Canon T3i vs a Canon 5D MK II: I want to say up front how nice it is to have experienced photographers weigh in on topics for those of us who are novices. I have always believed that I...

heliplot Loc: PNW

I want to say up front how nice it is to have experienced photographers weigh in on topics for those of us who are novices. I have always believed that I benefit in more ways than one by helping others, and it seems many of you do also. Thank you!

I will attempt to be specific with this question. If I know how to operate a T3i and a 5D MK II, can I wind up with as good a photo of a plate of food with the t3i as I can with a 5D MK II...using the same lens, light source, etc.

LittleRedFish Loc: Naw'lens (New Orleans)

In my opinion If you could take just as good a picture with the T31 as the 5D,then they would not be able to sell the 5D. Who would want to spend the extra $12-1500?

edwinj Loc: winchester,ky

I would think that a regular size photo you would not be able to tell much difference, unless you want to make a wall size poster.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

Well the answer kinda depends on two things...

#1 What you mean by "as good a photo"
#2 What do you intend to do with the finished product

If I had my *choice* between the two, I'd take the 5D MKII all day long.

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

heliplot wrote:

I want to say up front how nice it is to have experienced photographers weigh in on topics for those of us who are novices. I have always believed that I benefit in more ways than one by helping others, and it seems many of you do also. Thank you!

I will attempt to be specific with this question. If I know how to operate a T3i and a 5D MK II, can I wind up with as good a photo of a plate of food with the t3i as I can with a 5D MK II...using the same lens, light source, etc.

yep

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

Bruce with a Canon wrote:

quote=heliplot I want to say up front how nice it... (show quote)

and here is the reason, inorder to see significant increase in resolution, you need to increase your sensor size (pixel count) by 4.
a 24 mp camera is TWICE the resolutuion of a 6 MP sensor

The pricy "big kids" camera has more bells and whistles, burst rate, sustained shooting rate etc ad nausuem.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The only thing you might see is a slight increase in depth of field, assuming you're using the same focal length lens and aperture. You'll have to back up a bit with the Rebel to compensate for the 1.6x crop factor.

And as Swamp Gator said, I would prefer the 5D if given a choice. If you've ever looked through the viewfinder of a FF camera, you'd know what I mean.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

The 5DMKII can handle a much higher ISO with little or no noise.

I also think the 5DMKII has creamier skin tones SOOC. (this could just me drooling over this camera and making me think this is so cause I want it to be so).

heliplot Loc: PNW

Thanks for responses. After thinking about it, guess that question lacked clarity. I am trying to see if a 5d is justified in shooting food photos for a major web site, versus a t3i. In other words, in the hands of a very good photographer, would the pro be able to shoot top notch photos with either, and both be acceptable for that format. Or would the camera be so inferior as to be noticable in this context.I must also admit, I am also drueling...but cant justify the cost.

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

If the highly skilled photographer is comfortable using both cameras and the lighting is good. I don't think a person would be able to tell the difference between the shots on a website at 72 dpi.

The T3i does NOT have the daisy wheel to change your aperture settings. I know I can NEVER go back to shooting a rebel series because of that one issue.

George H Loc: Brooklyn, New York

heliplot wrote:

I want to say up front how nice it is to have experienced photographers weigh in on topics for those of us who are novices. I have always believed that I benefit in more ways than one by helping others, and it seems many of you do also. Thank you!

I will attempt to be specific with this question. If I know how to operate a T3i and a 5D MK II, can I wind up with as good a photo of a plate of food with the t3i as I can with a 5D MK II...using the same lens, light source, etc.

Heliplot,
Yes you can, both cameras have the ability to take quality photos, if you use a quality lens on both cameras, the photo will almost be identical.

George

heliplot Loc: PNW

Thanks George,

I might get that chance (to see the difference), and I suspected that the in all but the most unusual of uses (side-of-the-road billboard, or wall size photos), that the T3i would produce virtually as good a photo. I have a T3i, and really cant afford a 5D at present, but I notice that most of the professional photographers in the PNW use the 5D. I do think there might be something to the "look of a professional" when someone has "serious and expensive" equipment. I hope to own one someday(5D), but first have to justify it by making a little with the camera I have.
Thanks again (to all who weighed in on this). You are all special people.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

heliplot wrote:

I want to say up front how nice it is to have experienced photographers weigh in on topics for those of us who are novices. I have always believed that I benefit in more ways than one by helping others, and it seems many of you do also. Thank you!

I will attempt to be specific with this question. If I know how to operate a T3i and a 5D MK II, can I wind up with as good a photo of a plate of food with the t3i as I can with a 5D MK II...using the same lens, light source, etc.

I can guarantee that I would not be able to tell the difference, assuming the pics were taken under the same conditions by the same photographer. That doesn't sound like a very challenging shoot - unless the meal is still alive.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

heliplot wrote:

I do think there might be something to the "look of a professional" when someone has "serious and expensive" equipment.

I'm with you 100% there, especially when it comes to some amateurs. I've seen guys who try to impress by showing that they have a $5,000 camera. They'll have the Nikon/Canon shoulder strap, company hat, jacket, bag, etc. "Look at me! I spent a fortune on all this stuff. Imagine how good my snapshots are."

Pros buy expensive cameras because they need durability and those extra little features, not to show off.

heliplot Loc: PNW

Thanks Jerry,

Jerry, thanks...
A skilled photographer working at the camera store told me that the T3i was a great learning camera for my purposes, and he also suggested the Tamron macro 90mm 2.8, which I purchased. So far, "some" of the pictures are stunning. I cant imagine a better photo with anything else, but what do I know? It also seems useful for me to take many shots, angles, lighting, settings, directions. That seems to give me the choices to have a great photos. Seems that more is better. I appreciate your thoughts.