Is Canon 5d mk 1 still a good camera?

[Etienne]

I've owned the Canon 40D, 5DII, 5DIII, and I've used the T3i, 60D, 5Dc, and 6D quite a lot. I can say the 5DIII is by far the best of all these.

The 5Dc produces beautiful shots up to ISO800, the 40D was a work horse, and the 5DII was great, and the 6D is pretty much the same as the 5DII with a few extra goodies. But the 5DIII is pretty damn good at everything from video to sports to landscape to portraitsl the ergonomics are awesome, and it's built like a tank. It stands out above all in this category. The only better camera to the 5DIII is the 1Dx, but you got to pay and you have to carry a much bigger camera. Overall, I would ditch the 5Dc for either a 5DII, a 6D, or a 5DIII if you can cough up the cash. Then wait for the next generation.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Hi I'm still own a canon 5d mk1 and i'm thinking if do i need to upgrade to 6d? well, i can't afford the 5d mkIII.

but still my question is should i get a 6d or keep using my 5d mk1 and save money to buy a mkIII?

Thanks

There are some really useful features on the newer bodies. I had the 5D, two 5D MK II's, and two 5D MK III's as well as two 7D's. Any of the FF bodies were head and shoulders better IQ than the 7D.
1. AFMA. Tweak your AF system to match each of your lenses. It might not be apparent on the 12 MP body, but with more MP, you will want more accurate autofocus.

2. Live View can be very useful, I use it a lot. Others may not, it does depend on the user.

3. The ability to crop with a higher MP sensor is improved, I seem to do this a lot.

4. I do think that IQ improves as well, particularly the reds.

5. The improvement at high ISO's has been discussed.

 

[RLPhoto]

5Dc is a fine camera but I wouldn't upgrade unless you have your lenses lined up first. It's better money spent on glass first then when you have your lenses ready, the 6D/5D3 will be waiting.

 

[JohanCruyff]

5Dc is a fine camera but I wouldn't upgrade unless you have your lenses lined up first. It's better money spent on glass first then when you have your lenses ready, the 6D/5D3 will be waiting.

...and if you wait until 2015, you could be possibly able choose to upgrade to a used 6D/5D3 or to a new 6D2/5D4...

That's what is happening to me: I can't convince myself that I need a new Full Frame body, so I'm keeping my 5Dc plus my EOS M when I need to shoot videos or to travel light.

 

[Marsu42]

That's what is happening to me: I can't convince myself that I need a new Full Frame body, so I'm keeping my 5Dc plus my EOS M when I need to shoot videos or to travel light.

The 5d3 has full res raw video capability (with Magic Lantern) so that's a decisive feature added, of course apart from everything else ML offers as it isn't available on the 5dc.

Otherwise only upgrading a body after knowing what exactly the required improvement is imho is the best advice. Much more sense putting $$$ into lenses and esp. lighting gear (1x 600rt = €500 ...). It's easy to test-drive a new camera nowadays either via rental or in a shop, if it doesn't immediately deliver the "that's worth a couple of thousand $$$" impression the money might be better saved.