What would you suggest for equine photography, the 5D or the 30D?

Quick succession and clarity is most important.

The image quality (when comparing those two cameras) is going to be primarily dictated by the glass on the camera. Both produce high quality images. The main differences are the image size of 8.2 megapixels vs 12.8. Given quality, the 12.8 5D will produce a better large print than the 30D but you are going to have to go pretty large to see that.

The other difference is the FOV factor on the 30D. Any lens you put on there will be lengthened by a focal multipler of 1.6 .. A 50 mm lens will shoot like a 80mm lens. The 5D is a full frame sensor and therefore, a 50mm lens will shoot like a 50mm lens. Where this is most advantageous is going to be at the wide angle. If it's telephoto you are after, the 1.6 multiplier will lengthen the zoom even more (a benefit for distance shooters).

Noise levels are cleaner on the 5D images but again, I really need to blow those images up to start seeing that.

The cost is the other factor.. I just noticed the 30D selling for 1049.00 after rebate at B&H in New York, whereas the 5D is still in the 25-2700 range after rebate. That is over double the price. That difference will buy a supreme piece of L series glass, like the 24-105mm F4 or the 24-70 F2.8 lens.

The bar graph for digital camera extinction is rising at warp speed. I bought a 5000.00 1D Mark II when it came out and have watched the evolution of digitals replace themselves within a very short period of time. No matter what you purchase, the obsolescence factor will be fast on your heels.

Weighing out cost, benefit and advantages, it would take a lot to convince me I need to spend more for the 5D, but I do want one just to be "like one of the guys".. <-- it's a guy thing I guess.

Hope this helps.

Just traded my 20D for a 5D. My 70/200 2.8 lens is a perfect fit for sports photos. Like the speed and auto settings, together with the full frame sensor feature on the 5D model. Cost is in the range of upper end of $2000--good value if you have the money and are a serious hobby or pro photographer.

If this is the only type of photography you do then I would probably suggest the 30d. Both cameras are built well, but both only have 9 auto focus points, not 45 like the 1 series. However, in continuous shooting mode the 30d can shoot at 5 frames per second compared to the 5d with 3fps.

However is frames per second is not important, but getting the largest printable picture is, then obviously the 5d would be preferred due to it's higher resolution.

Also, if you like to shoot with ultra wide angle lenses then you'd greatly benefit from the 5d being a full frame sensor compared to the 30d with it's 1.6x crop. On a 5d the focal length of a 16-35mm f/2.8L would be 16-35mm, however the same lens on a 30d would have an effective field of view of about 26-56mm.

Hi there,
I noticed that you haven't marked a Best Answer- are you still in need of help? If so, I recommend re-submitting your question at http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com so it has a better chance of being noticed. Lately questions are being answered within just one or two days. Good luck!

It doesn't appear as yet that you have received an opinion from another equine photographer, so if you don't mind I'll weigh in. No one has yet asked the obvious question- what kind of equine photography? Do you shoot shows or portraits? Both? Jumpers or equitation? Indoors in dim arenas? Pro, aspiring pro, or rabid pony-mom?Obviously the 5D is the best choice for portraits. The 30D will do somewhat better for action, and leave you enough money to buy that Canon 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens you'll need.

HOWEVER, that fact that you are considering the 5D means that you haven't ruled out a $3000 camera, so you are overlooking an obvious choice which will probably suit you well in both portrait and action. The 1D mark II is about the same money as the 5D, and is the ULTIMATE sports/ action camera. Its autofocus speed shames the others. AND, with a larger and better sensor than the 30D (the megapixels are the same, but the sensor is physically larger) you have LESS NOISE, especially in those dark indoor arena shots. It actually does beautiful portrait work as well, up to about 16x20. Kevin (above) is right that this will be subject to the quality of your lenses.

If you are a pro or turning pro, and can afford to, get the 1D Mark II or the 5D and a couple of nice "L" lenses. A good show photog will pull in $500-$1000 a show, so you'll pay it off soon enough. If you're a pony-mom or hobbyist, or turning pro and can't swing the camera AND good glass, get the 30D and some nice "L" lenses, and you can sell it in a year to help pay for an upgrade. I started with a digital rebel, upgraded to a 20D, then to the 1D Mark II. Either way, I agree with Kevin. get good lenses. Good luck.
jeff