Canon 5D Mkii Upgrade

I’ve had my 5D Mkii for quite a few years as an active hobbyist and am considering upgrading it to another full frame Canon. I’d like to stay with the DSLR format as I’ve tried the RP and even tried two Fujifilm cameras. At 77 years of age, I’m not into touch screens or video. The 5D has served me well so I’d like something along the same style/format. What would be good candidates to consider for my still photography style?

Uncle Grinch said:

I’ve had my 5D Mkii for quite a few years as an active hobbyist and am considering upgrading it to another full frame Canon. I’d like to stay with the DSLR format as I’ve tried the RP and even tried two Fujifilm cameras. At 77 years of age, I’m not into touch screens or video. The 5D has served me well so I’d like something along the same style/format. What would be good candidates to consider for my still photography style?

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Assuming that you want to stay with full frame, obvious candidates would be 6D ii (or 6D) or 5D iv (or 5D iii) - depends on budget. Another option if higher resolution is desirable might be 5DsR.

I would imagine that a 6D ii would be a decent upgrade to a 5D ii and a bit smaller and lighter. It has the same sensor as the RP you tried but obviously the DSLR body.

If you wanted something significantly smaller and lighter with better IQ and far better AF, speed, frame rate etc a R8 might be an option. It is similar in format to RP but a decent upgrade. It has enough controls so that the touch screen is used mostly for menu settings. The downside is that to maximise the size & weight advantage, you really need to use RF lenses rather than adapted EF lenses. R8 + RF 24-105L f4 is a formidable combo for general use, and RF 24-105 STM is even smaller/lighter.

10 years ago I upgraded my 5D II to a 5D IV. The improvement in resolution was striking. It has a better processor (Digic 6 verses Digic 4), 32 megapixels verses 21, and a Live View screen. It's auto focus is greatly improved, especially when you use Live View and just touch the area that you want to focus on. It is an excellent sturdy (like the 5d II) workhorse I am sure you would love.

Uncle Grinch said:

I’d like to stay with the DSLR format as I’ve tried the RP and even tried two Fujifilm cameras. At 77 years of age, I’m not into touch screens or video.

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For zooming into details of interiors of buildings, various landscapes on a computer screen : a 50MP 5Ds. Whilst still keeping 5Dmk2 for the rich images it's capable of.

Been considering the 5D Mkiv, but the cost is a little out of my budget. While shopping I looked at a nice 90D APS-C body and liked the feel of it. I realize it’s not exactly what I’m looking for , but I don’t think my goals are realistic.

If you can stretch the budget, the 5DIV is fantastic and one of Canon's best DSLRs ever. It will be a noticeable upgrade in all areas. Better autofocus, faster shooting, better high ISO, significantly more dynamic range, more resolution, better screen. Basically everything measurable will be a step up.

If the price of the IV is out of reach, the 5DIII is a nice upgrade over the II mainly for the autofocus and shooting speed. It basically uses the 1Dx AF system. The sensor is not a huge improvement over the 5DII. A bit better at high ISO than the II, but was still the generation before Canon made big strides in dynamic range (5DIV).

In between the 5DIII and IV (price wise) sits the 6DII. Honestly if you don't use touch screens or live view I'd probably skip this one and get a 5DIII instead. Image quality is similar, but the 6DII has a lesser AF system and few other missing features. The build quality might feel a bit "plasticky" compared to your current camera, if that stuff matters to you. The 5D and 7D series are built more tank-like than the 6 series.

The 90D you mentioned is an APS-C camera. Sounds like you're after a full frame model?

You didn't mention any specific improvements you're looking for compared to your 5DII? That may help some of the suggestions.

The only significant upgrades are the 5D IV or 5DSR. You won't notice much of a difference going from the 5D II to the 6D, 6D II, or 5D III.

I upgraded from the 5D II to the 5DSR five years ago, and just added the 90D last year. The 90D is fine as my second camera for sports, and despite the 90D's touchscreen, using the 5DSR is far more user friendly.

For typical use when you fill the frame of the 5DSR it's 50MP is superior to the 32MP of the APS-C. When switching to APS-C the lenses you have all shift in the view you are used to. You will also have to add a wider lens to get the field of view of your widest lens. Transitions are far smoother with the 5DSR as well.

The 90D will deliver more detail than the 5D II/III/IV, 6D/II, but high ISO quality will decrease, and getting used to the crop factor for regular shooting would be challenging. It would however make an awesome addition to your 5D II for high speed telephoto photography though. The crop factor, 10 fps, and 32MP, deliver great results for sports, birds, wildlife, and quickly moving grandkids!

I have amazing 24" x 36" prints from the 5D II. It is still a very capable camera, so perhaps adding a 90D for all the above reasons could be very useful for you.

John Crowe said:

The only significant upgrades are the 5D IV or 5DSR. You won't notice much of a difference going from the 5D II to the 6D, 6D II, or 5D III.

I upgraded from the 5D II to the 5DSR five years ago, and just added the 90D last year. The 90D is fine as my second camera for sports, and despite the 90D's touchscreen, using the 5DSR is far more user friendly.

For typical use when you fill the frame of the 5DSR it's 50MP is superior to the 32MP of the APS-C. When switching to APS-C the lenses you have all shift in the view you are used to. You will also have to add a wider lens to get the field of view of your widest lens. Transitions are far smoother with the 5DSR as well.

The 90D will deliver more detail than the 5D II/III/IV, 6D/II, but high ISO quality will decrease, and getting used to the crop factor for regular shooting would be challenging. It would however make an awesome addition to your 5D II for high speed telephoto photography though. The crop factor, 10 fps, and 32MP, deliver great results for sports, birds, wildlife, and quickly moving grandkids!

I have amazing 24" x 36" prints from the 5D II. It is still a very capable camera, so perhaps adding a 90D for all the above reasons could be very useful for you.

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John, your suggestions seem to really fit my bill. Keeping my Mkii and adding the 5DSR or the 90D seems like the best choice for me. The 5DSR is a little stretch budget wise, but is probably my best choice. I have been struggling over this decision for some time and need to make it happen. Thank you for your insight!

Uncle Grinch said:

I’ve had my 5D Mkii for quite a few years as an active hobbyist and am considering upgrading it to another full frame Canon. I’d like to stay with the DSLR format as I’ve tried the RP and even tried two Fujifilm cameras. At 77 years of age, I’m not into touch screens or video. The 5D has served me well so I’d like something along the same style/format. What would be good candidates to consider for my still photography style?

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Years ago I had some cash burning a hole in my pocket and decided on 'upgrading' from a 5D2 to a 5D4.

Personally because of size+weight+added complexity I tend to use the 5D2 while the 5D4 stays stashed.

While I understand the desire to 'add to' your hobby, maybe look into other directions? (IE: portable light stands & flash units, different image processing software, different print methods)

Just a thought.

The camera that you already have takes the prize for color accuracy when compared to newer Canons. I instigated a high quality color profile for the 5D Mk II in the RawTherapee post processor.

But the 5d Mk IV does have automatic fine tuning for focus. I could not get manual fine tuning to work.

Consider exploring the refurbished markets. Canon has one. Google Canon refurbished cameras. B&H Photo and other websites also sell refurbished DSLRs.