Photography News issue 22

Camera test 35

Photography News Issue 22 absolutephoto.com

Canon EOS 5DS v Canon EOS 5DS R

Image quality options If you don’t need full-size Raws, M-Raw, S-Raw and a wide selection of JPEG image quality modes are also available. Medium Raw files are still 28-megapixel resolution with images measuring 6480x4320pixels. A crop mode is also available so you can shoot 1:1, 1.3x or 1.6x among others. The viewfinder image is masked to help composition in the case of these formats. If you shoot JPEGs the saved image is cropped physically but if you shoot in Raw and the full-size Rawwill be retained. In Canon DPP v4, the crop set in-camera is indicated, and when the image is opened to work on the crop is imposed though the full-sized file is always available. In Lightroom CC, the catalogue preview shows imported cropped files as they’re set in the camera, but click on the Crop Overlay (R) and you will see the whole Raw.

The difference between the two DSLRs is that the 5DS R has an optical low-pass filter (OLPF) cancelling function and it costs £200 more. Digital cameras have an OLPF to combat moiré patterning and false colour artefacts. Moiré can occur in subjects featuring repeating patterns, although with the very high resolutions of modern cameras, the pattern has to be very fine to cause a problem. But because it is difficult to get rid of in editing, prevention is better than cure. Adding an OLPF in front of the sensor diffuses the image very, very slightly so impacts on the resolution of the finest details but avoids moiré. More cameras are coming out sans OLPF. For example, the Nikon D810, Pentax K3 II as well as the FujifilmX-series. Both Canons have an OLPF but the EOS 5DS R has two OLPFs, one at right angles to the other so they cancel each other out. And this has been done without changing the sensor’s overall depth. You might think it’d make more sense to take the OLPF out completely but doing that would change the sensor’s depth and impact on manufacturing efficiency. Having a sensor of identical depth means two models can be made on the same production line.

We did some shooting side by side with the EOS 5DS and 5DS R using the same lens, aperture setting, ISO, same quality mode and processed the images in Canon DPP v4 and LightroomCC using the same settings. Then we checked out images at 100 and 200% and also in print formmade at 100%, at 300ppi and on glossy paper. So, is the extra £200 for the EOS 5DS R worth it? To be honest, in our tests, there is a benefit but it isn’t big. Very fine details are marginally crisper and impossible to quantify in terms of value for money. However, on the R there is the risk of moiré. It is worth noting that with over 1000 shots taken for this test, moiré was only spotted once – in the shot below – and was only visible at high magnification. Pixel peepers might disagree, but I think if you bought the EOS 5DS and found yourself unhappy with the results, the cause is more likely to be your technique or lenses than the impact of the OLPF. The choice is a tiny improvement in overall picture quality with a tiny risk of moiré or save the £200, avoid moiré and false colours in the first place and still wallow in excellent image quality. Formore on theEOS 5DS, read the profile of Canon’s Daniel Benjamin on page 13.

Auto Lighting Optimizer

Full frame image with ALO standard

In any contrasty lighting situation, you can use the Canon’s Auto Lighting Optimizer to help improve your shots. This contrasty scene was shot at 1/60sec at f/4.5 and ISO 200, and using ALO has lifted the shadows without touching the highlight region. ALO works when shooting in JPEG only and the Raws we shot at the same time looked like the No ALO image shown here.

No ALO

ALO low

ALO high

Full-frame image

Verdict Canon took its time getting into the high-resolution race, but with 50.6 megapixels it has leapfrogged over Nikon and the EOS 5DS is clearly a terrific camera capable of stunning images. For a body only price of £2999, the EOS 5DS offers medium-format resolution in a fast-handling package with a huge range of lenses. Whether you need or want the 50-megapixel resolution is your concern, not Canon’s, but buy one and you are in for a real treat. Just make sure your lenses, tripod and all round technique are up to scratch if you want the best the camera has to offer.

Below The same scene shot in the two cameras using the 24-70mm f/2.8 II lens, aperture, ISO and processed in Lightroom CC.

How it rates

Features No IS, but boasts all most users will need Performance Speedy AF and top optical performance Handling A weighty lens but it’s great to use Value for money Cheap it isn’t, but quality costs Overall We don’t all need 50 megapixels but this is a game-changing DSLR Pros Image quality, handles big files quickly Cons Needs the best lenses

24/25

25/25

97/100

EOS 5DS The wire grill might not be as detailed as in the EOS 5DS R shot, but the difference is tiny at best.

EOS 5DSR At high magnification, moiré is discernible in this EOS 5DS R picture.

Did youmiss the first part of this review? Don’t worry if you missed the first part of this review, it’s available online at absolutephoto.com.