7d or 5d?

I’ve been getting this a lot recently: ‘Bollocks I’ve bought a 7D, I wish I’d bought a 5D, but it was too expensive and now it’s bothering me because I know the 5D has to be better doesn’t it, but I shoot mainly video so what do I do, what do I do?’

Damn good question. Many people, most eloquently Philip Bloom have tried to rationalise the decision for you in their own way and at least give you a shot of making a decision you’re happy with. I’ve been fortunate to spend a really intense period working with both cameras over the last six months, pouring over the image, analysing how different lenses affect the image, being incredibly self-critical to that end and I now feel qualified to lob my ten cents worth into the mix. Definitely worth reading Bloom’s article about the different cameras because he lays out the technical differences and makes it abundantly clear exactly what you’re getting with the different units.

I won’t be doing that. I’ve nicked his frame size comparison because it gives you a very quick idea of why various cameras perform better.

You’ve probably all seen this comparison a hundred times already but it never gets boring. To imagine I used to be content as a kitten with the 1/2 inch chip in an EX1 (I remember being staggered by how good it looked) is it any wonder that an APS-C sensor can be as beguiling as it is. Bring in the full frame sensor of the 5D or the D3S and suddenly you’re looking at just an absurd leap in the amount of information it’s sucking in.

I bought a 7D, I bought it because it was cheaper, it seemed better set up for video, which was my primary usage and it just seemed the right choice at the time. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, I had a budget for a camera and before I knew it I’d spent four times what I’d budgeted for. Oops. I’ve shot on nothing but the 5D for the last three months, and I now have a conclusion to offer. This is not based on tech specs, or comparison charts, or financial considerations, it’s based purely on an emotional response. The 7D is fantastic and I will never regret purchasing it. I enjoy how rugged it is and, coupled with my Sigma 30mm f1.4 it’s absolute dynamite. There was a short period when I was shooting with the Marvels Cine profile doing backgammon and my short dance film when I shocked myself with how pretty it was. But that’s where it ends, an infatuation. No more than that.

I am completely in love with the 5D. Like I said, it is completely irrational and based on emotion, but that’s just the way it is.

Sony F35

For me, the 5D has the edge over the 7D but it really boils down to personal taste, I just love the way it looks, how involving it is, but given its place in the range you’d expect that. As an editor and post person I’m used to analysing my video footage in great detail and while I watch my 7D rushes and enjoy them I watch my rushes from the 5D and I giggle. It’s pathetic. I literally giggle and coo at how phenomenal it looks. I blow them up to the full size of my crappy Asus 26 inch monitors and they hold up. I shoot stills on my 7D and they’re very decent indeed. I shoot stills on the 5D and they’re just staggering. My much-maligned 24-70L that doesn’t really seem to work as well as you’d hope on the 7D (especially for video), just seems to be so much more in tune with the sensor and the electronics on the 5D. I’m not a techie and couldn’t give you a specific reason why this is. In Filmmaker Magazine this month Roberto Quezada-Dardon writes an overview of the DSLR landscape with anecdotes from DOP Brian Reynolds stating that the 7D cuts seamlessly with the Sony F35. I’m shocked by that. Genuinely. Much of my 7D footage exhibits very obvious tell-tale blockiness from the H264 codec, blockiness I just don’t see from the 5D. But if Reynolds says so, then who am I to argue?

So, what does this mean? Well, it means this: if you’re dipping a toe get the 550D. Now that’s a ridiculous camera for the price and I really like it. Yes it’s a bit plasticky and a bit of a fiddle to operate, but you’d get used to that in a day or two. If you have the money (well if you don’t then steal it) then do yourself a massive favour and get that 5D… at all costs… just get it. It will change your life. But what about the 720 50i on the 7D. I don’t bother with that on Ladies and Gentlemen anymore, I just trust Twixtor to give me a lifelike 50fps on my full frame 1920×1080 5D footage and most of the time it does. For sure, rent a 7D and get hold of some PL mount lenses like the new Zeiss CP2s or even better Cook S4s and you’ll probably have the time of your life but think really hard about what you’re after. Yes, we suffer from that insane shallow depth of field making focus a real challenge, but the image is just much better on the 5D. Also bear in mind that I’m just a punter and I like shooting drama so for me the 5D stacks up really well. For more doco style work then I actually think the 7D is a better bet, you’ll certainly have a better shot at focussing and you’ll create more immediacy. Horses for courses as always but the 5D sits above the 7D in the range and if you were wondering what your extra money bought you I can tell you that, for me, it represents good value. In fact they all do, ridiculous isn’t it?