I have a confession to make. I have been bitten by the full frame (FF) bug. But that is hardly news to you huh? So what makes a full frame different from my own 40D? The most enticing reward of going FF is the amazing bokeh that you get. Some purist are against bokeh, but bokeh is a great way of producing very pleasing portraits, a very good way to isolate your subject from the background.
I had a chance to play with a Canon EOS 5D before, the original version, not the Mark II version. You might have noticed this in my previous post; the picture was taken with a 5D. The first thing I immediately notice is the built of the buttons and dials. It’s kinda hard to explain, but the sound of the shutter press is very soft, yet very solid and assuring. And the sound of the shutter flapping against the camera body exudes class and confidence. Sure, it’s not exactly fast. At only about 3 fps, it is the same as my previous 350D. A machine gun shooter will likely avoid this camera. But a 5D is designed for a different class of photographer. The slow thinking photographer, the landscape artist, or the macro freak. It will have a slight disadvantage when shooting weddings and sports.
Canon EOS 5D, with the EF 50 mm f1.8 II attached
The screen is a reminiscence of the 350D; small and uninspiring. Even the menus are similar. That is to be expected, both the camera uses DIGIC II.
Small screen eh? Reminds me of the 350D
Other than that, the other controls are similar to the 40D. The spinning dial at the back, the (still awkward) power-on dial, the multi-directional panning button, and the top panel.
Top panel like the xxD EOS series. Looks more pro compared to on-screen menu!
It shares so many similarities with the 40D, even their batteries are interchangeable!
So how does the image look like? I only have one measly EF lens to mount on this baby, the indispensable (and cheap) EF 50 mm f1.8II. But that lens is enough to bring out the best bokeh for the buck you would care to drool over. Check this out:
Hui Yan as my 5D model
If you check the EXIF, the aperture was only at f/2! PHEW!!
I did not do further testings, but it is a well known fact that this camera also handles noise extremely well!
*sigh* ….. have to wait 20 years for prices of FF cameras to drop to affordable level then only can buy …. 🙁
Chew on this, jacky. You will dream of having one. Great pairing with your 70-200 F2.8IS L. Chew on this.