Canon 5Ds
Introduction:
Like anything in a competitive industry with broad needs, there are pro's and con's. Whilst referring to the Camera throughout this summary, the subject matter and explanations are generic so this will be as interesting to read and make sense for not only Nikon, Sony, and Fuji etc. but also medium format and special systems from Hasselblad, Fuji and PhaseOne.
The Canon 5Ds is a high-end pro camera first released in 2015 so low cost now, but still a professional's favourite in 2024. It delivers consistent, reliable, quality. It is mechanically incredibly strong and durable and native to the full range of Canon EF mount lenses.
With the 5DsR, the 5Ds is arguably the best DSLR ever made and is only challenged, not beaten, by newer mirrorless bodies such as the 45Mp R5. All this before we talk about price. The natural comparison is the Nikon D850, while the Nikon has more features and better dynamic range, the Canon delivers on ultra-high-resolution, extraordinary detail, sharpness, colour accuracy and natural balance; in many ways more comparable to medium format than Full Frame competition.
The 5D professional camera systems are designed for high workloads in harsh environments, reliability is essential with shoots often costing tens of thousands of dollars a day. These cameras just don't fail.
If you like lots of specifications, click this link - Canon 5Ds full specifications
Some cameras have grip extensions with no other function, to make handling more manageable!
Handling:
Handling is very important, good ergonomics for your fingers and thumbs to quickly react and do what you're wanting them to do. Remembering where the settings are is simple, but after a few hours of having to flex uncomfortably to the controls fatigue will take over. Having the ability to change the settings one handed is simple when the ergonomics work.
Different ergonomics between brands is personal such as input wheel orientation, grip shape etc. some fit some don't. If the camera is to small you just can't do it, add gloves a heavier lens and you can see where this is going. The 5Ds has none of these problems - it works with all my fingers holding on!
A big difference with the arrival of the mirrorless systems is the tendency for them to shrink ever smaller, it gets uncomfortable. The 5Ds is still comfortable for smaller hands. Others have grip options to make them bigger, does this work with tripods?
Weight is another factor, will 250g, (1/2lb), make a difference? The answer is yes, sometimes more is an advantage, other times not. If climbing all day you'll definitely want it lighter, but when handholding in low light you'll welcome extra mass.
The 5Ds has the advantages of being akin to a medium format in image quality with the handling benefits of a Full Frame.
You can see in the images here for a 400mm f/5.6 and an 85mm f/1.2. When using an 85mm f/1.2 lens, I can hand hold at 1/30 sec with near 100% yield.
Having a clear, sharp real viewfinder is also something which cannot be beaten.
Application - Portraits / Events:
Everyone knows the Canon 5Ds absolutely excels in a studio / product / portrait environment, where you have control over the lighting. But take a look at the single headshot here, this is in a very dark club environment with low key spotlights, no flash just ambient lighting. 85mm, iso1000, 1/100, f/1.8. I can hand hold this at 1/30 sec but moving subjects demanded faster; shallow DOF does not impact the precise autofocus.
Whatever the setting, if the right light is provided the quality of the images are literally outstanding. The 5Ds is challenged only by medium format cameras and the latest mirrorless cameras, all of which cost at least three times as much now, for not so much real world benefit. Sometimes a PhaseOne can yield some advantage for example, but at €60,000+ it should! In most applications no-one will see the difference.
Now you change to a wedding where a tripod is not convenient, the 5Ds doesn't miss a beat and you just carry on, quickly switching lenses over; your medium format is starting to feel heavy, awkward and the lens you need is not there.
For the two girls together, they were in deep shade brightly backlit, fine detail in the hair can still be seen. Much of the time a speedlight with diffuser could be used, here was just a reflector.
The real concern was the relatively limited iso range and dynamic range for shadow recovery. My preference is strongly for natural images in natural looking light, I definately dislike HDR images. The real bonus of finding this less of an issue was great, just downsizing an image to 35Mp removes just about all noise, this still easily enough for an A3 print; but this is still a limitation compared to other high end cameras.
Application - Landscapes:
For landscapes, high resolution, lots of detail, accurate colours and even more detail are the necessity, the competition for the 5Ds is going to be medium format. The 5Ds' resolution and image quality now wipes the floor with nearly all competition. Medium Format is the real competition here, with their even larger sensors, the trade off being flexibility, bulk and cost.
A tripod is often ideal, removing / helping settings related issues, but when travelling light bear in mind you'll still often be shooting handheld. Full Frame is fully portable and lenses are relatively compact.
The 5Ds is not a lightweight and you are carrying a little more than with some alternatives, but when you drop it the magnesium alloy body with full weather sealing just brushes it off, no need to worry about rain!
As mentioned above, there are now serious competitors with some mirrorless systems, but the price is so much higher for saving a little weight.
Application - Wildlife:
Wildlife is where the challenges start and things level up with some competition performing better. The high resolution is still desirable for the subject but the need for more light and higher iso's has an impact. In good light and for any slow moving wildlife the detail is incredible and results really great. When things get darker the high resolution sensor starts to feel limited in dynamic range, it also means above iso 1,600 in the real world more noise starts to creep in than we'd like.
I have rarely used iso's above 1600 but a 5D mark IV will have advantages here with better high iso performance and real advantages can be seen with the Nikon D650 and new mirrorless cameras. We ourselves also use the Canon R7. The focussing systems are different but comparable in suitable light, here but the mirrorless systems with eye tracking work wonders using 100% pixel coverage.
The image of the Wagtail demonstrates the limitations, 1/2,000 sec, f/5.6, iso 800. This was taken in a dark shadow of an old building, a very fast moving subject, handheld in a strong wind. The raw image was darker, the light levels have been lifted a bit in post, that's all. The noise here is higher than I'd like, perhaps being too cautious I should have gone for iso 1,600 but there we go, this is your trade off.
Value:
The Canon 5D series of cameras are no longer in production but the built in quality and performance doesn't go out of date. What does change are advancements in technology which can't be conveniently ignored. However, in the real world how much do you need them?
Many professionals still rely on the 5D's and similar, you don't change a running system unless there is a benefit, that is saying something. A side point is most of us use the all electronic systems in manual mode!
Make your choice based on your needs and demands, but feel 100% confident the Canon 5Ds will only be a good choice and today's prices are crazy low!
In 2024 a mint low use body price was $1,300 / £1,200. For the latest Canon R5 you're looking at $2,700 / £2,500 ! The Nikon D850 still costs $1,900 in new condition.
With the price difference you can buy a lot of lens performance or days away.
Footnote:
This will be expanded upon, there is a lot more practical information we'd like to share and guides for more general use.
If you have any questions or would like some open clear specific feedback of either the 5Ds or the body choice decision, just Contact Us.
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