dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

PhotoKurtz,
There is indeed a lot of material published about the 5D4 and with good reason. There is a lot you can choose to use among its many capabilities. I think that sometimes this plethora of choices becomes the tail wagging the dog. I believe that buying new equipment, or even older models for that matter, should be aimed at addressing a perceived needs. There has to be a balance between need and want combined with justified use of one's resources. I don't subscribe to the practice of buying new "stuff" just to say I own the latest and greatest. There is always the point at which I can't afford it anyway, but from a practical point of view, I need to feel that there is a real purpose in any purchase. To begin with, I'm approaching 75 years old and have recently made what I said is my final camera body purchase, that being the 5D4. The 600 page manual means very little to me because the basic operation of the camera is consistent with the other two camera bodies I currently own and use. Before buying the 5D4, I had the 5D2, and the 5D before that. Each new body brought some new technology, higher ISO availability with a bit lower noise, and what I believe to have been improved image quality. As a professional specializing in product photography, I felt that these cameras provided me with the results I needed to satisfy my clients at the time I owned them. To help with that goal, I also purchased a 5Ds specifically for use in my studio where I commonly shoot product and portraiture. The 50MP resolution provides a big plus in flexibility of image use for my clients and it improves my ability to use creative cropping among other things. Because some of my clients use my images in large print application for trade shows and trade publications, the higher resolution represents a real improvement in what I can offer them. I find that the 5D4, with 30MP resolution, satisfies some of that need as well, but it also provides flexibility in terms of subject matter I can address in a variety of settings, both in the studio and outside. I have great confidence in the 5D4 when shooting live performances of the local symphony, dance groups, and other low-light venues. The quiet operation is an added plus. My third camera body is the 7D2 which I purchased when I found myself occasionally shooting sports events and wildlife for my personal gratification. The 7D2 offers the crop sensor, giving me a frame rate of 10 frames/sec which serves well when shooting action sports and moving wildlife. The obvious advantage to my selection of these three bodies is that my full-frame lenses interchange well and I can be very flexible in choosing what projects I can shoot. The reason I say the 600 page manual means little to me is because I use a very small amount of the features built into these cameras. I like that I can pick up any of the three and know instinctively how to operate them with ease. In rare situations where I need what I consider an unusual capability, I know that I can learn to use what is not in my normal realm of feature selection. In the same way that I only use Photoshop CC for post work, I am certain that many of the things PSCC can do go unused in my daily work and play. Still, I know that there is probably a way to accomplish the unusual should I need to do that at some point. Thus, at this stage of my game, I am reasonably sure that the equipment I now own will serve my needs well for the predictable future, and I don't expect that I'll need to buy more capability for the time I have left. I predict that you will be delighted with the 5D4. It is a marvelous piece of equipment. While it can't do EVERYTHING, it can do a tremendous amount of quality work. For my purposes, the 5Ds and the 7D2 beautifully fill in the very few holes left by the 5D4. Together, they remove most obstacles to executing my creative process. From here on out, I expect GAS attacks to be extremely rare. I don't think you need to justify your investment at all. Just use and enjoy it to the fullest.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Finished the manual last night. Skipped over the chapters on in-camera PP, videos, wifi (may revisit) and some stuff that I'll do in the computer. More likes: time interval shots without tethering, 7 shot AEB, forgot to mention full frame. Not certain what multiple exposure offers vs. Layering in PP? The option to automatically update custom controls will be handy. Updated the utility software. Silent live shooting seems smoother than 7d. Movable focus placement will be handy on tripod work whither stills, landscape other wildlife. Now to get shooting.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Thanks for the detail, DKG. I am notorious for not reading manuals so I wanted to plow through it one time to see what nuggets we're there that I might not find in use. Mission accomplished.

leftj Loc: Texas

I can tell you used the 7D a lot. You need a new eyecup. LOL

mikegreenwald Loc: Illinois

The cards can be used to auto-backup, or to record in different formats. Personally, I record both cards in RAW only, but I know others who record one in jpg and the other in RAW. You can also record one or both in RAW + jpg, etc,
I would have preferred two HDSC slots rather than one HDSC and one CF, but the problem is not of consequence. I know at least one pro who uses the CF only, and claims never to have had a failure. I think that's taking an unnecessary chance - I always use both.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Yes, Mike, to your thoughts. SD cards are so easy for transferring to laptop to external drive. I only use RAW so backup seems to be way to go.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

I leave mine on center focus. Ability to shift focus around the frame will be handy.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

I also like the info button. Handy for clarification on seldom used settings.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Any suggestions on super strength batteries? All these features must drain power. The battery pack from my 7d might finally find use. Another pornd to lug around?

DJCard Loc: Northern Kentucky

The 5DIV is amazing for so many reasons. I like the cool ways to customize the buttons on this camera. I barely read anything from manual but watched some key videos. Here’s a fun one from 5d Planet. Kind of a goofy guy, but great info to open up your mind on what’s possible with the 5DIV:

http://blog.planet5d.com/2016/09/back-button-focus-on-steroids-the-canon-eos-5d-mark-iv-feature-that-blew-me-away/

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Thanks!

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Purchase a card reader instead.

Your experience with the Mini USB port failing on your 7D is one of the key reasons I don't use the camera and the cable for image downloads. If that port gets damaged, it's a particularly expensive repair because the port in most cameras is part of the main integrated circuit board.

Better to remove the memory card and download via a card reader. This risks less, removing and reinserting cards in the camera. And if the card socket(s) ever does get damaged, it's a less expensive with most cameras because it's a separate module that's more easily accessed... so both parts a labor cost a lot less. I've seen them damaged, but personally have I've never worn out or damaged a card socket in around 20 years shooting digital, with a bunch of different cameras and probably more than a hundred different memory cards, sometimes swapping them out as much as a dozen times during a day's shoot.

A card reader is also better because the camera doesn't need to be left on, saving battery power. When relying upon the battery, if it drops too low during the data transfer and the camera shuts down, images may be corrupted.

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Good thoughts. I bought a card reader some time ago and it wasn't long before it got a bent pin and the cards won't load.

As long as this camera has the SD card I'll use that. It pops in easily and I keep a reader for it in the slot on my laptop...

Suggestions are always appreciated.

TMcD Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Hey, PK. Seems like we have similar interests and taste. I also upgraded from a 7D to the 5D mIV. I've had mine for about a year and love it. I also ride a BMW GS ('14 1200) and there's nothing I enjoy more than combining my two greatest interests. I think you'll find the transition from the 7D to the 5D4 reasonably easy. I predict you will come to love the touch screen. Have fun riding and shooting!

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

Hey! Yes... a great combination! Maybe we can meet up in Des Moines next summer at the MOA.