Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21 1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera Body Only
Compact, lightweight with environmental protection, EOS 5D successor boasts a newly-designed Canon CMOS sensor, with ISO sensitivity up to 25,600 for shooting in near dark conditions. The new DIGIC 4 processor combines with the improved CMOS sensor to deliver medium format territory image quality at 3.9 frames per second, for up to 310 frames. Triggered from Live View Mode, HD video capture allows users to shoot uninterrupted at full 1080 resolution at 30fps — for amazing quality footage with outstanding levels of detail and realism. The integration of HD movie capability into a high-end 21.1-megapixel camera opens a multitude of new possibilities for photojournalists and news photographers. With its full frame CMOS sensor and outstanding ISO performance, the EOS 5D Mark II will appeal to any photographer in search of the finest camera equipment available — from studio and wedding to nature and travel photographers.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Excellent full frame but also look at competition
I will only write a short review about this camera because others have already written very extensive reviews about it. For an even more comprehensive one, I would refer you to the website DPReview.
After thinking about this camera for 6 months, I finally convinced myself to buy it. I am not regretting the decision at all. This is an excellent camera for my needs and the picture quality and resolution from its 21 megapixel sensor is simply mind boggling. In my mind, the main advantage of all those megapixels is the ability to do an extensive crop without sacrificing the image quality. I owned a 30D and if I crop files from it just a little bit, the sharpness suffers.
Let me now talk about the high ISO performance of the 5D Mark II. It is definitely amazing. Different people have different tolerances as far as image noise but for me it is excellent up to ISO 1600. I went to an indoor place with Christmas lights display and shot ISO 3200 and I was still happy with the results. I did have to clean up half of the files with the Noise Ninja software. But guess what, the files clean up very easily with the noise reduction software. Images from my 30D did not clean up as easily.
The only reason why I did not give this camera 5 stars is because of its autofocus (AF) system. Now, I mainly shoot portraits and nature. I don’t do much sports. And for subjects that are father away, I mainly use the center AF which is extremely adequate. However, when I shoot portraits at closer distances and shallow apertures, I like using specific AF points (to avoid blur). In these instances, I can’t help but feel that there should be more focus points.
How about using the camera for moving subjects? I don’t think it was designed to be a sports camera. It can take 4 frames per second which I don’t think is very adequate. Although I’ve seen pictures from very talented photographers from DPReview take amazing pictures of birds in flight with this camera so it can be done. (Google “liquidstone pbase” and you will be amazed.)
While I love this camera and will use it for many years, I advice you to also read about the alternatives. I will list them below.
If you are a Canon user and have Canon lenses, another alternative is the 7D. The 7D is not a full frame camera but an APS-C (cropped sensor) camera. The 7D is superior to the 5D in terms of its autofocus system (faster frame rate, more sensitive AF points, and more AF points) and features (better LCD, bigger viewfinder, electronic grid, customizable buttons) but inferior to the 5D in terms of image quality and ISO performance.
If you are starting from scratch or if you are willing to switch, you also should consider the Nikon D700. As far as image quality and high ISO performance, I think both cameras are at par. Canon is superior in terms of having a higher resolution (21 vs 12 megapixels) and 1080p video. But Nikon is superior in terms of build quality, weather sealing, and autofocus system. The D700′s autofocus system is really more advanced than the 5D2′s. It has 51 AF points (15 of which are the more sensitive cross-type kind) and a frame rate of 5 FPS without the battery grip and 8 FPS with the grip.
So which should you buy, the D700 or the 5D Mark II? If you will use the camera mainly for sports, then you should definitely go for the D700. Otherwise, it’s a matter of preference. If you prefer a higher resolution camera with 1080p video, go for the 5D Mark II. If you prefer a more robust camera with excellent weather sealing and a pro-autofocus, then go for the D700.
5 Stars You will never want to put this camera down!
I shot 35mm film ages ago, but stopped when the cost of purchasing film and processing fees became prohibitive. I have been a photographer in one form or another for nearly 20 years. I decided that I definitely wanted to go digital, but was not happy with any of the cropped sensor bodies available at the time (early 2000′s). When the 1Ds and 5D models first became available, I drooled, but couldn’t justify the amount of money. So I waited. Along came the 5D Mark II (or as we say in the software industry, version 2.0) The price was lower than the original 5D and the quality and speed were even better then the now-three year old model. I saved my pennies and nickels for a while and finally purchased one!
From the moment I picked up the demonstrator model in the store, I knew this was the camera for me. Well balanced, large view-finder, and *gasp* video! I’m not much of a videographer, but seriously, taking HD clips with a prime lens on a full-frame sensor is just insane!
Pros:
- Low-light performance has to be seen to be believed. I’m sure you have heard the hype, but it’s not hype. You really can take reasonable pictures in much darker rooms than you ever thought possible.
- Well balanced in your hands
- Simple menu system that does not require an engineering degree to use.
- Image quality (IQ) that simply blows away everything else in its class.
- Price is actually reasonable for what you get; hundreds less than the competition.
- Video!
Cons:
- The IQ is _too_ good. You can actually tell the difference between pictures taken with “L” glass and those that were not.
- Frame rate isn’t great for sports. If this is your intended use, look at the 7D or 1D.
- Video limited in odd ways. Then again, this is a DSLR, not a camcorder.
In spite of what I just said about taking pictures with “L” glass, this camera is perfectly serviceable with regular lenses. Just realize that they are “consumer” grade and will have issues when shot wide open or when at the minimum or maximum of the zoom range. That said, the “nifty fifty” (50mm f/1.8) that sells for around $100 takes astonishingly good pictures.
If you’re just starting out, the lenses that I would recommend buying with this body are:
17-40mm f/4 L – Eye-popping landscapes. The 16-35mm f/2.8 L is a stop faster, but neither lens will see much indoor use as you would have to be mere inches away from your subject to fill the frame. The extra stop also doubles the price with little benefit in the scenarios that it is likely to be used. At 2.8 the faster lens is quite soft, and the image quality in general is not quite as good. Save your money and get the 17-40. You won’t be sorry!
24-70mm f/2.8 L – Fantastic walk-around lens. The 24-105mm f/4 that comes in the 5DMkII kit has more reach and is image stabilized, but I still prefer the speed of the 24-70. You can do more with it in lower light sitations.
70-200mm f/2.8 L – The IS version of this lens is silly expensive, but the standard version shares the same glass with its brother. For portraits and weddings, you cannot have a finer lens. The f/4 cousins are smaller and lighter. If you plan to shoot outdoors most of the time where there is sufficient light, then you should be fine with it. Indoors you will find yourself using a flash more often, even with the IS version of the f/4. The bokeh from the f/2.8 is noticeably better too.
50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 – The “L” version of this lens is f/1.2 and about $1k more. It’s soft at f/1.2 and shoots its best at f/1.4 and higher. The “L” glass _is_ better than its cheaper cousins, but is it really worth it? This is one of the rare cases where there is little need to buy the “L” version. Buy the f/1.4 for $350 or the f/1.8 for $100 and enjoy it.
5 Stars Finally a DSLR that perform as good as Film SLRs with long exposure
I used to own Nikon FM10 35mm film SLR, I enjoyed shooting long exposure shots at night in city areas, when I switched to DSLR, the first one was Canon EOS Rebel XT, I tried the same night long exposure and the photos always have lot of grainy red dots, no matter how much the ISO is low and different size aperture.
Then I bought Canon 40D, and I got the same problem, I even tried Nikon D90, the red dots were reduced, but still very noticeable. The exposure time was always less than 30 seconds, but the shooting was always in the city night, were there are always light pollution.
Finally I got the 5D Mark II, and I did few testing and the red dots were very minimal, my friend gave me a tip, to disable the long exposure comp in the camera, which is the opposite of what someone should do, but that did the trick, the shots looked much better and cleaner. This is truly an amazing sensor, that can match the 35mm film quality.
4 Stars game changer
If you’ve made it this far you’re basically looking for encouragement to buy this camera – not for actual information. I can offer encouragement.
I’ve been a working professional for my entire life and have spent fortunes on gear. I own a complete Hasselblad H3DII system and that system was so good I sold my entire backup Canon EOS 1Ds MkII system since it simply wasn’t good enough for ad campaigns. This camera still isn’t as good as the Hasselblad but it’s close – close enough that I use it a lot. The video function however puts it in another realm altogether. It’s got issues with sound but as I make my transition to moving images this camera is helping the process. The camera needs manual level controls for the audio and it needs firewire for shooting tethered – USB is so slow it’s worthless. Those are my complaints.
I consider it my Hasselblad point and shoot. Good enough for print work and cheap enough to replace when it get’s smashed. I did a two week off road motorcycle trip in Canada and the camera was dropped, mounted to the motorcycle, used in pouring rain and whipping dust storms – things I’d never do with the Hasselblad. It didn’t miss a beat.
4 Stars Fabulous camera when it works
This camera takes fabulous photos and HD videos. The 24 – 105mm f/4L IS USM lens in the kit version is also superb–probably the best all-around lens you can get for this camera. The lack of autofocus in video mode is a slight drawback, but the HD quality is astounding. The only drawback I’ve found is the lack of reliability: mine has conked out twice already and had to be sent to the Canon repair center! Don’t count on it as your only camera in a critical situation.
