Canon EOS 5D review
Handling
There are some handling issues to overcome, though. For a start there’s Canon’s continued insistence of putting the depth-of-field preview in the wrong place. This is placed on the front of the camera, in exactly the wrong position for the left hand to reach it, especially when using a long telephoto lens, which is usually the kind of lens that needs depth of field preview. If you try to reach it, you’re bound to move the camera and lose your composition, so it becomes useless. Unless you’re using a tripod, of course. I’ve complained about this several times in the past and will continue to do so until it’s corrected, which it probably won’t be – Canon has used the same system for years and I don’t really see it affecting camera sales too much.
Canon also doesn’t make the Exposure Compensation system immediately obvious. Where is it and how do you use it? In fact, a further position on the power switch transforms the rotary dial on the back of the camera (usually used for menu or playback navigation) into the exposure compensation dial. I’m not fond of this system at all, and would much prefer a ‘±’ button located near the right thumb position, and use the front or rear command dial to make the change. Regular users will get used to this, but I defy a newcomer or occasional user to find or remember this function. Again it’s not a major problem, and is obviously not putting people off; I just don’t like the system.
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February 25 18:01
Peter Parkorr
Really useful site with lots of info, it would greatly benefit from a minor update like cameras current availability and more recent prices too, as the original prices have changed a lot and new cameras aren't released often.