[pinholecam]

+1

I have just acquired an old Canon 5D + 50 1.8 mk I for less than 400€. It has been a real eye-opener. Finally a viewfinder that is big and bright and the AF seems to be very good as well, at least much better in Servo mode than my K-5. But the best thing is the IQ of the photos: the colours and the skin tones are just perfect! Even though the camera is "old" it is very fast to operate, feels good in hand and I seem to reach out for it instead of my K-5 just because it´s more fun to shoot with.

It actually get better with a precision focus EES screen.
Very accurate for MF.

I don't have good experience with the 5D AF.
Slow and inaccurate. (certainly poorer than K5)


Of course, the downsides are :
1. No auto ISO
2. Lousy, almost useless LCD
3. Poor interface
4. Limited features compared to new cameras

But its amazing that if I put away the downside, it does have a lot going for it.
WB generally accurate (never did need to tweak it a lot)
Metering was generally accurate (and recoverable with its 1stop highlight headroom)
ISO was 3200, but its was usable and with fast lenses, I seldom needed more than 1600.
Nice skin tones. Softer looking, more pinkish (maybe not accurate but certainly more pleasing)
Sharp and forgiving at the same time at 12mp.
Able to adapt many cheap and good lenses.
In fact, if I was purely logical about it, its all the camera I'd need.

[dansamy]

Sometimes that's all you need: is finding just the "right" tool for you.

[_quicksilver_]

It actually get better with a precision focus EES screen.
Very accurate for MF.

I don't have good experience with the 5D AF.
Slow and inaccurate. (certainly poorer than K5)


Of course, the downsides are :
1. No auto ISO
2. Lousy, almost useless LCD
3. Poor interface
4. Limited features compared to new cameras

But its amazing that if I put away the downside, it does have a lot going for it.
WB generally accurate (never did need to tweak it a lot)
Metering was generally accurate (and recoverable with its 1stop highlight headroom)
ISO was 3200, but its was usable and with fast lenses, I seldom needed more than 1600.
Nice skin tones. Softer looking, more pinkish (maybe not accurate but certainly more pleasing)
Sharp and forgiving at the same time at 12mp.
Able to adapt many cheap and good lenses.
In fact, if I was purely logical about it, its all the camera I'd need.

That´s a very good summary! Indeed, with the small LCD it almost feels like you are shooting with a film camera. Add to that the shutter sound which resembles a film camera´s film advance mechanism. Maybe the AF speed / accuracy is related to the lenses used. I have tested the Servo AF on my son when he was going downhill towards me on a sledge. I could nail the focus much easier than with my K-5 and FA limiteds.

anyway, this camera is a real bargain, and like you said it´s probaply all the camera that I will ever need.

[pinholecam]

That´s a very good summary! Indeed, with the small LCD it almost feels like you are shooting with a film camera. Add to that the shutter sound which resembles a film camera´s film advance mechanism. Maybe the AF speed / accuracy is related to the lenses used. I have tested the Servo AF on my son when he was going downhill towards me on a sledge. I could nail the focus much easier than with my K-5 and FA limiteds.

anyway, this camera is a real bargain, and like you said it´s probaply all the camera that I will ever need.

Ha..ha..
Thats is exactly how I treated it (ie. a MF film camera for my M42 lenses)

[ChrisPlatt]

I'd opt for a nice used Fuji X100.
(Yes, I know you said "new". )

Chris

[robtcorl]

I just love the look of the K-30 and in particular that red one

It's Valentines Day, I say treat yourself!

[dansamy]

Nothing says love quite like a shiny new camera, right?