Brief review of the Canon 50D

[devilla101]

Well I decided to get this camera and the Canon 85mm 1.2 lens after deciding not to buy the 1D Mark III.

Got the camera from Discount Camera Warehouse since they had it for $1699 compared to DD Photographics at $1800+. The Canon 85mm 1.2 was from Stu at Quality Camera Sales, and as always top service and quick delivery from him (not to mention cheaper).

Anyway since this camera and lens will be used for my wedding gigs and on my casual days, I decided to take a trip to Auburn Botanical Gardens to test it out.

After spending a couple of hours with the camera I have to admit it definitely is a nice upgrade from the 30D.

Here are my initial positive impressions:
- The camera felt really comfortable in the hand and is comparative to the 5D.
- Lovely sharp, bright and near-accurate LCD display makes viewing so much easier.
- Metering seems to be accurate compared to my 5D and 30D (or I'm getting better) and most of the time I didn't need to chimp on exposure compensation.
- Besides shooting in RAW I also shot in Jpeg. All I have to say is that I was very impressed with how the camera processed them. Great colors, contrast and saturation. I actually feel confident shooting jpegs again.
- Didn't do much post processing from the RAW files. Only need slight curve adjustments and slightly 'boosted' the colours (Although I suspect the 85 1.2 is responsible for the great colours and contrast).
- ISO 3200 is usable after cleaning up and helps in dimly lit rooms.
- New menu system I found to be intuitive. Love the "My Menu" section.
- With the external speedlite mounted, I can now further customise it via the camera menu system.
- AF Microadjustment. Great tool to have and tried it on my 17-55. It works.

And my initial negative impressions:
- I found it very easy to switch to AUTO ISO and at times found it confusing why my ISO kept changing (Yeah stupid me)
- With Highlight Tone Priority on, noise was evident in shadows even when shooting at ISO 200 but only when you pixel peep.
- ISO 6400. Kind of a toss up. If you need the shot then use it. It is usable but only to record an event. Definitely not for the details
- ISO 12000+++. Hmmm for those desperate shots. Comes with free snow effect on every shot it seems
- Custom Functions. So many options. I have to say its a negative for the time being because now I have to read the manual to find out what the new ones do.


Anyway that concludes my brief review. Below are somes shots taken today. Resized and sharpened for the web. Enjoy

[willer]

Hey, great photos. I too have recently purchased the 50D, upgraded from the 350D which I've had for the past three years. Although I've always thought the 350 was a great camera, the 50D is simply awesome. Plan to really ramp up some decent and more creative photo taking now rather than simply taking snaps of what looks good at the time, using the full capabilities of the camera is now my challenge! Look forward to seeing further photos you have taken.

[Doctor]

I Picked up my 50d Friday afternoon and spent the day at the zoo shooting with it. Now to find the Raw codec (any help appreciated) so i can view my photos in Adobe Bridge and process them! Loving the new body though, a huge improvement over the 400d i was using, with better feel in hand and a screen that is infinitely better than the 400d one. Anyone know if a batter grip from a 30d/40d will fit a 50d? Thats one thing i miss from my 400d is the battery grip, and would love one on the 50d, i have been offered one from a 30/40d and would love to know if it fits.....

Cheers

Chris

[Doctor]

Ok, so i found the Camera Raw 5.1 update, in which it has support for the 50d, but it says its not compatible with Photoshop CS3, which is less than helpful as i cant afford the new CS4 due to the camera purchase! Does anyone have a way around this?

[jammy2]

Try Adobe DNG converter as an interim solution...worked for D90
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/ ... rm=windows

[Doctor]

Cheers for that link, i couldnt find a place to get the 4.6 update, fingers crossed it works until i can get a copy of CS4!

On the other hand, brilliant camera! Just need to find out if 40d battery grip will fit now!

[devilla101]

Hey mate,

If you can get a grip thats fitted 20D, 30D and/or 40D then it will be fine on the 50D.

My old 30D grip fitted just fine on the 50D and no infamous err99 popped up.

If you do want to edit 50D raw and don't have cs4 then do go for Adobe DNG converter as Jammy2 suggested. Works a treat albeit slows down a bit on your processing time since you have to wait xx minutes for the program to convert to DNGs

[Doctor]

Awesome, will certainly be getting my mitts on one then!

As for the RAW editing, i grabbed the 4.6 update and replaced the raw plugin and it seems to be working ok, so will stick with that till i can get a copy of CS4

Cheers guys

[robert]

Just got my 50D on Friday. Anyone know how to display raw thumbnails. I used to use irfanview, but now the cr2's dont display as thumbnails in windows folders. Irfanview thumbnail viewer works but as a standolone program.

[devilla101]

Just got my 50D on Friday. Anyone know how to display raw thumbnails. I used to use irfanview, but now the cr2's dont display as thumbnails in windows folders. Irfanview thumbnail viewer works but as a standolone program.

Hey Rob

Never use Irfanview but if budget allows I suggest getting Breezebrowser Pro. Sweet, fast and well supported program for viewing RAW

Ron

[aim54x]

Great to hear some feedback on the 50D. I have been away from the retail game for a little while so I have not been able to keep up with the new bodies as I have in the past. Sounds like you canon boys now have another great camera to add to your stable.

Congrats on your purchases all of you, special mentions to Devilla for the 85 f/1.2.

[gstark]

Ron,

Never use Irfanview

Are you saying that you never use it, or are you cautioning against its use?

if the latter, could you please elaborate on the issues you've come up against?

[devilla101]

Ron,

Never use Irfanview

Are you saying that you never use it, or are you cautioning against its use?

if the latter, could you please elaborate on the issues you've come up against?

Oops, to clarify, I've never used the program so I can't comment or offer any help.

Sorry for the misunderstanding Gary

[gstark]

Ron,

Never use Irfanview

Are you saying that you never use it, or are you cautioning against its use?

if the latter, could you please elaborate on the issues you've come up against?

Oops, to clarify, I've never used the program so I can't comment or offer any help.

Sorry for the misunderstanding Gary

Not a problem, Ron.

I appreciate the clarification. I was worried that was something that I wasn't aware of.