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Canon EOS 5D • Accessories & Conclusion

Peter Kun Frary

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Essential Accessories

The main reason serious photographers choose a Canon SLR is access to the world's largest system of lenses, flashes and other accessories. When it's time to expand, Canon has it covered.

Lenses

If you're on a tight budget or need to travel light, the EF 24-85 3.5-4.5 USM or EF 28-105 3.5-4.5 USM are good choices for scenics, travel and casual portraits. If you want the best, have bucks to burn and work out regularly, the EF 24-105 4L IS USM is the ultimate doctor-lawyer walkaround kit lens. This lens propelled me into hog heaven with exceptional sharpness, beefy build and amazing image stabilization (IS) feature. If you're a wide angle buff, the EF 17-40 4L USM is kickin' with bulletproof construction and sharp optics.

Canon EF 24-105 4L IS USM • Kit lens for doctors, lawyers and well-heeled fellows.

If you're tempted by a used third party lens, try before you buy. Many older Sigma and Tokina lenses will not work without a new ROM chip. My 1999 Sigma 50 mm F2.8 macro didn't work on both my EOS 3 and Elan 7E.

Battery Grip BG-E4

I shoot lots of verticals and can't imagine using an EOS 5D without the Battery Grip BG-E4. The vertical shutter release, AE/FE lock, main input dial and focusing point selector make shooting verticals as easy as horizontals. Plus, the additional heft and grip area improves handling and balance with large lenses and flash units.

The BG-E4 body panels and battery door are magnesium and covered with textured rubber, making for a secure and solid grip. A tripod socket and hand or neck strap lugs are found on the underside. The EOS 5D/BG-E4 combo feels more comfortable and solid than the EOS 20D/BG-E2. In contrast, the 20D/BG-E2 feels plastic, less graspable (no rubber on back) and squeaks when squeezed.

If you go on long shoots, you'll appreciate the ability to use two BP-511 batteries. It comes with a holder for AA size batteries. The AA ability is intended as an emergency stopgap as AAs are exhausted almost immediately.

I have a couple minor gripes with Big Ed: 1) the vertical grip area would be more comfy with finger indents like the normal grip; 2) it's difficult to reach the joystick in vertical position; and 3) it nudges under the weight of a large lens or when pushed.

Big Ed (Battery Grip BG-E4) • Big Ed has a magnesium body shell like the 5D.

Battery Grip BG-E4 • EOS 5D, ST-E2 Speedlite Transmitter & 430EX Speedite.

BP-511A Li-ion Battery Pack

Canon is often overly optimistic about battery life and estimates 800 images on a single charge! Amazingly, my experience isn't far off, even with an IS zoom. Hint: once the low battery symbol appears--after 400 or 500 frames--your can continue shooting for hundreds more. You'll need another BP-511A battery if you have itchy fingers or intend to spend a few days away from wall sockets. A completely exhausted battery takes about 90 minutes to recharge. My original BP-511A died within 2 years. I've had excellent results with Sterlingtrek batteries and they cost 75% less than Canon branded batteries.

Remote Switch RS-80N3

An electronic cable release is available, the RS-80N3, for exposures requiring vibration control. Fortunately, it's more beefy than the wimpy remote switch for the Elan and Rebel series (RS60-E3). The RS-80N3 behaves exactly like the shutter button: half depress locks AF and exposure and full depress fires the shutter. You may trip the shutter from 2.6 feet away. The RS-80N3 is also used for the EOS 3, 1V, 1D series and 20D.

The remote port is under a rubber boot on the left side of the camera. Peel the boot upwards to reveal USB, video and remote ports. The boot is more difficult to open than the10D cover. However, the tight fit implies better weather resistance. The cover is attached to the camera with a rubber hinge, so there's no chance of losing it. This design is more convenient than the tiny plastic caps on the EOS 1V and 3. The RS-80N3 snaps in the port quickly and easily, but fits only one way. Unlike earlier EOS designs, the RS-80N3 is easy to connect in the dark. Of course, you should practice connecting it during daylight before venturing into the field.

 

Final Remarks

Best Features

The viewfinder is big, bright and contrasty--huge in comparison to an EOS 10D, 20D or 30D. It's slightly brighter than an EOS 3 and the Elan 7NE pales before it. The viewfinder is exactly what I wanted and the main reason I bought the camera. The glory of the scene is evident and it makes me want to take a picture.

Build quality is impeccable and ergonomics are excellent. The grip is among the most comfortable I have used and is similar in feel to the EOS 3 and 1V. Sure, weather seals would be nice but Canon needed to leave a few features for the 1D series.

Be forewarned: this is a heavy rig when fully decked out. It is not a camera for weenies or girlie boys. I carried the 5D/BG-ED4/430EX/EF 24-105 4L IS USM combo around for a week in Las Vegas. It was fast and intuitive to use, performed flawlessly but felt like a bazooka around my neck. I had a sore shoulder for days.

EOS 5D controls operate similarly to the 10D and Elan 7NE. I barely needed to crack the manual. If you're an experienced EOS shooter (film or digital), you'll find an easy learning curve. However, a point 'n shooter will need considerable study and practice to master the 5D's wealth of features. And, thankfully, my EF lenses, remotes and EX Speedlites work perfectly on the 5D.

All DSLRs have adjustable ISO. However, the 5D has a truly useable range from ISO 50 to 3200! Sharp low light and hand held telephotos shots are a button press and dial diddle away. ISO 50-400 is nearly noise free. ISO 800 and 1600 are shockingly good, albeit noise is evident in large prints or pixel peeping. ISO 3200 is gritty but nice to have in a pinch. In terms of noise performance, the 5D pulls away from the 10D at ISO 400 and is cleaner than any film I have used. My subjective observation is EOS 5D noise at ISO 1600 is similar to the 10D at ISO 400.

ISO data is finally visible in the viewfinder display albeit at the expense of a button press. This feature would be more useful if visible constantly.

Finally, both the AF and flash systems are greatly improved over the 10D. Low light AF is noticeably more reliable than the 20D. E-TTL II flash is amazingly consistent, nailing the delicate and subtle balance of ambient and fill flash with ease. However 5D flash is also flexible, allowing you to disable fill flash algorithms and hammer subjects with the deer-in-headlights-look 'till the cows come home.

4th of July 2009 • 5D & EF 24-105 4L IS USM.

Disappointments

Compared to print film, the exposure latitude is rather narrow and thus easy to blow highlights in contrasty scenes. With that said, I feel right at home as 5D exposure latitude is just like shooting chromes. In bright sunlit scenes, I typically set -1/3 stop exposure compensation to keep highlights from blowing out. In more even light, exposure is fine. I suspect dynamic range is improved over the 10D, but not overwhelmingly so. Incidentally, you'll find RAW files have considerably more highlight headroom than JPEG mode.

I'm also disappointed Eye Controlled Focus (ECF) was omitted from the 5D. I used ECF a lot on my Elan 7NE and EOS 3. Automatically selected AF sensors aren't reliable enough, i.e., the camera sometimes focuses on the wrong subject. Selecting AF sensors manually is too slow for fast changing situations. The joystick AF selector works but has a tendency to jump over AF points.

Where is the popup flash? Although I prefer a Speedlite, I miss the convenience of a popup for fill and snapshots.

Most EOS bodies since the early 90s had DEP mode. Why does the 5D lack DEP mode? The mode dial has plenty of room with the "Basic Zone" MIA.

The 2.5" TFT is too dim for daylight use. Did I mention it's dim? The 1.8" TFT of the 10D/20D is more contrasty and brighter.

Finally, why did 5D designers waste precious space for a dedicated "Print" button? I will never use it. Will you? Too bad it can't be remapped as a FEL or MLU button. Print should be buried in the menus or at least have a dual purpose button.

Sensor Dust

Unlike many users, I experienced no problems with sensor dust (or viewfinder dust for that matter). In other words, there are no spots on my images and I haven't needed to clean the sensor once. However, the high humidity of Hawaii results in little or no static electricity buildup. We have dust but it doesn't cling due to a static charge as in drier locations. Also I store my gear near an air ionizer thereby reducing static cling even further.

Postscript (3/23/2009): It's been nearly 3 years and still no dust problems on CMOS or viewfinder.

Postscript (6/12/2009): I received this email notice from Canon concerning a possible reflex mirror detachment defect:

Thank you for using Canon products.

We have discovered that, in rare instances, the main mirror of some EOS 5D Digital SLR cameras may detach due to deterioration in the strength of the adhesive. Accordingly, we would like to convey the details and our service policy concerning this phenomenon.

We offer our sincerest apologies to those customers who have been inconvenienced by this issue. Canon always strives to provide the highest quality products to our customers and we will spare no effort in our quality management to make sure our customers can use our products with confidence. We hope our efforts will earn your understanding.

Phenomenon
The main mirror of the camera detaches and images cannot be viewed through the viewfinder.

Affected Product
EOS 5D Digital SLR cameras whose main mirror has detached.

User Support
We will repair and reinforce the mirror portion of the affected products free of charge. If you own one of the affected products, please contact our Customer Support Center.

We appreciate your patience, and we offer our sincerest apologies to the customers using these products who have been inconvenienced by this issue.

Contact Information for Inquiries:
Customer Support Center
1-866-422-2965 (toll free)
8:00 a.m. - Midnight, EST - Monday to Friday
10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., EST - Saturday
E-mail: carecenter@cits.canon.com

I used my camera for 3 years without problems. Since the repair was free, I sent my 5D to Canon Irivine for the mirror fix, reasoning it would prevent a problem down the road. The repair consisted of placing retaining strips along the sides on the mirror. Canon Irivine also "cleaned and adjusted the camera to specs." Never mind my 5D viewfinder and CMOS were perfectly clean when I sent it in. Oddly it was returned with plenty of dust both on CMOS and viewfinder, and the frame number was reset really high. So I cleaned the mirror chamber area, reset the frame number to the original value and all is well.

Conclusion

The EOS 5D is a powerful and decisive picture taking machine: refined ergonomics, beefy construction, photographic flexibility and stunning high resolution images. It is almost everything a landscape, travel, studio or wedding pro could want. Oh, yes, and well-heeled amateurs will be happy too. The image quality is nothing short of breathtaking, and may be enlarged to poster sized prints without misgivings or apologies. It is not a good camera for those wishing to travel light, pro sports photographers or individuals with feeble credit card limits. Highly recommended for all others.

Firmware Updates

1.1.1 Support for high-capacity CF cards of 8GB or greater (e.g.,12GB, 16GB). Allows the latest lens names to be recorded in the Exif information. More lenses supported by the lens aberration correction function of Digital Photo Professional 3.2. Although Canon didn't mention it, this update removed the strong warm/yellow tint on my LCD.

1.10 Printing function improved for use with Canon professional photo printers. Correction of communication errors that occurred while shooting with EOS5D and EOS Capture software after 138 shots. Correction of the bug which made flash mode change from E-TTL to M (Manual) when the EOS5D was used with the ST-E2 and 580EX.

1.0.5 Fixed the saturation file bug in sRGB files. Fixed the shutter release bug with EOS 5D + EF85mm F1.2L + Speedlite580EX.

1.0.3 The bug that caused unusually large image files when vertical images were taken in conjunction with Auto Image Rotation was fixed. Improved the brightness of the LCD monitor. Fixed an abnormality in AEB when shooting with self-timer and AEB. Fixed mistakes in Swedish-language MENU displays.

Images taken with the EOS 5D (click to enlarge)

Source Materials

Canon EOS 5D Digital Instruction Manual. Tokyo: Canon, 2005 (CT1-1295-001).

Canon EOS Forums

Bob Atkins Canon EOS forum

Canon Asia List

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FM Canon EOS Forum

Canon EOS Equipment Resources

Canon Camera Museum

Canon Malaysia

DSLRs, Lenses and Film

EOS Documentation Project

Photo.net • Canon EOS SLRs

5/15/2006 • Updated 7/4/2009

©Copyright 2006-2009 by Peter Kun Frary • All Rights Reserved

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