I figure that it is time to tell my Canon EOS 5D story.  Some of you may have been able to decipher the story from my random Facebook updates and Twitter rants over the last year, but the story is this.

Way back in September 2007 I decided that I would buy a Canon 5D to supplement our compliment of canon gear.  Basically I was getting it with the intention of using it for photo walks, and to have a decent backup camera in the event that one of our Canon 1D/s’ died at an event. (knock on wood) I didn’t buy it with the intent of using it all that heavily, I just wanted a good alternative camera just in case it was required.

During this last year and a bit it has seen around 30,000 shutter actuation’s. That might seem like a lot to some of you but my Canon 1Ds Mark II averages about 5,000 to 7,000 a week for the better part of the year.  What is the reason that number is so low? Well that would be because it has been sitting in Canon’s Calgary repair depot for more then half of that year.

Seriously it has simply out of the blue stopped working three times, and it was sent back once not fully repaired.  Four times it went in! While I generally like the camera, it takes nice photos and is comparatively a nice light camera that is decent to operate, I am really wishing I had bought another used Canon 1D Mark II instead. Which, incidentally, is exactly what I did eventually end up doing because the 5d was never available.

I have been so burned by this camera that I am not sure that I really ever want to shoot with anything other then pro gear again.  I have it back from repair again but to be honest I am really just waiting for it to stop working randomly, so much so that I really don’t want to use it.  We will have to wait, use, and see, I suppose. Of course, the warranty is now also out, which just makes it that much more awesome.