The EOS 5D is one of my favorite cameras of the entire line (FIG 3.11).
FIG 3.11
It costs a bit more than the 30D, but if you can afford it, I think this is the camera to start with. First of all, this unit features a full frame, 24 X 36 mm, 12.8 megapixel CMOS sensor, which means no conversion factor. Your lenses will give you exactly what they were designed for.
FIG 3.12
As this prosumer model is one step below the professional cameras, you can expect to see less of the consumer influence. For example, the pop up flash is gone, and the Basic Zone has been eliminated from the Mode Dial. The Creative Zone remains, of course, with one wonderful addition, the Camera Setting selection (FIG 3.12).
Canon’s made it possible for you to record your favorite shooting settings and get back to them just by turning the Mode Dial to the “C”.
It’s easy. After you get the AF mode, Metering, ISO, white balance (and many more items), where you want them, activate the Menu and find Register Camera Settings in the Tools submenu. Press the Set button and a new screen will appear. Rotate the Quick Control Dial to OK, and press the Set button again. That’s it.
In addition to shooting settings, you can register many Menu settings at the same time, 16 of them, in fact, plus any active Custom Functions. If you’re a studio shooter with a preferred setup of, say, ISO 400, 6500 K Color Temperature, top center single AF Point, sRGB color space and Standard Picture Style, you can go out and shoot any other combination you wish, but get your preferred settings back anytime. I know you can easily see the usefulness of this feature (FIG 3.13).
FIG 3.13
The best part? Even if you’re set to C, you can make changes to any of the covered settings. If you find you like the new selection better, just register it as you did before, through the Menu.
Paul Gero said that after shooting film and prime (non-zoom) lenses for so many years, he developed an instinct for how far from his subject he would need to be to get the shot, and that the instinct extended to every lens in his bag.
It wasn’t until after he switched to digital that he began to seriously work with zoom lenses, although he still uses his favorite primes. One thing he’s never been willing to give up is the full frame sensor, which is why he works his wedding magic with two 5Ds at a time, each with a different lens.
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