5D Query

[HairyHaggis]

OK, very silly question coming up?? I am at work hence reason I am asking the now.

I have been "given" a Canon 5D for a few months to play around with ... now I took it to the studio last night, fired off a few cards worth of images, and loved the feel, and the screen, and the rate of fire on RAW images, it certainly feels like a great camera compared to my S3.

Now, upon dumping the files to the laptop, I see there is a JPEG image and also the RAW image which I am more interested in.

PS CS2 does not recognise this file format ???

Can you tell me if you need Canon software to open it? OR do I need updated definitions from Canon???

Thanks. I did a like for like comparison on the Canon and the S3 out of curiosity, but loved the full frame sensor also.

[GaryB]

You need an updated version of Adobe camera raw (sorry I don't have a link for it, but it is a free download)

Gary

[HairyHaggis]

Yeah I downloaded 3.4 from Adobe as a trial and it worked ... so thats it sorted .... quite a different unit to the S3 .... I was working with both of them last night ... and I will tell you. THe Fuji S3 buffer issues on RAW were very very apparent as I was switching between cameras.

That was one plus for me .... but I have to compare the images to see what they like quality wise now ... looking forward to that.

Thanks Gary :)

[Swampy]

Steve,

I would also try downloading the trial version of Capture One and try converting the 5d's images with that. It takes some getting used to, but I like how my images turn out much better when converting with that over PS. I'll convert with C1, then edit in PS.

I still have to try out the wife's 5d to see how it works, but I never liked the 20d and the 5d is basically a 20d body. :( But since my 1Ds is on the blink at the moment, I may start playing with it....

[HairyHaggis]

See my whole issue is trying to decide whether to jump off the Fuji ship into the Canon ship with the 1Ds Mk II ... not knowing anyone about here with one of these monsters, and whether I can justify it to the banker in doors.....

Its all so confusing and risky .... its a lot of money to shell out if I feel it is a mistake afterwards, hence trialling the 5D from a mate for next few months !!!

I have Capture 1 in the house but not here, so will take a look at them when i get home too.

I will stick a few samples from the 5D on the portrait section above, but the lens I was given with the camera must not be fully compatible as there are dark fringes at the corners !!!

[easternherp]

Steve, why are you thinking of moving to Canon rather than a Nikon? Just curious

[HairyHaggis]

Not too sure to be honest .... I have always thought Canon were the better built units out the of main two players .... but finding it difficult to decide what to spend a fair whack of my budget on, when the S3 is suiting me fine at the moment

[Sneakyracer]

The fujiS2 and S3 biggest downside is the lack of speed. Both are very slow in any RAW mode. Its not a splitting hair difference even with the cheapest of DSLRs which are faster. Other than that image quality at lower ISOs is very good. I ot some really nice large prints from S2 files.

Naturally a 5D in RAW will blow both cameras away in image quality without a doubt (I shot an S2 next to my 5D for comparison). At iso 800 and above the difference is huge. But the 5D produces probably the cleanest file out of any DSLR alongside the 1Ds mk2.

The 5D isnt blistering fast but its very swift compared to the fujis.

But for non profesional work the S2/S3 is more than adequate.

[HairyHaggis]

Define non professional work mate ???

Reason I ask is I have 60 x 20 posters of cakes in a shop window up here that come off the S2 and they are pretty damn good in respect to quality ....

Am interested as I still have the 5D in my possession and was planning to test it again soon as I downloaded a manual for it to make sure the settings it was on were good.

I love the S3 though, the results I am getting off it are superb, and the quality, I cannot seem to fault ... its ONLY the buffer am upset about to be honest ???

Thanks