Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) by Canon
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Digital camera reviews of Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Digital camera Review: Camera Is Great But Do Not Buy Big Ticket Items from Amazon
Summary: 2 Stars
I gave two stars to get the attention of those wanting to buy big ticket price point goodies from Amazon.
The Canon 5D is - mostly - all that it's cracked up to be.
However, you are well advised not to buy this item through Amazon - let alone any big ticket item.
I received the camera and it was poorly packed. When I opened the camera, it appeared that it may have been a previous return. There were marks on the back of the camera as if someone using lotion or who has handled greasy food had handled the camera.
I checked the camera and, otherwise, all seemed to be working properly and all documentation and accessories were present. So, given the hassle of returning online purchases, I decided to keep the camera.
Then I was doing some high-key (background) editorial work at f22 and noticed some unusual artifact. Upon looping the sensor, it turns out that the sensor had a minor scratch. This was a latent defect that was not readily observable even upon fairly rigid inspection of the camera.
I contacted Amazon and, by this time, the return window was 20 days past. I was just looking to exchange the camera for an identical model.
Amazon's response was not just "too bad," but actually three conflicting responses which would have only compounded the problem if I sent the camera off to the "never never land" of Amazon returns. I would have been without a camera and without a refund.
One customer service agent said that I couldn't exchange the camera as Amazon doesn't sell the Canon 5D any longer. In fact, they do. Another agent said to return the camera for a refund and make sure it was insured for shipping. Upon seeking to clarify the return terms, another agent responded and said that Amazon "stands firm" by it's policy that a return cannot be made after the 30 day window has expired.
My mistake? First, not returning the item immediately. Second, not spending a couple more hundred to have the peace of mind of dealing with a trusted camera shop. The moral of the story is "Do not buy big ticket items from price point online vendors such as Amazon unless you can take the downside of getting burned."
Welcome to the new world of retail.
Digital camera Review: Canon 5D
Summary: 4 Stars
As a wedding photographer I love the Canon 20D, nice and light and at a good price I can afford six of them. But, recently I started shooting for a local magazine and felt I needed a better camera. The full frame feature is the number one reason for this purchase. I found that I missed getting the full effect of my lenses such as the 28-70mm, 15mm and my recent purchase of the 85mm. The magnification was just too much. I've used the camera at all of my weddings this year and am very pleased in the look and ease of operation of this camera. I'm not a chimper but the larger screen helps a fella with bifocals see quickly and accurately what I am capturing. I'm still learning how to get the most out of the newer features and will take my time and not change what I do too quickly.Digital camera Review: Canon 5D
Summary: 3 Stars
As a professional photog I purchased this when my fathful 20D's shutter went south ( which by the way was just at the 50K mark for it's rating) anyway I figured I would get the 5D because I had heard so much about it. Well as a Canon shooter...I was not really that impressed. For the extra expense over another 20D or 30D...the only thing that it had over these two cameras as far as image quality was the 12MP size. And as far as I am conserned as primairly a wedding shooter...I really didn't need the extra editing time it would take me to process that large an image file. I do not shoot raw since I can expose an image very well and don't need to shoot raw. As far as the FULL FRAME FEATURE...again..I have been fully digital for the past 5 years...and I actually prefer the cropped sensor since it gave me farther reach with my long lenses. So I guess I got so use to a 1.6 sensor that a full frame seemed way to wide. After all the EF-S 10-20 3.5 superwide lens designed for a 1.6 sensor was all the wide angle I'd ever need. So..I sent it back...and I BOUGHT THE NEW 1Ds MARK III....and holi moli...expensive as it was...this camera can capture any shot in any light lightining fast. The shutter at 10fps sounds like an UZI sub machine gun. Now, had I not rationalized ( and thank goodness I did) into a Mark III purchase. I would have bought another 30D and waited for the 40D to be released as I always shoot a wedding or event with two cameras. One Short and One Long.
The 1.3 crop factor on the Mark III is absolutely perfect. If I never see a full frame camera again...I won't miss it at all. Now I can't use my EFS 10/20 on the Mark III but I fixed that...I just bought a 16/35 2.8 L Glass lens for my new baby :)
Digital camera Review: Canon 5D 12.8 megapixel Digital SLR
Summary: 1 Stars
Purchased camera brand new to serve as a backup camera for my wedding photography business. Used for two days without a problem. On the third day, the camera was dead. I tried a new battery-still dead. Trouble shooted issue with Canon-it was determined that the camera was defective and had to be returned.Digital camera Review: Canon 5D Full Frame Wonder
Summary: 4 Stars
Full frame capability is a must for indoor photography where a wide angle is necessary to capture all of the area desired. A definite improvement if you are upgrading from a Canon 10D camera. I would recommend using Canon L lenses to take the best quality pictures from this camera. Full frame makes it a lot easier to see through the camera lens since you get a lot larger viewing area compared to the cameras with a cropped sensor. I found the brightness of the LCD Display tolerable in day light. The camera takes the same high quality pictures you expect from Canon and the sharpness settings are acceptable.
I gave it a four star just because Canon should have at least included a flash or infrared beam for low light auto focusing. Also Canon omitted the standard basic zone programmed settings as in their less expensive cameras. These are minor complaints but helpful for a lot of shooting situations. I would unquestionably choose a full frame over any cropped sensor camera unless my majority of pictures are for long range subjects.
I extremely enjoy using this camera and would not hesitate to recommend this camera. I think the new lower price is very attractive to many buyers since there are rumors that a new version will be out in August 2008.