5D mark 1?
 

Hi, I'm looking to upgrade from a 450D to ??. I'd love to buy a Canon 5D mk II but budget is an issue!!!

I've just landed my first wedding shoot and wanted to go for a professional camera!. Would I be better off getting a 5D mark1 to get me on the full size sensor pro camera level or going for something newer like 7D or 60D? Could be looking at secong hand for the 7D too!!!

want to keep my 450D as spare!

thanks for any suggestions

Michelle

I was in the same quandry - wanted to go full frame but the newer full frame models were out of budget. I went for a used 5D Mk1 and it's a really good camera. Mine was from a studio environment and very well looked after. The only thing I noticed (after a while) was when I started getting into long exposures. I took some shots at night which were approximately 2 minutes exposure, and I found I had a lot of hot pixels. There's free software out there that can easily take care of this so although it's annoying, it's not a major issue. For everyday shooting it's fine. But I suppose this sort of problem is to be expected from a camera that's a few years old and was used in a studio. I got mine a while ago for less than £600 and I still think it's a bargain. To replace the sensor would cost one and a half times what I paid for the camera. And if you can, get some L lenses as well.

the 5d mk1 is a very capable camera despite it's age and i think it's a bit of a bargain at the typical selling price of 500 - 600 quid
it's very hard to determine the shutter count of the 5d so your really going to have to take the word of the previous owner but the overall condition could be an indication of how it has been used and the serial number will give you an idea of it's age, early ones begin with a 1 and the later ones a 3
quite a few of the early ones were recalled for a mirror fault ( the mirror came loose ) but was rectified in the later models
the copy i had ( first 3 of serial no 293 ) did not suffer from hot pixels so i don't know how common that is
there quite prone to sensor dust ( dust bunnies ) so it's worth taking a photo of the sky at f16 to see if the one you might purchase has any and if particularly bad maybe negotiating a discount for the price of a sensor clean

the cameras image quality is superb and low noise handling is not to be sniffed at either
being full frame makes it ideal for weddings / studio work ( as we already know ) but the question is what lens do you intend complimenting the body with ( you don't say ) any EFS lenses you own cannot be used with a full frame body something to consider if you have any

good luck with your choice ...

have a look on [url]www.ffordes.com[/url] they have around 3 or 4 mk1's and a couple of mk2's

its not just the camera but the lenses that you use so you may be better off getting a good lens, you dont say what you have now.