30D vs. 5D

[97TurboDSM]

I've been having some internal conflict lately about whether or not I should sell my 30D in favor of a 5D. The main reason I'm considering this is because of the full frame sensor on the 5D as opposed to the crop sensor on the 30D. I'm mainly wondering if the advantages of the full frame are worth the extra cash/hassle of selling the 30D. Someone please talk me out of it, although I really don't like the fact that I'm seemingly not getting all that I can out of my lens (17-40L) with the 30D. Halp.

[BlackTypeR]

If you want to go wider, how about getting a wider lens? I have the Canon 10-22 and it's great, although i'm sure the image quality isn't as good as your 17-40L.

[97TurboDSM]

eh, i thought about it but i dont think i'd ever need somethin so wide like the 10-22 and i like the focal length of the 17-40. im just kinda curious if the advantages of the full frame sensor are worth the switch

[BlackTypeR]

I found this article, might help you out:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=140467

And another:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1010&message=17005211

[97TurboDSM]

ha thanks. i was looking at articles on potn but didnt read the one you posted.

[BlackTypeR]

One more I found:

http://leggnet.com/2007/03/digital-camera-sensor-sizes-explained.html

[i like rice]

The 10-22 on a 1.6x crop body will be similar, as far as angle of view and coverage, to your 17-40 on a 5D. There will be some minor differences, mostly with distortion around the edges will be great with the 10-22.

It depends what you shoot. If you do landscape, wedding, portrait, photography, the full frame body is more beneficial. If you shoot sports/action or wildlife, the xxD or 1D series bodies are better suited. Compare the image quality from a 40D to a 5D with the same lens, it'll be close with a slight edge to the 5D. The 5D will have lower noise at ISO 800 and higher than the 40D. The 5D's dynamic range is also better. For most, a 40D with good glass is sufficient.

Drawbacks to the 5D? You'll need to spend good lenses to get the most out of it, otherwise you'll get excessive light falloff around the edges. The 40D also has live view, a dedicated AF button, larger LCD, DIGIC III processor for 14 bit raw (only 12 bit on the 5D), better autofocus algorithim, and a few minor things. For $920 after the rebates, the 40D is a great bargain for the next two months for those who do not want to go with a full frame body.

[i like rice]

I forgot to mention above - the move from the 30D to a 40D is significant since there will be an improvement in the image quality. The move from something like a 20D to 30D is not.

[97TurboDSM]

the problem now is, im not dedicated to a certain aspect of photography, so choosing one camera or the other based solely on that would be impossible. Maybe i'll just have to keep my 30D for when im using a long lens and get a 5D for when i wanna use wide lenses. seems like an ok idea to me lol

edit: i also would like to be able to shoot at a fairly wide angle with limited to no distortion and that really only seems possible with the 5D

[i like rice]

30D is fine for what you're doing. Spend the money on glass. A better body won't improve the images as much as better lenses, accessories, and skill.

[i like rice]

I found this article, might help you out:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=140467

That thread is pretty much worthless, like most on POTN.

Reading threads on that site will make you dumber

I'll probably pick up a 30D for a walk around / keep in the car camera......plus a 24-105. Personally I don't get to excited about the 5D. I mean I wouldn't compare it to my mk2N, but if I had to it's just the same pixels.......just wider. I dunno, I must be missing something because as far as I'm concerend it's just more of the same, unless your a wide angle freak. Yes it would be nice not doing math (X1.3) all the time........but what's the big deal? If it was 2 grand I might see it, but 3 grand.......no thanks.

And personally I like pop up flashes..........what can it hurt? I'd rather get a shot with a crappy flash, then just miss it trying to get my flash out. That's my 2 cents.
^ this guy literally has no clue, in addition to 14 other people in that thread.

[97TurboDSM]

im not worried about image quality, as i know that upgrading to the 5D will have a slight effect for what i'd use it for. basically i want to get the most out of the lenses i'll be buying and i feel like after the purchase of a "wide" lens, im not getting the results at fully wide that i'd like to see and could possibly get with the 5D

[i like rice]

Seems like you'd be happier with a lens line up such as
Canon 10 22
Canon 24 105 4.0L IS
Canon 70 200 2.8L
Insert random 50 or 85mm prime

[97TurboDSM]

lineup implies that i have more than one right now, which i dont lol. im actually trying to avoid distortion when shooting wide, and it seems as the 10-22 will induce some distortion so i guess im just confused

[i like rice]

You'll never get an ultra wide shot without distortion. Can't have your cake and eat it too with photography. After factoring in crop factor, 19-20mm is about as wide as you can go before distortion becomes evident on the Canon bodies. Granted, it'll vary depending on the lens (cheaper ones showing more distortion at the wider focal lengths).

[97TurboDSM]

basically i just want to cover the difference, as shown here: http://leggnet.com/2007/03/digital-camera-sensor-sizes-explained.html

[i like rice]

Canon 10-22 @ 14+mm focal length won't have much distortion

[97TurboDSM]

omg. after seeing some 10-22mm pictures, i want that lens too. how much angle am i really losing between 10/17mm?

[i like rice]

10-22 is about 107 degrees at the wide end

17-40 is 104 degrees at the wide end

[97TurboDSM]

with 3degrees of separation between the two, it just doesnt seem necessary at this point to have both. but i guess having a 10-22/24-105 would be a good arsenal