5D Mark II

[DVC Jen]

Yes! I have had it since Dec 20th. I love love love love love it.

Here is a recent photo taken at ISO 6400 - no flash ( of course).

Only post work done was some very mild sharpening and a slight crop.

Did I say I love this camera?

 

[jann1033]

Yes! I have had it since Dec 20th. I love love love love love it.

Here is a recent photo taken at ISO 6400 - no flash ( of course).

Only post work done was some very mild sharpening and a slight crop.

Did I say I love this camera?

love this one Jen!!!! the mix of textures is fantastic you need to pull back on the talent there little missy, you are making the rest of us look bad

 

[manning]

I vowed to not get anymore cameras much less a DSLR (only because I got tired of carrying lens and accessories around).

I am now considering looking at this camera only because it is:

full 35mm format
I have a huge collection of EF lenses
HD movies

Canon is doing a good job of getting me to part with my money.

Thanks for the photo. Got anymore?

 

[t1gger1968]

I just purchased a 5D Mark II along with the Canon 24-70 lens and the 580EX flash, and was wondering if anyone here has one? I have been using the Canon XTi for the last 2 1/2 years or so, and decided to upgrade to a full frame camera. Wonder how the transition will be? It should be here on Wednesday and I can't wait to play with it. Also, what camera bag would you recommend for trips such as to WDW?

 

[DVC Jen]

I got mine in December and LOVE IT!

The low noise at high ISO is amazing. Full frame is really nice. I can crop so much and still have a usable image.

I have yet to find something about this camera that I do not like.

I shoot in raw and do not use the full raw size the camera is capable of - just no point for me. I shoot in Sraw1.

Make sure you do the firmware update so you do not have to deal with the black dot or banding issues.

Here is a link - http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html

 

[edolyne]

After a ton of debating I just traded my entire Alpha kit in at Adorama yesterday and got their last 5D Mark II kit. Afterwards we took a drive up to Orange County Choppers and got to play around a little bit with the camera. I haven't downloaded the pictures yet but from my first impression of the camera I am incredibly impressed. I used it in the mixed lighting conditions in the show room and had great results and then I tried out the video settings in the shop viewing area. When I have a chance I will post up some pictures. I have to say this camera is such a huge step forward, did I mention that the viewfinder is huge.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I bought one last year. I'm lukewarm about it. The image quality is wonderful. The video quality is wonderful. The body is so-so and the manual video controls is weak.

 

[jann1033]

After a ton of debating I just traded my entire Alpha kit in at Adorama yesterday and got their last 5D Mark II kit. Afterwards we took a drive up to Orange County Choppers and got to play around a little bit with the camera. I haven't downloaded the pictures yet but from my first impression of the camera I am incredibly impressed. I used it in the mixed lighting conditions in the show room and had great results and then I tried out the video settings in the shop viewing area. When I have a chance I will post up some pictures. I have to say this camera is such a huge step forward, did I mention that the viewfinder is huge.

sorry way ot but what made you trade in the sony...my hand shakes are getting worse and i can't really afford the canon is lenses ( i mean the ones i want ) so i am debating( well mildly thinking about at least) selling my canon stuff and getting something with is in the body and the sony looked better for what i want than the pentex..you can pm me if you don't want to add to the ot on this thread

 

[jann1033]

I just purchased a 5D Mark II along with the Canon 24-70 lens and the 580EX flash, and was wondering if anyone here has one? I have been using the Canon XTi for the last 2 1/2 years or so, and decided to upgrade to a full frame camera. Wonder how the transition will be? It should be here on Wednesday and I can't wait to play with it. Also, what camera bag would you recommend for trips such as to WDW?

what made you decide to skip the d series?i need a new body( xt, not gonna last forever ) but really don't know what direction to go

 

[jann1033]

I bought one last year. I'm lukewarm about it. The image quality is wonderful. The video quality is wonderful. The body is so-so and the manual video controls is weak.

what don't you like about it mark? anything particular or just not comfortable for you

 

[MarkBarbieri]

what don't you like about it mark? anything particular or just not comfortable for you

I don't like the controls on it. I've grown accustomed to the 1 series controls (which took some getting used to) and now I don't like going back. I find the 1 series controls more efficient once I got used to them.

I also hate the lack of a portrait grip. I'll fix that with an add-on grip. It's just more money.

Finally, I'm concerned about the lack of weather sealing. I never had a problem with my D60 or 10D, so maybe I'm worried about nothing. I've just been seeing reports of camera failure from moisture and it makes me nervous. I'm notoriously hard on my gear, so if it is breakable, I'll probably break it.

Overall, it really is a great camera. It's just an adjustment for me. I made a significant step forward in IQ with it, but it is a significant step backwards in other ways from my other camera. When I spend $3,500 for something, I feel entitled to whine a little.

Oh, and I'm not terribly thrilled with the 24-105 f/4 IS lens either. It's nice, but I like the 24-70 f/2.8 much better. For that focal range, I much more often find myself wanting a wider aperture than I do IS. And the IS on the lens doesn't have a panning mode.

 

[edolyne]

As far as build quality is concerned I am coming from an a700 and am very pleased with the build and quality feel of this camera. It is much much better than my Sony, however after looking at my friends 1D series camera I understand where Mark is coming from. However for those of us who only have brief or no experience with a 1D series camera I really think you will see the new 5D as a very robust camera.

 

[yeldarb]

Also, what camera bag would you recommend for trips such as to WDW?

I got my 5Dm2 back in December, and am just now finally getting used to it. For many years I shot 35mm and used Canon products almost exclusively, so I'm familiar with the controls, but there's just so MUCH here on the 5Dm2.

I agree with the other person who posted about concern for weather resistance, but... to be fair, it's got pretty good dust/water protection seals, etc... and if one wants true weatherproofing, they have to spend on the 1-series.

Oddly, the only thing I've really been frustrated by with this camera is the lack of a semi-hard case from Canon. I've always relied heavily on those cases with my SLRs. I've tried out a few 3rd party bags from Lowepro, ThinkTank, Tamrac and Zing, but have not been satisfied with any of them. I kept the Lowepro Rezo 170AW since it was the least-bad.

For use in a theme park, these bags all seem too big. How do people handle taking big DSLRs on the rides? Do cast members even let you? I wouldn't want to leave an expensive camera in a locker (and anyway, that rather defeats the purpose of taking it...) I will not have much extra "gear" for this trip, not planning to take extra lenses or flash or anything but a spare battery and CF cards. So I hardly need a big "bag" at all... but I've not found anything suitable that's like an OEM semi-hard case. The neoprene "glove" type things I find worthless. Little protection, but lots of hassle to operate the camera.

I'm interested in hearing what strategies others have followed when taking big DSLRs into the park. Problems on specific rides, etc. How do you keep it dry on "wet" rides? Do you even try to take out the camera on rides (I've read that taking photos ON the rides is actually forbidden anyway.)

For the waterparks, I will have my waterproof Olympus point-and-shoot, which will be fine (I'll leave the DSLR back at the hotel that day).

 

[DVC Jen]

i've never had an issue with taking my dslr on any rides at WDW. As far as the water rides - I either keep the camera in my lowepro slingshot bag and put the water protecting cover over it - or i slip the camera into a plastic bag for the wet portion of the ride. So far so good.

 

[yeldarb]

Which SlingShot do you have? I tried the 300AW and it was too big overall, yet the 200AW just barely had room for the DSLR and lens, depth-wise.

I did like the sling concept tho. Backpacks are much more comfortable than shoulder bags and with the sling they've resolved the issue of quick accessibility.

Glad to hear that the weather cover did the trick on the wet rides. My Rezo has a weather cover, too. I WILL use it if I take the camera on a water ride... I just wondered if I shouldn't aslo take a ziplock or somthing to put the camera in inside the back (temporarily.. just for the water ride).

Am I to understand that cast members don't bother you about taking a BAG onto the rides? This is my first time back to WDW in 30 years, but at other parks the ride operators have been strict about not letting bags of any sort onto the rides, people with backpacks etc have to put them in the little cubby at the ride-unload location. Obviously I wouldn't do this with a camera bag.

 

[annnewjerz]

Which SlingShot do you have? I tried the 300AW and it was too big overall, yet the 200AW just barely had room for the DSLR and lens, depth-wise.

I did like the sling concept tho. Backpacks are much more comfortable than shoulder bags and with the sling they've resolved the issue of quick accessibility.

Glad to hear that the weather cover did the trick on the wet rides. My Rezo has a weather cover, too. I WILL use it if I take the camera on a water ride... I just wondered if I shouldn't aslo take a ziplock or somthing to put the camera in inside the back (temporarily.. just for the water ride).

Am I to understand that cast members don't bother you about taking a BAG onto the rides? This is my first time back to WDW in 30 years, but at other parks the ride operators have been strict about not letting bags of any sort onto the rides, people with backpacks etc have to put them in the little cubby at the ride-unload location. Obviously I wouldn't do this with a camera bag.

There are lots of people (and lots of threads) that pose the same question about what to do with your bag and the general concensus is that you can take your bag on any ride with you---from Tower of Terror to Splash Mountain to Carousel of Progress, you shouldn't have a problem. In addition---I could be wrong, but I don't think that there are any rides in WDW that prohibit photography, however there are quite a few that prohibit flash photography. Lots of people keep their cameras out on more tame rides and more thrill rides like the roller coasters and get some really neat shots.

Hope this information helps and like I said, there seems to be a wealth of threads like this (at least 2 from the past month or two) so if you do a little poking around I'm sure you can get more people's experiences on this.

 

[pointandshoot]

I could be wrong, but I don't think that there are any rides in WDW that prohibit photography, however there are quite a few that prohibit flash photography. Lots of people keep their cameras out on more tame rides and more thrill rides like the roller coasters and get some really neat shots.

I could be wrong, but I think only Rock'n Rollercoaster prohibits ride photography. I had a friend stopped from pulling out his camera in the car.

I have a question. Does anyone have any experience with noise on high ISO with the Canon 5D Mark II as oppose to Nikon D700 or other Canon bodies like the 40D or 50D. I own both a Nikon and Canon systems and looking to move into full frame sensor. Just wondering how superior folks are finding the noise reduction. I read the reviews and stuff but interested to what you have seen in the field.

Chuck

 

[yeldarb]

Does anyone have any experience with noise on high ISO with the Canon 5D Mark II as oppose to Nikon D700 or other Canon bodies like the 40D or 50D. I own both a Nikon and Canon systems and looking to move into full frame sensor. Just wondering how superior folks are finding the noise reduction. I read the reviews and stuff but interested to what you have seen in the field.
Chuck

I have been absolutely astounded with the low-light capabilities. I bought a new speedlite 580exII but am actually afraid I'm hardly ever going to use it! I love shooting existing-light anyway and this is certainly the camera to do it.

 

[annnewjerz]

I could be wrong, but I think only Rock'n Rollercoaster prohibits ride photography. I had a friend stopped from pulling out his camera in the car.

I have a question. Does anyone have any experience with noise on high ISO with the Canon 5D Mark II as oppose to Nikon D700 or other Canon bodies like the 40D or 50D. I own both a Nikon and Canon systems and looking to move into full frame sensor. Just wondering how superior folks are finding the noise reduction. I read the reviews and stuff but interested to what you have seen in the field.

Chuck

Hmmmm...you may be right about RNR although I looked up the ride restrictions online and things like PotC list "No Flash Photography" on the WDW attraction website, but RNR doesn't list any sort of photography or video restrictions on the site. I've only been on once so... I could have swore someone posted their attempt at a photo on the ride recently.

If anyone can manage to get a photo while riding or even wants to brave the possibility of having their camera permanently stuck to their face because of the G-Force, I think they deserve to take one

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I could be wrong, but I think only Rock'n Rollercoaster prohibits ride photography. I had a friend stopped from pulling out his camera in the car.

I have a question. Does anyone have any experience with noise on high ISO with the Canon 5D Mark II as oppose to Nikon D700 or other Canon bodies like the 40D or 50D. I own both a Nikon and Canon systems and looking to move into full frame sensor. Just wondering how superior folks are finding the noise reduction. I read the reviews and stuff but interested to what you have seen in the field.

Chuck

I've got a 5DM2 and a friend with a D3. We haven't done a formal comparison, but just looking at our pictures I'd say that the D3 is a notch better in high ISO performance. I think the same would hold true for the D700. That makes sense as there is usually a tradeoff between resolution and noise. It might be true that a 5DM2 shot taken in SRAW or reduced to 12mp has noise characteristics similar to a D3, but I'm guessing that the D3 would still have a slight edge.

If I had no other brand loyalty or lens preference, I would probably opt for the D700 if high ISO shooting was a higher priority for me than high resolution shooting. It's probably the choice that I would have made, but I'm heavily invested in Canon gear and prefer some other characteristics of Canon.