The whole full frame thing...

Rojin

Rojin

Rojin

Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2002
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Gloucester UK
Now this isn't the first time I have thought about going full frame, although before I admit it was most likely purely gear lust... Now though after quite a big shift in my photography priorities I am considering it again. I no longer shoot sports as a main concern, and after a holiday period of taking shots mainly with a 30mm prime in natural light I am thinking of either moving to full frame or at least adding full frame capability.

Now at the moment I have the 7D and to be honest it's a lovely bit of kit. I do like the greater separation of subject and background that you get from a full frame though, the improved ISO performance of something like a 5Dmk2 is also quite a draw as I like shooting in available light rather than flash assisted. I would still be doing the odd sports shoot, and with an active toddler I do like to have decent AF. As I have only ever had a quick go with a 5Dmk2 I haven't tested its AF performance and I will admit that the old internet (possible hyperbole) of poor AF has influenced my opinion of the camera. As I like to shoot wide open, tracking a toddler playing means that quick AF response is right at the top of my list of requirements.

I nearly bought a 5Dmk2 today, but I think that adding a 5D classic might be the way forward. Although the big thing is the ISO perforrnance between these two. I'm thinking either a 7D\5D or 5DmkII\40D sort of setup. Reality then comes a knocking as I really don't see me as a two camera sort of man. I'll end up using one body... With this in mind a 5DmkII\40D looks more inviting...

I know I'm rambling, it's gone half one in the morning and it's the first time I've a "decent" drink this Chistmas\Newyear! Somebody just tell me to stick with what I've got, please! :D
 
I can't comment on Canon, but I love my D700. A large part of why I went full frame was the big, bright viewfinder as I have some manual focus lenses, but the shallower DOF and better high ISO performance are also to my liking. Nikon full frame seems like a different proposition to Canon, but I'm enough happy with 12MP and the D700 is basically otherwise uncompromised. Here's hoping Nikon soon come out with a high MP full frame body that's affordable though...

I hope you've got some good lenses already, you'll be stepping into the world of increased vignetting, chromatic aberration and coma (etc), but with it comes increased sharpness and subject isolation. It's also surprisingly reassuring just having focal lengths that make immediate sense :)
 
Forget a 5D if you're looking for something special in the AF department - that's not what they are about. It's perfectly decent but fairly well-suited for a camera where the focus is on image-quality, but the 7D has it licked on almost every front.

But there is something about the images from a 5D when combined with a great lens that you just don't get from anything else in Canon's range apart from the 1Ds. It's very true to say that full-frame really does give your images more depth, in almost every sense of the word. I imagine the same thing is true of the D700/D3 on Nikon's side.

Unless you absolutely need to have video at your disposal, Rojin, the original 5D should more than meet your needs. I've never felt the need to upgrade mine and I'd imagine that one way or another I'll be using it for many years to come.
 
I nearly went down the same road. I couldn't find the camera I wanted for a reasonable price. Ultimate resolution isn't so important, but I do want a large screen and very low noise at higher ISOs.

I was looking at the 1Ds II. The 1D series has the best AF.
 
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Spent ages trying to make up my mind recently and decided to get a 7D.

I think it's the best option right now, as clearly when the 5D mk3 comes along that will have everything from the 7D and more.
 
Do you really need it though?

Have you gone to the extent where you feel that the 7D isn't performing well enough for you, and that you need to upgrade?

It doesn't really sound like it from this below, and you chop and change gear quite a lot from what I remember.

I do like the greater separation of subject and background that you get from a full frame though, the improved ISO performance of something like a 5Dmk2 is also quite a draw as I like shooting in available light rather than flash assisted.

Stick with what you have got, as that sounds more of a 'I'd like it to do this...'
 
Bucket said:
Do you really need it though?

Have you gone to the extent where you feel that the 7D isn't performing well enough for you, and that you need to upgrade?

It doesn't really sound like it from this below, and you chop and change gear quite a lot from what I remember.

I do like the greater separation of subject and background that you get from a full frame though, the improved ISO performance of something like a 5Dmk2 is also quite a draw as I like shooting in available light rather than flash assisted.

Stick with what you have got, as that sounds more of a 'I'd like it to do this...'
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Good points, basically I like to have the best tools that I can afford for the job. Before I was heavily into sports and 500D wasn't the best so I upgraded to the 7D. I then had the opportunity to trade that for the 1D3 which was superb for sports. Sports are no longer my main concern so I wonder if the 7D is the right tool that I need right now? I think I probably will stick with it as I will want the extra reach of the crop for Airshows later in the year. If a bargain 5D comes up.... :)

What prompted this was a 5Dmk2 with 24-105L coming up for sale @ £1550... I would've sold the sold 24-105 which would've made for quite a good buy on the 5Dmk2
 
Rojin said:
Good points, basically I like to have the best tools that I can afford for the job. Before I was heavily into sports and 500D wasn't the best so I upgraded to the 7D. I then had the opportunity to trade that for the 1D3 which was superb for sports. Sports are no longer my main concern so I wonder if the 7D is the right tool that I need right now? I think I probably will stick with it as I will want the extra reach of the crop for Airshows later in the year. If a bargain 5D comes up.... :)

What prompted this was a 5Dmk2 with 24-105L coming up for sale @ £1550... I would've sold the sold 24-105 which would've made for quite a good buy on the 5Dmk2
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But with the constant chopping and changing it doesn't really give you enough time to get fully to grips with the current camera, and push that to it's limits etc.

The problem seems to be changing your mind on what you like shooting quite a lot - so surely a versatile set of lenses would solve that and you could shoot most things then and be all good to go?
 
Obviously my view is biased. But I used a 5D classic and then my own 5D2 from one wedding to another, so I'll give you comments on that.

The 5D classic, simply put...is a brilliant camera. Even to this day the images it produces are superb quality. However, the screen on it is ****...something after being spoiled with on the 40D I couldn't live with.

So, I plopped for the 5D2...main reasons being

The screen
the ISO performance just could not be ignored

along with all the other usual reasons, DOF etc etc...also what I noticed after using the 5D classic is that focal length seemed to make much more sense and before more usable as well...less distortion in images, coupled with everything else.

If I wasn't a screen whore and didn't need the ISO performance for weddings I would've gone for a 5D classic tbh :)

Either are amazing cameras, get off your arse and buy one :D
 
I changed what I shoot once, I was doing sports for local rugby and football teams with an aim to move into event photography. When I sat down to work out the business case properly it quickly became apparent that I wouldn't have much family time. So I've put that all on hold until my daughter is older.

I'll fully admit to being a gear head, but I also don't find it difficult to find the limits of tech. I like shooting with natural/available light, I also like using a lens wide open on moving subjects. I will still be shooting rugby when I go to the Glos premiership matches, so performance under floodlights is also nice to have. You're right I have used a variety of camera bodies and I do know which ones worked the best for my needs.

The main pull for me is high ISO performance I guess, but I think I am definitely guilty of perhaps having unrealistic expectations in that area. I might hire a 5D2 to have a look see, but I think for now I'll be sticking with what I have and keeping off the camera classifieds! :)
 
Rojin said:
The main pull for me is high ISO performance I guess, but I think I am definitely guilty of perhaps having unrealistic expectations in that area. I might hire a 5D2 to have a look see, but I think for now I'll be sticking with what I have and keeping off the camera classifieds! :)
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Do not be fooled...the ISO performance is amazing :)
 
Phate said:
Do not be fooled...the ISO performance is amazing :)
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This is the main reason I want one. On another point, do you find the AF to be much of a problem? Pretty much all the complaints I've read mention this being a sticking point, making people consider the 1 series bodies.

Personally I love the "feel" of the images the 5DmkII produces. I'm a bit finicky when it comes to using higher ISO and try to keep it as near to 100 as I can for the most part, as my 30D isn't all that good at higher ISOs, plus it adds to post processing time, which is another reason (excuse? :D) to get a 5DmkII :D
 
I can shoot footy alright with the 5D II but part of the trick is knowing whats going to happen so you can prepare for the shot you want.
 
It sounds like a situation crying out for a D700 ;)

Seriously though, the 7D is a fantastic body, apart from it being a crop sensor there's almost nothing wrong with it at all (though I haven't tested the high ISO performance much admittedly). You'll likely get annoyed with the 5D classic AF, my girlfriend has one as her backup body and it's sodding terrible, I can manually focus quicker than it can AF...
 
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