Pre-loved kit
Used corner
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
A highly acclaimed DSLR that’s still available new goes under the pre-loved spotlight
SPECS › New price Now £2869 body only
› Used price £1300-£1600 body only, depending on condition › Format 36x24mm › Sensor 30.4 megapixels › Processor Digic 6+ › Lens mount Canon EF › ISO range 100-32,000, expansion to ISO 50 and 102,400 › Autofocus 61 focus points/ max of 41 cross-type with phase detection and on-sensor contrast detection. Single spot AF, four/ eight point expansion, zone AF › Exposure compensation +/-5EV in 0.3, 0.5 steps › Shutter 30secs-1/8000sec, bulb, flash sync 1/200sec › Metering patterns Evaluative, centre-weighted, spot, partial › Shooting speed 7fps full-frame › LCD screen 3.2in TFT monitor › Water and dust resistance Yes › Video 4096x2160 (29.97, 25, 24, 23.98p), 1920x1080 (59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, 23.98p) › Storage SD and CompactFlash › Dimensions (wxhxd) 151x116x76mm › Weight 800g body only › Contact canon.co.uk
WITH CAMERA MAKERS focusing on the mirrorless market, we might not see much more innovation in DSLRs. However, if you prefer real- time viewing and the click-clack of a reflex mirror, there are still great options in the shops. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV was announced back in August 2016 and attracted the admiration of critics and end users from the word go – it won the professional DSLR gong in the PN Awards of that year. And it’s no surprise why. It was a solidly built, water- and dust- resistant camera. Plus, its control layout was classic Canon, with a large LCD info panel, mode dial on the top-plate and focus joystick and command dial on the rear. A handling downside was the fixed monitor, so the EOS 5D Mark IV wasn’t ideal for funky viewpoint shooting – but it was touchscreen.
NICE TOUCH The EOS 5D Mark IV has a good touchscreen, but it’s fixed in position, which is inconvenient Dual Pixel Raw shooting was an innovative feature that Canon made a lot of noise about when the camera was announced. In this mode, it captures two images from the two sides of each sensor pixel. Thanks to the tiny parallax difference, it was possible – in theory at least – to adjust focus point, bokeh and even lighting for portraits, using Canon
DPP software. To be honest, it’s really not that handy, and Dual Pixel Raws are almost double the size of normal Raws. If you like the idea of this Canon, then focus on its positives – of which there are many. The EOS 5D Mark IV offered an effective resolution of 30.4 megapixels. While not as high as rivals such as the Nikon D850, it was still a well-appointed camera. It could shoot at 7fps, deliver impressive high- ISO performance and its 61-point autofocus system was very capable. I’ve used the EOS 5D Mark IV in the studio with flash, on the street in grim lighting, and for both action and nature. I was always pleased with the results. Exposure, focusing and white-balance were overwhelmingly spot on, regardless of lighting and subject matter, and I was confident of the camera’s ISO skills. The final plus point to mention is the huge range of lenses available in EF mount, from Canon and a host of independent brands. WC
PARKOUR POSEY Shot on the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV in aperture-priority AE, with an EF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens at 24mm. Exposure was 1/400sec at f/9
Summary The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV body is £2869 new – decent value in this era of upscale full-frame models – but has just had its sixth birthday. In camera terms, that is pensionable, so it’s not as sprightly as younger rivals. However, go pre-loved and you are talking top value for money, with decent samples in the £1300-£1600 area.
SPEED MERCHANT Shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV set at ISO 12,800, using an EF 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. Exposure was 1/90sec at f/2.8
FIND A DEALER You can buy or sell imaging kit privately, but it saves time and effort if you deal through a retailer – and there’s added peace of mind. Only kit that’s to standard will be accepted in the first instance, then it is inspected, cleaned and even refurbished before being offered on sale – usually with a warranty. Each retailer will have its own process, but you’ll generally get a quote on kit you want to move on (whether in person or online). If you are happy, a courier will collect from you, often at no extra cost. Upon receipt, the retailer checks over your items and you’ll get a confirmed quote, assuming it’s accepted. Confirm the quote and the cash will be in your bank account a few days later. Or, if you are going for a part-exchange deal, your new kit will be with you soon. Here’s a list of leading UK retailers offering used and part-exchange services. Several of the dealers have multiple outlets, so please check the websites for your nearest one – or for contact details of individual stores.
Cameraworld cameraworld.co.uk 01438 367619
Chiswick Camera Centre chiswickcameras.co.uk 0208 9959114 Clifton Cameras cliftoncameras.co.uk 01453 548128
Harrison Cameras harrisoncameras.co.uk 0114 2859854
Park Cameras parkcameras.com 01444 237070
Campkins Cameras campkinscameras.com 01223 368087 Carmarthen Cameras carmarthencameras.com 01267 222300
Jessops jessops.com
Special Auction Services specialauctionservices.com 01635 580595
London Camera Exchange lcegroup.co.uk Mifsuds mifsuds.com 01803 852400 MPB mpb.com 0330 8180756
UK Optics ukoptics.co.uk 01200 444744
Ffordes Photographic ffordes.com 01463 783850
Wex Photo Video wexphotovideo.com Wilkinson Cameras wilkinson.co.uk 01772 252188
Castle Cameras castlecameras.co.uk 01202 526606
Grays of Westminster graysofwestminster.co.uk 0207 8284925
Issue 101 | Photography News 53
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