Canon 30D or 5D upgrade...

Darryn · 7 Apr 2006 at 22:20

Im looking to sell of my Canon 300D and was going to replace it with the 30D to use alongside my current 20D, however, I quite like the price of the 5D at the moment and its nicely within my budget...

So my question is, using my 100-400L at 400mm on both 30D and 5D bodies will give quite differant results due to the the Crop Factor on the 30D, but, if I cropped the 5D 12mp image (using PS) to an 8mp center section, would it be an identical image to what the 30D produced, if that makes sense. That way if necessary I could crop to the same view as the 30D and retain the same amount of detail.

Im thinking the 30Ds 8mp *1.6 =12.8mp so, hopefully, the images should be more or less identical, just want to check before I purchase.

The only issue other then losing the 1.6x crop factor, which I find beneficial, is I have mainly EF-S lens, but I could replace them with the EF L equivilants.

Sorry if that makes little or no sense, ive read it three times and im confusing myself now. :confused:

SDK^ · 7 Apr 2006 at 22:49

Your post makes sense - loads of people have asked the same question. If I remember correctly to match a 30D 1.6x view on a full frame 5D you need to crop it down to 5mp.

I'll try to find some more info to back that up

Sleepyd · 7 Apr 2006 at 22:54

I guess you're thinking motorsport using the 100-400? If so the 5D is in a less appropriate choice than the 1DmkII which, by the time you've got a grip on that 5D would be similar in price and 8fps - which is excellent for motosport.

On the other hand if you're shooting landcscape then the 5D would be an excellent choice as you don't have to go ultra wide to get wide whots. Along with the excellent noise control it's a great camera.

Darryn · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:04

The 1D mkII is 8mp, I know that mp dont really matter as much as maybe my first post suggests, especially given the 1D mkII is a proper Pro Body, but is it really better then the 5D, it is quite an old body now so id have thought the 5D would have moved past it IQ-wise.

The 8 FPS is good, but, I found 5 FPS from the 20D to be more then enough, I will still have the 20D so if I find the 5D not as good I can switch back, whereas the 30D would be more or less identical to my current 20D.

Also, Yes I would mainly be doing motorsport, I suppose its a compremise then 5D for wide angle quality, but not as good what is in effect 640mm (400mm*1.6crop) whereas the 30D is great for the 640mm but not as good for wider angle stuff, simply because of the 8 vs 12mp differance.

Just been looking around, im struggling to source a 1DmkII, they seem as rare as rocking horse babba....

Unless you mean the 1DmkII N....

Sleepyd · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:17

If you're really serious IQ wise for landscape, and intend to stick with the 20D for motorsport, then get something like the 35L/24-70L and 5D combination. Not cheap though!

SDK^ · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:19

Confirmation that you need to crop a 5D image down to 5mp to match the view from a 1.6x camera.
A full frame camera needs 20mp to match the same view (1.6x crop) and pixels (8.2mp), so not even the 1DsMKII is enough.

Source : http://bobatkins.com/photography/digital/canon_eos_5d_or_20d.html

SDK^ · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:24

If you mainly photograph motorsport then forget the 5D, the 1D MKII/N blows it out of the water.
Go and try a 1 series - The focus speed will amaze you !!

Darryn · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:30

Yup, Cheers guys.
Great help there SDK^, thats exactly the type of image I was hoping for.

The 1dMkII N is looking very nice from the reviews ive just been reading, im now quite sure that thats the camera im going to be getting. Now to find a decent price and somewhere I can get one from this weekend.

Im getting all excited, ohhh best buy before the impulse wears off.

Darryn · 7 Apr 2006 at 23:42

Just checked through some of last years Motorsport shots, most seem to be taken at around 300mm, so thats a good sign.

400mm effective 640mm

300mm effective 480mm

200mm effective 320mm

So I would still be somewhere between the 2nd two images, which Im fairly sure I can live with.

Jotun · 8 Apr 2006 at 00:44

Have you considered getting a 1.4x teleconverter? or 2.0x?

At work we had a 10d and upgraded to the 1Ds Mk II, so bought a canon 1.4x teleconverter to go with it so the focal length would be pretty much the same.

Darryn · 8 Apr 2006 at 01:39

No i hadnt, but that seems like a good idea, Im going to be having a drive into Manchester tomorrow and hope to find a shop with a 1DmkIIN in stock to have a play with, ill ask to try it out with a 1.4x TC and my 100-400.

SDK^ · 8 Apr 2006 at 10:41

Evil-Penguin said:
Have you considered getting a 1.4x teleconverter? or 2.0x?

At work we had a 10d and upgraded to the 1Ds Mk II, so bought a canon 1.4x teleconverter to go with it so the focal length would be pretty much the same.

Good idea in theory but the Canon 5D loses auto focus past F5.6. Even fitting a 1.4x convertor is going to take the 100-400L IS into manual focus.

Psilonaught · 8 Apr 2006 at 11:03

are you actually a pro user? Do you sell your images?

Darryn · 8 Apr 2006 at 11:07

Nope, at least not yet, but I have a fair amount of excess income that Im more then happy to spend on getting the best equipment.

Darryn · 8 Apr 2006 at 19:17

Just back from Manchester and couldnt find anywhere with the 1DMkII or 1DMkIIN in stock, I did however have a play with the 1DsMkII and thats a thing of beauty, the store assistant did his best to sell it too me, even reducing it by almost £400 and throwing in a spare battery, but quite cleverly Id only taken enough cash with me for the 1DmkIIN so I couldnt be persuaded. Looks like Ill have to wait til next weekend now before I can get my grubby little hands on one.

tommy6206 · 8 Apr 2006 at 21:23

Well I just upgraded to the 30D from 10D

and i'm very pleased with it so far.Shame theres no support for the raw files yet apart from Canons own software

Samiad · 8 Apr 2006 at 21:32

What are the main differences you have immediately noticed with the 30D over the 10D?

Is the build better or worse?

tommy6206 · 8 Apr 2006 at 23:48

Samiad said:
What are the main differences you have immediately noticed with the 30D over the 10D?

Is the build better or worse?

I think the 10D has the edge on build quality but very little in it. The speed is the biggest difference so far, Switch it on and its ready before you get it to the eye. Every thing is so much faster.
I did test drive it on thursday with a few of my lenses and found I was able to hand hold it with the bigma on in the shop and get a good sharp picture.
The smaller ISO steps could come in handy.
I will have to wait for CS2 or RSE to update the raw converter to see if there is any real difference in quality I cant get on with the Canon software.