Dave Williams
Well-known member
I have mine for a few weeks now so I'm starting to form an opinion based on my experience so far both with this body and the only other Canon body I have owned, the 1DMk1V.
By far the biggest disappointment has been my failure to come to grips with the auto focus system which to my mind is over hyped but there again, Is it me?
I have tried googling for advice on settings and in the process come across some interesting snippets of information.
Someone else who had voiced similar opinions on another forum was lambasted for not reading the instructions but he was adamant that as a pro photographer he knew what he was doing. It also became a bit of a Nikon vs Canon slagging match too which was of little benefit to anyone.
I then read Ken Rockwell's review of the 1DX vs the 5D111 and he states that although the autofocus systems are the same, the 1DX has better tracking options that are not available to the 5D111. He also says that Nikon have better AF in their D300,700,800,D3 and 4.
My previous experience has been largely with a D300s and I have to say the 5D doesn't appear to be any better.
I know someone who has a 1DX and they have been impressed with the flight shots they have been getting, that was why I decided to go with the 5D111.
In good light and a clear sky flight shots are not a problem, with any background distraction or poor light I have difficulty getting the subject in focus. I have tried lots of combinations of both available AF points and lock on/ af point selection modes, changing the presets offered as well.
If anyone has any tips I would be grateful to receive them because the primary reason for buying the camera has been a failure.
Incidentally I have been using the 5D mainly with a 500mm f4 and 300mm f2.8 for flight shots. AF options are the same for a naked f4 as a f2.8 & 1.4TC so I have decided the extra reach on the bare 500mm is needed to compensate the FX sensor.
Good points are better IQ than I have previously experienced, it just shades the 1DMk1V IMO.
Good high ISO performance.
FX has advantages and disadvantages depending on what you intend photographing.
Having got used to the 1D body I find that the small body of the 5D is frustrating and I'm inadvertently changing settings without realising but that I can get used to and it does have a lock switch to prevent you doing this.
Overall, I am still a bit disappointed in the camera's performance vs expectations. I don't regret not getting the 1DX at an extra £3k but maybe it was not the ideal back up body that I thought I was getting.
By far the biggest disappointment has been my failure to come to grips with the auto focus system which to my mind is over hyped but there again, Is it me?
I have tried googling for advice on settings and in the process come across some interesting snippets of information.
Someone else who had voiced similar opinions on another forum was lambasted for not reading the instructions but he was adamant that as a pro photographer he knew what he was doing. It also became a bit of a Nikon vs Canon slagging match too which was of little benefit to anyone.
I then read Ken Rockwell's review of the 1DX vs the 5D111 and he states that although the autofocus systems are the same, the 1DX has better tracking options that are not available to the 5D111. He also says that Nikon have better AF in their D300,700,800,D3 and 4.
My previous experience has been largely with a D300s and I have to say the 5D doesn't appear to be any better.
I know someone who has a 1DX and they have been impressed with the flight shots they have been getting, that was why I decided to go with the 5D111.
In good light and a clear sky flight shots are not a problem, with any background distraction or poor light I have difficulty getting the subject in focus. I have tried lots of combinations of both available AF points and lock on/ af point selection modes, changing the presets offered as well.
If anyone has any tips I would be grateful to receive them because the primary reason for buying the camera has been a failure.
Incidentally I have been using the 5D mainly with a 500mm f4 and 300mm f2.8 for flight shots. AF options are the same for a naked f4 as a f2.8 & 1.4TC so I have decided the extra reach on the bare 500mm is needed to compensate the FX sensor.
Good points are better IQ than I have previously experienced, it just shades the 1DMk1V IMO.
Good high ISO performance.
FX has advantages and disadvantages depending on what you intend photographing.
Having got used to the 1D body I find that the small body of the 5D is frustrating and I'm inadvertently changing settings without realising but that I can get used to and it does have a lock switch to prevent you doing this.
Overall, I am still a bit disappointed in the camera's performance vs expectations. I don't regret not getting the 1DX at an extra £3k but maybe it was not the ideal back up body that I thought I was getting.