I have several 7D's and was never going to go full frame. A 5D showed up on Craigslist in nice shape for $150US about 3 years ago. I liked it so much I bought a MkIII off ebay from a Japanese refurbisher for 400. And just before Christmas I received a brand new MkIV from Canon.
Martin, I have recently discovered your channel and am really enjoying its contents. Love your stuff on the 5D1 and wholheartedly agree with the pleasure in using this camera that comes from its simplicity. Keep up the good work.
Thank you for the awesome video! I was recently able to get my hand on a 5d Classic and it definitely was like learning to shoot all over again. I learned a lot of new things to make shoot smoother! Thank you again!
@@MartinCastein I like your style of landscape photography. Is there an alternative to lightroom that is more affordable. I wouldn't use it that often so a monthly subscription is expensive. What about photoshop elements as an alternative. Martin.
Thanks for this video! Would have been nice if you shows more examples of useful tricks/custom settings. I liked the safety feature one for aperature mode. Would been nice if you can also cover the autofocus/metering options in a future video.
Thanks I’ll do that in another video I wanted to just stick to the menu really for this one I’ll do a full video on using the camera in a regular way later too
Just purchased one in 2022. Some great tips thanks. Coming from Sony the menu is a breeze. Now just got to sort out the focusing and turn off anything unnecessary that drains the battery. Was relieved to hear that the outer autfocus points may not be reliable. I am used to focus peaking and stabilisation etc etc so wondering if it is me, the camera or both.
No it’s not You lol definitely the camera it’s a basic old camera that can frustrate at times but ultimately when you get it right the results are hard to beat. I think it makes bad work look worse and good work look better almost. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you for your content. I am a casual photographer and getting sucked into purchasing lenses for my cannon 5 D mark 1. I love the old manual lenses but they are not ideal unless you have perfect eye site. Which one lens would you recommend for street and portrait photography. Thanks
Martin I got a bit lost regards the AF selection. I have always focused-composed with the centre point. I don’t know how to use ‘Multi-Controller direct’.
Handy tip - I have in my older Canons 20D and 5D. What I do if I have time between various shot composition is connect a USB card reader to my smartphone. USB OTG (on the go) isn't supported by all smartphone but all you need is buy the proper adapter for card reader (USB 3.0 to USB C or whatever your phone has) and then occasionally take and either copy or move the photos from Compact Flash to smartphone. Great way to review images and post process if you want. Final benefit is the files can be backed up to cloud storage. Takes a few minutes but very beneficial. I use an Android based phone so can't say if this applies to iphone
I take a lot of very low angle photos of amphibians and reptiles, and it is difficult to see the LCD screen on the back of the camera so close to the ground. Is there a way to use a smartphone as a remote camera LCD screen on the 5D?
@@pauloconnor6331 Hi Paul, not that im aware of im afraid, this camera is from 2006 so its pretty limited in tech im afraid, id suggest you look for a camera with a tilt screen, using a phone to take shots while possible on cameras is just annoying and a bit clumsy to use.
Do you have a tutorial on how to change your settings for low light photography? I've been trying to shoot in low light, but can't seem to find the correct way to do it on this camera, it's confusing to me
You need to increase the iso and make the shutter speed longer. I haven’t done a video on this but it’s the same as any other camera when it comes to this do any video will do really.
Is this camera any good for daytime long exposure shots? If yes which lens and filter set would you recommend. Just working if it's best to buy an old setup or not. 👍
I’d get the 6d if you want to do that you’ll have an easier time with it get a 10 stop circular variable nd filter make sure it’s the right size for the lens. Lens up to you I don’t now what you want to photograph maybe 17-40 or 24-105
Hi Martin, do you know how to set the ISO incrementes to full stop ? Also I couldn't find at Canon's website the "latest" firmware 1.1.1, any idea where to find it ? Congrats for the fantastic content! Many thanks
Great tips, quite a few I've never thought of myself. Which is quite embarrassing having owned it for about ten years now. I would however (here comes the knife in the back - just kidding), like to comment on the iso-expansion setting as well as the sharpness configuration. The iso expansion not only grants you 3200 iso, it does also offer you ISO 50, which I find (if I remember correctly) to be quite nice, with a silky smooth feel to the images. Regarding the sharpness, I might be wrong but, I actually think it does affect the actual image if you either do not change the sharpness while processing the raw file afterwords or if you are shooting jpeg. However it is a rather nifty trick for checking your exposure, which is one of my biggest concerns with this camera (although it still seems to apply most cameras without live view). Again, thanks for the video. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Haha thanks 😊 well the iso expansion is forced so it’s iso 100 or 1600 pushed to 50 or 3200 but I’m interested in iso 50 now you’ve said that. Even though it’s pulled from iso 100 it could be that it renders different results than doing it in post. I want to try this out now!
If you had to choose between shooting in aperture priority and shutter priority, what would be better to use? I'm obviously talking about cases where there is no time to shoot manually (events etc.)
Aperture priority and select an iso that gives you range. For instance iso 400 where your average exposure is going to be 1/160 or so. Then it’s ok if the shutter goes a bit slower and can easily go faster. What you don’t want is an iso that gives,say, 1/50 shutter because if aperture priority makes the shutter slower you get motion blur from camera and subject.
Thanks for the video. Question for ya. I cannot find an option for any type of “raw” shooting. Is this maybe dependent on the region of purchase? Looks like I only have option for jpeg sizes :/
Hi Robbo, no this is a very basic older camera it can control ISO aperture and shutter speed and you can format the memory card lol that’s the best way to think about it. Sometimes you can make out what’s on the screen on the back. Hope that puts it in perspective haha. All the best.
@@MartinCastein ah, shame. Thanks for the reply. I was looking for a good excuse to buy one, as I'd heard good things. The 1 to 1 ratio is a key part of my new project.. Next time.
It has a low megapixel sensor though I wouldn’t call the resolution bad. You can’t raise the cameras resolution but image quality is all about lighting
Keep you shutter speed high and make sure the gap between focus and taking the photo is as small as possible, center focus point and recompose is better than using the outer focus points but it depends on the lens
Applies more to slower photography, I.e. macro. But exhale on click. Also, a light pixel is a sharp pixel. What I tell people when starting, if you're not out of auto mode on your camera - check the EXIF on the photos you have taken, that you like and it will start to make sense why (Most of the time) the camera has chosen those settings. Good luck
I process my 5D Classic RAW files on DPP. Don't use exposure braketting for fear of mirror falling off. Moreover, not a big fan of HDR. Rather use GND filters for landscape images that look nicer to me than a composite of 3 shots in HDR.
my 5Dc keeps backfocusing, i cant get it to accurately focus on the subject, can you help please? p.s. i have tried many lenses from canon ef to sigma ef zoom and primes respectively Thanks
The normal ISO limits on the 5d mk1 are ISO 100-1600, ISO expansion (Custom Function 8) extends the range both ways to ISO 50 ("L") and ISO 3200 ("H"). Probably my only change to what Custom Functions you are using is setting Custom Function #4 to 1, I like having my focusing separate from the shutter button (ie. back button focus).
Hi Zach, not on the 5d classic, in fact almost the opposite, it’s dynamic range sits more in the highlights and shadow recovery on it is awful. It’s better to get as close to blowing highlights as you can with it. This takes a little experimentation but dropping exposure in post leaves a clean image
@@MartinCastein Thanks for the help Martin. I’m going to go shoot some street today overexposed 2/3 a stop and see what happens. BTW I have probably seen your Canon 5D videos at least 20 times each, maybe more. Thanks for the info.
@@PerfectNormal ahhh thanks thats great, you want to get your exposure so the highlights just start to blink, dont blow your highlights that you want to keep though, you could experiment a bit with different exposures like take a photo of something that isnt moving at different brightness levels and then youll be able to look at them in post and get a feel. :) hope it goes well for you
@@MartinCastein ah alright, i'll take the opportunity to ask you does it have different aspect ratios such as 1:1 ? and also how to activate the external flash ?
it doesnt have any different aspect ratios, its very basic camera in terms of controls, for external flash you can fire as normal and control from your flash trigger or from the flash itself depending on what system you use. you cant control the flash in the camera but no one does that any more as the triggers are better for this.
I cannot for the life of me find how to get the grid lines on the camera. Is it even possible on this one? It would help so much since it’s very hard to see on the LCD screen for me when the photos review
@@MartinCastein dang yeah that sucks. I could definitely use it. I feel like my photos look lined up but when your shooting fast at an event it’s a lot harder to check since you can’t really miss moments
It’s the ee-d focus screen I believe and you replace the one in the camera there are tutorials on RUclips it’s easy I’ve done it once, then the viewfinder is the same but with a grid.
oh no, apparently you can stick them back on yourself, maybe look online to find out how, sorry that happened to you, i think i will superglue mine at the edges while its still on.
@@umac76 you can sort it yourself, it's not that difficult, just need steady hands.. It's best to avoid the D5's with a serial number that starts in 0, 1 and 280xxxxx Canon sorted out the issue around the 280xxxxx Mark.
My custom Lightroom CC presets:
bit.ly/2SNfa19
The beauty of this model is its simplicity. Ive had mine for years. Great vid!
I have several 7D's and was never going to go full frame. A 5D showed up on Craigslist in nice shape for $150US about 3 years ago. I liked it so much I bought a MkIII off ebay from a Japanese refurbisher for 400. And just before Christmas I received a brand new MkIV from Canon.
Thanks for sharing!
Your explanation of the settings was superb.
Nice explanation. With most of the settings I agree with you and use my 5D classic in a similar way.
really helpful, thank you Martin! keep going with 5d classic reviews
Thanks Zurab 🙏
I'm buying this camera .. after watching your video!!! Love it! Great review!!!
Always something new to learn. Thanks !
Thanks Riccardo, glad to hear that!
SO helpful, thank you
Excellent video!!
Martin, I have recently discovered your channel and am really enjoying its contents. Love your stuff on the 5D1 and wholheartedly agree with the pleasure in using this camera that comes from its simplicity. Keep up the good work.
thank you John!
FABULOUS. Thanks.
Thank you for the awesome video! I was recently able to get my hand on a 5d Classic and it definitely was like learning to shoot all over again. I learned a lot of new things to make shoot smoother! Thank you again!
Thanks you are welcome! 🙏
Just bought one so a very helpful video. Thanks.
Glad it helped
@@MartinCastein I like your style of landscape photography. Is there an alternative to lightroom that is more affordable. I wouldn't use it that often so a monthly subscription is expensive. What about photoshop elements as an alternative. Martin.
@@gt40driver1 Have a look at Raw Therapee, ive not used it be reviews seem to be positive.
@@MartinCastein Thanks for your help greatly appreciated. Regards Martin.
Thanks for this video! Would have been nice if you shows more examples of useful tricks/custom settings. I liked the safety feature one for aperature mode. Would been nice if you can also cover the autofocus/metering options in a future video.
Thanks I’ll do that in another video I wanted to just stick to the menu really for this one I’ll do a full video on using the camera in a regular way later too
@@MartinCastein thanks mate! Looking forward to it
Just purchased one in 2022. Some great tips thanks. Coming from Sony the menu is a breeze. Now just got to sort out the focusing and turn off anything unnecessary that drains the battery. Was relieved to hear that the outer autfocus points may not be reliable. I am used to focus peaking and stabilisation etc etc so wondering if it is me, the camera or both.
No it’s not You lol definitely the camera it’s a basic old camera that can frustrate at times but ultimately when you get it right the results are hard to beat. I think it makes bad work look worse and good work look better almost. Hope you enjoy it!
Great video! Is there a way to extend the amount of time the light meter pops up in the view finder?
Hmm don’t think there is I’m afraid I will check though
Any sample photos with your settings?
They are a fantastic camera and I find 12.8Mp to be more and adequate for my requirements.
Yes they are really awesome
Thank you for your content. I am a casual photographer and getting sucked into purchasing lenses for my cannon 5 D mark 1. I love the old manual lenses but they are not ideal unless you have perfect eye site. Which one lens would you recommend for street and portrait photography. Thanks
have a look at the zeiss planar 50mm 1.4 the old one.
Martin I got a bit lost regards the AF selection. I have always focused-composed with the centre point. I don’t know how to use ‘Multi-Controller direct’.
i did that for years and is my preferred way with the 5d classic, there is beauty in simplicity.
Does it have an AEL button?
Is the picture of lower quality if shot on jpeg?
Just got a 5D with firmware 1.1.1 but I don’t see the AEB and WB Shift/Bkt
Missing some settings in mine…do you have a different firmware?
Handy tip - I have in my older Canons 20D and 5D. What I do if I have time between various shot composition is connect a USB card reader to my smartphone. USB OTG (on the go) isn't supported by all smartphone but all you need is buy the proper adapter for card reader (USB 3.0 to USB C or whatever your phone has) and then occasionally take and either copy or move the photos from Compact Flash to smartphone. Great way to review images and post process if you want. Final benefit is the files can be backed up to cloud storage. Takes a few minutes but very beneficial. I use an Android based phone so can't say if this applies to iphone
That’s very interesting thank you for this I will look into it for the iPhone that would be really interesting to see.😊
I take a lot of very low angle photos of amphibians and reptiles, and it is difficult to see the LCD screen on the back of the camera so close to the ground. Is there a way to use a smartphone as a remote camera LCD screen on the 5D?
@@pauloconnor6331 Hi Paul, not that im aware of im afraid, this camera is from 2006 so its pretty limited in tech im afraid, id suggest you look for a camera with a tilt screen, using a phone to take shots while possible on cameras is just annoying and a bit clumsy to use.
Do you have a tutorial on how to change your settings for low light photography? I've been trying to shoot in low light, but can't seem to find the correct way to do it on this camera, it's confusing to me
You need to increase the iso and make the shutter speed longer. I haven’t done a video on this but it’s the same as any other camera when it comes to this do any video will do really.
Is this camera any good for daytime long exposure shots? If yes which lens and filter set would you recommend. Just working if it's best to buy an old setup or not. 👍
I’d get the 6d if you want to do that you’ll have an easier time with it get a 10 stop circular variable nd filter make sure it’s the right size for the lens. Lens up to you I don’t now what you want to photograph maybe 17-40 or 24-105
Hi Martin, do you know how to set the ISO incrementes to full stop ? Also I couldn't find at Canon's website the "latest" firmware 1.1.1, any idea where to find it ?
Congrats for the fantastic content!
Many thanks
Just got the update 1.1.1. I can send you if you want.
@@waldemirqueiroz3483 Managed to find it. Many thanks ; )
@@waldemirqueiroz3483how do I find the update? Mine is still on 1.1.0 also what are the steps to updating once I download it? I would appreciate it.😊
Great tips, quite a few I've never thought of myself. Which is quite embarrassing having owned it for about ten years now. I would however (here comes the knife in the back - just kidding), like to comment on the iso-expansion setting as well as the sharpness configuration. The iso expansion not only grants you 3200 iso, it does also offer you ISO 50, which I find (if I remember correctly) to be quite nice, with a silky smooth feel to the images. Regarding the sharpness, I might be wrong but, I actually think it does affect the actual image if you either do not change the sharpness while processing the raw file afterwords or if you are shooting jpeg. However it is a rather nifty trick for checking your exposure, which is one of my biggest concerns with this camera (although it still seems to apply most cameras without live view). Again, thanks for the video. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Haha thanks 😊 well the iso expansion is forced so it’s iso 100 or 1600 pushed to 50 or 3200 but I’m interested in iso 50 now you’ve said that. Even though it’s pulled from iso 100 it could be that it renders different results than doing it in post. I want to try this out now!
@@MartinCastein Glad I peaked your interest :)
@@MartinCastein so what happened? extra cream at 50? 😅
@@eugeniab2990 hahahaha yeah if only
Can I set this camera up to use the LCD screen for live view?
No it has no live view at all
If you had to choose between shooting in aperture priority and shutter priority, what would be better to use? I'm obviously talking about cases where there is no time to shoot manually (events etc.)
Aperture priority and select an iso that gives you range. For instance iso 400 where your average exposure is going to be 1/160 or so. Then it’s ok if the shutter goes a bit slower and can easily go faster. What you don’t want is an iso that gives,say, 1/50 shutter because if aperture priority makes the shutter slower you get motion blur from camera and subject.
You have to judge what average shutter speed you want from aperture priority based on what you are shooting and then use manual where you can
It’s better with your iso to just pick an iso for indoors and one for outdoors and basically stick to those unless something changes drastically
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thanks for the video. Question for ya. I cannot find an option for any type of “raw” shooting. Is this maybe dependent on the region of purchase? Looks like I only have option for jpeg sizes :/
It should be there it’s not limited in any country that I am aware of hmmm 🤔
@@MartinCastein interesting. Possibly a firmware update? I’m using a 16gb cf card. That shouldn’t matter either…..
Thanks for the reply
Hello, I'm considering one of these as a second go to camera. Regarding aspect ratio. Can it be set 1 to 1, so I can shoot square images?
Hi Robbo, no this is a very basic older camera it can control ISO aperture and shutter speed and you can format the memory card lol that’s the best way to think about it. Sometimes you can make out what’s on the screen on the back. Hope that puts it in perspective haha. All the best.
@@MartinCastein ah, shame. Thanks for the reply. I was looking for a good excuse to buy one, as I'd heard good things. The 1 to 1 ratio is a key part of my new project.. Next time.
Why is the D5mark 1's resolution bad even though I have a 50mm lens on it? Is there a way to raise the camera’s resolution? Thank you.
It has a low megapixel sensor though I wouldn’t call the resolution bad. You can’t raise the cameras resolution but image quality is all about lighting
Is there a way in the camera to shoot a portrait with high accuracy?

Keep you shutter speed high and make sure the gap between focus and taking the photo is as small as possible, center focus point and recompose is better than using the outer focus points but it depends on the lens
Applies more to slower photography, I.e. macro.
But exhale on click.
Also, a light pixel is a sharp pixel.
What I tell people when starting, if you're not out of auto mode on your camera - check the EXIF on the photos you have taken, that you like and it will start to make sense why (Most of the time) the camera has chosen those settings.
Good luck
I process my 5D Classic RAW files on DPP. Don't use exposure braketting for fear of mirror falling off. Moreover, not a big fan of HDR. Rather use GND filters for landscape images that look nicer to me than a composite of 3 shots in HDR.
It’s whatever works for you 🙂
my 5Dc keeps backfocusing, i cant get it to accurately focus on the subject, can you help please?
p.s. i have tried many lenses from canon ef to sigma ef zoom and primes respectively
Thanks
I think m your camera has a problem then I’m afraid
Do you see the histogram in the OVF?
Hi, no this is an old camera it’s very basic doesn’t even have auto iso
The normal ISO limits on the 5d mk1 are ISO 100-1600, ISO expansion (Custom Function 8) extends the range both ways to ISO 50 ("L") and ISO 3200 ("H"). Probably my only change to what Custom Functions you are using is setting Custom Function #4 to 1, I like having my focusing separate from the shutter button (ie. back button focus).
From what I understand the 3200 iso is just pushed from 1600 so it’s not really giving you 3200 same with 50 iso interesting your setup is similar 🙂
@@MartinCastein oh I didnt know that about the expanded ISOs! That's good to know.
If I’m going to use JPG only, would I choose the largest JPG?
Yes go for that
I try to add custom setting on c (change picture style) but everytime I turn the camera off the feature is gone, any tips?
Thank you
Did you register the setting in the custom menu
@@MartinCastein I press set
That’s not how it works search RUclips for registering custom modes and you will learn how to 🙂
If you use DPP those image settings will export to RAW files, fyi.
Hi Martin,
Do you shoot in manual all the time?
No, depends on lighting and scenario. Doesn’t matter what you use as long as it works for you.
@@MartinCastein Got it. Thank you sir.
Hi Martin, do you recommended underexposing by a stop or two?
Hi Zach, not on the 5d classic, in fact almost the opposite, it’s dynamic range sits more in the highlights and shadow recovery on it is awful. It’s better to get as close to blowing highlights as you can with it. This takes a little experimentation but dropping exposure in post leaves a clean image
@@MartinCastein Thanks for the help Martin. I’m going to go shoot some street today overexposed 2/3 a stop and see what happens. BTW I have probably seen your Canon 5D videos at least 20 times each, maybe more. Thanks for the info.
@@PerfectNormal ahhh thanks thats great, you want to get your exposure so the highlights just start to blink, dont blow your highlights that you want to keep though, you could experiment a bit with different exposures like take a photo of something that isnt moving at different brightness levels and then youll be able to look at them in post and get a feel. :) hope it goes well for you
I use format every time when I get my raw's out.
Me too, best way.
Hi is this camera shoot video?
No, sorry,.
why you skipped format and i wonder what's in it ?
Format just formats the memory card deletes everything on it
@@MartinCastein ah alright, i'll take the opportunity to ask you does it have different aspect ratios such as 1:1 ? and also how to activate the external flash ?
it doesnt have any different aspect ratios, its very basic camera in terms of controls, for external flash you can fire as normal and control from your flash trigger or from the flash itself depending on what system you use. you cant control the flash in the camera but no one does that any more as the triggers are better for this.
I cannot for the life of me find how to get the grid lines on the camera. Is it even possible on this one? It would help so much since it’s very hard to see on the LCD screen for me when the photos review
Pretty sure you can’t do that I’m afraid, the screen is difficult to use for sure but gets easier over time
@@MartinCastein dang yeah that sucks. I could definitely use it. I feel like my photos look lined up but when your shooting fast at an event it’s a lot harder to check since you can’t really miss moments
You can get a focus screen for the viewfinder with grid lines in it
It’s the ee-d focus screen I believe and you replace the one in the camera there are tutorials on RUclips it’s easy I’ve done it once, then the viewfinder is the same but with a grid.
@@MartinCastein oh yeah! That’s awesome I’ll have to find that tutorial then. I could really use a grid
One reason to enable mirror lockup is for when your mirror falls off, like mine just did.
oh no, apparently you can stick them back on yourself, maybe look online to find out how, sorry that happened to you, i think i will superglue mine at the edges while its still on.
@@MartinCastein Yes, I'm pondering doing it myself or bringing it to a camera shop.
@@umac76 you can sort it yourself, it's not that difficult, just need steady hands..
It's best to avoid the D5's with a serial number that starts in 0, 1 and 280xxxxx
Canon sorted out the issue around the 280xxxxx Mark.