I'm STILL Shooting With The Canon 5dsr In 2023 - Here's Why 

I always come back to you when I'm about to do something stupid.

I mainly photograph weddings. Often also in combination with video, for which I use the Canon GX10 (4 K 50p). My two cameras are 5D III (35mm) and 5DSR (85mm), which I operate with flash throughout (except in churches) and use a flash bracket system for this. The cameras are pre-programmed for different scenarios (indoors, outdoors, sports) and even with an aperture of 1.4 (85), e.g. of the wedding ring, I have razor-sharp images (see my homepage). Both cameras are extremely fast, when my "R" is still looking for the right eye, I've already taken a few pictures with the dinosaurs. My R is allowed to work in the photo booth and I will stick with my DSLR's for the long haul. The image quality of the 5DSR is so fantastic and will probably never let me down, even in 2022 at the very front. I'm glad I'm not alone in my opinion 😄

I love it! I was very happily using a 5Diii for portraiture and I got the stupid upgrade bug when I decided to start dabbling with making RU-vid videos. Initially I bought a Rebel SL2 for the flippy screen but ultimately didn’t like carrying two cameras- SL2 for RU-vid videos and 5Diii for portraits. So I got into the EOS RP, then EOS R, which both left me wanting because they lacked the tactile feel and snappy response of the 5D series, so I then went on to an R6. Now, thousands of dollars later, I mostly use my iPhone for RU-vid videos and I miss my 5D 😂 mostly because I hate the electronic viewfinder. But basically I wish I’d listen to this kind of advice all along. I guess I had to learn the hard way

5D classic is a bomb. I have three of them.

I am still using my canon 5D mk3 does everything I need it to don't see any reason to change it was built as a workhorse still going strong.

Photography gear is very similar to my cycling habit, I did have an "equipment phase" but I have ditched it all and now restore beautiful vintage steel pieces of art that I started with back in the early 80's ... no more fear of missing out for me

Such an honest conversation … great !

I appreciate that you mentioned your accountant in almost all of the videos you produce.

More people need your mindset. Thanks for sharing hope it keeps others in check.

Such a refreshing message! Thanks for posting!

I having been using my 5DSR since 2017 and counting, :)

After carrying my 5D III and a full bag of lenses on many long hikes I bought into Fuji's mirrorless system. My Fuji couldn't be more different from my Canon and it certainly produces excellent quality at half the weight. But, I'm planning an Iceland trip and taking my 5D, in fact I've just bought a 16-35 F2.8 to add to my bag for the trip. There is just something about my 5D III that reminds me of my years of film photography and why I fell in love with photography in the first place. The way the 5D feels and the tones it produces (particularly skin tones) are perfect, even if it crushes my spine.

Excellent video!! hands-down my favorite video

I love the samples you shared here, they look great!

I just bought a mint condition 5Dsr based on your recommendation Scott. I’m very happy with the savings I’ve made. Thanks again.

I'm still shooting weddings/travel/stock images on a 5d. Not a Mark 2. A first gen 5d 😁. I have just upgraded my lens over the years not a new body. When I need a new camera I'll find a Mark 2 on the 2nd hand market. Loved this video, subscribing was easy decision 😁

Well put.

Gosh how good is your summary on "your" reasons for a chosen setup! thanks for sharing, wish I had discovered your channel earlier!!

Great vid. Love my 5ds! Love it so much just recently bought another one. One of canons best til this day. And it's a beast!

I have a 5DsR and a 5Ds, and a 5d MkIII as my backup. Love the 5Ds! have been tempted to upgrade and then I look at the images I get and just stick with what works. So glad you have the sense not to be tempted by the newest tech, the whole point is the result you get!

As always...direct to the point...honest feedback on tech....we can really see the difference ...your focus is on work / photography...not gimmick...thanks!

Such a great message, and glad you're enjoying the 5DSR still! As primarily a landscape photographer/youtuber, I see little need to add a much more expensive camera while the images I get currently from the 5DSR are awesome. I was able to pick one up second had with just 3k shutter actuations a few years ago for $1100. When I get tempted by shinier, newer, bigger/medium format alternatives, I look at the price difference and keep on shooting with what is working! Like you said, no sense parting at a loss and shelling out a ton of cash for a 0.5% improvement.

Totally agree with you on all points and I'm still using my Canon 5Ds

Thank you good info.

Love the way you think. Same here...

What a briliant very detailed and objective video.

Thank you very much for being honest and content explaining why you stick with older model and being fine with working with what you got and that your confident enough to get in return what you need. Instead of wasting money on new insane cameras/lens etc. In general I always worked with older models and worried about what other photographers thought about my old dslr/ EOS models. Now I don’t care what people think because I know how to use it to my advantage to get a sick clean shot while being within my budget.

Well said mate!

I love your insights here. While I'm not a Canon shooter, I used to sell cameras and the 5DS/SR were some of the most criminally underrated cameras out there. I absolutely think this is one of Canon's best DSLRs ever made. Personally I'm still using a Nikon D610 for alot of my day to day work - it's not the same as the SR but its about the same principles that you mention. Fantastic video!

Great advise! I moved to mirrorless this year. Rationale was it made my job easier capturing moving subjects - fashion, runway, events. Still don’t like EVFs. Coincidentally the first job I got offered after taking possession was a poetry performance. The client specifically requested camera with silent shutter. My D850 would not have cut it and I would have passed the job. So was meant to be.

Love your perspective. Agree with your thought process on what works for you professionally. No issues with it. I'm a baby amateur having shot for 5 years now. For me, one of the most important things you mentioned is upgrade because it meets needs, not wants. For me, the jump to mirrorless happened in Jan. 2022 because I shoot Action (dance at events), sports, and wildlife. I needed silent blackout free shooting, high frame rates, and higher resolution. The added IBIS, AI - subject detect eye autofocus, longer battery life, WYSIWYG EVF and the addition of pre-capture have not only given me more confidence that I'll capture better images, but improve my enjoyment of shooting. And so, I would personally say, that upgrade for one of two reasons - you do not need to - if a newer camera has tools that save you time, energy or effort - because time is money, or/and it brings you more joy in shooting.

That is some good practical advice

Colors in this video is clean and gorgeous!

Hi thank you very much I will follow what you have said, thank you again.

Great advice, great jacket 😉

I was debating wether to get one or not…after this video I’m definitely getting the 5DS.. Thank you ☺️

Awesome camera, you have great review

Thanks, same thoughts, mate.

Excellent, thank you

This is a great video. I was a pro for 15 years and I used the 5Ds. When I moved to teaching at the end of my career I had students who had more expensive kit than I ever owned of would buy. You are right the Canon DSLRs last a lifetime.

I'm so agree with you! With my wife we work in our photo studio with Canon 5dsr and 3 tilt/shift lenses: 4/40 IF TS Superrotator, 2,8/80 TS Superrotator and Macro 4/120 TS Superrotator. This combo allows us to photograph packshot and photos of curtains and sheers, and our customers are very satisfied! This allows us to offer excellent value for money.

this vid will from here on out be my Gear Acquisition Syndrom medicin! tx!

I love your point of view, im going into food photography with my "old" 5ds and im getting GRATE SHOTS... tks for your confirmations!

Totally agree for the studio. I have to turn off so much of the tech in my R5 to use it for studio/commercial work and miss my 5D for that. …but I also shoot events - and the auto-focus and ability to review images in the viewfinder are game changers. (The ability to shoot silent is nice too). It really just depends on what you do. I have never had a client notice when I upgraded a camera though - even when I went from cropped to full frame. Great video.

Logical thinking,Similar thoughts, still usinng 5DSR for shooting products and architectures. Nice message for viewers.

about mirrorless, also when you are classical music photographer 😂😂 is a blessing the silent mode

Thanks Scott. Love ya work. I'm 15 years in the commercial photography business. I love my daily ... a 1DS MK iii, my 5D MK ii backup was just mothballed for a 5DS-R (I've only put 5 shots on it) ... spankers from the US for AUD $2400 landed (Thanks for your tip). Bargain. Like you, nothing to upgrade to that beats what I have. Keep up the vids ... love hearing your thoughts.

The business advice here is priceless.

Thanks for your comments on the 5dsr. I need to do some copy work and was cringing thinking about purchasing an R5 for the occasional special purpose where I need higher resolution. The R3 is much more useful for most of my needs but the resolution is not adequate for many of the things that the 5dsr is designed for. I had not even considered 5dsr until you discussed it in your video. Your comments about the 5dsr saved me a lot of money as I was able to get one new from B&H for $1,500 USD! Your videos are very useful, thank you.

Great advice. Photography for a living is about treating it as a business. No need to ramp up the fixed costs. The 5DSR is btw maybe the most underrated Canon camera ever. (I did go mirrorless myself but it proved too early)

Total commonsense and well done for saying it. :) It reminds me of an old carpenter I knew, I once asked him why he was making joints by hand when there were electic tools and jigs available, his reply was simple; "I make money by using tools not by buying them."

I bought the 5DSR a year ago when canon offered its ridiculous fire sale on them. Wasn’t actually looking for a new DSLR as my 6D was just fine, but at that price I thought it well worth the upgrade to 50mpx. The interesting thing is that it is actually my newest camera by model year. I shoot this and a Leica M9M that was introduced in 2012 and am happy with both as they serve completely different purposes. Oh, I sold the 6D shortly thereafter too.

Thanks for your wisdom

Awesome to hear someone speak honestly about the LACK of needing to upgrade just because everyone 'else' is caught up in the hype of mirrorless 'just for the sake of it'. 10/10 !

I had a Canon 7D and upgraded to the Canon R6 cuz I needed a faster auto focus system, silent shutter for events and a dual card slot for image/video insurance. 📸👍🏽 Image quality are just about the same, but video the R6 is a MAJOR improvement from the Canon 7D and my clients love the high quality 4K footage from it. So definitely money we’ll spent to help enhance my work flow. 💯 Great video! 👍🏽

Great video!! I really like your approach to this subject, mostly because I have the same view as you,

Great informative video. Much appreciated. Would be cool if you did a video on tips and advice when purchasing a second hand camera. Cheers

A decade later I'm still on 2 5D mark 3's + glass and fully relate to your thoughts. I make a living with them and they keep on doing that. I would maybe like a bit more ISO upto 10,000- but it's still manageable and not getting in the way. When I shoot an invoice and get paid I smile :D I love the mark 3's! You have some sound advice!

Thank you

YES! Thank you for some good solid common sense.

Finally, someone who speaks from a practical perspective.

True words. I've been a working photographer for 12 years. I still have a 550D in my bag lol. I recently upgraded my 5D mk 3 and chose the EOS R. I've quit wedding photography, I don't do sports, I don't need the uber focussing of the R5 or R6. I think it's fair to say we have reached a place where you can get quality images from virtually all cameras. The challenge is how you approach taking and editing photos.

EXCELLENT POINT: "I won't make anymore money than I already do..." with buying a huge amount of new kit. I love the view through glass as well, but I think we are in the minority today sadly. Great vid!

Great video, love the honesty and would also love to know what the 1970s lens is you mention behind you.

Thanks for sharing your experience with great comments & thoughts...I am only a hobbyist but your comments cover all those people interested in photography....I fell into the trap of upgrading gear (Nikon user) instead of investing in better glass... cheers from Australia 😀

So refreshing to hear a sensible point of view. There is in my opinion nothing like shooting through a ground glass screen. People are obsessed with tech. I'm about to upgrade to a 5DSR after many happy years with my 5D MK2 and my RZ6x7. In my day job I shoot with Arri Alexa's and Sony Venice which thank goodness kit is supplied by the facilities and production companies. Coldplay in Jordan here on YT is a good example of my work. Keep up the great work.

I agree with you, the 5DSR does everything you need, no need to upgrade.

This video has more sense then half of all YT photography related videos combined.

I still use my 50D and it works!

Great video, I appreciate and respect your outlook on being thrifty, especially in our fast food, “I want it now and I want it my way,” world where it seems like everyone wants the latest and greatest no matter the cost. I purchased a used 5d mark ii a couple years ago and I really enjoy it.

Well said. The difference between cameras today is getting smaller and smalller for most applications. And as you noted unless you compare things side by side you couldn't tell the difference in most cases.

Agree completely! I'm currently using D850s as my camera and I don't see myself switching for quite awhile. I agree on EVFs as well, they make me feel like I'm watching a video of myself taking a photo. All the display options can get really distracting as well, I want to focus on composition not a firehose of data.

I'm really enjoying watching all your videos. At first I sat memorized by the moire on your beard. Love the inside of the Coke bottle shot! Greetings from Sydney Oz!

Hi, I agree with you for all reasons you mentioned as I keep my 5dsr with 100f2.8 beside all my mirrorless and medium format cameras I have, because this sensor is phenomenal I believe for resolution, dynamic range, colours, and highest quality, BUT I cannot deny the lack of touch screen, electronic view finder to see what I take, and speed! I wish Canon put this sensor to the new coming R1 to have all in one :) thank you

Sound advice, I got tired of carrying two 1Series bodies, lenses and MBP through airports and decided to sell the 1Ds3 and 1Dx and replace them with two 5D4 cameras. I'm sure that mirrorless is a great system but I specialize in Food, Product and Lifestyle images. The cameras spend 90% of their time on a tripod so ML has little to no advantage for what I shoot.

Refreshing honesty based on experience. My Canon 5Ds cameras are superb and great lenses. Workhorses. Also shoot personal work on them. Used are now great value.

I too pick one up when B&H had their sale. I use it for my landsape photos, WOW. Goes with my MK4.

With you all the way, I use Hasselblad with leaf and Canon 5DSR, sold my Hasselblad, purchased new studio flash units as needed updating, and now just using the Canon 5DSR, great camera.

Also on x2 5dsRs for architecture! Backup barely used... Still on the 1st copy from release @ over 200k shots - origional mirror box. Dropped on hard surfaces / covered in mud when used for some action photography shots... still goes hard.

Great to see,someone focus on making the picture,instead of buying new kits all the time and talk about some specs. Still happy with my 2 5DII and DIII ,and never swap the lens,so you avoid dust on the inside.

I love this video. You’re honest to the point, and you’ve convinced me to buy one of these ancient beasts. I want to do landscape photography and I’ve been looking for a system on a budget or a while. I currently have my eye on a 5dsr😂

I am still using a D300 as a photojournalist, just cause i enjoy, and enjoy the warmth on the files. No other camera makes me enjoy shoot more, and have the controls i need. I used to have a D3 as well, but i sell it because its too big.

I have been shooting with a 5DS for over a year for wildlife work and I can keep a lot of detail after I crop vs my 5D Mark III

Great information video. Computers are exactly the same!

I still use 7D for journalist work... And i think its awesome... I know people who still use MkII and MkIII 5D

Nice video! I once took a picture of some electrical switchgear with a Canon 550D with the 17-85 cheap zoom lens. Has it printed at 40 x 60 cm and put it on the wall. When I tell people that it is so incredibly sharp because I rented a Hasselblad body with a prime lens, they all see the fantastic quality. When I tell them it came from a 550D with the 17-85 mm zoom, all they see how fuzzy it is and all the aberrations. It was taken with F8 from a tripod in RAW and carefully "developed". Even with this modest equipment, the end result is astonishingly good compared with my Asahi Pentax Spotmatic II.

Right on mate. I'm with you on this. We use 5DS in studio for technical imaging work and results are stunning. Don't you love RU-vid punters who say how crap good kit is? I bought last of these that were available new a couple of years ago and prices were half what they were new. Frankly good kit is good kit. Someone is always going to bring it something new, get over it.

This is something I wrestle with, I am shooting with my 5D MKIII and it is getting kind of tired, starting to get some spots in the lens and so on. The New R5 looks so appealing, but at the same time just upgrading to a new lens and sticking with the 5D is appealing as well. Although the downside being I cannot shoot 4k on it

We have similar sentiments but there was ONE main reason for getting into the R system for me -- it was the RF 28-70 f/2.0. There are times my assignments requires me to be quick and having this has ease the need of changing primes to shoot wide open. Otherwise, yes, any cameras you pick up today works and will earn you your money.

I think I found my home, I'm using a Sony a7s (mark 1) and I really like it, neat menu system without to much settings, straight forward. I really like the picture and 1080p is what you only need for youtube. Maybe I add an atomos later to record 4k if I want some more crop functionality. Thank you for this video, got me thinking!

I love your partners jacket!

I’ve used 1D’s and 5D’s in different versions throughout almost two decades and they’re brilliant. I’ve used them next to my Hasselblad. When it was time to replace, I moved to Fujifilm (both X and GFX) but that was a bit of a mistake. I’m now on Nikon’s Z system and happy as ever. Durability and quality of lenses are critical factors when selecting a camera for professional use… Great vid, Scott. Very sound advice. It’s the difference between a gadget and a tool…

I agree with your sentiments, I have been a Photographer for three decades . I purchased solid 1D series bodies, using them until the wheels fall off. Only at that point I upgrade to a new system . I can’t justified buying the newest and greatest camera body just because it is the new pretty girl !

I remember my first SLR camera a Zenith and i bought a Minolta 7000, with autofocus, i miss the days when a camera was just a camera. You need a degree to understand half the features on new cameras. I have a 5ds and 5d mkiv and very happy with them as i don't create videos.

Agreed!!.... EVF's suck!! but I do like being able to move a focus point to anywhere in the frame, and being able to see exposure in real time is handy too. But still use DSLR as NEED AF assit beam from speedlights in low light environments. Pros and Cons

Used 5Ds for ages as well, eventually got Sony cameras since its great for film. Shot a lot of people and really appreciate eye focus saves me quite some time Good points in your video from a professional point of view Fun fact the studio I worked at before are still using 12megapixel sinar digital backs that been around for 15 years or so..

My 5Ds remains my primary stills camera. 8 years later it stands toe-to-toe with anything out there in 35mm full frame format in terms of image quality. The high ISO complaints were never valid, it's excellent to 3200 and very good at 6400 and 12800. The DR complaints were somewhat valid in that other cameras had more base ISO DR. But it has good base ISO DR and with today's RAW processors you can easily get 14ev out of it via noise reduction (it measures 12.4ev, out of camera, at DxO). It's robust and reliable with a great AF system. It just works, delivering incredible detail in large prints. I complimented it with an R6 for those times when I might want insane shooting speed or extreme low light performance (i.e. stacked astro; 4k under a full moon). But I still often grab the 5Ds for sports as the AF system is more than up to the task and while 5 fps might sound slow, it's more than enough for most situations. It's a brilliant camera even in 2023.

Hear hear Scott. As a fun side-hobby I’m part of the Facebook Six Megapixel club, I’ve recently submitted some macro test shots taken with a Fuji S1 Pro (from 2000), it’s a 3 megapixel camera, the quality is outstanding when viewed on the web ( and on various hand held devices), because most of the web delivers at 72DPI. For paid work I use slightly more modern Nikon/Fuji DSLRS, I don’t need anything else as I shoot for print, and most pictures are laid out at A5, A6 or smaller. Some newspapers only require images at 200 DPI. Yes I could pixel peep on a big screen and get all worried about a 500% zoom that is a bit blurry, but I know it is invisible when the client runs off thousands of copies in the print works, and next week it will probably be wrapping fish and chips.

What I LOVE about this video and its message, is the message of business need practicality. You can thank product "reviewer" RU-vidrs for this incessant need to upgrade to every new camera body that comes out. But the kit that fits your needs, not your wants. If you're a street photographer, you don't need a full-frame. MFT and/or APS-C will get the job done even if you're printing. If you do portraits, fashion or other types of people involved in-studio sessions, MFT, APS-C, or full-frame will work because you're controlling the light. Glass for the most part is the most important thing when it comes to photography whether it's film (SLR/rangefinder), DSLR, or Mirrorless. I'm no longer a professional food photographer, I once was. I shoot as a hobbyist now with a few paid gigs in between but photography is not how I put food on the table. I primarily shoot street/documentary/photojournalism and some portraits for which I get paid to do. I've shot too many camera systems to count except for Nikon and Sony. In every situation, I currently shoot in MFT, Panasonic, and APS-C, Fujifilm does everything I need them to do. This is my longwinded way of saying I agree with everything you've stated. Buy and use the kit that works and gets the job done. You don't need the latest and greatest to do that. Keep making great content and sharing this wonderful wisdom.

I bought two of dis Canon 5DS/5DSR brand new just last week here in Nigeria, I never found a camera that doesn as well for produc especially in day studio portrait. Super clear, sharp.a revolution in resolution and the "limitations" of dis camera are no-issues, one of day best DSLR camera in canon line-up some people need the letest and greatest but I'm happier finding deals like dis and spending my money💰on premium lenses.