Problems with 5D mk II?

petersmart

petersmart

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I am hoping to upgrade this year but I am in a quandary.

I would like to go FF for the resolution and quality and the 5d Mk II is the only one I could sensible afford.

But I note that a large number of people have coplained about the AF system and other problems.

How bad is the AF and other problems with it?

I want a camera that I can be happy with for many years to come and since it will be a major outlay I want to but right.

My main interests are photographing kids and Macro but with a sprinkling of other shots.

I also like using high ISO and pics I have seen of high ISO with this camera are excellent.

Please don't use this thread to compare the differences between the 5D Mk II and other cameras as other threads have done that.

I only want to know about problems with the 5D II; what problems actual users have encountered with this camera - not only AF - and were they resolved satisfactorily.
 
There is not problem with the AF on the 5D MkII. People complain that the AF system is not fast, say as the 1DIII or 7D, but it is designed mainly as a studio and landscape camera, not a fast action, sport and press camera.

I know a few motorsport photographers who use the 5DII to great affect and have no complaints over the AF speed, even with motorsport.

For the use you are suggesting I would say the 5DII is an idea camera.

David
 
I have both the 5D MKII and 7D Bodies

I convinced myself I needed the 7D as a backup to my main 5D MK II for situations when fast AF were needed,

Now being honest - how much do I use the 7D.

Very Very Little, I just love the FF 5D MKII, it tends to give everything I need, and as the other poster said keeps up with Motor and Aviation, The only time I feel the 7D wins is fast indoor sports like Ice Hockey. the 5D falls short there,

Personally I am keeping my 7D body for an upcoming trip to Kenya as a backup body (Saves lens changes in the field), and odd uses, but feel the 5D MKII just hits all the right buttons and the disadvantages it does have in AF etc are so minimal that you will soon work around them and not even notice from there. If you keep reading all the reviews you will never purchase anything.

Get the 5D MK II - Love it and use it. You will not regret it.
 
I have the 7D and the 5D2 - Yes the AF on the 5D2 is less technologically advanced than the 7D, but I do find myself reaching for the 5D2 over the 7D. Regardless of the AF, the pictures and the quality are sublime and I continue to be amazed by the IQ and ability to crop those FF pixels.
 
petersmart said:
But I note that a large number of people have coplained about the AF system and other problems
Click to expand...

OK, the "problem" with the 5D2's AF can be summed up in two words: Nikon D700

Nikon chose to put a pro-spec 51-point AF system in the D700 - Canon opted for a consumer-spec 9 point system for the 5D2, and concentrated more on image quality, i.e. higher pixel density. As both models are full-frame and roughly competing for the same market, everyone compares 5D2's AF to the D700, the latter being undoubtedly superior.

BUT, the 5D2's AF is perfectly capable with most subjects. It's only difficult fast moving subjects that might show up its limitations, e.g. birds in flight, motorsport etc.

People forget that AF technology has come on in leaps and bounds in the last few years, and we're now all spoilt with expecting cutting-edge performance. We all coped just fine with central AF or a small number of AF points a short time ago!

If you *need* professional-grade AF, you should be looking at a 7D, 1D series, D700 or D3 etc. Otherwise, the 5D2's AF will do you fine.

As for "other problems", the "black dot" phenomenon (which was very difficult to reproduce anyway by all accounts) was fixed in firmware. I'm not aware of any other issues.

A.
 
501cards said:
...If you keep reading all the reviews you will never purchase anything.
Click to expand...

In fact these weren't really reviews - they were complaints by actual owners of the 5D II and focussing problems seemed to be the main complaint - some were really bad which worried me because I don't want to buy one then find the same problem crops up.

Obviously I realise that in any manufacturing process you do get problems which is why I also wondered if anyone here had these or any other problems and were they resolved satisfactorily.
 
Hi, I have had my 5DII since December and agree with Sara above. IQ is outstanding and great to use with high ISO. I have had no problems with AF, but you will need decent glass to take full advantage of the cameras full potential, resolution and IQ.

Buy the 5DII, you will be pleased you did and enjoy your investment for many years to come.
 
Thanks for that Dotty - I must admit many of the pics I have seen taken with the 5D II have been awesome which is one reason for wanting it.

I have used the 350D and now the 450D and though they both produce excellent shots I really want the extra quality of FF.

The other thing I might miss is the crop factor and the need to buy L glass is another consideration.

I had already thought of that and might just go the other way around - buy the glass first then the camera.
 
Remember that although the 'crop factor' will give you a wider FOV on the same lenses...you've got a hell of a lot of cropping power with the 5D2.
 
The AF on the 5dMK2 is fine, the centre AF point is the only real 'good' one as it's cross type. It's a focus and recompose DSLR, if you're used to that it's a fantastic camera.
 
James Pardon said:
The AF on the 5dMK2 is fine, the centre AF point is the only real 'good' one as it's cross type. It's a focus and recompose DSLR, if you're used to that it's a fantastic camera.
Click to expand...

Well on both my 350D and 450D that's almost exactly how I shoot.

I use AE and AF lock to separate focus and exposure and that works fine for me.
 
Another very happy 5d2 customer here... At a recent wedding - the focus did have to hunt a little at the reception where the lighting was so low - everybody elses photos were coming out black... the 5d2 though delivered some very acceptable images that the bride and groom loved - considering the available light!
 
When considering a move to full frame, my only concern with the 5DII was, like yours, centred around reports of the AF.

However, in the end I just thought 'sod it', and bought one anyway. So far, I haven't had any problems with it, the camera has performed faultlessly, images are absolutely beautiful and I don't have a single regret with my purchase.
 
I have only a few BIF shots with my 5D2 but here is one example where the AF was perhaps taxed more than usual. This was shot at 400mm, 1/800, f/5.6, 400 ISO with my 100-400....

20100215_102723_1504_LR.jpg



100% crop....

20100215_102723_1504_LR.jpg



The reported problems with the 5D2 AF are mostly regarding the outer focus points. Performance from the centre point is actually quite strong, especially with optional assistance from the six invisible expansion points.
 
Nowt wrong with that, Tim!
 
I've never had a problem with my 580exII attached in low light but without the focus assist its not that great. I use mine in clubs and weddings with no problems
 
Just to add my 2p.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the 5D2's AF. It's basically similar to the 40D/50D which is also pretty good, just not good as the 7D or 1D/1DS cameras. Or Nikon ;)

The only thing I would expect to have any problems with is tracking fast moving subjects, but as Tim has shown it can do that too. Perhaps just not as well or as reliably as more action orientated cameras.

But it doesn't have the frame rate for that kind of thing either, and that's not really why you would buy one. 5D2's ace card is a fantastic sensor. Beats Nikon D700 there IMHO :D
 
POAH said:
the 5D2 AF can have problems in low light particularly with the outer points
Click to expand...

I think the max aperture of the lens you use may have a big bearing on this. Using f/1.2 and f/1.4 primes and there's no noticeable difference between any of the points....although the centre one will always be more accurate/repeatable.

Bob
 
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