5D Mark II: My first light -- nature and landscape

Hi all,

After having waited since October, I received my 5D Mark II two days ago, and I gave it my first light last night.

These shots were taken especially in low light to try and give the autofocus and high ISO performance a run for its money in trying conditions. I am very, very impressed. The aim was to present the images as they came out of the camera; as a result these images have had little to no processing done on them. The first image was shot with the 17-40mm f/4L, the next five were shot using the 200mm f/2.8L II USM, and the last two were shot using the 17-40mm f/4L.

Something to keep in mind is that except for the last, the rest of these images were taken handheld as I forgot to bring my quick release plate.

I even managed to make use of the HD video capabilities using the 17-40mm f/4L. I put my camera on my friend's tripod (took the last image) and then just turned the video feature on. Just as I did, a swan decided to paddle past, and then a second one. It was just wonderful!

Oh, also, no black dot problems; the camera has the stock 1.0.6 firmware installed.

1/250s f/8 at 40.0mm iso200



1/160s f/4.0 at 200.0mm iso800



1/160s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso2000



1/100s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso3200



1/160s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso1000



1/160s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso2500



1/20s f/4.0 at 17.0mm iso1250



20s f/11.0 at 40.0mm iso100



This has been a tremendous joy handling and using this camera. I've come from a 300D (bought when first released), upgraded to a 350D, then a 40D (modified for astrophotography) and now this. I am going to appreciate full frame imaging so much more than I could have imagined, especially now that I can make full use of my modest, but growing, collection of L-series glass.

I would appreciate comments and critique to assist me in becoming a better photographer, bearing in mind that these have specifically not been post-processed. I will leave that for another day when I'm not so tired and itching from all the mosquito bites I received tonight!

Regards,
Humayun

I like the bottom one the best. It's amazing how just one tiny compositional element can make a photo work ie; the moon. What ISO are these?

can you explain the posterizing in this shot though? I guess its due to the jpg encoder?!?



this shot doesn't have it, although it contains approximately the same color gradient



finally... the large amount of noise around the black areas of the branches on top here, why is it there? I guess that is a bad artifact by ACR or whatever RAW converter you used....

Are you sure you shot at f2,8 the below shot ?? The sensor looks rather dirty, something that can happend even with a new body sporting an anti dust device, but doesn't show off so clearly when shooting wide open.

1/100s f/2.8 at 200.0mm iso3200



--
Ludo from Paris
Tankers of tools, thimbles of talent
BestOf http://ludo.smugmug.com/gallery/1158249

I really liked your first shot and the last two especially. I'm planning on getting the 5D2 also and now after seeing how great the 17-40mm F4 L looks I'll probably get that lens as well. Actually do you recall what your wide angle was set to for the first and last two shots?

I actually was originally thinking of getting the 24-70mm F2.8 L had you considered that one? Unfortunately I only have enough money for one or the other.

f64manray,

Thanks for the comment!

The ISO that these were taken is written above the image.

But, if you were wondering about the last image, it was shot at ISO-100.

Regards,
Humayun

Randfee,

Thanks for the comments!

The posterising could probably be explained by the fact that I was probably a bit overzealous in my use of the graduated filter in Lightroom. Looking back on it now (I did these in the wee hours of the morning) it does look pretty bad, and will make attempts to fix it.

The noise in the branches, could it be explained because of the use of ISO-1000? If not, there must be something wrong in the conversion process. I will try DPP, as well.

These were imported directly into Lightroom. If you can give me any assistance in this area, I'd appreciate it. Hopefully it's just the high ISO that's caused it.

Regards,
Humayun

Ludovic,

Thanks for your reply.

I can explain the dust for you! I had been to the zoo just a couple of days ago on a hot and windy day, and was shooting with that lens the entire time. Silly me has forgotten to clean the front element!

The EXIF info has been copied and pasted from the image as displayed on pbase.com, so, I'm pretty sure it is correct. Also, it was getting dark so I opened it wide up.

Thanks, again!

Regards,
Humayun

videofame,

The focal lengths are written above each of the images.

The first was 17mm, the second last was 40mm, and the last was 17mm.

I did consider the 24-70L, but, I opted for the 24-105L, simply because of the greater focal range, and, I suppose, the price!

Thanks!

Regards,
Humayun

hmm i actually see a little more posterization on the one you say doesn't have it

it might be a monitor issue and what needed to be done to calibrate each of our particular monitors combined with maybe some 8bit editing or jpg issues

and i don't see any noise out of the ordinary on the last one

and more... The shots you've posted employ 1% of what your camera (and sensor especially) can do.

I disagree. Some of the shots are very nice as they are, and I doubt more knowledge of his sensor would have changed anything ... certainly not made a 99% improvement as you insinuate.

That being said, we should ALL practice more and more.

--
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Photo gallery at: http://www.fotophoto.net/

Doh! I'm an idiot. I didn't notice that. The high ISO images on the others are looking really clean. That's encouraging.

octane2 said:

f64manray,

Thanks for the comment!

The ISO that these were taken is written above the image.

But, if you were wondering about the last image, it was shot at ISO-100.

Regards,
Humayun

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