with Canon's other 1.6 crop sensors. Also, since you are predominantly a landscape photographer, you'll be shooting most often at lower iso anyway, further reducing noise. And if under certain circumstances you bracket your exposures and blend them later in photoshop you'll tame any noise in the shadows even further.
Now, without a doubt the 5D/17-40 combo has a more professional look and feel than the XSi/10-22, but if that's not important to you, you can get a 12 Mp camera with low noise for a lot less than the 5D and you don't have to sell the 10-22.
Dang, I thought I had my mind made up but now I'm not so sure. Does anyone know if the new canon 5D is supposed to be released anytime soon? and how will this affect the current 5D prices? To many choices...and I can't seem to make up my mind. I'd rather not buy the canon 5D for however much its going for now only to see the price fall significantly in the next two months.
Jeremy, Canon already is offering a $300 factory rebate on the 5D, sure evidence, when taken with how long it's been on the market, that the upgrade is coming in fall or after the 1st of the new year.
I'd have to assume it'll have that new pixel technology and a couple/few more megapixels, but the current 5D is such a fine camera, and there will ALWAYS be another newer version in the pipeline so it's dangerous to get on the "waiting treadmill," as I call it, because you spend most of your time waiting.
So my question is, do you want to shoot photographs or do you want to spend your time waiting?
Also, was I wrong in getting the message that budget is an issue for you? The newer version of the 5D will cost several hundred dollars more than the current one is going for. And then of course you'll have to get the 17-40 because the 10-22 won't work on the 5D.
Yes budget is my main factor. I wasn't looking to get the new version of the 5d just hoping that when it came out if would drop the price of the old one.
It probably will Jeremy, but it may be hard to find an old 5D, as they will try to clear or take back inventory (hence the sale price now to try to clear out the inventory). Ever think about getting a used 5D?
There are a lot of nice, lightly-used 5D bodies on the market. Prices for them are very good, particularly since new 5Ds are going for under $2,000 after factory rebate.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on June 10, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Jeremy, you've got another month of Canon's rebate available. Right now the price is settled at $1899, but if things go the way they have in the past, look for price wars to start during the last two weeks of the rebate. Check canoneos.com or Amazon and look at the PDF of the rebate to see the ending date.
This same thing happened last November when I got my 5D and 17-40mm. The rebate was nearing the end, and I ended up with a 5D and a Canon Pixma 9000 printer for $2006.00 from Amazon (the 9000 is a $400 printer). So, my shot-in-the-dark guess is that the 5D hits around $1789 by the rebate's end. And PLEASE don't get lured by wildly low prices from not-so-famous camera stores. They rip you off, plain and simple. Amazon will have the best price and free shipping. B&H is good to.
Ultimately you'll want the 5D for landscapes. The larger cells on the FF sensor provide that luscious look and low noise. Bite the bullet for the extra few hundred and you'll never regret it. An old fella once told me "five bucks more, you eat like a king." He's right.
Alright looks like I should save a bit more. I've been looking at used ones on ebay and some have bright white canon 5D letters on them and on others its grayed out...is this just normal wear or is there something different between the two?
Doesn't sound familiar. Mine's more of a reflective surface on the "5D" if I remember right (camera is home at the moment). The bright white "5D" could be flash reflection. Or maybe it's just the way people "develop" their images.
If you go used, get someone with 100% feedback, and that has worded the ad like they know what they're talking about (and are the original owner!).
I just saw one with 25 minutes left still at $1400 because the fella didn't have the box, but everything else was mint: Ebay
Discussion
21 repliesThanks,
Jeremy
I shoot Nikon but having had similar woes myself lately with the D3 Vs D300, here’s my own cut on the situation.
The main difference I can tell between the 5D and 40D is;
1. Full Frame Sensor Vs Cropped
2. Frames per second
So here’s my two cents worth;
If you are shooting a lot of birds in-flight or any other form of action photography then go for the 40D as it has a, higher frames per second burst rate. Also the cropped sensor is more beneficial giving you greater magnification i.e. a 500mm lens on a 40D will give you a total focal length of 650mm. If you shoot more landscape work then go for the 5D because of the Full Frame sensor, but it is a slower camera.
Happy shooting!
I really only shoot Landscapes which is why I was leaning towards the 5D, but I might have to settle with the 40D as I don't know if I can afford a 5D right now.
I would go for the 5d and 17-40. This setup is what I shoot 90% of my landscapes with. The files handle processing well and the wide angle advantage of ff is very nice. I know a 5d is a bit of an investment, but I think it is well worth it. I have made 20x30 prints with no problems from this camera, and stitched panoramics that could print 7 or 8 feet wide no problem. I think the 5d has just enough resolution for landscapes and would'nt want any less personally.
Wayne
I was in the same boat 6 months ago. I wanted a 5d, but would have had to upgrade my lenses as well as purchase a new body. After considering the numbers, this wasn't possible. I ended up buying a 40d, and am quite happy with it. In retrospect, the 5d/17-40 combo is still the better choice if the money is there. If you look at the ESS gallery, a good percentage of the photographers are using that same setup with outstanding results.
Even with a nearly new 40d in my bag, my long term plan is to upgrade to a full-frame camera (probably the 5dmkII or whatever it'll be) down the road. I'll probably keep the 40d around to use for action shots and times where i need that extra reach.
Thanks again for the input.
I am basing this on the rumoured updated to 5D, which I have every intention to buy. And until it comes out, whenever that will be, I need a new camera. I already use 350D with Efs 10-22, but I personally feel that an upgrade is in order.
So what to do? 40D or 5D? I also shoot only landscapes. 5D is almost three times more expensive than 40D. But it gives better results for landscapes. But in turn again all I am doing is getting a camera till the update to 5D comes. I have been waiting for that for a year now, and still there are nothing but rumours about it. So I am tired of waiting.
What do you think?
Jeremy, the XSi has the new pixel technology pioneered by the 1D Mk3. While normally 12 Mp on a 1.6 crop sensor would be just too noisy, that new technology should make noise on the XSi relatively low compared with Canon's other 1.6 crop sensors. Also, since you are predominantly a landscape photographer, you'll be shooting most often at lower iso anyway, further reducing noise. And if under certain circumstances you bracket your exposures and blend them later in photoshop you'll tame any noise in the shadows even further.
Now, without a doubt the 5D/17-40 combo has a more professional look and feel than the XSi/10-22, but if that's not important to you, you can get a 12 Mp camera with low noise for a lot less than the 5D and you don't have to sell the 10-22.
Just food for thought, in case you're hungry.
I'd have to assume it'll have that new pixel technology and a couple/few more megapixels, but the current 5D is such a fine camera, and there will ALWAYS be another newer version in the pipeline so it's dangerous to get on the "waiting treadmill," as I call it, because you spend most of your time waiting.
So my question is, do you want to shoot photographs or do you want to spend your time waiting?
Also, was I wrong in getting the message that budget is an issue for you? The newer version of the 5D will cost several hundred dollars more than the current one is going for. And then of course you'll have to get the 17-40 because the 10-22 won't work on the 5D.
This same thing happened last November when I got my 5D and 17-40mm. The rebate was nearing the end, and I ended up with a 5D and a Canon Pixma 9000 printer for $2006.00 from Amazon (the 9000 is a $400 printer). So, my shot-in-the-dark guess is that the 5D hits around $1789 by the rebate's end. And PLEASE don't get lured by wildly low prices from not-so-famous camera stores. They rip you off, plain and simple. Amazon will have the best price and free shipping. B&H is good to.
Ultimately you'll want the 5D for landscapes. The larger cells on the FF sensor provide that luscious look and low noise. Bite the bullet for the extra few hundred and you'll never regret it. An old fella once told me "five bucks more, you eat like a king." He's right.
Take some winners!
Thanks.
If you go used, get someone with 100% feedback, and that has worded the ad like they know what they're talking about (and are the original owner!).
I just saw one with 25 minutes left still at $1400 because the fella didn't have the box, but everything else was mint:
Ebay