Canon 5D Classic Mk1 vs Mk2 vs Mk3 vs Mk4 - Worth upgrading in 2020 ??

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

I have put together a resource page for the Canon 5D with a lot more information about the 5D Classic Mk1. Here is the link. ⭐️ bit.ly/5d-free-resource-page

[@ActualCounterfactual]

It's June 2020 and just bought a 2nd hand 5Dii, like brand new only 7k clicks... 2nd hand prices are now fabulous ... great value for money. The reason I went for a 5Dii was that I bought 2x 6D which BOTH failed on me!!! I therefore do not trust the 6D model ... and I decided for something that has been heavily used by pro photographers over a prolonged time but still at a bargain price. This body is good enough for 95% of my needs, I used the 5Dii over a few weeks under various conditions such as low-light /sun /rain /indoors /outdoors etc and this 5Dii is still a VERY capable camera. Since I'm mainly a stills-image shooter who shot for around 25 years (pre-digital as well) and I have very little interest in video, so I'm looking forward to use it for many years to come and even use it for some paid jobs. I'm not shooting sports and don't need exceptional crazy frame rates. Auto focus is good enough if you use the center spot only and I also find RAW files up to ISO 3200 to be good enough to sell to wedding clients if you use good lenses (might need a SLIGHT noise reduction in Lightroom on a few occasions). Normally its only photographers who pixel-peep, clients are more focused on moments and emotions instead of technicality. Also, try to put some outside perspective into our consumer society where we are tricked into getting new gear/upgrades all the time. It was not that long ago Professionals used EOS-D1 for their corporate work and created fantastic images displayed on large billboards. The list-price for D1 on release was around 6500 Dollars even though the resolution was a meagre 4 MegaPixel only, but still photographers managed to generate fantastic photos on such small resolution. Some of the best + most historical images we seen are pre-digital, taken using a camera which literally was a box with a piece of glass in the front without any technology. Today people are buying cameras that are more powerful than the computer that took humanity to the moon in the 1960s... AND they cost as much as a second-hand car!!!! Even so, we often still see generic photos that could have been taken with any consumer camera. So looks like we don't need better more expensive gear, we need better photographers ... we have become so lazy with too much "auto" expectations.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

everyone here should read your comment thanks

[@ActualCounterfactual]

@@RichardBarleyphoto Hi Richard, thanks for YOUR excellent research and comparison, very good and factual video :)

[@RozelyLindim]

totally agreed. The 5dC and 5dii has some special when used. It has very therapeutic shutter sound lol.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

I agree with everything you say thanks for your comment

[@T3hJones]

The mirror of my 5D mk1 fell out in the forrest, took it home and glued it back and works fine...

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

that's great keep the old camera going for 20 more years, thanks for your comment. here is a link to my 5d resource page if you need it. bit.ly/5d-free-resource-page

[@Sylykyn]

AK-47 of cameras!

[@ESKATEUK]

The 5D mkii is still the bargain of the bunch at the moment. Amazing camera for the money, and performs pretty much on par with the 5D mkiii if you don’t need the better autofocus.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Thanks for your comment

[@borispradel1037]

Nope, the bargain is the 6D MKI. It’s cheaper, has a better sensor, no banding as the 5DMKII, a stop and a half better ISO, updated nine point AF system and color science of the 5D MKI.

[@ESKATEUK]

@@borispradel1037 hmm I disagree. Have used both. The 6D is around £100 more here, I preferred the pictures taken from the 5D mkii. I also have very large hands and prefer the more professional size and feel of the 5D. They’re both very good cameras, in some ways better than each other.

[@msmarji]

Richard, You do a great job dispelling photo myths... megapixel, sensor tech & ISO. Bravo 🙌 . The 5D Classic is just that, a classic film camera in digital format. I bought mine in 2005 (SN#182......) and I will not get rid of it. People are ALWAYS amazed of the image quality and most of all “look” of the images from the 5D Classic. No other Canon CMOS sensor produces this classic film look.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Thanks for your comment

[@weisserth]

I think the most important point you made is about resolution - and how little resolution really means for almost any but the most extreme scenarios demanding massive amounts of cropping. For me, the sweet spot with cameras is somewhere in between 16MP and 24MP. I can work with 12MP files too and I have printed 30 x 40 inches from 12MP RAW files with stunning results (and careful processing). A meaningful step up from any resolution would have to quadruple the amount of pixels for a meaningful difference in print size and print resolutions - provided the printer can actually work with that. So even upgrading from the 5D to the 5DIII is not that much of a deal in terms of meaningful resolution for printing. I went with the 5DII which I purchased used with a very low shutter count just a few weeks back. With modern software, I can pretty much print ANY size I could EVER realistically need for the rest of my existence on Earth. And yes, I do know how to frame and compose my images. I rarely crop heavily.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

thanks for your comment, I have been using the mk4 for last wedding season, i still prefer the colours and resolution/sharpness from the 5D classic

[@NormSpupsEntertainment]

My friend was wanting a 5d mk1 after seeing the files I'm achieving with the setup. he's just won 2 bids! canon 5d (late serial number model) with 3 batteries + 70-200 f4 for £475! I think he'll be very happy. Thanks again Richard for your videos! You convinced me to get this camera in June, now you've convinced another!

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

thats great thanks for your comment

[@ramadevirama492]

Canon 5 Marke is best

[@ramadevirama492]

Canon 5 marke 1 is best

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

I used the 5D classic at a wedding last week, I still think it’s great

[@nevermind2407]

I did it. Bought a 5D classic today along with a EF35mm F1.4L with a bag for just under USD 750. The camera was (I think) pretty "new". Serial number starting with 430... Apart from some scratches looks hardly used and the Lens looks almost like out of the box

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

never found one starting with a 4 in the serial number

[@rocheuro]

i think that the 5D 12Mpix FULL Frame is a perfect match for the 36mm size and things really didn't go that much further since then... since 2008 seriously.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

I agree

[@ESKATEUK]

Very good video. I have always had a hard time trying to explain to people that mega pixel count is not the be all and end all. And most higher end cameras often had a lower mega pixel count than entry level cameras. A perfect example is when a mobile phone company made a “50mp main camera” and it looked no sharper than the 12mp camera on the phone it was compared to.

[@azlan2410]

5dc was the 1st full frame I bought in 2012. I still have it until today. The colour of the camera is very special. I have 2 5dc now. Even when it is at high iso, the grain is still very special. Use with 50mm 1.4, 85 1.8, 100mm macro, and 28-105mm. Last week I shot 2000 images for an event. 98% of the images were sharp. Really love this camera.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Good to hear thanks for your comment

[@gubunken]

Did you change the shutter? is that the shutter count is not over over the years?

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Great cameras always become classics

[@niurou]

5d classic has a weak anti-aliasing filter, images just came out very sharp and vibrant. IMO, the image quality of 5D classic is better than 5D2.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

thanks for your comment, i may try a 5d2 for video

[@LakeHowellDigitalVideo]

That's why everyone buys the 5DII. The video capabilities are incredible. With Magic Lantern, it will film raw video in HD at 14 bit color. They filmed network tv shows with the 5DII (SNL, House) and a bunch of major films (Avengers, Act of Valor).

[@DieCastErn]

Finally someone put this together and explain, could you do one for the 6D series too?

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

If someone sent me one or two I would

[@pgknippel]

I love my 5D. I have an extra, which I am thinking of de-bayering ….wish me luck. Richard, I imagine a possible reason Canon didn’t bother with film-plane image stabilization is they have so many vibration reduction lenses out, they just didn’t see the need in doubling up on that tech…who would “need” 10 stops, handheld? Can you imagine. Liked & subscribed! And thanks for a 5D nerd-out!

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

The IS in the 24-105 and 70-200 f4 has always been enough for what I need, thanks for your comment

[@sergeantcrow]

Excellent ! I think I'm in a good place here.. Returning to photography after 30 yrs I bought a new D5100 16 MP but then within a short time I grabbed a 20 D and then D200 which I use the most... This week bought Dynax 1D !

[@Twobarpsi]

Excellent info and analysis!! I just bought a 5d2 and LOVE it!

[@nicedward7544]

I've had a classic and 2 mk2s. I've had mk2 since it came out and still use one today. Plenty good for what i do. If i was doing sports I'd jump to the mk3 but i mostly do artistic or portrait work.

[@supercuber9805]

do u think the 5d classic have much better colours than the 5d mk 2 or can they be simulour in colour if we use lightroom i am going to buy a mk 2 and I am really hyped is the af that bad

[@nicedward7544]

@@supercuber9805 they are very close. I would always choose the mark2 because it has way less noise in low light. The af is perfectly fine unless you are a pro sports photographer

[@supercuber9805]

@@nicedward7544 thanks bro

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

They are all very good enjoy using them

[@TK421-53]

IMO you miss one of the most important features that was introduced with the Mk.2 that’s Micro Adjustment. That can be a real game changer if you have multiple lenses. You can fix most back or front focusing issues yourself, instead of needing to send your body and lens(es) to a service center for calibration. At one point I had to send in my 5D and +8 lenses to be adjusted (and you’ll be amazed what work they had to do on “in warranty factory spec gear” to be really optimized. The Mk.2 changed all that. New lens, modest back or front focus, NP. Lens with some focus shift, adjust for your preferred working distance etc.

[@keketonttu]

I agree! I propose to test the autofocus with some prime like 50mm f1.8 to see if it back focuses. This seems to be a huge issue if the mirror was glued back or even serviced by Canon.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Thanks for this, I did miss it out.

[@rentedtux1883]

I've shot Olympus for years. Even in the film days. Even the E1, a 5 megapixel camera. I'm switching to a 5d and maybe a 5d III. Video doesn't matter to me at all. I've owned the digital Pen F and the EM1 mk ii. I do hope that the full frame will give me what I'm looking for for portraits and weddings. I'm a new sub. Thanks for all your incredible information

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Thanks for your comment

[@koobs4549]

I never had an issue with my mark I mirror, I swapped out the focusing screen when I got the 50mm f/1.2 because it wasn’t sharp enough for that lens. When I got the mark II, I put that focusing screen in it & put the original one back in the Mark I. Never had any issues with the mirror in either one luckily.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Glad you had a good mirror, just keep on using and don’t worry

[@TheDavveponken]

Did the focus screen for 5d mark I fit the mark II? I thought they were different?

Very nice comparaison work Richard! I own a 5D Mkii, and to me, this is the perfect balance between the 4. Amazing camera, but I understand why some people like the Classic, especially for the colors!

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

i need to try the mk2 again, i think the files are much sharper than the mk4

[@DM-ty4lr]

Hi. I like your video's partly because I have a 5D1 I got maybe 8 years ago for around $500. Now they sell for maybe $400. I've wondered about the nice 5D1 colours, and I'm not sure I always get them. Like are they there only in OOC JPEGs, or are the Canon colours there in RAW files too? I assume you'd get them in the Canon RAW software but I've been wanting to use programs like Capture One, Photoshop, DXO, etc, and presumably if you used the standard Adobe or Cap One profile they would be replaced, or do the camera specific profiles in these programs get the Canon colours done well enough? Adobe might have to reverse engineer the colours, unless Canon supplied the profile and they might not. I assume they get the colours done well since I see in your Workflow Part 2 you used a LR camera profile neutral. So maybe that's it. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

The Canon RAW software is the key if you are using RAW. Lightroom with the canon profiles and neutral for my wedding business (not as good as the canon software) I would try to use jpg with a white balance card and get great files out of the camera first.

[@DM-ty4lr]

​@@RichardBarleyphoto Thanks Richard! I'll try the Canon software. Or I guess I could start processing RAW with the Canon software and export as a TIFF if I am wanting the colours with the processing ability of another package. But it's adding another step. The JPEG way with card sounds good.

[@DM-ty4lr]

@@RichardBarleyphoto Hey Richard. Some new info here. Further to getting best Canon RAW colours, hope you find the video in this article interesting, it just popped up today, very timely: www.canonwatch.com/canon-eos-r5-review-how-to-get-the-best-possible-colors/ Looks like: Canon DPP software with adobe gamut applied in DPP, is >> DPP with sRGB applied, which is >> Capture One, is >> LR with colour checker >> LR standard. Suggests that the results look substantially better as DPP/adobe, but DPP could add to the RAW workflow if exported as TIFF. And finally, thanks for all your great video's featuring the 5D1!

[@quazisanjeed6395]

I have a 5DII and 7D for landscape and wildlife photography respectively. As an enthusiast don't envision requiring a replacement in next five years to say the least. These workhorses last forever and mine are only around 30k (each) shutter counts old.

[@Lethorio]

My 5D Classic was £160, 5D Mark II was £300, but in excellent condition. I feel like the price difference is easily justified with the Mark II. It's a significantly better camera, if only for the better LCD screen and low light performance, in my eyes.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

£460 for two great cameras

[@antonroland]

Agreed on the rear screen but can’t comment on the low light performance ‘cause I never owned a Mk 2.

[@HumanClouds]

Just bought my second 5D - great camera with all the features I need!

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

thanks for your comment

[@followingthewing]

The 5dc is the best camera I've ever used and as you will know Richard no one can discern the age of the camera when looking at pics. A point id make is that most people are viewing their pics on small screen nowadays... Very rarely do people print these days.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

I agree, I always focus on the lenses and how easy the camera is to use. thanks for your comment

[@JacobSever]

Great video! I was not aware of the mirror issue, that's a great tip to look out for. There's a 5D Classic body for sale locally for only $100 USD, but the serial number starts with a 0. So I guess that's just a risk. I'd rather spend a little more to find something in the 3--- production timeline.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

they are very cheap now, buy a few, then send the bad ones back

[@NozzerMW3]

Hi there, firstly may i say a great channel for all us 5D mk1 owners. i have the F4 24-105 L lens and a Tamron 28-75 F2.8 both of which focus fine. i bought a Tamron 75-300 and all the images are blurry. i believe the lens may need calibrating. can the 5D be adjusted if that is the case.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

I have found that allot of people i teach have trouble with the Tamron lenses auto focus and I only recommend the Canon L series lenses. A Canon repair centre may help you

[@chavitavb]

Hey Richard, Since you have a lot of experience with the Canon 5D classic, do you know any good sites that sell the 5D Classic in good condition ? I'm kind of wary of EBay. Any tips ?

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

I do source the odd one now

[@followingthewing]

Also want to say Richard I've added a Panasonic gx9 to my setup and it compliments the 5d well in colours. Also at higher isos it has the same noise if that makes Sense

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

It does make sense. What do you think of the Panasonic system do you like it?

[@followingthewing]

@@RichardBarleyphoto apologies Richard didn't see your reply. The panasonic colors are great and continue to please. Viewfinder is awful though

[@AussieCornerStudio]

Thank you so much Richard for taking the time and effort to produce this video. Lucky me coming from videography how this happened was the event organiser needed video clips for commercial broadcast but also still images for some magazines.. Silly me put my hand up for this assignment. moving forward to todays standards what technology offers and what the company thinks we need.. Money of course, designers engineers pushed to revamp old technology, Speed to produce quality results. I'm still not convienced that a still camera should be used as a video camera you have audio time snyc time stamps codec colour correction and rendering speed format just makes the equipment work so hard. However Cmos was the right way for still cameras as I used to pull off one frame for images, thank you Sony we all know what the DVcam tapes could yield once CF cards electronic view finders were introduced the video and audio companies certainly had something in mind. Make old technology redundant I dream of listening to quality analog recorded music but someone thought lets compress it they won't know the difference between analog and MP3 audio files...Maybe they forgot Sound Engineers were born before the 80's...As for visual 4k is fine 8k is making my eyes work hard and the brain to do more I went to Japan and watched a 12k movie I found it to be so much detail and information visually my brain had enough after 2 hours. Something the Engineers might want to rethink how long is safe viewing time.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Thanks for your detailed comment

[@Franjo.Horvat]

Hello Richard, love your vids on 5d and since i consider you as an expert on this camera would you be able to help me? I just bought 16gb card and my 5d doesnt recognize more then 8gb. It's on ver. 1.1.0 but i cant find newer versions that allow bigger cards. Is there something i can do or should i just use my 16gb card as 8gb? Thanks a lot

[@neuzdost1939]

Search google for 1.1.1 firmware, unpack it in pc, format your CF in camera, drag unpacked firmware onto it and put it into camera, turn it on, select update firmware, chose file and install. Works like a charm. Just keep in mind you have to format your CF again before using it once update is finished. Oh yeah and turn off your camera and take off battery for like 5 seconds before using it again for the update to take place

[@Island-pool]

Film guy from the 70’s. I use digital in manual with a light meter and 18 percent grey card . I use the d5 because it’s simple

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

the simple techniques are the best

[@antonroland]

None of my K-1000 cameras had rear screens at all🤪. Love my 3rd 5D1 after stupidly selling first 2…#4 coming home any day now…

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

👍

[@percywillis]

Great work!

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

thanks for your comment

[@gladiolus2990]

its cool to see people still using 5d... man i have problem with my 5d, there is not proper auto white balance, i have to chose some kelvins etc. which setting do you use for auto white balance?

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

AWB😀

[@gladiolus2990]

@@RichardBarleyphoto man when i set it to awb; Most of my night photos becomes yellowish) :

[@TheDavveponken]

@@gladiolus2990 If you can shoot raw you can edit the white balance in PS raw-editor. Also you could try changing the kelvin in your settings. To be fair though I think yellowish colours is rather true depiction of a lot of street lamps.

[@jonioneeye]

Hey Richard, My 5D classic serial number starts with a 7.. Any idea what that means? Guess it's a good thing as it's newer than a 3?

[@peoplez129]

No 5D classic starts with serial number 7. If it does, the sticker is a bad fake. Top number for serial numbers ends at 3.

[@Cotictimmy]

Sounds similar to my Nikon D3x.

[@lainers175]

Hi Richard, I see that you offer to source 5D Mark I's. Do you also offer to source Mark II's too? Thank you.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Yes I can www.richardbarleyphotography.com

[@hilarylee5332]

Hi Richard. A very interesting vlog on the benefits or otherwise of upgrading. I have owned and used the 5D Classic for many years and I have been more than happy using it and continue to do so. Most of my ‘serious’ photography is landscapes and most of that is done using M. One thing I would very much like is Live View, which I know I would have IF I upgraded to the MK2. You didn’t mention this is your vlog, maybe you did and maybe I missed it, and on this point I have a question. Rather that upgrade to a MK2, is it possible to use a small Field Camera to give me Live View on my faithful old friend the MK1 Classic? Many thanks

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

good question, there is video out on the camera and a lead in the box but there is no hdmi on the camera. I would not know at the moment, if i find out i will comment back here. if you find out please let us know here

[@KennyGuyte]

Thanks bro.

[@carlosazevedo7748]

Richard, can I ask you what is your view on using a camera on a wedding with single card slot?

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

i have always used a single card slot and then backed up as i go along, if i had a choice today i would go with two cards, but still back up

[@tridentroy]

Awesome sir

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

thanks for your comment

[@zmanagadze]

cool video Richard! I have 5D also since 3 days. how can I change copyright info? In metadata i see pre owners name nut there is no copyright in menu. could you help? Thx

[@JB_inks]

Fire up the Canon utility software, attach the camera to your computer and type in your name, etc.

[@zmanagadze]

@@JB_inks there is no canon utility soft now that recognizes 5d classic. and there is also no version for mac os. but thx for your answer

[@JB_inks]

@@zmanagadze I think I have an old copy somewhere, I'll see if I can sort something out for you

[@JB_inks]

@@zmanagadze you might be able to boot into a Windows virtual machine and do it if you have the software

[@zmanagadze]

@@JB_inks ​ @JB woow, t would be very nice, thx

[@dadasesa4108]

You didn't mention the flash sych speed for the 5dclassic😃?

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

1/200 th of a second

[@dukegilmour2669]

Guess what I found......... Shutter count on info page 5Dc

[@gavingynert2455]

Hm?

[@dukegilmour2669]

Yup, shutter count, info page

[@gavingynert2455]

@@dukegilmour2669 Your 5dc has a shutter count info page?

[@dukegilmour2669]

Yes, the manual says it's the amount of photographs available on the card. The number stays the same when I switch cards size , and increase after each photo. 6789 ect...

[@dedskin1]

aint nothing smooth about 24fps , AINT NOTHING SMOOTH about that , every good TV has interlacing , to bring that up to 50fps or whatever so you can at least watch it , i litrally see picture slides in 24fps , But i will tell you why Film industry uses it , just edit 24fps video with FX , and then do one in 60fps , 3xtimes longer , 3 times or more more expensive , and that is why they do it . Before they saved on film, today they save on CPU time .

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

thanks for your comment

[@quazisanjeed6395]

Describing specs is waste of time and makes me lose concentration. It is more helpful if image quality in different conditions is dicsussed and the actual reasons why they are better or poorer. Thank you.

[@RichardBarleyphoto]

Maybe you should buy all of them and compare them