Hey,
So the 5D4 was announced and as a 5D3 owner, as soon as I saw the resolution bump, I wasn't thrilled (I've covered it in other threads, I won't rehash it here). That said, there are a few limited applications where I wished I had just a few more pixels to work with (usually when cropping). To make a long story short, I reasoned that if I'm going to go for more resolution, why stop at 30? May as well just go all the way to 50...therefore, I can keep 22 (5D3) for most of my shooting, but have 50 (5DS R) on tap for those applications where I desire it.
So, now to dive in...
I got the 5DS R for very specific applications - controlled environments, so to speak - but curiosity got the better of me earlier today so I ventured out to see how it handled "everyday" photography so to speak. So I just went out, usual structures, flowers, etc. These are some takeaways from that outing...from the view of the "everyday" camera, rather than the specialty point of view that most reviews seem to offer.
Pros
- RESOLUTION: As someone who has never utilized a camera with >22MP before, the sheer detail captured by this camera is a revelation. Background: I used to own a 7D2 and I was never happy with the image quality from that camera...so with the talk of the 5DS cameras having similar image quality at the pixel level, and seeing image samples, I was initially underwhelmed. But, having taken it out myself, I can now say that the 5DS R squeezes out more fine detail than my old 7D ever did, even at moderately high ISOs. Once you get to 3200 and above, the gap narrows considerably, and it becomes a wash - but I'd still give the 5DS R a slight edge over the 7D2. The 5D3 is still the best performer in that range.
- CROPPING POWER, ADDED REACH: I mentioned detail, right? With the 100-400 mounted, when shooting distant subjects I'm realizing that I have significantly more reach than before. Meaning I can crop further into the shot, or stand farther back when shooting (with the intent to crop later) if getting closer isn't possible or desirable. Not only that, but on a pixel level, in good light the shots appear to have more detail in them than I remember seeing with the 7D. Fine detail also seems better refined at 100% view than even with the 5D3 (which, although razor sharp, can be a bit rough in appearance at times). Possibly this could be attributed to the cancelled AA filter effect?
Cons
- SPEED: The 5DS R is probably the slowest camera I've had since my old T2i - and I mean this not only in burst mode, but shot-to-shot times as well. It's taking a couple of seconds between shot taken and shot appearing on LCD screen, which isn't a major issue but stands out when you're used to the image appearing right away on the 5D3, 7D2, etc.
- MODIFIED SHOOTING STYLE: I've noticed I really have had to pay attention to shutter speed and check every image to make sure it's at least acceptably sharp. Usually on the 5D3 it's only a concern with action shots or moving subjects, but on the S there were a couple instances where the image (at 100%) just had a TINY amount of what appears to be motion blur - looks fine if downsized a tad, but then the extra resolution ends up being wasted and I just end up with an unnecessarily large file. Looks like I will have to look at raising the minimum shutter speed in Av mode when using telephotos with this camera...
- ISO: This one is a given, but when I saw noticeable noise in an image and saw that the ISO was only 640...coming from a 5D3, let's just say an eyebrow was raised.
Neither
- I'm finding lens choice is critical with this camera...a 24-105 just won't cut it here. Instead, I plan to use the 100 Macro, 85 1.2, and perhaps the 35 to get the most out of the sensor. The only zoom lenses I'd feel comfortable using on the 5DSR are the 100-400 II and the 70-200 2.8 II - and even then, probably only in good light (outdoors). I haven't had a chance to try the wide-angle zooms on the camera, perhaps the new 16-35 2.8 III could do it justice as well...
Conclusion: This camera excels where it was intended to - in pure resolving power. The detail is incredible, and holds up to higher ISOs than the equivalent crop-sensor cameras I've used in the past. As an everyday camera, however, I'm finding the drawbacks to outweigh the positives. While 50 MP is an outstanding revelation, in my experience, the slowness and added attention to detail demanded of the shooter do not lend well to my everyday style of shooting. That's not what I bought the camera for, but it was still interesting to see how it would hold up. Basically, I confirmed it cannot replace my 5D3, but makes a great companion to it - compliments it well, so to speak. In the case I decide to move the main camera up to a 1DX2, the 5DSR could fit in even better in that aspect.
Generally, I like what I'm seeing so far. Can't wait to use it to its real potential later on!
Anyone use a 5DS(R) as their MAIN camera (not backup or specialist)?
So the 5D4 was announced and as a 5D3 owner, as soon as I saw the resolution bump, I wasn't thrilled (I've covered it in other threads, I won't rehash it here). That said, there are a few limited applications where I wished I had just a few more pixels to work with (usually when cropping). To make a long story short, I reasoned that if I'm going to go for more resolution, why stop at 30? May as well just go all the way to 50...therefore, I can keep 22 (5D3) for most of my shooting, but have 50 (5DS R) on tap for those applications where I desire it.
So, now to dive in...
I got the 5DS R for very specific applications - controlled environments, so to speak - but curiosity got the better of me earlier today so I ventured out to see how it handled "everyday" photography so to speak. So I just went out, usual structures, flowers, etc. These are some takeaways from that outing...from the view of the "everyday" camera, rather than the specialty point of view that most reviews seem to offer.
Pros
- RESOLUTION: As someone who has never utilized a camera with >22MP before, the sheer detail captured by this camera is a revelation. Background: I used to own a 7D2 and I was never happy with the image quality from that camera...so with the talk of the 5DS cameras having similar image quality at the pixel level, and seeing image samples, I was initially underwhelmed. But, having taken it out myself, I can now say that the 5DS R squeezes out more fine detail than my old 7D ever did, even at moderately high ISOs. Once you get to 3200 and above, the gap narrows considerably, and it becomes a wash - but I'd still give the 5DS R a slight edge over the 7D2. The 5D3 is still the best performer in that range.
- CROPPING POWER, ADDED REACH: I mentioned detail, right? With the 100-400 mounted, when shooting distant subjects I'm realizing that I have significantly more reach than before. Meaning I can crop further into the shot, or stand farther back when shooting (with the intent to crop later) if getting closer isn't possible or desirable. Not only that, but on a pixel level, in good light the shots appear to have more detail in them than I remember seeing with the 7D. Fine detail also seems better refined at 100% view than even with the 5D3 (which, although razor sharp, can be a bit rough in appearance at times). Possibly this could be attributed to the cancelled AA filter effect?
Cons
- SPEED: The 5DS R is probably the slowest camera I've had since my old T2i - and I mean this not only in burst mode, but shot-to-shot times as well. It's taking a couple of seconds between shot taken and shot appearing on LCD screen, which isn't a major issue but stands out when you're used to the image appearing right away on the 5D3, 7D2, etc.
- MODIFIED SHOOTING STYLE: I've noticed I really have had to pay attention to shutter speed and check every image to make sure it's at least acceptably sharp. Usually on the 5D3 it's only a concern with action shots or moving subjects, but on the S there were a couple instances where the image (at 100%) just had a TINY amount of what appears to be motion blur - looks fine if downsized a tad, but then the extra resolution ends up being wasted and I just end up with an unnecessarily large file. Looks like I will have to look at raising the minimum shutter speed in Av mode when using telephotos with this camera...
- ISO: This one is a given, but when I saw noticeable noise in an image and saw that the ISO was only 640...coming from a 5D3, let's just say an eyebrow was raised.
Neither
- I'm finding lens choice is critical with this camera...a 24-105 just won't cut it here. Instead, I plan to use the 100 Macro, 85 1.2, and perhaps the 35 to get the most out of the sensor. The only zoom lenses I'd feel comfortable using on the 5DSR are the 100-400 II and the 70-200 2.8 II - and even then, probably only in good light (outdoors). I haven't had a chance to try the wide-angle zooms on the camera, perhaps the new 16-35 2.8 III could do it justice as well...
Conclusion: This camera excels where it was intended to - in pure resolving power. The detail is incredible, and holds up to higher ISOs than the equivalent crop-sensor cameras I've used in the past. As an everyday camera, however, I'm finding the drawbacks to outweigh the positives. While 50 MP is an outstanding revelation, in my experience, the slowness and added attention to detail demanded of the shooter do not lend well to my everyday style of shooting. That's not what I bought the camera for, but it was still interesting to see how it would hold up. Basically, I confirmed it cannot replace my 5D3, but makes a great companion to it - compliments it well, so to speak. In the case I decide to move the main camera up to a 1DX2, the 5DSR could fit in even better in that aspect.
Generally, I like what I'm seeing so far. Can't wait to use it to its real potential later on!
Anyone use a 5DS(R) as their MAIN camera (not backup or specialist)?