The Canon 5D Classic, A Biased Review* (I love this thing!)

I have come full circle and I have bought a Canon 5D Classic. Some of you may remember from older videos I do mention I had used one in the past over a decade ago before I decided to stick to the 5D Mk II for the long haul. In this maybe biased review I go over what I think of the 5Dc.

Nothing is perfect as it turns out, the 5Dc is no exception, here's the link to the canon Service Advisory. I made an error in my video, I said that support for the service stopped in Feb 2015, it was actually in Sept 2015!

I also found a video on a walk through of how to do a DIY repair.

Lastly here is a guide on searching for 5Dc cameras!

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:24 - What is the Canon 5D Classic (5Dc)
5:26 - Asterisks Again!?
7:37 - Joys of Using the 5Dc
19:00- Photo Gallery
19:58 - Recommendation
23:21 - Conclusion

The Video was recorded on a Sony A7 III with the 28mm F2, Deity D4 mini Mic, with a set of video lights.

[ricodeco]

Still have the 5D I bought new in 2005. Had the 10D before that and the D30 before that. Something about the images of the 5D, and the heft, and the clunk of that shutter, just felt like the right spot for me to be and still does. Original mirror still sitting in its original spot, but I have some glue ready if I ever need it. Easy camera to love if you were around and shooting film in the pre-digital days.

[spotsill]

I love this camera and absolutely hate it at the same time. It is definitely capable of producing great images but the bulk and weight of it is hard to overcome especially if you want to use it without a tripod but it’s hard to beat the availability of ef lenses. I also like the ease of use of my lumix g1 but the lenses are expensive in spite of what so many people say especially in the us.

[msmith]

I actually got into acquiring some of the oldest Canons last year. I have been able to get a D60 (the 2nd digital cam) and a 300D. I actually love the colors and ergonomics of both. You would be amazed at how close the D60 is to a 5D. I think they used the same molds for it. I've been hunting for a D30 for a while but they are rare as pixie dust - and of course the original 1D - the king of them all. So, I started grabbing e-500s and e-1s just for fun. I don't know what it is but I love the first digital SLRs. Now for the reason I wrote this - I actually recommend that people who are just starting and want the latest greatest mirrorless, should get an old Canon XTi or 40D. I've been shooting newer Canons for years - R5, R6 but its amazing how everything - even on the 300D and D60 feels familiar and makes sense - but is so much simpler to learn and use. I've actually made some good pictures with the 300D but still trying with the D60. That one is a tough nut to crack. I love your channel - keep up the good work.

[craigmckernan]

The fact that the 5Dc only shoots stills (no video) is what's really kept the the price at bay IMO. The image quality and colors you can get out of this camera are really outstanding, but you have to work within its limitations which are numerous.

[byelochka]

LOVE shooting my 5D. I have multiple 5Dii bodies and a 5Diii, and still love the joy of the Classic. Had two and sent one to a friend. Mirror fell off on his first outing with it. Superglue and no problem fixed. There really is something to the hype about the sensor. Reds have a magical pop that can’t be explained. Just get one and experience it for yourself.

[jamieholland]

mentioned at At 11:00 11:30 -- That direct print button to the left of the viewfinder is used in playback (image preview) . You hold it down while also pushing the + and -- button to zoom in (+) and out (--) using the buttons to the right of the viewfinder.

[icecreammm]

The 5Dc was my first full frame camera. I liked the image output up to ISO 400, but the lack of auto iso killed it for me.
I remember in 2013, my 8y old 5Dc felt like an old camera. In 2024 my 16y old 5D mkII still feels pretty modern.
At the right price, there is nothing wrong with a camera that feels a bit old and outdated as long as the pictures come out great, but I believe a Canon 5D mkII or Nikon D700 will give you a much better experience for not that much more money and you can still get the 5Dc look with some post processing.
Will I ever buy another 5Dc? Maybe, to add to the collection, and if the price is right (< 100 Euro)

[HannesHolmqvist]

Memories came back, happiness was felt

[QuiznPop]

Great video, yesterday I've did a couple photoshoot with canon 5D classic and the 135mm F2L along the Nikon DF with the sigma 24-105mm and 50mm F1.8
Despite the 12mp of the 5D, the image all came sharp and pleasing, as long as you are using the center point autofocus it's very reliable. The 5D and 135mm F2 helped me to get the compression i wanted for the Tour Eiffel shoot.
The Nikon DF did also an amazing job, I started the shoot with the 50mm F1.8 and even at F2.8, I had too much blurry background (it was in Paris and I wanted to show also the location )
. So I've mounted the 24-105mm F4 and it was the perfect lens for this type of shoot, more than enough bokeh, very flexible framing and super sharp.

[carpediem]

I bought a 5D Mk1 about a year ago and love the camera. There is something special about the way it renders--colors are pleasing and don't have the harshness or cartoony look I get from other cameras. I find it tends to overexpose by default so have to compensate if a shot includes any sky or highlights. I don't use auto-iso so don't miss it.

Also the EOS mount is larger and has a shorter flange distance than other DSLRs so you can mount other brand lenses. I have it paired with a Nikon 50mm f1.4

[JayTsPhoto]

Idk if you've done it yet but I would suggest checking out the Sony a850 for review...it is a tad expensive for a 2009 camera but it is a camera with 25mp in 2009 lol

[TheDavveponken]

Concerning the mirror. The main problem with it falling out (other than the hassle of putting it back) is the risk you run of damaging the back element of your lens if you are unlucky. Glueing it back is easy and seems to last.

You can't read the shutter actuations unless you are Canon service personal.

[duncanthorn]

Yes, on my 2nd 5D, the mirror fell off the first one after a week of use, so I exchanged it for another which has had the modification done to prevent it happening. Also have the 5D Markii, which I really appreciate the auto iso on, when shooting outdoors on cloudy/sunshine days when the light is rapidly changing.

[ignatprokhoropchyuck]

The proble of my Canon EOS 5D, a mirror inside separated, it need to be special glued

[karmagroovy]

I love the output of my 5D. However the button layout and the dual function buttons which require two hands to set kind of drive me crazy. I put up with the bad ergos because again, I love the character and colors of the images I get from this camera.

[paulp]

how in the world you pronounce 'naikon', when is 'neekon' from your country?!

[tonyb]

I have to be honest and say I have never ever shot with anything Cannon. I am mostly a Nikon shooter but also enjoy Pentax and Fuji and previously owned and used Olympus m4/3. I do enjoy my D700 as well as my Z8.