Canon 5D

I love nature photography. As of now I am still shooting film. I want
to purchase a digital camera and the Canon 5D sounds good....except that
is has no environmental seals.

As much of nature photography is shot in less than ideal weather
conditions should I pass on this camera and choose one which is better
suited for outdoor photography?

Jenna

Jenna Jameson wrote:
I love nature photography. As of now I am still shooting film. I want
to purchase a digital camera and the Canon 5D sounds good....except that
is has no environmental seals.

This camera is similar in features (and weather-sealing) to the EOS 3
film camera. The sealed ones are more like the 1V film cameras. What
are you shooting now with film?

As much of nature photography is shot in less than ideal weather
conditions should I pass on this camera and choose one which is better
suited for outdoor photography?

The two sealed Canon's are the 1D Mark IIn and 1Ds Mark II. Either
would be a good choice. We have sealed bodies (two 1D Mark II's and an
older 1Ds) and an unsealed consumer body (10D, about to be replaced by
the new 400D) ... unless you are shooting in the rainforest or coastal
Alaska the unsealed one is fine, I feel.

Bill

Don't forget that you plan to carry your camera as well. My
understanding of the professional lines above the 5D (IDMKII and IDsMKII) is
that they weigh about the same as a brick. Pretty bulky and heavy! I would
save the dough and instead buy a quality, really light tripod. For the price
difference between a 5D and 1DsMKII you could buy a Gitzo 1027 and an RRS
ballhead. Now that's a combination that is realistic to carry backpacking.

I think the 5D would be a great choice. Having said that, I often still
take my film camera, not digital, into the mountains. There is a lot of
money tied up in a digital camera, and if you get it wet while fording a
stream you could lose everything. The replacement value of a film camera is
thousands of dollars less, and the quality of professional film is
comperable. I use film for those overnight trips and scan slides later.

Dave