Camera test:
Canon 5d-Mark III + Canon telephoto 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM Mark II versus Canon 100D (Rebel SL1) + kit lens 55-250mm IS USM f/5.6.
You might remember my last blog post about swapping my Canon 5d-Mark III to the smallest/cheapest entry level DSLR Canon 100D (Rebel SL1) camera. I also downgraded my lenses system from Canon telephoto, Canon 70-200mm IS USM f/2.8 Mark II, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 to Canon kit lenses Canon 18-55mm f/5.6 and Canon 55-250mm IS USM f/5.6. See the blog and more images here:
Following my downgrade, there were many statements, comments, and people expressing their opinions in different ways – some more controversial than others. So, I decided to shed some light on this matter.
A couple of weeks ago I ran a Speedlite photography workshop, outdoor, on location. Some of my students were using the Canon 5D Mark III cameras and the more expensive Canon lenses so I decided to do some tests with the 2 systems: Canon 5d-Mark III versus my current entry level DSLR Canon 100D camera (Rebel SL1) and the lenses too.
I quickly produced a (rather tricky and challenging) lighting setup which usually can give some serious trouble to the photographer and the equipment (particularly the lenses) with a view to test the 2 systems and see how they would perform.
After I finished the lighting setup I took 2 images with the same lighting and same composition with the 2 systems (I tried to keep everything exactly the same so that the test will be relevant and fair). The equipment used was:
Canon 5d-Mark III + Canon 70-200mm IS USM f/2.8 Mark II
Versus
Canon 100D (Rebel SL1) Canon 55-250mm IS USM f/5.6
The results are shown below, I will not say which one is which; I will leave it with you to guess. The EXIF data of the both images is:
– Exactly the same lighting setup/model posing/framing.
– ISO 100 – both images.
– Shutter speed 1/60th – both images.
Focal lenght:
Canon 55-250mm IS: @ f/5.6 – zoom 109mm
Canon 70-200mm IS Mark II: @ f/2.8 – zoom 150mm
Now the question is: can you guess which image was taken with Canon 5d-Mark III and which one was taken with Canon 100D (Rebel SL1)?
Camera lenses test: Canon 5d-Mark III + Canon telephoto 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM Mark II versus Canon 100D + kit lens 55-250mm IS USM f/5.6
Please please tell us which is which, I have a canon 100D and have been in 2 minds wether to “up grade” but having read your article I am sticking with the 100d, and looking at lens instead, my only concern with my photographs is sharpness when enlarging the photo, if I enlarge on the computer up to 200% and it’s not sharp at the edges I’m not happy, maybe my technique. But you have convinced me to stick with it. Thank you
Hello Valerie,
You don’t need to upgrade as you are not going to get anything better unless you want more ISO and a few more pixels but that will not change your photographs too much
From what I am reading you need to learn a bit more advanced topics and also about editing / optimisation workflow
Yes, it is about techniques and there are a few aspects that need clarified in order to get pin sharp images
I definitely recommend our advanced photography course https://www.photoion.co.uk/courses/
And the editing workflow workshop (editing can be done online or face to face) https://www.photoion.co.uk/courses/live-online-refresher-courses/
Best regards,
Ion