Review your 5d mark 2

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mart77

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Would like to see some reviews now of people that have lived with their mark 2 for some time.

Good and bad points, and what did you have before and how does it compare.

would be interesting to read, thanks
 
Had mine for about half a year now, done multiple weddings and lots of photoshoots.

Good points - Its amazing, quality, feel, ISO, weight, Video is just stunning..

I filmed this on it the other day, all natural light.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HolliDillon#p/u/1/H_9XFzuz79Q

Bad points - hmm, max sync speed for non canon flashes seems to be 1/160 not 1/200 as it says but then its not a major problem.
Its a pleasure to use, menus are fine, its forgiving in raw, it feels sturdy,

I had the Canon 400D before this one.
 
rgrebby said:
Had mine for about half a year now, done multiple weddings and lots of photoshoots.

Good points - Its amazing, quality, feel, ISO, weight, Video is just stunning..

I filmed this on it the other day, all natural light.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HolliDillon#p/u/1/H_9XFzuz79Q

Bad points - hmm, max sync speed for non canon flashes seems to be 1/160 not 1/200 as it says but then its not a major problem.
Its a pleasure to use, menus are fine, its forgiving in raw, it feels sturdy,

I had the Canon 400D before this one.
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I did the same thing.

DuncanDisorderly said:
For landscapes using a tripod is a creative decision, not a necessity.
It's utterly changed the way I use the camera.
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I would have thought a tripod was a necessity for landscapes no matter what camera you're using.
 
Coupled with a 24-70 f2.8 L it is perfection, absolutely pin sharp for portraits and landscapes.

It certainly does make every single one of those 21MP count!
A croppers dream :D

I have added a genuine battery grip, which really makes the camera easier to handle and flip to portrait.

I have a 30D and 50D as second cameras, but I really wish I had two 5D mark 2s. :)
 
Only had mine 2 days during which i've been decorating so reading the manual more than shooting. There are a few things that make me scratch my head coming form the mk1 but 90% of it is pretty instinctive.

Concentrating on learning to use the video at the moment so that our camcorder can go. Internal mic is too sensitive and walking round the garden the wind noise was louder than the whirr of the IS but only just. So mic for the hotshoe is on the list.

Had to buy a new fast large card so I have room to shoot video and stills on a day out.

Need to buy another battery but have to pay for an original or face taking 2 chargers on holiday.

Need to edit HD video so will have to buy some software for that once i work out what is best.

So... great camera but need to buy extras to use it fully. Looks like £200 to 250.

Pictures from the mk1 are excellent so expecting the mk2 to be as good but with finer detail. When I get out and take some I'll let you know :)
 
Got my 5D Mark II & EF 24 - 105 L IS USM as a kit just before Christmas.

This was a full system change for me as I had a Nikon D200, lens etc, which I traded in part exchange.

The full frame 5D II is amazing, the pictures have taken with the 24-105 have absolutely blown me away, especially in low light situations using higher ISO. Have just bought an EF 70 - 200mm f2.8 L IS USM and dying for some decent weather to be able to get out and about. :clap:
 
RobertP said:
Concentrating on learning to use the video at the moment so that our camcorder can go. Internal mic is too sensitive and walking round the garden the wind noise was louder than the whirr of the IS but only just. So mic for the hotshoe is on the list.
.............
Need to buy another battery but have to pay for an original or face taking 2 chargers on holiday.
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I will probably end up buying a Rode stereo video mic, it could be awesome following cars on a track from the pit lane getting the full stereo effect. The dead kitten is supposed to be very effective in wind.

I bought a genuine battery from eBay, £49.99 delivered. (batteryempire)
 
I went 350D to 40D (17-55 IS +10-22) to 5Dmk2 (24-105 + 17-40 + 70-200 IS F/4).

I use it gripped (with a BG-E6) and I absolutely adore it. I shoot up to ISO 3200 without any real concern. I even find ISO 6400 perfectly acceptable if it means getting the shot.

I was all set to get a 7D until a last minute re-evaluation of what I shoot and what is important to me (landscapes portraiture etc) led me the way of the 5Dmk2. No regrets at all. Fantastic piece of kit.
 
Don't really know what I'm looking at with mics but think i don't want a 'zoom' type :)
Rode seem quite expensive. this Sony one on Amazon has a review by someone saying they use it on a 5D2. Comes with a foam wind cover. Tempted...
 
I went from a 400D to a 5D Mk2, and it just feels more natural in some weird way.

I was kind of opposite to most in that I'd managed to get a load of cheap L glass when I had my 400D, so I was already seeing good output; the glass obviously does play a large part.

However, the difference between a 24-70L on a 400D and a 5D Mk2 is quite something to behold, especially when you're indulging in some landscape photography. When I went on holiday last year, I took my then new 5D Mk2 along with the 24-70, 70-200 and nifty-fifty (believe it or not, this is absolutely amazing on the camera - one of the cheapest lenses with one of the dearest cameras - low light results can be mindblowing given the superior ISO noise absence on the 5D).

What I discovered when I was out and about was that I just didn't want to use anything else but the 24-70, it was that good. And shots that I previously would have had to get with the 70-200 (between 70 and say 150ish), then it's just a case of taking them at 70mm on the 24-70, cropping down, and hey presto you've got near enough an equivalent, but with the sharpness retained.

So, if you've got the cash, just get one. I've not even mentioned the fun you can have with the video function!
 
I had a 50D and bought a 7D when they came out at the end of last year. Last week I bought a 5DMk2 and my first impressions of it are "Boy the 7D is a good camera!". I think the 7D is better in many ways and as good in others, build quality (as good), view finder (as good), AF (WAY better), Wireless flash control (better, obviously) etc etc.

The 5D Mk2 actually feels like a step backward from the 7D in some areas...BUT... I stuck my 24-70 on the front of it, a 580EXII on the top of it and.... wow...

 
I went from a 350D (purchased from initial release), to the 5D Mk2. The creativity it unleashes is just great. Only a few nights ago my local pub was ablaze at 2am. I grabbed my camera and set the ISO to 6400 and captured some amazing shots and video footage (if looking at my flickr account, the uploaded footage is a reduced frame rate version, so does no justice to the full 1080p goodness).

I'm now really starting to crop a lot more of my images, the 21.1MP images are amazing and enable huge amounts of detail to remain in heavily cropped images.

As also mentioned, the files are huge. As I don't have PS CS4 I'm using Canon DPP and then saving as 16bit TIFF's and then working on these in PS CS3. As a result I had to buy a new PC before Christmas as it got boring waiting for PS to finish processing.
 
Can a mod close this thread please?

I don't think my bank balance could cope with the battering a 5DII could do!!

DB
 
I upgraded form a 50D and just with the Pixel jump alone its just outstanding quality, the IQ of the images it spits out when paired up with my 24-70 or 50mm f1.2L is 10x better then my 50D
Pros:
Image quality, 21.1mp, 1080p Video at a push of a button, build quality, view finder, battery life, etc..... [see others above for more]

Cons: Same AF as all the previous models excluding the 7D really needed a better af system, It makes you want to buy more £1500 lenses to go with it lol.

Camera has definitely inspired me to use it more and with the added FF quality and more control over the DOF its brilliant, wouldn't exchange it well maybe for a 1DsMKIV when it comes out :P.
 
Had mine since July.

Ditto previous posters really - quality is incredible. The 5D2 mercilessly shows up poor technique and lens quality - you'll want to keep the shutter speed above around 1/200 sec to eliminate camera shake.

I think the 5D2 is a real photographer's camera, and would especially please someone (like me) who has moved on to digital from film - both in terms of the image quality, which is as good as fine-grained film if not better, and the identical field of view compared to a 35mm film SLR. People harp on that the AF isn't as good as the D700, but the 5D2 has clearly been designed for landscapes, weddings, portraiture etc., where IQ is the primary consideration. You pays your money..

Yes, you need decent lenses to get the best from it, and the 24-70L is a wonderful match for the 5D2. I have a 24-70L, although strangely enough I keep finding myself being drawn to using my 50mm f/1.4, which also delivers pin-sharp results, and is satisfying to use in a way that only a prime lens can be.

Build quality is solid, and I admire Canon's decision to leave out a built-in flash. If you need flash, get an external unit that does the job properly. The self-cleaning sensor is a big improvement over the original 5D - I've noticed the odd dust spot on a frame that disappears in subsequent shots, so evidently the dust-resistant coating and vibration system is doing its job. The 3 custom settings are well worth having, and even though there are some fancy auto modes that the original 5D didn't have, you'll probably be the sort of photographer who sticks with Av or manual mode.

Con's - not many! The auto ISO is a bit limited - the camera tends to select the slowest shutter speed it can get away with, i.e. the reciprocal of the focal length being used, which as I've mentioned above is a bit too slow if you want to avoid camera shake completely. It would have been nice to be able to lock in a shutter speed/aperture, and let the camera set the ISO, but auto ISO doesn't work in manual mode. Maybe a firmware update could fix this - hint hint Canon? ;) Yes the RAW files it creates are enormous, and at 25mb or so each they eat up cards and disk space fast - but this is the price you pay for superior IQ.

I've not used the video or Live View, but they're both nice to have should I ever need them.

A.
 
had it a week now and I'm in love :D

I have only taken the 50/1.4 off it a few times, shooting at f2 indoors at like iso 1600 there is NO grain and tack sharp images

I miss the crop and AF of my 50d and am tempted to pick up an xxd for the times I need it (loop, sports ect) as it would make a useful backup too

with a 50/1.4 on and no grip I find it the perfect size for my hands, dunno how I'll feel about my 28-70L but I played with a 24-70 and it was nice just a bit bulky
 
Ditto previous posters really - quality is incredible. The 5D2 mercilessly shows up poor technique and lens quality - you'll want to keep the shutter speed above around 1/200 sec to eliminate camera shake.
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Erm when you're using a 16mm 1/30 does the trick if you're steady...

Pros... It's amazing, even JPEG you can get unreal amounts of detail that you thought a JPEG would discard.

Cons... You need a mac to edit the video well
 
davidbridges said:
Erm when you're using a 16mm 1/30 does the trick if you're steady...
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Also... auto iso seems to ignore IS
If you have IS turned on then the 1/focal length recipe is virtually guaranteed to be shake free.
Auto ISO tops out at ISO 2500 and this is fine for printing at A3 without noise reduction, so I've no qualms about using it.

These days I think more about the aperture I need for the shot I'm composing and let the 5DII look after the rest.
It works very well for general landscape photography and I only need to do something different when I hear the clunk clunk of a long exposure. By this point it has usually got so dark that I'll need a torch before long!

There is still a place for using a tripod in landscape photography - but it's either a creative decision such as forcing a slow shutter speed, coping with low light, or when slowing down the picture taking process is desirable. Close-up images and using the TS-E are both good examples of this.
The TS-E works nicely hand held as long as I'm standing upright, but for low shots hand-held is way too much of a challenge. There are so many factors to take into account framing and focussing the shot that it's an iterative process and the very close foreground demands an extra steady camera during the exposure. Tripod is a major advantage here.
 
I find myself using manual more and more with it, that might change come summer with big sun/shade differences though
 
ding76uk said:
So assuming raw size is 25mb, is there an option to reduce file size down yet still use raw? Anyone tried this?

Also did anyone notice a massive slow down in their computer when editing files form this compared with something like a 40D (what I currently have)? I run a 19" iMac with 4GB ram currently, will this handle things fine?
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You can 'ask' camera to write files in smaller RAW files :)
If you dont have priblems with 40D RAW files, you will cope with 5d2 as well:)
 
Agree with all the above points. AF should be better but after tons of deliberation went for 5dII over 7D. Getting some awesome shots out of cheaper tamron lenses never mind L lenses. have a look at these I did the other day.

Filesize can be a pain but I tend to leave them to import to lightroom and make sure it renders full previews before I edit which speeds things up
 
bastic said:
You can 'ask' camera to write files in smaller RAW files :)
If you dont have priblems with 40D RAW files, you will cope with 5d2 as well:)
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Excellent, thanks for that. Now just need to factor in a cpl new drives for storage and backup, but they can come after the camera. Has anyone got anything majorly negative to say about this camera? Is the focus system worse than a 40D? as this copes fine for my uses, so unless it is noticeably worse, I think that will not be an issue.
 
I shoot in sRAW and L Jpeg :) sRAW being the 10megapixel version theres a 5MP one aswell
 
ding76uk said:
Excellent, thanks for that. Now just need to factor in a cpl new drives for storage and backup, but they can come after the camera. Has anyone got anything majorly negative to say about this camera? Is the focus system worse than a 40D? as this copes fine for my uses, so unless it is noticeably worse, I think that will not be an issue.
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Seems pretty much the same as the 50D to me.
 
rgrebby said:
Had mine for about half a year now, done multiple weddings and lots of photoshoots.

Good points - Its amazing, quality, feel, ISO, weight, Video is just stunning..

I filmed this on it the other day, all natural light.

http://www.youtube.com/user/HolliDillon#p/u/1/H_9XFzuz79Q

Bad points - hmm, max sync speed for non canon flashes seems to be 1/160 not 1/200 as it says but then its not a major problem.
Its a pleasure to use, menus are fine, its forgiving in raw, it feels sturdy,

I had the Canon 400D before this one.
Click to expand...

Nice video and very well out together. What software did you use to edit the video? I am just in the process of making a dvd using my 5D MKII for a University project. Also, can you give me any pointers that might help? Many thanks
 
ding76uk said:
Also did anyone notice a massive slow down in their computer when editing files form this compared with something like a 40D (what I currently have)? I run a 19" iMac with 4GB ram currently, will this handle things fine?
Click to expand...

You bet....I was using a 4-5 year old laptop (though it was a good one in its day) and it just couldn't cope....kept on crashing. I never had that from my 5d mk1, let alone the 40d.

Fortunately my new PC arrived very soon afterwards and it just eats 5d mk2 RAW files for breakfast....:notworthy:

There can be a significant delay before the third in a set of three bracketed exposures on the Mk2. I wonder if I need faster cards?

I'll definitely consider using the small RAW file format if I need a faster response.
 
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