Photography Thailand Forum

[David Procter]

I'm thinking of upgrading to a 5D!
Anyone got one?
Any thoughts?
The price has come down since it was introduced and I suspect will fall again with the introduction of the markiii.
I'm going to try and either sell my 20D/10-22mm here or get a trade in at fotofile.
Infact that leads to the next question where would you buy a 5D?
Thanks in advance
David

[David Salmanowitz]

I have two of them and they are wonderful cameras. Pretty rugged also as I dropped one last year in a parking lot--all was well but the red LED focusing points in the viewfinder stopped working, though one could still access those from the top of the camera. Canon here in BKK fixed it. I really love the camera, and it does not weigh a ton which is also nice carrying it around for long periods. As far as the best price I bought mine at different times on trips back to the USA--from B&H Photo in NYC. The last one the price had come down and there was also a $300 rebate coupon.

[David Procter]

Thanks David,
Just got to try and shift my 20d first!

[mahonyWeb]

Canon's best camera for image quality IMHO.

Love mine :)

[gregoire]

Love mine too.

I bought it at fotofile and got the VAT back wich is 7,000 baht on a 99,000 camera! I have the Thai guarantee so that's cool.

[David Salmanowitz]

Gregoire--You got a great price as even at the slide of the US $ against the baht that is still a bit cheaper than the camera cost in US, from a reputable dealer such as B&H. You will see cheaper US prices but one needs to remember Buyer Beware! Was that some type of special they were running, because as far as lenses and such it seems all the MBK stores are still a good bit more than in the US. I recently priced the Canon 15mm fisheye and the price was $250 cheaper in the US.

[Paul Whitehead]

Thats a good point David, I was just looking at the 500 (again). Have given up on Nikon coming out with something similar.

In Fotofile its 268,000 - divide by 36 equals $7444
At adomara its $5300 and even on amazon (USA) its only $5500

thats $2144 difference!

[David Salmanowitz]

Paul--I guess you were referring to the 500mm Canon lens? I have not seen that in action, but I am sure it is quite good. I was shooting with someone last year that had the Canon 600mm and it is a beast, but a fine lens and he got some great pics. I was using the 400mm DO, quite often with Canon's 1.4 tele-converter and was amazed that it was as sharp as it was and focused quickly as well. A friend on that trip with the same set up as me tried using the 2x converter and said it was too slow.
As far as prices I was just looking in the window the other day at Fotofile and depending how much one was going to purchase, they could fly to the USA and return, have a mini vacation, and still come out ahead! One thing also, if you have stuff in the USA shipped to most other states you would not have to pay sales tax, and even bigger savings.

[gregoire]

Damn, these are huge differences. And the thing is, guarantees on bodies are local while guarantees on lenses are international! So, buy your body here, your lenses abroad?

[Pirostitch]

I moved from a D2Xs to a 5D.  Most people called me mad, but I'm loving the quality of the images this camera pumps out especially at high ISO.  The AF selection control on the is a pain and having all 9 AF points around the centre is a bit useless.  Having said that, the 5D coupled with a 70-200 f2.8 IS is just brilliant. 

[kombizz]

What a mistake !
I wish I was near you so that you consult with me.
damn !

[Athena]

I have a 5D and I absolutely adore it.   :)

[bkkdave]

This past weekend at Central World, Canon had four bodies with different lenses set up on tripods pointing to a stage where they were presenting various cameras and a few model workshops. The bodies and lenses were as follows:

1D Mark III w/ 300mm 2.8L IS

1Ds Mark II w/ 400mm L

1D Mark II w/ 500mm  L

1D Mark II w/ 600mm L

It was not possible to get a fully unobstructed shot of the models with the crowds that gathered in front of the stage.

At another exhibit they had a 5D w/ 24-105mm  f/4L USM

I tried them all with my own CF Card and really liked the 1D mark II. I was excited to see and try the 1D Mark III and the 10 fps were really impressive but the resolution seemed lacking compared to the 1D Mark II.

 Please keep in mind that is just my opinion and not at all a fair test due in part to the difference in lenses used and the fact that each camera was set at different ISO's and F/stops. Also I am used to my 20D and found it difficult to set the cameras to the same settings with so many people waiting to try them out and not seeing the familiar rotating knob as the 20D has.

I wish there were a way to know about these events in advance rather than just happening to be cruising by at the time.

I am also looking to upgrade but every time I compare prices here and at B&H Photo in NYC it is always less expensive at B&H. I am not eligible for a VAT Refund.

[Kees5]

I've been using my 5D for over a year intensively, and love it. Kept my 20 as back-up, and also as second camera. Usually have the 24/1.4 on the 5D and the 50mm on the 20D.

Bought my 5D in Singapore, lots cheaper then in BKK.
Going to the USA for a camera: too far, and I'd blow money on other things while there.