5D Mark II

[orchjoe]

Here is the press release

Here is some info from gizmodo:

Hard and fast camera specs and features
•14-bit conversion
•3.9FPS unlimited burst rate with JPEG using UDMA CF card, or 14 RAW (standard CF card is 78 JPEG, 13 RAW
•Four-channel readout that's 2.2x faster than the 5D
•Lens peripheral illumination correction, like 50D, but better supposedly
•Creative auto mode, also like 50D
•Three levels of noise reduction kicks in above 800
•RAW, sRAW1 (10MP), sRAW2 (5MP)
•Three-inch, 920,00 dot-screen
•New and improved battery (incompatible with old one) that delivers 850 shots or 1.5 hours of video
•100,000 cycle shutter
•Magnesium alloy body
•NO built-in flash BTW

It'll be $2700 for the body or $3500 with the 24-105mm kit lens, out in November.

 

[MassJester]

Looks like quite a camera. 21mp too--sheesh. I'm very interested at the high ISO expansion, and what sort of image quality results.

Of course, I'm not running out to buy one today--but it sure is an interesting camera.

 

[bob100]

•NO built-in flash BTW
It'll be $2700 for the body or $3500 with the 24-105mm kit lens, out in November.

No built-in flash? $3,500 ?
this might not make it on my Christmas list

 

[handicap18]

No built-in flash? $3,500 ?
this might not make it on my Christmas list

Non of the big ticket dSLR's have the built-in flash. (Nikon D3, Nikon D1 and D2 series, Canon 5D, Canon 1D series and I believe the Sony A900).

There was a time (for a very long time) when there were no SLR's built with internal popup flashes.

 

[MassJester]

No built-in flash? $3,500 ?
this might not make it on my Christmas list

A built in flash has limited value--particularly with the "kit" lense they are quoting. The built in flash is at such a low angle that the lense casts a shadow.

 

[handicap18]

The full-frame, 21-megapixel DSLR is the first to shoot full HD video... About video: It's 1920x1080 resolution at 30fps—so 1080p/30 by most definitions—for up to 12 minutes of continuous recording, or up to 24 minutes shooting SD on a 4GB memory card. Yep, you've got a mini HDMI out port to plug it directly into your HDTV. Output is MPEG-4 with CD-grade audio (16-bit PCM at 44KHz), and unlike the D90, Canon records sound in stereo. Since the SLR mirror flips up to record video (really, the live view feed), you aren't able to lock the focus, but live view has three different focus modes: quick, contrast detection (aka live), or face live detection.

Looks like the battle of the dSLR video have become serious. Face it folks... its here to stay, like it or not.

 

[Furgus]

The D700, which is similar in price, has a built in flash. Not so much to use all the time, but in order to be a flash commander it is required.

 

[DVC Jen]

the video is the only thing I am not crazy about with this camera. I have been waiting for this - and will more than likely be getting it around christmas time.

The ability to shoot in different raw settings to lower the pixel count is very appealing to me. I never need 21 megapixels. When I saw that I was thinking about the 50D instead - but then I kept reading and saw the ability to lower that. I fill up CF cards fast enough with my 8 megapixel 30D.

 

[Master Mason]

The D700, which is similar in price, has a built in flash. Not so much to use all the time, but in order to be a flash commander it is required.

They make hotshoe triggers for that. I have only used the on camera flash on my 40D a couple of times, and that was only because I was being lazy about pulling out the flash unit.


And Kyle, I agree, the video thing is here to stay unfortunately.

 

[Gdad]

Looks like a nice camera for the Canon folks though- hopefully they will be in plentiful supply soon.

I find the introduction of video in this model interesting- it seems like Canon views this feature as something that will sell more in the professional arena as evident in their leaving it off the 50D but including it on the new 5D. Nikon took almost the exact opposite view and included it on their consumer level D90 but left it off the higher end D700. Ultimately I expect now it will migrate up and down each respective manufacturers line- as Kyle pointed out it seems here to stay.

AND I would like to be the first to officially point out this camera does not have in-body image stabilization.

 

[Golf4food]

AND I would like to be the first to officially point out this camera does not have in-body image stabilization.

Haha. Why should it? They can stiff you for more money on more expensive IS lenses that way.

 

[squee!! disney!!]

i have to say, i'm VERY excited about the 5D mark ii. i currently shoot everything with the original 5D but i'm excited to see this one have so many features that will be useful professionally and when i'm just shooting for personal stuff. i like the abililty to choose what quality raw image you want. sometimes i just want to shoot raw without the large file size!!

so yay!!

i'll probably get this sometime next summer...gotta start saving up that money!

 

[Anewman]

Haha. Why should it? They can stiff you for more money on more expensive IS lenses that way.

Well yes and no...

Some Canon pro caliber IS lenses cost LESS THAN some comparable pro caliber lenses from Sony that dont have IS built in.

 

[Gdad]

I wonder if IS or VR even works in video mode- anyone know? Another interesting question for in body vs. in lens stabilization is if/when Sony or Pentax offers up a model that has video. Will that IS system work on video?

 

[boBQuincy]

A built in flash has limited value--particularly with the "kit" lense they are quoting. The built in flash is at such a low angle that the lense casts a shadow.

Yes and no. Without the lens hood the built-in flash works ok, with the hood we will get a nice semi-circular dark area at the bottom of the image at most distances. I now remember to remove the hood for flash photos.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I pre-ordered one.

Video will be standard on all DSLRs in the very near future. It was inevitable after LiveView was added. The plumbing is essentially there, so the cost of adding video capture is pretty trivial after that. It might actually be a very useful feature for budget film makers as it will give them control over DOF. I may use it as a secondary video camera during some video shoots, but it probably won't get much use.

I was considering getting 5DM2 and a 50D, but I think I'm going to stick with just the 5DM2. The resolution is high enough that I don't feel a big need for a 1.6x camera. I can get by with post-production crops.

I would have like a built in flash controller but I'd much rather have no flash than a non-controller built-in flash.

 

[DizzyV6P]

Do you see all the 5D owners on the Canon forums putting their 5D's up for sale already? LOL. It's amazing. Run do not walk to your nearest forum for sale thread or ebay.

For those unfamiliar with the advantages of a full frame, well...its amazing if you do landscape type work. For sports? Not as much, that's the 50D or 40D for you.

Ken Rockwell, the critic everyone loves to hate has some good words for the 5D MkII
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/5d-mk-ii.htm

 

[orchjoe]

Here is another article from gizmodo. They had a hands on the Mark II.

 

[proteus]

Funny, I posted a few months ago about the Nikon SLR and thought it would take 3-5 years before professional high def camcorders and cameras converged. Already now the new Canon is coming out and it has taken a giant step in that direction.

"It's the cost that makes it a revolution, and a boon for indie filmmakers. With $25,000 worth of SLR lenses, Laforet and his small crew were able to perform comparably to what would take at least several hundred thousand dollars worth of motion picture camera lenses."

"Here is the story behind the short video that I produced with what I believe to be a “game changer”of a camera for the following reasons:

1. The 5D MKII camera produces the best stills in low light that I’ve ever seen - what you can see with you eye in the worst light (such as sodium-vapor street lights at 3 a.m. in Brooklyn) - this camera can capture it with ease.

2. It produces the best video in low light that I’ve ever seen - at 1080p. A top commercial film editor who who regularly edits RED camera footage - and has seen the raw footage from the 5D MKII - says the 5D MKII is “far superior to the RED camera” in terms of low light performance…

3. You can use your prime and zoom lenses from your Canon still cameras with it - and shoot wide open… so you can shoot films with fisheye lenses, 50mm 1.2 as well as the 200mm f2 or 400mm 2.8 that you may already own…

4. This camera is so easy to use - that you can work incredibly quickly, mostly handheld - without a huge production - and using natural light - ergo you don’t need a huge budget and tons of preparation anymore… forget the lighting trucks and generators that take up entire city blocks…

5. This camera will sell for approx. $2,700 - and perform better than many $100K plus video cameras out there…

6. Photojournalists in particular - will be able to take full advantage of this camera’s strengths - because they are used to walking into any room, and finding the best natural “available light” in the room - or knowing how to add a single light source to make it pop… they are used to working quickly and with small or no budgets… which is something this camera is begging you to do…

It has the potential to change our industry."

Amazing...the next time I upgrade I'm getting one of these, will probably cost 1/2 the price in 2 years.

 

[DVC Jen]

I am getting one in December - or as soon as I can. Can't wait!