amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Hi all,

I'm seriously considering getting a used 5DS or 5DS-R. My primary use for it will be landscape photography. But I may occasionally use it for architecture, wildlife, macro or people pics too.

I know the only difference is that the 5DS-R has the anti-alias filter cancellation, which allows it to render a little more fine detail. Sounds ideal for landscape. But I know that AA cancellation can lead to moiré in images under certain situations. It's most commonly seen in fabrics, in repeating lines in architecture, in bird feathers, etc. For that reason the 5DS with an AA filter might be a better alternative, possibly even at the cost of a little fine detail. Used 5DS also are selling for a little less than used 5DS-R.

I was hoping to get some feedback from folks who have used one camera or the other....

If you had the 5DS-R, did you have problems with moiré? If not, what were you shooting? If so, what was the situation and were you able to correct the problem in post-processing?

If you had the 5DS, did you ever feel a lack of fine detail due to its anti-alias filter? How did the images sharpen up in post-processing?

I realize it's unlikely that anyone would have used them both, though if someone has I'd really like to hear your thoughts. I think I've read or viewed all the reviews that discussed them both.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. No need to tell me I should be looking at a mirrorless camera instead of a DSLR, Paul. I'm willing to take the risk that my life's purpose won't be fulfilled and I will never attain sainthood!

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

This is probably not the response you were looking for ---
I have the 5Ds -- Love it - Great camera - The only reason I have the S vs the SR is money - about $700.00 at the time -- Purchased the camera right after it came out - The SR was listed & going for 3,700 while the S was 3,500 -- Was able to work a deal for the S model for 3,000 was actually hoping to get the SR for 3,200 -- But no deal --
They wanted 3,700 ---
So that's why I shoot with the 5Ds -- As I said -- Really love the camera & enjoy it's level of detail --
I also have no plans for a mirrorless

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I've had the 5DSr for many years. It was my daily shooter for awhile but I determined the image files were just too large and the camera was just too light hungry. I got the 5D mk IV for my daily shooter and use the 5DSr when I want that super resolution. It is more of a specialty camera and not well suited to snapshot photography. I've had my 5DSr for 6 years now and it's my highest resolution camera, and still one of my favorites but, it doesn't go out as often since I got a D850.
By the way, I have not had a problem with moire. It happens occasionally but is definitely not a show stopper, as far as I'm concerned.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Weren't they giving them away new for about $1500 just a few weeks ago? That would be the only reason to buy a relic of the DSLRosaur age of photography. B&H still has them at this price it seems.

Note rmorrison1116's comment about high-resolution everyday cameras, cameras like the EOS R5 that have changed how we think about mirrorless, how we think about photography, how we think about life.

BebuLamar

I think they run out now but they were selling new DS for $1300 and DSR for $1500. So how much used one would be? $500?

jim quist Loc: Missouri

User ID

Altho I greatly prefer an EVF, I have a 5DSR for my high rez needs. $850 for a used SR vs a few thousand for a Sony seemed a no-brainer (but I was wrong).

The images from the SR are incredible, but it’s a very compromised camera in important ways. It has no high iso. The SLR focus is not up to job, requiring LV focus. The viewfinder sucks. But again, it’s $850 and the images are amazing.

I wound up spending about $2000 on suitable lenses, 24, 35, 45, 85 and 150 all with IS. IOW I should’ve stretched a bit more for a Sony a7R4 or Nikon Z7II (both have IBIS and no AA filter) and used all my existing lenses. I definitely have regrets.

BTW I never get moire.

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

I have the 5DSR and have never had any type of moire issues. I shoot mostly landscapes, waterfalls, and people with it. The fine detail is impressive. My raw files average around 70-75mb, occasionally larger.

BebuLamar

I wouldn't pay that much for used if I was able to buy a new one for $1500 a short time ago.

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

I have a 5ds which works wonderfully, however I'm going to sell it after buying an R6. I know a loss of 30mp but the R6 performes better in low light.. it has also changed the way I think about life in many ways 😉😉😉

mrtaxi Loc: Old Westbury NY, Fort Lauderdale, FL

I have the 5DS for about 4-5 years and I love the high resolution the pictures are incredible. That said my go to camera is my 5D mark IV. I use the 5DS for specific tasks like landscape photography and once for clothing catalogue photography for my daughter in my studio where it was required to see the stitching. Stamp and coin photography where extreme detail is most important. Anytime high resolution is most important and light is sufficient it’s amazing. I also have a 5D III that I only used for a short span and that became my back up camera (virtually new) after buying my 5DIV about 3-4 years ago. My 70D I kept to have the crop factor but it sees little action. With all the great reviews about the canon 5r I am thinking about hard about changing to an all mirrorless system. This would mean selling all my 4 DSLR’s and my 7-8 L series canon lenses and sigma Art lenses plus a few EF-S lenses. Replacing my kit with just one r5 camera and with as many new RF lenses would be insanely expensive. I need to limit my lens purchase to about half of what I have now (I have many lenses I hardly ever use) but that would still cost about 16k for lenses plus 3.9k for the r5 plus the new cards are really expensive.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Thanks to all who have contributed so far.

Just to clarify, several things have me leaning toward a 5DS or 5DS-R (and away from a newer mirrorless)...

First, I have several APS-C cameras (a pair of 7DII are my primary users) and an APS-C mirrorless (M5). I also have an older full frame 5DII. And I have a BUNCH of lenses and accessories to fit them (except the M5). All but the M5 share the same batteries and chargers, too.

Second, I'm still using older post-processing software and don't care to upgrade yet (partly because it will mean building a whole new computer when I do). The s'ware I have supports the 5DS cameras, but not a lot of the newest models.

Third is cost. I missed the "mega deal" when Canon USA was closing out refurb'd 5DS models for just under $1100 (with full warranty) and the prices on used have rebounded. LOW MILEAGE (under 20,000 click) used are now selling for around $1150 for 5DR and $1300 or a little less for 5DS-R. Both models with more use and wear can be gotten for less. Sure, I know the advantages (and disadvantages) of mirrorless and an R5 would be great... but $3800? Several have noted that the 5DS-R is still available new (while supplies last?) for $1500, which is a possibility. I don't mind used with reasonably low mileage, though. With used I'd have no concerns about actually get out and using the camera, the way I might with new, at least initially. And I certainly won't be racking up the shutter count on a landscape camera, the way I do on my sports cameras! Rated for 200,000 clicks, a camera that's still got 80 or 90% of it's life left might outlive me!

There's also a significant jump in price with the RF lenses... While I appreciate the innovation and quality of RF glass, it ain't cheap and there are at least 3 or 4 I'd want to start, which add up to a LOT more than the camera alone! I I might add ONE EF lens for landscape work, but am pretty well outfitted for anything else I might want to do with the camera. The EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM I'm most interested in can easily be found used in excellent condition for $750 to $775... or $1100 new. The most comparable RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM is mostly only available new, out of stock most places anyway with no known arrival date, and costs $1700.

I don't know that I'd fit one to the 5DS/5DS-R, but use battery grips on most of my cameras, both for the added battery capacity and for the vertical grip and additional controls. Primarily planning to use the camera for landscapes, I might instead just fit it with an L-bracket (which I've also found avail. used at some discount). But I've found BG-E11 used for around $80, so might go ahead and get one to have, just in case. The 5DS/5DS-R are rated to give about triple the number of shots per battery charge that the R5 can do. I know folks often get better than the rated number of shots. I do too. Still, with an R5 I would at least need to carry additional batteries and might be more inclined to fit it with a battery grip, which sells for $350 (not avail. used) and sort of nullifies the mirrorless size and weight savings, as compared to a 5DS/5DS-R without a grip. The DSLRs, body only, weigh 30 oz. The R5 fitted with the BG-R10 grip weighs 38.5 oz.

Another added cost with an R5 would be memory cards. To take full advantage of the camera would mean buying at least some CFExpress cards, which ain't cheap ($150 to $200 ea. on average). I already have a number of SD and Compact Flash cards like the 5DS/5DS-R use. (Of course, an L-bracket adds some weight to a 5DS/5DS-R... or the BG-E11 would add about 10 oz. and make it a little heavier than the R5 + grip.)

As some have commented, and it's true, the 5DS/5DS-R have quite limited ISO range. Their native range is 100 to 6400, which can be expanded to 50 and just 12800 (I avoid expansion ISOs with most cameras). BUT, as a landscape camera it would be on a good, solid tripod a lot of the time (the same for any product photography or architectural shots), so somewhat longer exposures would be no problem. Besides, somehow I managed to take thousands of photograph for many years using 25, 50, 64, 100, 160 and 200 ISO color film, 32, 100 and 400 ISO B&W film, the last occasionally pushed to 800. Heck, usable 1600, 3200 and possibly even 6400 ISO would have been a dream come true back in the dark ages of film! (If you really want to discuss "relics", let me get some from my vintage film camera collection! Some are 100 years old and still usable.)

I may sell or trade-in of some of my older DSLRs to help defray the cost of a 5DS or 5DS-R, EF 16-35mm f/4L, BG-E11 and an L-bracket for the camera. Since I can get all four of those items for less than $2000, the money from the trade-ins (or sales) would go a whole lot further than with a new R5, etc.

Besides, Paul, I'm an old fart and really set in my ways (Scottish heritage). Don't particularly care to "change how I think about mirrorless, think about photography, or think about life"

Thanks again, everyone... You're feedback is very much appreciated. I rambled on a bit above... Do you think maybe I'm trying to talk myself into this purchase?

P.S. I do anticipate in the not-too-far-off future updating my 7D Mark II's to a couple mirrorless, APS-C format "R7"s, if and when Canon offers them. For fast action shooting, those will make sense and be a solid upgrade. Maybe a few years later I'll spring for the full frame, 80MP "R1" when Canon offers them refurbished or I win the lottery.

MJPerini

If you really want to stay with DSLRs You should check out the 5D IV, it does everything better than the S & SR except extreme resolution in Bright light. The S & SR were really studio cameras --High res, & bright light for focusing. You can tell that from the extreme discounts. I know some folks who do use them in the studio, and they are capable of fine results. Bt they are really not all around cameras.
Good Luck

alphadog

I still use the ancient 5D mk III... do you know what the latest firmware is for this body?

thanks

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

If you were to have a dedicated macro body, would you go with the 5ds or the 5dIV?