Canon EOS 5D - Brief Overview

The Canon 5D was announced back in 2005, and will be 'officially' 3 years old this November. The 5D had become the first "affordable" full frame camera, and delivered some outstanding results. Even to this day, the 5D is an extremely sharp and well balanced body, despite its age.

Here is a quick overview on the 5D:

-12.8 megapixel 'Full-Frame' CMOS sensor
-ISO Range of: 50-3200
-2.5" LCD (230K Resolution)
-Shooting at 3 fps.

I suppose these would be called the basic specifications, and they might seem to be a bit "weak" when written out, but performance wise, this camera is remarkable.

Today, Scott and I had a chance to try out the Canon 5D with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lens. What a combination this was! First and foremost, the EF 100-400 is an outstanding performer. Of course, for the price that it's listed at, ($1,649.99), you'd expect nothing less.

Now for the 5D. We took a series of shots that I'll post further down the post, most at ISO 1600. Shooting an average exposure of 1/20th of a second, at around f/8, we got some great results.

At ISO 1600, the shot is basically noise free. The noise levels are so low that words can't do it justice. Actually, even at ISO 3200, the images were very sharp and almost noise-free.

So my final words are that if you are in the market for a semi-pro camera, or looking for a full frame upgrade, definitely head on over to your local camera store and try this camera out for yourself. For the price that it's at now, this is a brilliant camera. Highly Recommend.
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Here are some sample images taken with the 5D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. *Note: The following shots are only samples taken in a very limited, and low-lit store. They aren't meant to be "nice shots", just some example images.*


ISO 3200: 1/350 at f/4.5 135mm


ISO 1600: 1/15 at f/5.6 400mm


ISO 1600: 1/20 at f/5.6 400mm

A Third Point of View?

I regard HDR as just another tool in a photographer's arsenal of techniques to bring a particular vision to life. Here I have only a few examples of my own application of HDR. The pictures of architecture are from Stockholm Sweden, in a part of town that is many hundreds of years old. The dream like quality off of these streets when I found them, shortly after some rain had forced most tourists of the streets, did not come out entirely in the original photos, so I used a IPhoto to copy the picture and synthetically create the different exposures I needed to bring out the details that I wanted to see. The HDR effect is less noticeable here, as I am only using it to capture what i felt had been lost in translation. The other photo was the first HDR I've ever tried and was taken of a lamp we have sitting on the floor in my house. The other is a part of my bookshelf.

The other side of HDRs

Beneath this post, Scott started the "HDR Debate" that he and I have been in for a while...

Here's my opinion on HDR images. There is no right or wrong way when processing/editing them. You're going for a look, whether it's realistic or not. For me, I go for the look that is more unique and eye-catching. If I want a normal picture, I'll take one. Currently, I have two ways of photographing a subject. The first method is a well-composed photograph that when people look at, they say "Oh, that's a nice shot." The other method is the HDR look. This is when I just shoot whatever I think can look "cool" as an HDR, rather than a traditional photograph with a well-exposed subject and etc'...

I think more photographers in general don't really like the HDR-look that I use because they feel it's so overdone, unrealistic, fake, or whatever else can be possibly different when compared to a normal photograph.

Anyways, I'll end this post with a slide-show that is filled with my HDRs. You've probably seen most, if not all of them, but this is how I like to process my HDRs.

Realistic HDR's?

Ashcon and I (Scott) have recently been debating about what HDR's are good for.
He is of the opinion that they should be used strictly for making whacked-out crazy looking pictures. The public seems to be overwhelmingly on his side.

I hold a different opinion. I understand their use for making striking images, but I believe they can (and should) also be) used to make a normal looking, however properly exposed, picture. I will include below a slideshow of what I believe to be fairly realistic representations of the world with the use of HDR.

Hopefully Ashcon (and maybe Anders) will include slideshows of what they believe to be the meaning of (reason for) HDR.

Music and It's Makers

I've recently become obsessed with documenting the atmosphere that surrounds garage bands and young musicians. The rough, colorful energy that surrounds them and the music they play is something I am very compelled to capture.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Took a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium yesterday, I took way too many pictures. Here are a few that turned out alright.

Guadalupe Reservoir

Some pictures from Guadalupe Reservoir, hopefully Anders will be able to add some pictures to this post, as he did a much better job capturing the night.