Canon 5D Mk2... got a "bee in my bonnet"

PVO_Dave

PVO_Dave

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Dave
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I hope I'm not the only person like this, I have no idea why I've suddenly decided I "need" this camera, hopefully you guys can help me out with some answers, it'll either put me off, or make things worse I guess! :lol:

I've currently got the 50D, great camera, and a world apart from the 400D I upgraded from, but... I can't say I'm that impressed with it's high ISO efforts, much better than the 400D of course, maybe I expected more!? I've struggled with it at 1600 in a (very) low light gig, using F2.8, It took shake free images, but to be honest they weren't much to talk about, unless viewed at quite a small size :geek:

I've got the lenses I want now, and if I did buy another camera the 50D would be the backup body I guess, as I certainly don't want to get rid of my 10-22 Canon lens.

Image quality wise, is the 5Dmk2 much of a leap? I understand the ISO performance is better (realistically by how much?) and I seem to have moved more into portrait / studio photography

Then there's also the option of the 7D... :bang: - what the hell is the matter with me :lol:

If any of you guys have moved from a 50D to either a 5Dmk2 or 7D, please let me know your thoughts.

Sorry this is mainly a rambling post, I tried explaining some of this to the other half, I'm pretty sure she just thinks I need :help: lol

Dave.
 
Well I've got a 50D and had been dithering over whether to get a 7D or a 1DmkIII, then I got offered a 5D mkII at a good price and went for that instead. The image quality is superb and the high ISO performance is even better than I expected. Shooting at ISO3200 is no issue at all and I wouldn't bother doing any NR on them, ISO6400 is also very useable though it needs a little PP to get the best out of it.
 
5dII is an unbelievable leap. I sold my 50d for one and it made my life.

The IQ kicks my 1d3's ass, but the 1d3 syncs flash at almost a stop faster.

I personally would buy the 5dII and keep the 50d as a backup, the IQ is **** but it does work as a second body pretty well
 
Hi Dave

Not sure I can help you directly mate, but there must be something in the water - perhaps it's the volcanic ash :lol: as I've been thinking exactly the same thing.

Spoke to someone over the weekend about this and when I'm financially ready, they will get both in and I can have a play with both - helpfull, but not really :bonk:

Pros and cons for both, that I came away with

Full frame v crop - crop factor usefull for zooms, but then you could probably 'crop' in on the 5D picture

Speed of AF - for motorsport, the 7D seems to have the 5D beat (approx twice as fast)

Images - the 5D is supposed to be a real belter, but then again, so is the 7D.

What they did say was to get the best of both worlds, get a 1D, now that really wasn't helpfull. :lol::lol:


I'm saving up presently and then going to go and have a play around, one thing I am keeping an eye on is how often do I use the the high speed FPS as this might swing it one way or the other for me.

Good luck, :thumbs:
 
Its a full frame camera so the noise will be a lot better. 6400 ISO as well as 21 mega Pixels. Argh I want one now!!

Hold you breath and buy one, if you sell you 50D you half way there already.
 
I got a similar bee sting at the start of the year and in March upgraded from a 450D to a 5D Mark II. On the 450D I used any excuse not to shoot above 800; with the 5DII I'll happily use 3200 and above without a moments hesitation. In fact, I'd say the 5DII is at least 4 stops better than the 450d in terms of high iso noise and this has made the loss of IS I've suffered by changing from a 17/55 to a 24/70 that much easier to handle.

People moan about the 5Dii's AF but in my experience it's still a league better than the 450d - my hit rate has increased massively with the new camera.
 
I went from 40D to 5Dmk2 and it was like night and day, literally. ISO 3200 is not an issue, even 6400 is very usuable. The noise is very grain like and manageable.

I was hankering after the trinkets of the 7D but ultimately the IQ of the 5D2 won me over. No regrets at all.
 
I went from a 50D - (the worst body i have ever had the displeasure of owning) to a 5D MKII and i enjoy photography again :love:. The quality this camera is capable of still amazes me 10K shots later....JUST DO IT :D
 
Just do it! You will not be disappointed, the difference between 50D and 5DmkII images is clear. I have both and as much as I like the 50D for FPS and speed of use, I wouldn't want to be without the 5DmkII.
The high-ISO performance is very impressive.
I keep a 30D and 50D as back-ups now (and I've kept my 10-22mm too!).

Nothing compares to the 5DmkII for image quality at the price! You'll love it.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone..

Firstly I'm glad to see it's not just me who decides they "need" things :lol:

Thanks to Peter who PM'd me two sample images 3200 and 6400 (same shot, just different ISO) and wow, I did a shot on my 50D after using the same settings, and it's a damn site noisier! :lol:

I don't really shoot fast moving stuff apart from my dogs, and I'm pretty sure the AF would be fine for them? (They aren't that fast!) I've just bought some studio lighting, and a backdrop etc.. my photography is definitely moving more towards people (which isn't something I expected!)

Maybe sell my backup body (20D currently), keep the 50D as backup and get the 5Dmk2?

Dave.
 
PVO_Dave said:
I don't really shoot fast moving stuff apart from my dogs, and I'm pretty sure the AF would be fine for them? (They aren't that fast!)
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My dogs are fast and it's fine for them, and running people and GT race cars. the autofocus has no problem tracking those. :thumbs:
 
PVO_Dave said:
I don't really shoot fast moving stuff apart from my dogs, and I'm pretty sure the AF would be fine for them? (They aren't that fast!) I've just bought some studio lighting, and a backdrop etc.. my photography is definitely moving more towards people (which isn't something I expected!).
Click to expand...

I've not noticed any difference in the AF between the 50D and the 5DmkII (but both are lacking when compared to a 1D), s if you're OK with the AF no you'll be fine if you upgrade.
 
ChrisJ_SLH said:
I went from 40D to 5Dmk2 and it was like night and day, literally. ISO 3200 is not an issue, even 6400 is very usuable. The noise is very grain like and manageable.

I was hankering after the trinkets of the 7D but ultimately the IQ of the 5D2 won me over. No regrets at all.
Click to expand...

^^^ :agree:

It has 21mp and every one is twice the size of the 50D. Speaks for itself really.

Why don't you just try one?
 
I've gone from the 40D to having two 7D's (which both went back) to having the 5DMKII... The difference really is astonishing! The low light capabilities of the 5MKII are a good way above the other cameras I've had and having 21mp on that sensor gives a fair bit of room for some quite severe cropping (if you should need to).

Si
 
PVO_Dave said:
I hold you all completely responsible for what I've just done... :lol:
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Do I detect the sound of a credit card getting clobbered? :D

If you've just bought one, be prepared to make the missus sleep on the couch for a bit 'cos you'll want the extra space in the bed to keep it comfy! ;)

Si
 
Dave - you will love it mate, I got rid of my 1Ds2 for the 5D2 and so far Im kinda happy with the IQ, as you will find out mate the leap from 50D is far greater than from a 1Ds2 so get ready for a permanent stiffy (that's stiff neck from shooting btw)

enjoy it and don't think of the money, if you fancy a shoot let me know

ETA- don't forget to buy the grip too :P
 
Cheers guys!

Marac, I'll be in touch when it arrives - very excited now.. Amazon delivery before 1pm on Saturday... :D

The credit card is weeping a tiny bit Si, but I've some money that was potentially aside for an iPad (idea gone out of the window! :lol:), and I'm shooting a friends wedding tomorrow for some pocket money, that combined with the sale of a 20D and the grip from the 50D will help knock the debt down! :)
 
I was going to say contact Si, as I understand he had upgraded to 7D's and was not happy and now has a5D2. However he has already posted. ;-)

I have never owned a 50D or 7D but I do have a 5D2 and it's fantastic.
 
I had the same itch for a 5D MKII, then i used a D700 the itch soon went and it was replaced with lust for the D700 until i brought one..
 
Congrats on your purchase :-) I love the look of the 5dmkii and I'd have one in an instant.
 
PVO_Dave said:
I hold you all completely responsible for what I've just done... :lol:
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where did you buy it from as im looking at getting one over the weekend? :clap:
 
Thanks for the replies everyone

Muss, I ordered it from Amazon :) - I'm sure if you were looking to get one over the weekend you could use Jessops or a local camera shop? Just make sure you know how much you are prepared to pay first

Dispatch confirmation has arrived on mine, City link will be delivering it before 1 tomorrow! :D
 
ive done my research on the prices and specs etc. im going to haggle with a london camera exchange at some point over the weekend and if i cant get it there il be ordering online.
 
Also made the move from 50D to 5DMK2 and have to agree with everyone else in that its the best thing I ever did. Have now also sold the 50D as it just wasn't getting a look in because you can always crop the 5D image to get whats required.

The only problem is you will now want better and better lenses to go with it.
 
PVO_Dave said:
...Dispatch confirmation has arrived on mine, City link will be delivering it before 1 tomorrow! :D
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Hi Dave,

Get a plug socket ready for that battery... If it's anything like mine, it'll be as flat as a pancake! :D

I'd keep a crop sensor body if you can. It'll give you another option especially if you need a fast frame rate or a bit of extra reach.

Have fun with the new camera. You'll love it. :)
Take care,
Si
 
Spiritflier said:
I've gone from the 40D to having two 7D's (which both went back) to having the 5DMKII... The difference really is astonishing! The low light capabilities of the 5MKII are a good way above the other cameras I've had and having 21mp on that sensor gives a fair bit of room for some quite severe cropping (if you should need to).

Si
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Si, what was wrong with the 7D, why didn't you like it?
 
Boy, do I envy you!

I REALLY want a 5dmkll but by the time I can afford one, the 5dmklll will be here! :lol: I love the advantage of a crop sensor for wildlife, but as the image quality of the 5D is so good, I understand you can crop in a lot and still be happy.

I'm really hoping the 5dmklll will incorporate the good bits of the 7D and the 1Dmk4 and keep it's amazing low light quality, but stay below £3K. Is that too much to ask???? :shrug:
 
It's arrived - but as Si said the battery truly is flat as a pancake :lol: it's on charge now :)
 
In an ideal world I've have the 5D mk2 for portrait/product shoot work and keep my 50d for sports/events (maybe with the 24-105 lens on the 50D for close work).
You'll love the crispness of the 5D's image.
 
jezza8 said:
Si, what was wrong with the 7D, why didn't you like it?
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Hi Jezza,

There was a lot to like about the 7D but I had two duff ones... I had problems with lots of noise at low ISO's, a huge cluster of hot pixels on the sensor, a camera that decided to shut down for no reason whenever I was using the onboard flash commander and in the end, I decided enough was enough so I decided to switch to the 5DMKII (which is probably what I should have done in the first place). :)

PVO_Dave said:
It's arrived - but as Si said the battery truly is flat as a pancake :lol: it's on charge now :)
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Haha... told ya it would be Dave! :)

You'll have great fun once you start to mess about with it.
Take care,
Si
 
Dave, :)

I read this, this morning and laughed as I've been feeling the same, and decided last week that sometime in the next month or so, I'd get rid of my 40D and get a 5Dmkii.

However, today didn't end up as expected and I'm now sitting here looking at my brand new 5Dmkii in it's box - as I ended up getting one today too !!

I really wasn't planning on getting it today, but by chance walked into LCE and they offered me a very very good price for my 40D (same as what they go for on here) and their price for the 5Dmkii was really competitive too! A no brainer so I rushed home and back to the shop to do the deal.

Have fun with yours, I can't wait now to change the rest of my lenses from EF-s ones and use it in anger.

Mark.
 
wavefront said:
Dave, :)

I read this, this morning and laughed as I've been feeling the same, and decided last week that sometime in the next month or so, I'd get rid of my 40D and get a 5Dmkii.

However, today didn't end up as expected and I'm now sitting here looking at my brand new 5Dmkii in it's box - as I ended up getting one today too !!

I really wasn't planning on getting it today, but by chance walked into LCE and they offered me a very very good price for my 40D (same as what they go for on here) and their price for the 5Dmkii was really competitive too! A no brainer so I rushed home and back to the shop to do the deal.

Have fun with yours, I can't wait now to change the rest of my lenses from EF-s ones and use it in anger.

Mark.
Click to expand...

And just 'by chance' you overheard the salesman talking about really good p-ex deals on a 40D for guys called Mark etc etc... :lol:
 
LOL!! (I knew someone would pick that up ;)

I'd been pricing up what I could get privately for the 40D, and a friend suggested I should try that shop as he'd got some good deals there for px in the past and may not be as uncompetive as I'd assumed . We were passing anyway, so I decided to ask and was astounded at the offer.

It turns out, as I was about to leave, they let it slip that they already had a buyer who had left their number for a secondhand 40D that morning ....
 
Need to have a proper play with the camera this weekend, as I just havent had the time really - fired off a couple of quick shots tonight of an item I'm selling...

the shutter is immense lol, mad the noise / feel difference between the camera's I've had

400D = Toy gun
20D = Cap gun
50D = Machine gun
5D mk2 = Shot gun :lol:
 
its a beautiful camera, i regularly shoot at 6400 and dont find it a problem at all!

i went from:

350D
40D
2 x 5D
and now
2 x 5D MKII's :D
 
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