Cheap Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens

By admin on March 25th, 2008

Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens
From Canon
List Price: ~~$3,299.00~~
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Canon EOS 5D offers advanced photographers a lightweight, robust digital SLR that uses Canon's superlative EF lenses without a conversion factor. Its full-frame 12.8 Megapixel CMOS sensor combines with Canon's DIGIC II Image Processor, a high-precision 9-point AF system with 6 assist points, and "Picture Style" color control to deliver images of superior quality with enough resolution for any application. With its wide-angle capabilities, 2.5 inch LCD and magnesium-alloy body, the 5D is the perfect addition to the Digital EOS line. White balance bracketing - +/-3 stops in full-stop increments Enabled with depth-of-field preview button when used with optional Speedlite 580EX, 550EX, 430EX, MR-14EX, or MT-24EX; pressing the depth-of-field preview button fires a modeling-flash Exposure modes - Program AE (Shiftable), Shutter speed-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Full Auto, E-TTL II autoflash program AE, Manual exposure ISO range - Equivalent to ISO 100-1600 (in 1/3-stop increments), ISO speed can be expanded to ISO 50 and 3200 1/8000 to 30 sec. (1/3-stop increments), X-sync at 1/200 sec. shutter speeds 3 fps Continuous shoot mode Image format display mode Single image, 9-image index, Magnified zoom (approx. 1.5x to 10x), Auto play, Auto play right after shooting, Rotated, Jump Uses BP511 battery series Unit Dimensions (without lens) 6.0 x 4.4 x 3.0 in./152 x 113 x 75mm; Weight 28.6 oz./810g (Body only. Battery - 2.9 oz./82g)

Manufacturer Description
The 12.8-megapixel Canon EOS 5D creates a new D-SLR category, combining a full frame CMOS sensor with a lightweight, compact magnesium-alloy body. Weighing just 810 grams, it features a second generation 35.8 x 23.9-millimeter CMOS sensor, 3 frame-per-second, 60-Large-JPEG-frame burst, and 0.2 second start-up time operation. Marking five years since Canon's first CMOS image sensor appeared in the EOS D30, the release represents Canon's fifth new CMOS sensor to be released since April 2004.

Equivalent in size to a frame of 35mm film, the camera's 35.8 x 23.9-millimeter CMOS sensor gives photographers a full angle of view without magnification or cropping effect. It provides tighter control over depth of field and improves image quality by capturing more light with its large pixels.

Super responsive, the EOS 5D is driven by the same DIGIC II processor found in Canon's EOS-1D professional range cameras.

Protected with a rugged yet lightweight magnesium-alloy exterior, the camera also features new Picture Style pre-sets, a new hi-resolution 2.5-inch LCD monitor, 9-point auto focus with 6 invisible Assist AF points to improve tracking performance, compatibility with Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1, custom mode for fast recall of user defined camera set-ups, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface for fast downloads and 1/8000- to 30-second shutter speed with X-sync at 1/200 second.

EOS 5D Highlights

The CMOS advantage With five years of in-house CMOS development since the original EOS D30, Canon's latest CMOS sensor features 12.8-megapixel resolution, and the same second-generation on-chip noise reduction circuitry used on the EOS-1Ds Mark II. This effectively suppresses random noise and eliminates fixed-pattern noise for extremely clean, high-fidelity images. The wide 100-1600 ISO speed range is extendable to L:50 and H:3200.

The Full Frame sensor also delivers the same angle of view as a 35mm film camera, produces a show depth-of-field, beautiful background blur, and preserves teh focal range of wide-angle lenses and the full capabilities of all EF lenses.

Improved in-camera control New Picture Style presets simplify in-camera control over image quality. Delivering more immediately usable JPEG images straight out of the camera without need for post-production, Picture Style pre-sets can be likened to different film types--each one offering a different color response. Within each easily selectable pre-set, photographers have control over sharpness, contrast, color tone, and saturation.

The pre-sets include:

Standard--for crisp, vivid images that don't require post-processing;
Portrait--optimizes color tone and saturation and weakens sharpening to achieve attractive skin tones;
Landscape--for deep greens and blues with stronger sharpening to give a crisp edge to mountain, tree, and building outlines;
Neutral--ideal for post-processing;
Faithful--adjusts color to match the subject color when shot under a color temperature of 5200K;
Monochrome--for black and white shooting with a range of filter effects (yellow, orange, red, and green) and toning effects (sepia, blue, purple, and green)

Additionally, three user-defined entries allow the possibility to create additional variations on the in-camera styles or install additional custom Picture Style files. Additional custom Picture Style files may be downloaded from Canon's web site.

Picture Style replaces internal image processing previously controlled by setting processing parameters and color matrix. Picture Style is also supported by the supplied Digital Photo Professional and RAW Image Task software.

New LCD monitor For improved image review and menu readability, the EOS 5D is fitted with a new large-size high-resolution 2.5-inch 230K pixel poly-silicon TFT LCD monitor. The improved screen retains brightness and visibility throughout a wide 170-degree angle of view, both vertically and horizontally, making it easy to view images when the camera is mounted in a fixed position.

9-point autofocus delivers crisp, clear images

Autofocus A newly developed 9-point auto focus system features 6 additional invisible Assist AF points located inside the spot-metering circle. These points come into effect when the camera is switched to AI SERVO AF with the center focus point selected and are automatically used to improve the camera's subject tracking performance.

Ergonomics and control The 'Premium EOS' design features a magnesium alloy exterior with rubberized grip surfaces. The discreet and lightweight compact body measures just 152 x 113 x 75 millimeters and weighs only 810 grams, making it two thirds the volume and weight of the EOS-1Ds Mark II.

In a handy new feature, current camera settings can be stored and assigned to the C (camera settings) position on the Mode Dial. This allows photographers to switch quickly between two completely different camera set-ups without having to switch bodies--ideal for photographers who need to rapidly switch their cameras from an indoor to outdoor shooting condition, for example. Exposure mode, ISO speed, AF mode, drive mode, Picture Style, white balance, and custom functions are all stored in the custom setting. There are 21 custom functions with 57 user-definable settings to enable photographers to configure the camera for their preferred way of working.

Connectivity With the optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E1 (not included--must be purchased separately), photographers can work cable-free as full-frame image files can be transferred automatically through a wireless LAN to a computer in seconds.

A USB 2.0 Hi-Speed interface allows rapid transfer of images from camera to computer, ideal for shooting straight-to-hard-drive with the camera tethered to a computer in a studio environment, thus providing full screen previews of images as they are shot. The EOS 5D also has a video out interface to allow playback and review on a TV monitor, and it's PictBridge compliant to support direct printing to any compatible photo printer without the need for a computer. It takes both CompactFlash Type I and Type II cards, including cards of 2 GB capacity and larger.

Included 24-105mm f4L IS USM lens, compatibility and accessories The EOS 5D offers complete compatibility with all Canon EF lenses, providing photographers with access to a vast range of lenses with focal lengths from 14 to 600mm.

The camera kit includes the high-performance EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM, a lightweight Image Stabilizer lens. This easy-to-use standard zoom lens can cover a large zoom area ranging from 24mm wide-angle to 105mm portrait-length telephoto, and its Image Stabilizer Technology steadies camera shake up to three stops. Constructed with one Super-UD glass element and three aspherical lenses, this lens minimizes chromatic aberration and distortion. The result is excellent picture quality, even at wide apertures. Canon's ring-type USM gives silent but quick AF, along with full-time manual focus. Moreover, with dust- and moisture-resistant construction, this is a durable yet sophisticated lens that meets the demands of advanced amateur photographers and professional photographers alike.

Incomparable Canon Optical Image Stabilizer -- in the lens where it belongs Canon pioneered the Optical Image Stabilizer (OIS), and today you can find Canon OIS technology in a wide spectrum of optical instruments, from high-powered binoculars to broadcast television lenses and camcorders and, of course, EF lenses for the Canon EOS System. The keys to Canon's highly effective Optical Image Stabilizer system are precise detection of hand motion likely to cause image blurring and a highly sophisticated, dedicated processor-controlled optical compensation mechanism that dials in just the needed amount of correction to cancel out the effects of a shaky hand. The focal length of the lens is the primary determining factor in the amount of image blurring that can be expected from typical hand-holding. Because Canon optical OIS resides entirely within the lens, it can be specifically optimized -- in both detection and correction -- for the focal length of the lens. Canon EF lenses with IS thus offer corrective capability equivalent to as much as four f-stops. Moreover, unlike some systems with corrective mechanisms in the camera body, Canon Optical Image Stabilizer does not exact a penalty in image resolution. Imaging sensor pixels at the periphery need not be dedicated to IS duty, so you get all of the available pixels all of the time.

New software The EOS 5D is supplied with the EOS Digital Solution Disk v11, which includes a new version of Canon's Digital Photo Professional (DPP) RAW processing software--now at version 2.0. DPP now supports RAW images shot on all EOS digital cameras from the EOS D30 onwards, and includes support for Picture Styles. Improvements and additions are aimed at improving functionality and workflow efficiency for professionals, and include: easy image selection with three levels of check marks; real-time adjustment of sharpness; improved image correction (Copy Stamp); enhanced image transfer function (single-image transfer to PhotoShop is possible); extended color space support, now including Apple RGB and ColorMatch RGB; and improved usability of the CMYK simulation function.

Also provided is on the EOS Digital Solution Disk v11 is ZoomBrowser EX (PC) and ImageBrowser (MAC) v5.5 for managing images, EOS Capture v1.5 for remote shooting, PhotoStitch v3.1, PhotoRecord v2.2 (PC) and RAW ImageTask v2.2. The EOS 5D is compatible with Canon iMAGE Gateway, which provides a 100 MB online photo album.

Optional Features

Also compatible with EX series Speedlites and other EOS accessories, the camera provides photographers with a highly adaptable and flexible camera system. Canon's E-TTL II flash metering ensures accurate flash exposures by taking into account such factors as lens distance information, ambient light readings and the detection of reflective objects in order to calculate flash output.

The BG-E4 is a new battery grip designed especially for the EOS 5D. (Not included--must be purchased separately.) Constructed with the same magnesium alloy as the camera's exterior, it has a solid and comfortable hold. The grip can accommodate two BP-511A/514/512/511 battery packs or six AA batteries. The Battery Grip BG-E4 features a shutter release button, AE/FE lock button, AF point selector, and main dial to enable comfortable use of the camera when held vertically.

The camera's focusing screens are interchangeable: In addition to the "Standard Precision Matte" (Ee-A) focusing screen supplied with the camera, "Precision Matte with Grid" (Ee-D) and "Super Precision Matte" (Ee-S) screens are available.

The EOS 5D supports the optional Data Verification Kit DVK-E2 v2.2 (not included--must be purchased separately), which verifies the authenticity of images taken with the camera.

Customer Reviews

Don't Be Fooled, the 5D is THE Way to Go
There are tons of raving reviews about the amazing 5D, so no repeating all that. There is one reason the 5D is THE choice: the full frame sensor, hands down. The image quality is umatched and is super low noise BECAUSE of the larger sensor. You see it in the top end cameras costing up to eight grand, but the difference is, you get it for this incredible price. Sure, there are things that people aren't happy with on the 5D like menus and no weather sealing, but in the end, image quality is what it's all about. For landscapes and nature shots and anything else where the rich look of a medium format camera is desired, the 5D does it. Of course, if you can afford the 21MP 1Ds Mk III, go get that. Otherwise, the 5D is primo.

Important things to know:
-No pop up flash. No offense, this is a real camera. Get a real flash for it. Pop up flashes are for snapshots. Better choice: set ISO to 1600 and get natural light images (yep, 1600, and it looks good due to: the full frame sensor! Your friend with the Rebel can't do ISO 1600 without gobs of noise).
-Flash sync at 1/200, not 1/250. If you do sports photos and hook up to the wireless flash systems in arenas, this might be an issue. For everyone else, you'll not even notice.
-Get some big CF cards, the RAW files can get up to 15MB each.
-The JPEGs don't come out all that great. Be prepared to use the RAW files and your results will be phenomenal (note: the 5D has built-in "Picture Styles" for JPEGs... you may get good results with that. I only use RAW).
-No EF-S lenses on this camera. It only uses real EF lenses (the better ones).

I can't rave enough about this 5D. To get full frame for this price is insane, I can't imagine using cropped sensor cameras ever again. BTW, your cropped sensor cameras (20D, 30D, 40D, etc) don't turn a 200mm lens into a 320mm lens, it just crops it. Big difference. Don't let that sales pitch fool you. You can crop your 5D image to look the same and still have the image quality of the 10MP cropped cameras. Get the 5D.

A Nikon convert
It was hard (and expensive) to go from Nikon to Canon, but worth it. I always felt my Nikon could be sharper. I went to Canon for the Lenses and I'm not disappointed, nor will you be. The D5 with the 24-105 L series lens is a beautiful setup, extremely versatile. This is not a compromise camera. Is it perfect, no, but a very, very good camera and lens.

Mainly I use this camera for photographing artwork. I use strobes, and sometimes available light or the 580ex flash. So the lens is plenty fast for my purposes. In fact I try not to go below 5.6 for sharpness. Be warned, if you use the widest zoom, don't fill the frame, there is definite fall off at the corners. The color rendition is beautiful, and nearly flawless right out of the camera, very little post processing is necessary. This was the most frustrating thing about Nikon. Sitting in front of Photoshop fixing bad photos simply sucks.

Then why a rating of 4 and not a 5? I would like to give it a 4.7, because it is not perfect, no camera is. I sometimes use a Hasselblad with a Phaseone digital back and that's not perfect($30,000 setup). The D5 with canon lenses is not a Hasselblad, but at a 10th the price, it is damn close. Did I want the 1ds mark iii? You bet. But for less than 1/3 the cost it is a much better value.

Things I like a lot:
Full frame, L series lenses, true wide angle, reasonable size body, good weight, buttons laid out well, easy menu, beautiful lens, great color, diopter adjust is great, high resolution for the price, good battery life, ergonomic, and a very reasonable price for a great camera.

Things that could be better:
Timer needs to be adjustable (Like a 2 second delay for tripod work), one or 2 buttons for custom settings (instead of the stupid print button). Easier white balance setup and control, confusing resolution descriptions, a pop up fill flash would be very useful in a pinch, time lapse control would be fun.

Things others find missing that I don't care about (but you might):
Not weatherproof, modest multiple capture speed, slow(ish) lens (F-4 isn't bad, and you can get very, very fast Canon lenses if you need them), weight of the lens, slight crop of the image in preview, no live viewing on the lcd, no fill flash, grainy at very high ISO (I found the camera quite impressive up to about 800).

Things that are unacceptable:
None.

A word about RAW. There are many resolution settings on this camera. From medium jpeg to Raw, and Raw with jpeg. This is mainly a studio camera for me, so burst mode is not something I use often. So I won't comment on the speed of capturing multiple images. Maybe if I do portrait work, I'll be glad it's there. But I use RAW with everything I shoot, you should too. As much as possible, anyway Yes the files are larger, but so what. A $40 extreme III card can hold hundreds of images. A 500gig hard drive can hold over 30,000! Here is the upside of raw. It gets better with age. Raw processing has improved from Photoshop cs1 to 2 to 3. Old raw files I have actually look better in the new versions. So if you keep your old raw photos untouched, you may actually get better photos in the years to come. RAW allows amazing adjustment. With jpeg or even tiff, you can't go back. They are what they are.

Summary: A camera cannot take good photographs, that is the photographer's job. That is why I like this camera so much, it gets out of my way easily, so I can do my part. This is a beautiful camera, with a beautiful lens at a GREAT price. Do buy a good UV filter to protect your lens, and a few CF cards and you are good to go.

The best camera I've ever owned!
The Canon 5D is the best camera I've ever owned, hands down. I've owned Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus and Minolta cameras and this is the best. The size, weight, build quality, everything is just right. Most of all the image quality is unparralled. The Full frame sensor really does make a big difference. The pictures are sharper, with better color and less noise than any camera I've ever used. There is enough resolution to make gorgeous 24x36 in. prints that look better and sharper than 35mm film. I took some shots at ISO 3200 and underexposed by one stop and pushed them back in RAW, and they noise was invisible on a 8x10 in print, you still probably wouldn't see it unless you were looking from an inch away on a 16x20 in print. I love the viewfinder and its great big view, no more tunnel vision for me. I can't even stand to look in a olympus viewfinder anymore, let alone try to manual focus on it. With the 5D the view is so big manual focus becomes easy and enjoyable again. this camera has really brought back the joy of photography for me. I was getting tired of all the photoshopping with other cameras to get what i wanted. But with the 5D I shoot and print, not worrying about post processing anything,it's that good. Try one out, rent or go to the local Wolf camera and play with one you will fall in love with it, guaranteed.