Canon 5D Classic - Review & Real World Use

[@andrewwilkin1923]

Hi Gideon, a well balanced review. I've owned a 5D for 10 years now. My biggest con is the lack of inbuilt sensor cleaning. Can live with the other cons you mentioned but the 5D is a total dust bunny and needs lots of cleaning. To minimise this I usually only use the 40mm f2.8 pancake or the old 28-70mm f2.8 L (that takes heft to another level) and never change lenses in the field. The 5D has a hidden trick on it's AF. When AF point selection is set to automatic and the AF mode is set to AI servo the 5D uses the centre AF point first of all to find focus, if it can't find focus then it'll use one of the other 8 points. If the central AF does lock focus there are 6 invisible AF points around that central point. So if the subject moves away from the central AF point but stays within the spot metering circle the 5D will still track it.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Thanks and good point, I kind of got used to that side of things using Fuji S2 and S3 Pros, neither of which have sensor cleaning. Lots of rocket blower action and minimal lens swapping in the field.

[@iSleepDoc]

Thanks

[@gohumberto]

I just bought my 2nd one, used from MPB (again). I bought one 7 years ago but preferred my 6D so I sold it on. I regretted not owning one immediately. I paid €229 for thie latest one, just over £200 in excellent condition. I just like owning a piece of photographic history and I think it will always be seen as an important camera. On top of that it takes beautiful images. Can I just say that a used Canon 6D is currently the best bang-for-your-buck DSLR out there. It's very much overlooked because it never had class-leading specs, but being a Canon, it it a real workhorse and produces the best files since the 5D but with way better ISO and Focussing. You can pick them up for £400 anywhere and, with a nifty-fifty, will produce stunning images. It's a portrait monster.

[@ccw5886]

Thanks Gideon...Excellent review. I want one ! :)

[@normstangl3499]

I shoot mainly M43, but I still have a 5D with the 40mm f2.8 pancake lens, a remnant from my FF days. I don’t have any issue with focus and recompose. In fact sometimes I find it to be more efficient than trying to move the focus point around in some situations. The screen on my camera no longer shows proper colour, but the menus and histogram (which I rely on to judge exposure)are viewable. The colour on my screen looks like an 8 bit posterized image and I only get to see a proper representation of the images when they are uploaded to Lightroom. This issue takes me back to the film days when you had to wait to see the images.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

100% agree with regards to focusing, much easier to lock and recompose

[@normstangl3499]

@@gideonliddiardphotography like you I’ve been using mine as an EDC for a walkabout in the past few weeks and I’ve been loving it. I don’t shoot much video, so that’s not really an issue.

[@superbug1977]

Good video. I own three of these. The one I use the most has the battery grip on the body and a very heavy lens: the Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG Art. This is heavy kit but it steadies my shooting. And the Art lens is sharp, as good or better than L glass. The 5D classic has never been beat, the industry keeps adding megapixels to cameras but there is something about the sensor on the 5D classic. They were trying to sell it to professional film photographers so they engineered filmic DNA into the thing. The skin tones are just amazing. My Sony A7R3 has maybe 42 megapixels per image (something like that, I think). But the 5D classic is equal to it in image beauty--imagine that. And my mirrorless Canon can't produce anything better, though the Canon R6 seems to be the champion of image quality (I don't own that model). I'll never get rid of my three 5Ds. They are treasures to keep and have produced some of the best work I've ever done. Thanks for sharing this video on KZbin. I enjoyed it.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Thanks, just have to agree about the sensor on it, it's just very special

[@kevrosas1]

this made me laugh as I use a the 50 1.4 art too not only without the grip but without a strap. It’s a phenomenal combo. Walked around Dublin for 2 days carrying it for some amazing shots with one new third party battery.

[@mikede2464]

Got it when it first fame out and sold it for the D700. Tired of the 5D not having auto ISO is the 21st century: major con for me. Also the color rendition was simply how Canon programmed the color science. Very ,very easy to get the same color on other cameras like the D700 I had back then and the A9ii I have now. But really liked the feel of the 5D; especially the front dial by the shutter. I found the D700 to have similar image quality as the 5D if my memory serves.

[@darrylcaldwell2617]

@ 11:43 when he said "BUT, DAMN DOES IT LOOK GOOD!" will make anyone go out and buy the camera😂. I have a 5D Classic and the shutter sound when you snap a photo is priceless.

[@jan-martinulvag1953]

Strangely if you use the 1.4 the noise problem is much less

[@xcx8646]

I bought mine from MPB last year and it cost £84! It's in fantastic condition and hasn't missed a beat. I wish I could say the same about the 50mm 1.8 II lenses I've gone through...

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Nice one!

[@wendyleroux7082]

New to Canon... have a original EOS 5D.... how do I set my shutter speed & ISO? Can't find the options??

[@ShutterNChill]

To set ISO: right hand, on the top, second button from the right. Push it once, and then use the big scrollwheel on the back to change ISO. You will see the ISO value both in the viewfinder (so you can change ISO without looking away), and also on the LCD screen on the top. Shutter speed: might be different in different modes. In "M" manual mode (I use manual all the time) the top wheel by the right finger changes shutter speed, and the big scrollwheel changes aperture (the same wheel that changes the ISO if you press the ISO button on the top right). Enjoy shooting! ;

[@TheLarkymarky]

Exactly my thoughts too about this camera. I just bought a second hand one for about the same price as yours. I have aps-c canons too BUT my lenses are ef-s so I bought the 'nifty fifty' and a 28-105. There's a definite 'look' to the 5Ds pictures, like a very small amount of golden glow to them. The battery life is fantastic ! I have a second hand Sony A7 MK1 and the battery life is terrible, about 1% per 3 shots!!!!! The only little annoyance for me is that the exposure button is for the flash setting, it took me a while to figure out how to do exposure compensation. Great review, and I love my 'new' lol 5D!

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Many thanks, glad to hear your enjoying it, they really are great.

[@skyhigh1154]

Great review loved it. Now on to the 5Dmk2?📸

[@quazisanjeed6395]

The sheer number of recent videos on this oldest DSLR speaks for its attributes. I own it and love it.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

It earns the title of classic for a very good reason, and that they sell so cheap as well it just amazing.

[@quazisanjeed6395]

@@gideonliddiardphotography, well if they claimed the release price; still I would have bought it.

[@michaelbell75]

It was one of the most popular cameras in 2023 which was odd, but there re lots of photographers going back to older DSLRs and digicams with CCD sensors for the more filmic character they had. Modern sensors have become very sterile looking and over-sharpened with zero character. I love using FD lenses on my 5D for portraits.

[@quazisanjeed6395]

@@michaelbell75 not downgrading to the mirrorless system was the best decision I ever made in my hobbyist photography life. Now, on the hunt for CCD sensor bodies. Have my eyes set on Nikon D200. Unsure when can have one!

[@bngr_bngr]

Sponsored videos for used camera stores.

[@SammySantiagoIrizarry]

Great video Gideon. But I can not agree on all your cons. I understand that thereis no perfect camera. But when you get a Canon 5D classic is for simply pictures. And for the working Still photography Pro this is a true workhorse. Never has an issue with the door. The AF for the year 2005 was good, all you need to use is the center point then focus and recompose. The ISO range is excellent even at 1,600. You can not treat this sensor as today, because if you underexpose a little then the noise will show, but if you over expose just going over touching the right on the histogram the noise will be aceptable. About the bulk, this is nonsense, this camera is less bulky and heavy than a D3 or 1Ds.

[@ActualCounterfactual]

Just mentioned in another video how much I loved my 5D... then after my mirror dropped out mid-wedding, I never fully trusted it again. However, its truly a great feeling working with this camera Its a bit like back in the analogue days, to get results we must read the light carefully + waiting for all to fall into place, and this is NOT a bad thing. We become "better" photographers, since we must think before shooting. Today we have 20 frames a second + dynamic range from black night to the Sahara sun ... and a resolution to astronomical proportions... so less thinking is needed before we act, and we become lazy.

[@marksphotoperry356]

''loved my 5D... then after my mirror dropped out mid-wedding'' Same exact situation happened to me too. So i got my 2nd 5D and back to the wedding shoot i went. That repair is covered by Cannon in case you did not know. The 5D is the Best Digital Camera ever made !

[@MB-or8js]

I have no experience with the 5D classic but own and use the 5D MkII since 2009. More rarely in recent years - after I upgraded to the Sony A7R in 2014 and later to digital rangefinder cameras - but in some situations I still like using the 5D MkII. In my case mostly in situations where I require AF with my EF L lenses (never bought into Sony's E-mount lens environment), for speedlite flash photography, and whenever I need a weather resistant camera. To this day this camera makes beautiful photos with great color gamut in regular light. It remains my last Canon digital camera I have purchased. The only other Canon DSLR I would have been interested in was the 5DsR. But it came much too late to the market after many like me already switched to higher resolution and higher DR cameras from Nikon or Sony.

[@dima1353]

Canon 5D doesn't have much of a camera for its weight. I would not recommend it instead of an amateur crop that is 3-4 generations fresher. Something lighter with live view, something nice to carry and use. Cameras from that era quite often have problems with autofocus. For people in this budget, it is also natural to look for old cheap EF lenses - and such lenses themselves have frequent AF problems. In the worst case, you can use a camera like 600d as a manual focus mirrorless camera. On 5D it is not even possible to accurately focus manually if all goes wrong. People in this budget are most likely beginners. Cameras like this, cameras from this era were my first DSLRs, and I'm not that cruel, I don't want newbies to go through the experiences that I went through. They have the opportunity to start their journey without a mirror that causes earthquakes, without these sticky sensors that become covered with dust in two weeks, with more or less reliable autofocus, at least in static conditions, and other useful and pleasant things.

[@giuseppepatruno1879]

The Best 5D. I miss it even though I own the Mark III and Mark IV.

[@michaelbell75]

Debatable. The Mark II is iconic. It literally started the hybrid camera craze still going strong today. A full frame DSLR that shot full HD video was unread of before then.

[@prof.dr.doc.uzm.sevimturkm3513]

hello, which one is better? canon 2000d + 18.55 or canon 5d +f1.4

[@marksphotoperry356]

Please take that croppy lens off that GREAT camera ! Its like Driving a Ferrari car and having no name low quality discount store tires !

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Nope, and it's nothing close to that analogy (and having worked in the automotive industry for 25+ years I know both well enough to say that). That combo has sold more than enough work to justify staying together, but to make you really happy I'm already working on a video where I use a range of old M42 mount lenses on the 5D. :-). Oh and if you mean crappy, say it. If you mean croppy, as in it will crop the image, nope it's an EF lens.

[@marksphotoperry356]

@@gideonliddiardphotography you can use industar 50 on it if you like. Just get the very old 10D and make a home made lens for it. Or buy a Porshe 911 and fill it with kerosene ,then go for a drive.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

You may also want to check reviews of the lens itself, optically it's far from crappy.

[@quazisanjeed6395]

Thank you for the video. Sony demonstrated the guts to release a 12 mp full frame camera in this era. The A7SIII is a fantastic low-light camera as per opinions by all the users. I bet Canon and Nikon are devoid of such spine that defies the trend but presents photographers with real equipment. I commend Sony for being brave, a stance that paid off.

[@Unit_104]

What are you talking about? Canon and Nikon are World class.

[@quazisanjeed6395]

@@Unit_104 do they have the guts to release a 12 mp full-frame camera now? That's what I'm talking about.

[@Unit_104]

@@quazisanjeed6395 The Canon EOS-1D X Mark III has 20.1 mp. The Canon EOS 5DS has 50.6 mp. Again: What are you talking about?

[@quazisanjeed6395]

@@Unit_104 perhaps you're not reading my comments minutely. I indicted from the very beginning that, in this era of megapixel race, only Sony has the guts to release a significantly lowrez camera like A7SIII. It has a 12 mp sensor. Fewer means larger pixels that capture more light and produce cleaner images. That's why that Sony camera is a powerful low-light juggernaut that other cameras are unable to compete against. Canon and Nikon do not have the courage to produce such a camera now as they are blindly running the pixel race.

[@Unit_104]

@@quazisanjeed6395 Low pixel count is not a good quality, lol. You use large aperture lenses to capture light quickly, not low pixel count. Shooting in low light is a specialty area, not a mainstream activity. For you to try to denigrate Canon and Nikon by claiming that they lack courage is pure comedy. 🤣

[@MichaelCarter]

Mine was revived after a long sleep 2014 and other than flash battery leakage everything works. Minolta 35mm MD to EOS adapter and an adapter for Pentax 67 lenses both work

[@christophedebuck2440]

Nice review. Als have one. Imported second hand from a store in Tokyo. It looked brand new. I had a Canon 550D (aps-c) and most of the pics where not sharp, kind of soft. Had a very good Minolta lens and even with stock lenses. Same with another aps-c( my sons one, kiss i7). And yes i know how to shoot. The 5D is indeed incredible. Abouth the cons: you must compare the 5D with the analogue ones. Heavy. For the ISO range it's better then the analogue, you have only your film and could'nt change the range, stick with the ASA you put in.No liveview, and video. Mine had the mirror that wasn't changed, so it came loose. Fixid carefully with two comp glue. I followed Photography in school, Early 80's. All black and white. Developing the film, making prints. After that i worked for 10 years in a photo labo till the end of the 90's. It was all analogue. Only the last year i worked there they had one Apple computer for the first digital images. Never seen it working. That is why i think the 5D is the last analogue with a digital sensor. It is you who make the photo.

[@robertlayne8180]

This camera will accept some outstanding Russian glass with a m42 adaptor. I have a Nikon FTN with 50, 135, 105. All will attach with a adaptor ring, about 12 usd. An amazing camera. Bought mine used for 1200 usd and was a bargan then. Shot weddings till I could afford the 5d MKiv. I still use this as a back up and remote camera for theatre photography.

[@johntyson8932]

I still have mine. I purchased it new for $5000 Australian and soon added the battery grip. I have taken tens of thousands of photos with it - it was my studio camera for a while and was used heavily for weddings - and it still runs well and pleases me. It doesn't get a lot of use these days as there are a few more full frame Canons on the shelf - but it brings back many happy memories.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Great to hear, Canon just got so much right with it.

[@yunusali7641]

Ho and great video. actually battery life is something big.. as much as i loved my 5D classic. The only reason why I got rid of that was the short battery life. I could hardly get 200-250 shots from a fully charged battery. I thought since these batteries are more thn 15 yrs old they cannot hold the charge longer hence i sold my 5d classic and bought 6D mark 1.

[@jamescraig3345]

I spent a year and then more on Easter Island using the original 5D - primarily for a b&w project beginning late 2006. It did a magnificent job, I had no issues but one - and it is actually a minor frustration - darn thing leaks dust like a sieve and must constantly be cleaned (and images spotted). Images interpolate wonderfully. And a book came from the project, one I still give away in pdf form on my blog - with many, many monthly downloads. Moved on, shooting Fuji now for new projects, but the 5D was a great, if physically awkward, camera. Went 6D eventually, then Fuji…

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Yep cameras that age make me wonder how we lived without dust removal, I had a Fuji S2 Pro that was a real dust magnet as well (great sensor on that as well). Could you let me have a link to the .pdf as well, would love to have a look.

[@sopasadena1499]

With my 5d I found the grain structure at 1600 ISO actually pleasing. My only complaint is blowing out the sky in some architectural and landscape shots. Really like and enjoy this camera. A real steal at the price. Stick to high serial numbers for a better lcd and better mirror integrity

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

I'm fortunate, mine is one of the latter ones

[@boredboiseboy]

The 5d and 5ds r both have really nice grain, I think it's the lack of the AA filter.

[@JohnJones-nb6wn]

Great video on the 5d classic I have one great camera I use a canon 28-135 lens and get some great images with it

[@toml7945]

Bought a 5d new in 2005, still use it often

[@robbellphoto]

You simply can not get such beautiful images using cell phones at this time. thanks for a decent review mate . Handsome cat

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

The cat says thanks :-)

[@terrydegraff670]

I've had mine for 18 months. My solution to the weight issue is the Canon 40mm f/2.8 pancake lens. It's very solid but weighs nothing. If I were to upgrade it would be just to the 6D, which would solve most of the cons but have a very similar sensor look.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

I've now put a battery grip on mine, so have no position to agree from, makes it even heavier but does make portrait shooting much nicer

[@MegaSoundscapes]

thankx for the review, lovely camera ! love mine .... The camera is capable of taking really sharp images if it is paired with the right lens. Most or my lenses work well with it, unfortunately 2 of my Favorites don't : the 50 1.2 and the 35 1.4 ii , one has a front focus, the other one a back focus. I tried two 50 1.8 ii , first one had front focus as well, the second one now seems to work, at least from 2.8 onwards. So, don't be fooled, if it's not sharp, it's not the camera alone, it's the combination of camera and lens. My best lens for this camera is the 100mm macro. It produces very sharp images. You won't believe that they are shot with a 12.8 MP , 18 years old camera.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

I had read that it has issues with some lenses, fortunately my 50 1.8 seems happy with it.

[@homelandrealesate-thehague2543]

Why should you open the door while the card is reading???It is just stupid!!

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

It's mainly a risk when the card is writing and don't underestimate how long RAW files take to clear the buffer on cameras of this age, every other manufacturer managed to not have this issue, and I know some (far from stupid) people who have been impacted by this problem.

[@kevinmcloughlin5886]

Nice accurate assessment of the 5D. Despite it being endearingly clunky compared to the newer models, it does have that special image quality that so many people recognise. That is why I have never felt compelled to move on from mine, which I acquired 17 years ago. However to be on the safe side, I am in the process of investigating the 6D, which I am told, is as close as makes no difference to the 5D in disguise with a few more megapixels, live view, etc. It can also be acquired very cheaply compared to its release cost.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Yep, it certainly does have a 'something' all of its own.

[@normstangl3499]

I’ve had the 6D until it was stolen. I still have a 5D. If it’s your only camera, I’d highly suggest the 6D due to its more advanced features. The 6D colour is very close to the 5D and the extra pixels will give you a little more cropping flexibility.

[@kevinmcloughlin5886]

@@normstangl3499 I agree entirely about the cropping flexibility. Whilst the 12.8 megapixels is adequate most of the time, when needed the extra megapixels of the 6D would be a definite plus.

[@ScoopsTroopsRugby]

Why would you open the CF card door when the camera is writing to the card anyway? 🤡

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

It's remarkably easy to do accidentally on the 5D, and given the longer write times of older cameras not uncommon. Which is why every other camera manufacturer designed a solution to it.

[@Mikey1421985]

Hey nice video. I have a Canon 5D classic and have shot a few parties and even a wedding with that as my main camera. I know like you said the limitations are there, but compared to my Canon Rebel T5 the 5Dc is far better. I have seen my photography really get a lot better since starting to shoot more with the 5Dc. I know the autofocus is not perfect, but it is far better than my T5 and that alone has given me so much more freedom to be able to think of creativity instead of trying to nail the shot. I use the 5Dc up to ISO1600 on many occasions and I think the pictures are still usable. There is some noise, but not terrible much and I can still work with the pictures.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Many thanks, gald you enjoyed it, and great to hear you a 5D Classic fan as well.

[@ddphotograph]

I am going to pick up a cheap one for my beach shoots as if it gets sand in it, hey ho, good video, thanks.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Good luck!

[@ThBreadMan]

I'm thinking about getting the 5d as my first full frame camera would it be worth getting or what camera would you suggest for $100?

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

That depends if you can like with the downsides mentioned, but it my view it's a bargain for what it is.

[@superbug1977]

You won't be sorry. The 5D classic has a following and is legendary for good reason--its image quality is unsurpassed, magic, glorious. And then you can focus on lenses that are of good quality. And if not, you can get the Canon nifty 50 f1.8--for the money it is excellent and pro photographers consider it worthy (99 bucks used). I've done weddings and events with that combo, no problem. Though, of course, I prefer L glass. In any case, good luck. If you do events for hire with the 5D classic, just add the battery grip and you look pro all the way. Clients never question huge cameras at an event.

[@ThBreadMan]

@@superbug1977 thanks I'm going to try to look for a good one but my only concern is that it's from 2005

[@ThBreadMan]

​​@@superbug1977I'm planning on using it for portraits and some nature photos is it still good for professional work or what would you suggest for around $163? Sorry for the questions I'm trying to get the best for my money until I can replace my d5100 and canon EOS M3 ŤwŤ

[@mikafoxx2717]

​@@ThBreadMan6D is probably best value, best for cheap is 5D. 5Dii is a good in-between

[@miki_marker]

Отличный и главное оптимистичный ролик, спасибо за кучу примеров в нём!

[@danburycollins]

Putting this camera on my shopping list - my 600D is looking somewhat outnumbered next to my 35mm collection, and it would be nice to have a full frame digital.

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

It's honestly a bargain for what it does, and even with the bulk (which I just increased by slapping a BG-E4 grip on it) I still find myself grabbing it when I go out for a wander around.

[@miki_marker]

правда хотите пользоваться 5d вместо M6 или x-a5? вы смелый человек!

[@fepatton]

Do it! My T3i (600D) was my only digital camera for years. I got decent results from it, I couldn’t afford anything newer, and preferred film anyway. Picking up a $100 5D changed that. It also led to a large collection of “vintage” DSLRs, unfortunately. 😂 Do get some new aftermarket batteries though!

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

@@gideonliddiardphotography how meny money 5d vvill cost?

[@Adi-hj3nd]

You forgot the mirror fallout issue

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

I did consider putting it in, but I think most have, by this point, either been fixed or killed the cameras.

[@wcrofford]

what about adding a flash for gigs?

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Shooting flash for gigs is pretty much a no-no these days, and balancing it well with ever changing stage lights has always been a pain.

[@TheNewArtSchool]

Great video! Well done!

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

Thank you very much!

[@nickk1683]

5d classic or 5d MK ii?

[@gideonliddiardphotography]

I've never had a Mk2, so unfortunatly couldn't say.

[@davyboyo]

YES

[@davyboyo]

Both good

[@ShutterNChill]

MKii is a lot more capable. Works in low light, a lot higher resolution / sharper, faster, better dynamic range. They have different color science though. 5Dc is classic color palette, and mkII has its own, they refer to it as "earthy colors". I personally think the mkII colors are AMAZING, but there are some who can't stand it... you have to see which is you. Look at flickr for shots made by 5Dc and mkII, and see which one you fall in love with. The mkII has perhaps the most iconic, most well-known color rendering any camera has, and the entire DSLR industry has been trying to do catch up with the mkII since it came out. It is still used by pro photographers today for paid gigs, 5Dc are largely not. (If you want to make a living out of it, mkII will do that, 5Dc will mostly be insufficient for money making as you are at a serious disadvantage with limited versatility.)

[@dricoirving3236]

I was literally juatcout with this camera today. U can never really tell if you've captured the photo u want until you get them on your computer. The photos do turn out great when U do get what u want

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

U

[@dricoirving3236]

@@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568 there's always one....

[@paulroyle-grimes8279]

The autofocus on the 5D can take forever to miss focus.

[@quazisanjeed6395]

Correct. However, a lover of photography can patiently master this wonder imaging equipment due to its unique special features, unmatched by any other digital camera.

[@jimmyhinAK]

I am seriously considering buying one of these i had the 5d mark ii years ago. I have heard the autofocus on this camera moves like a sloth but i believe i would use it mostly for still life stick on a tripod and use the timer. I am a hobbyist not a professional photographer so my needs and budget are on a different level.

[@kevrosas1]

@@jimmyhinAKmy sigma art 50mm 1.4 would disagree. Same with the 70-200 2.8 ii ….. it’s down the lenses too. Fast as well with those two.

[@davyboyo]

Never had a single focus issue personally on any 5D I've used, it's fast and accurate especially for being pretty old. It comes down to lack of user ability not a lack of camera ability. There are certainly faulty bodies and lenses out there, of course.

[@davyboyo]

​@@jimmyhinAKjust buy it, stick to the centre focus point if the outer points don't get you what you want. It's more than adequate for your needs and much more