Canon 5DS-R Long term review

Quick Facts

MRP : INR 2,65,000 (AS OF JUN 2015)

Retail  : INR 2,00,000

Date introduced : February 2015

Maximum format size : 35mm full frame

Sensor and Resolution : CMOS 50.6Megapixels

Lens Compatibility : Canon EF Mount

The CANON 5DS R..one of the most awaited cameras by Canon users who were looking to upgrade from the venerable but aging 5D Mark iii was finally released in February  2015 and became available in India around Jun 2015.This was Canon's answer to the Megapixel wars happening around that time with Nikon.

Build Quality 8/10

Build Quality is good and consistent with the trend set by its predecessors in the 5D Series. It about the same weight as the 5D Mark iii . The weather sealing also along the same lines as the 5D Mark iii and wasn't improved till the 5D Markiv came out in 2016. But it is still a solid camera and I don't have any qualms shooting with it in a light drizzle or in cold weather..It performed extremely well on my recent trip to Lapland during winter and never let me down.

Ergonomics 8/10

If you are already familiar with the 5D,5D Mark ii or 5D Mark iii then this camera will feel familiar to you. Even otherwise I think Canon has got its camera ergonomics down pat and a user can quickly get comfortable with the layout of the controls. 

Features

• 50MP CMOS sensor
• 5 fps continuous shooting
• ISO 100-6400 (Extends to 12,800)
• 61-point AF module with input from 150k pixel metering sensor
• Dual Digic 6 processors
• 3.0" 1.04M-dot LCD
• CF & SD slots (UHS-I compatible)
• 1080/30p video
• M-Raw and S-Raw downsampled formats
• 30MP APS-H crop and 19.6MP APS-C crop modes
• USB 3.0 interface

Autofocus Performance  8/10

The 5DS R has essentially the same focusing system from the 5D Mark iii which is pretty good in most normal conditions. 

Burst Rate 7/10

The Burst rate has been maintained at 5 Frames per second like the 5D iii. 

High ISO Performance 7/10

The High ISO performance is on par with the 5d mark iii. So I find myself reaching for my Canon 5D Mark 4 in low light or high ISO situations. I find I am comfortable shooting with this camera up to ISO 1600 .

Image Quality  8/10

There are a number of parameters that can be used to define image quality. What I am referring to here is the look of the image which is largely determined by Colour Accuracy, Contrast, Resolution, focus accuracy.  I still feel the benchmark for image quality are the Leica cameras. And the Hasselblad medium format image has the feel of film which has more feel and drama compared to any of the 35mm DSLRs and this is no exception. Landscape images need some tuning in Lightroom or other image editing software to get the best out of the scene. Portraits are neutral enough and the increased red in skin tones which was the bane of most canon DSLRs is not longer a problem. Will post some images straight out of camera here and you can make your own judgement.

Value for Money 8/10

I believe the 5DS R represents good value for money specially now in 2018 if you can get hold of one the price is now considerable lower than it was a time of release.considering all that it offers. Sure there are competitors that may outperform it in specific areas but the 5DSR is a terrific CAMERA for High Resolution work such as landscape photography and for studio work requiring fine details. Well built to last a long time and to bear the rigours of professional use. It does a lot of thing very well and for canon users who will be shooting primarily portraits, events, weddings, landscapes, this is a good overall choice available now as long as the increased file size does not effect your workflow too much.

SAMPLE IMAGES FROM CANON 5DS R

Interested? Here is a link to shop for more cameras.

The Canon 50mm f1.4 USM A Capable Allrounder

Quick Facts

MRP : INR 29,900

Retail  : INR 26,000

Date introduced : June 1993

Maximum format size : 35mm full frame

Focal length : 50mm

35mm equivalent focal length  (APS-C) : 80mm

 This lens has been with me for a few years now and have been using it mostly to shoot environmental or full length portraits on my full frame 5D Mark 3 and more recently on my 5DS R and 5D Mark 4. A regular companion on my portrait shoots It gives that wider perspective from the additional angle of view that my other favourite portrait lens the 85mm f1.8 cannot.

Focusing Performance  7/10

in AF mode the 50mm f1.4 is quick to acquire focus in normal available light situations and studio conditions. But like on any lens with a wide aperture good eyesight and good focusing technique are needed to consistently get proper focus while shooting wide open on canon DSLRs  

Keeping the best focusing lenses in Canon's lineup such as the 70-200 f2.8 L and the 300 f2.8 as a benchmark I would rate this lens as 7/10 which is quite good.

Sharpness  7/10

This lens produces sharp images when stopped down to f2.8 or more. And not surprisingly is very sharp between f5.6 and f8.0 the sett spot for most lenses. When used wide open at f1.4 there is a soft dreamy quality to the images which i like but aficionados of super sharp images may be disappointed. 

Bokeh 7/10

 The wide f1.4 Aperture allows one to create smooth background blur(BOKEH) on a full frame camera. I find the bokeh to be mostly pleasing if not as smooth on as on the more expensive primes or zoom lenses in canon's lineup.On an APS-C camera it's performance is more more like that of f2.8 lens. 

Build Quality  6/10

It's well built with a metal lens mount and high quality plastic barrel unlike the Canon 50mm f1.8 lens which is mostly a cheaper plastic construction. 

Slightly lower build quality that the 85mm f1.8 EF lens.

Value for Money  9/10

I believe this lens represents good value for money. At it's street price of INR 26,000 this is great normal lens with higher optical performance and build quality than any of the kit lenses and also the 50mm f1.8 lens. It is a good all around performer with a full frame DSLR and can also double as a portrait lens on APS-C cameras.

Sample Images