Why did Erwin get rid of 5D

[woodda]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hope you guys and girls do not mind the topic. I am trying to decide on the following. I have a MP and 4 lenses, Nikon D70 for the kids and would need to have a SLR longterm. Should I buy a 5D over the D200 or buy an M8. Which would give the best quality results. I would greatly appreciate if anybody has madethe direct comparisions or has lived with all 3. By the way why did Erwin get rid of 5D was it the M8 or was it rumour of 3D

 

Thanks in advance

[canlogic]

I have both a 5D and an M8. Either one will give you excellent results but I find the image quality slightly better from the M8. 5D has autofocus and auto everything and fantastic high iso with no noise. M8 is really a fully manual camera but very compact with stunning results. If you buy a 5D you will also need "L" lenses to realize the potential of the sensor,

[woodda]

Thanks. If you had to choose which would it be first 5D or M8.

[howard_cummer]

I had a 5D and sold it while retaining my M8 (which I love!!) and getting a Nikon D200. Why? The 5D was a dust magnet - so bad that I took it to Canon for cleaning - not just dust on the sensor but BEHIND the lucite screen where the leds are that light up to indicate focus point. Canon gave me coupons for further free cleanings and that is when I decided to sell it. Canon wide angles - even L lenses - were soft in the corners. I used my Leica R 28 wide with an adaptor but focusing was problematic. My 28 did not hit the mirror although it has been reported that some others did. See the sticky thread at Fred Miranda for a full exposition of which lenses can be used on the 5D. Leica wides on the M8 are sharper and focusing is much more accurate. I have the Nikon D200 because you can use old manual Nikon lenses and dial in their focal length and f stop and use the camera in A mode - you get focus confirmation as well. Somehting that :Leica should do for the M8 in my opinion. In answer to your question - the M8 is best followed by the D200 for my uses. Your mileage may vary. The one thing the 5D does better is noiseless high ISO - nothing can touch the 5D for that.

Cheers

Howard

[AlanJW]

I have kept my 5D. Image quality os excellent, and it is a better tool than the M8 for fast action and for long lenses. I also think the Canon auto flash capability is excellent. I have been lucky and not had dust problems. I prefer the M8's image quality, and also prefer its better portability. Different tools for different jobs. But if you forced me to choose, I would keep the M8 and sell the 5D. Since I'm not so forced, I prefer to keep the 5D on hand for the times when the task better suits it. BTW, I used to be a Nikon person but I prefer full frame and also think Canon does a good job with its sensor and algorithms. This purely subjective. There's enough C vs N debate elsewhere, most of it pretty silly.

[dseelig]

I am a working pro I need my canons the whole pro line . But when traveling fir myself it is an M8 and a 5d with a 70-300 do lens . I wna tlght weight and the ability to do all kinds of work.

[c6gowin]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I also have both the 5D and M8. I have been very impressed with the 5D image quality (at all ISOs) and got the M8 as a travel alternative which would offer similar image quality. I have been very happy with the M8 - it is a pleasure to use and the image quality is stunning.

 

However, to my surprise, the M8 and lenses in a small Domke bag isn't much smaller than my 5D with 24-105, 70-300 DO, and small metz flash in a Crumpler 4 million dollar bag. Overall the M8 system is lighter though.

 

On a practical note, the 5D system is more versatile in that it has autofocus, better for macro and long telephoto lenses, and better high iso performance. Other than being more discrete, there isn't much that the M8 can do that the 5D can't, but there is a whole lot of stuff the 5D can do that the M8 can't.

 

I will probably get flamed for these comments, but they are my truthfull assessment of both systems. This is not meant to take anything away for the M8 system. Which system you will prefer will depend on your intended uses and shooting style.

 

For what it is worth, I find that I have been using the M8 much more than the 5D - it is a completely different shooting experience which I like.

 

Gowin

[xrogers]

Gowin has very valid points. The M8 and lenses are also surprisingly dense---a bag containing an M8, 35 Lux and 90 Cron is pretty heavy. The 5D is an excellent camera for the price. I did get viewfinder dust (an annoyance, no real problem) and the sensor took a little more time to clean (probably because it's big, and again no real problem).

 

Still, I sold my 5D, it was just gathering dust after I got the M8. The M8 sensor plus Leica lenses gives the sharpest out of camera results I've ever seen, simply stunning. The raw captures are robust, the high ISO performance is excellent, its black and white conversions are exceptional, and the camera's ergonomics are just right.

 

These are both excellent cameras, in my estimation.

 

--clyde

[woodda]

Many Thanks for alltof your taking the time to comment. Your first hand experience is very helpful and will hopefully lead me down the inital route but as most of you mention the ideal in SLR and M8

 

Regards

[woodda]

Nobody mentioned keeping MP and buying 5D or D200 and buying M8 much later. Does anybody have any thoughts on that option or is running this set-up. or is the MP option not appeal and people would not us it (film + scanning being to much of a hassle).

 

Cheers

[chris_tribble]

Darrell - similar points to the others. I'm keeping my 5D + L series zooms (16-35/28-70/70-200) because I need them for some jobs. But the camera I carry all the time for personal AND professional work is the M8 + a minimum lens combo of a 28 asph and either a 50 or 75 lux, I often find that the 5D sits on a tripod with a long lens on it and the M8 walks around the space with me (I theatre and performance work alongside social documentary).

 

Hope this helps

[eronald]

Slightly offtopic: I also have a set of 5D profiles available for people who want to use Capture One for both the M8 and 5D.

 

Edmund

[xrogers]

Nobody mentioned keeping MP and buying 5D or D200 and buying M8 much later. Does anybody have any thoughts on that option or is running this set-up. or is the MP option not appeal and people would not us it (film + scanning being to much of a hassle).

 

Cheers

 

I ran with an M7 and a DSLR for several years. When I needed workflow speed, I used the DSLR. Once I got the 5D, I'd use that when I needed workflow speed or it's almost medium format look. I used the M7 when I needed quick handling or wide dynamic range.

 

On a given day, I'd settle into using one of them, and the other would sit in the bag. Over time, I found the M7 was getting much more action than the 5D, despite the processing/scanning/printing inconvenience. So when the M8 was announced, I got on a waiting list, got one of the first cameras, and have no regrets. It's a winner.

 

--clyde

[pemayeux]

Nobody mentioned keeping MP and buying 5D or D200 and buying M8 much later. Does anybody have any thoughts on that option or is running this set-up. or is the MP option not appeal and people would not us it (film + scanning being to much of a hassle).

 

Cheers

 

I have all three - the 5D, MP and M8. Buying a 5D and keeping a MP and shooting film is a very viable option. After having the M8, I have learned that it doesn't take anymore effort to scan a slide and print it than it does to convert a DNG and print it. The M8s color is better than the 5D, but neither are as good as Kodachrome or some of the other good slide films in my opinion.

 

When it comes to getting a great looking print, I have found the M8 to be the most difficult of the three cameras to work with, though I'm not quite sure why other than I am not a pro with processing software.

[imagist]

This past week my B&W 093 IR filter arrived from B&H.

And I had some M8, high IR sensitivity, fun.

<http://www.imagist.com/paw_07>

 

I also pulled out the old Visoflex III.

Attached it to the M8.

Attached the 50 lux asph and

was blown away by the quality of this lens in macro mode.

These macros, additional IR photographs, and some none IR for comparison

can be seen in the "flash" slide show at:

<http://imagist.com/paw_07/07_wk_17/index.html>

 

Along this M8 journey:

 

I know that many folks think the IR sensitivity of the M8 is some sort of Leica misstep.

But I'm here to tell you that using that sensitivity with an IR filter is a real plus to me and a kick to boot.

The range finder allows for proper framing (try that with an SLR and a 93 filter).

The idea that I'm carrying a Leica M, my amazing M lenses and loaded with color (ASA 160 - 2500), black and white (ASA 160 - 2500), and infrared which can be hand held - well it actually makes me a bit light headed.

 

And I also know that some folks think the Visoflex was a Leica joke in an SLR world.

But until you pull this 1964 device out of the closet and mount it on your 2007 M8, you simply haven't fully experienced the Leica M system. Some of you who've mounted your vintage lenses on your M8's may know what I'm say'n here. Think: It is light, small and allows one to do wonderful macro photography with modern lenses. Add to that the fact that the soft mirror (lock) up occurs with the same motion as releasing the shutter.

 

Again, I'm here to tell you that this is a dream machine - all the stuff ever made for the M's continues to work BEAUTIFULLY with the M8 (ok I know the dual range cron is a no-go and maybe a couple others). I've had the pleasure to experience Leicas from M2 (my first in 1964) through (missed the M7) M8; and declare here and now - Leica remains the finest, small, precision, range finder camera (now digital) system available. The 20D and 5D have rarely seen the light of day since the M8 arrived.

 

Kudos to Leica.

 

Regards,

George Lottermoser

george@imagist.com

[tom0511]

I had a 5d and a d200 but sold the 5d.

Why? I was turned off by the heavy vignetting of the 24-105 on the 5d.

Also I could not see much advantage compared to the d200 in tonality.

The d200 on the other side feels more responsive.

Even though I like shooting with the M8 the d200 offers some advantages over the M8 in certain situations:

- Lately I have added the 18-200Nikon. IQ is better than I expected (I dont see obvious difference compared to my 17-55) and its a release to just bring one lens and have a wide range to use.

-AF-> with the d200 and AF I am just faster when shooting sports, action, kids...the d200 works great and I get more sharp images than I get wit the M8

-D200 is dust sealed and pretty heavy built.I never feel like I have to be as carefull as with them M8

 

Overall IQ-my subctive opinion:

5D has beter high ISO and slightly more detail than the d200

with d200 its easier to get "good" color, it has better exposure metering IMO

M8 with Leica lenses can deliever slightly superior images than both (5d and d200) in regard of micro detail, and very clear and nautral looking images. However its more tricky to nail exposure , white balance and focusing

 

My conclusion: for heay use and for every thing which moves: Nikon AF (d200 or d80 or d2x) for everything where I have more time (for changing lenses and for focusing and for double checking results) I enjoy using the M8.

 

Cheers, Tom

[woodda]

please do keep it coming great advice. Nearly there I think.

 

I did pop into a Leica shop in London today following a reasonably pleasant call when they even remembered my name. However I poped in person and we went back to zero. I have been a loyal customer for over 10 years and cannot square the reception (only great when actually handing over cash. Leading up to the event it is back to zero). Anyway it is their loss whatever they say that I am not the biggets customer. 15k is not bad I think for an amateur

 

Anyway apologies for the diversion

[gesper]

I have a D200 and M8 and agree with Tom for exactly the same reasons. I can add that I am very glad to have the D200 when the M8 is back at Solms (which is too often), and I like the ability to use older (including manual focus) lenses with it.

[geoffreyg]

I had an interesting event to shoot - my son was in an play, with a small stage, and seating on three sides. I was torn between a Canon 20D with a 17/85 zoom, or the M8, with either a 40 CV (for low light) or a TriE for a range of shots. The goal was to use the M8 (quieter, and better optics), but would that be the case?

 

After a few tests helped out, the findings were

 

1) the TriE shooting at f4 required ISO 1250 on the M8, so that was out....the blacks are just too splotchy at that higher ISO.

 

2) The M8 and CV 40 allowed shooting at 1/60, with ISO 640, about the max ISO allowable in the M8 for a decent image that would allow some cropping.

 

3) This was to be compared with the Canon's shooting at ISO 800, and where the len's f4:f5.6 range required slower shutter speed, but was compensated for with image stabilization.

 

4) In the end, the images were almost equal - more zoom on the Canon, better optics on the Leica.

 

5)The things that turned me to use the Canon were the image stabilization, the zooming (for quick use) and the better blacks and light balance in JPG's in the Canon. The Leica just couldn't get the white balance right inside with goofy theater lights. But then, its 1.09 firmware - maybe the newer is better.

 

I guess for consumer stuff, sometimes the consumer camera just makes sense. Makes one realize that there are spots where there just are better tools to use, regardless of what one hopes for. .

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[Iron Flatline]

I have an M8 and a 5D. The Canon's auto-focus L zoom lenses are mission-critical when shooting toddlers and families.

 

The M8 works well for me creatively.