So sell me a 5DII for low light stuff

D

Duncan.F

Messages
1,453
Name
Duncan
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,
I am using a 5D at present and thin of upgrading to a markII. I don't know a huge amount about the markII but I understand that its performance is better at high ISO's. I do a lot of gig work and use a 1.4 50mm on the Mark 1, mainly at 1600.
However the 50mm is not quite wide enough for most shots at close up, particularly when the performer is so close. So is the markII's ISO performance that much better so I could use my 24-70L @2.8? What other benefits does the MkII bring, is the AF better?
I suppose the other option would be to get a 35mm 1.4, unfortunately the Canon version is tooo expensive but the Sigma is a possiblity. Again though I would lose the reach of the 50 or 24-70 and sometimes the reach is really useful to get to the band members who are centre stage.
I would be very grateful for your thoughts, particularly if you have upgraded to the 5DII!

Cheers,

Dunc
 
9797.jpg


This was shot with my 5D-II and the 70-200L f2.8 IS @ 3200ISO, 1/180 sec @ f2.8

Think I used centre point only for focus. I've just grabbed the pic off my fb account as my editing machine is in pieces (redecorating room)
 
I think comparing the lens needs rethinking.

The MkII is a stop better in noise, taking the 24/70 2.8 to 2.0? (Am I right here?)

So still not as good as your 50 1.4

Based on this, you are better off with the MK1, that said, grab a 35L + MKII and you've twice as much effective light as your current setup as you can bump the ISO another stop.

But the 24-70 will also be fine.
 
You can do lower light with either ISO or f/number.

If you can do it with ISO, you can maybe still use the zoom, and retain more depth of field too. Which may or may not be seen as an advantage.

This test from DPReview has a lot of comparison stuff http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos5dmarkii/
 
Check out some of the recent low light/ long exposure work done by tdub on flickr, one of the best regarded contemporary light painters. Upgraded from 40D to 5DII in November and there's been a noticeable switch in style - with exposure lengths coming down as he gathers so much more light in a shorter space of time.

I'm Nikon through and through but you can't argue with the volume of night photographers who are upgrading or switching to the 5DII because of high ISO performance incl superb colour rendition and retained dynamic range.
 
Hi,
Thanks guys, yes all food for thought! I think a 35mm prime would be a first step, it would also have the big advantage of being able to use the centre focus which is much more sensitive. Using the top AF point is difficult with all the different backgrounds but throw in a moving or jumping performer, well its tricky!!
I have a Siggy 10-20 I think I will put up for trade in exchange for a 35mm prime, who knows someone might have one!

Some shots here as examples, you can see on the shots close to the stage, how difficult it is to compose in the frame.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=198218

Cheers,

Dunc
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top