6. Using The Canon EOS 5D, Continued

• EOS 5D Digital SLR...
• • shopkingcamera
  • $1589.95
• • shopkingcamera
  • $1589.95

Many who got their hands on pre-production 5Ds complained about the exposure-automation mode dial on the camera's top left side. This knob is used to choose whether the 5D operates in such modes as program (automatic), constant shutter setting with automatically set f stop or constant f stop with automatically set shutter speed. Early reviewers found that the dial moved too easily changing the exposure mode setting. Assuming that this was a real problem, Canon seems to have heard their concerns. The knob remained set at the detent I selected no matter how much I handled the camera, put it into or took it out of its case or let it wiggle around and touch other objects while dangling from its neck strap.

On the top right of the camera you can see a number of the buttons I mentioned earlier that have to be pressed before you turn one of the two wheels on the 5D. The dashes between the different functions indicate that you turn one wheel for one of the functions and the other wheel for the second function.

The left side of the 5D has two rubber flaps that cover the camera's external flash and remote shutter release connectors as well as USB 2.0 and video out connectors. I found the flaps very difficult to open and to keep open. That's why you don't see the actual connectors in the picture below.

The right side of the 5D contains the camera's Compact Flash memory slot. It's under that door in the picture below. Unlike the Mark II series cameras, which both have both Compact Flash and SD memory slots the 5D has only a Compact Flash slot. In raw mode each image the camera turns out is 12.9 MB. This is the first digital camera I've used that makes 1 GB memory cards seem inadequate. You no sooner get started shooting than you have to change your memory card. 2 GB or even 4 GB cards are the best choice for this memory hungry camera.