My experience with a Canon 5d MII

[Woland65]

Agreef, ff has bette dof control. Part of the reason i want ff.

 

[qianp2k]

The large ff lenses (with large apertures that create short dof and large light intake leading to the low noise) is really why I want ff, so no point in complaining about that I guess

After thinking about it I think my big gripe with the 5D is the lack of a good live view mode (and to some extent the lack of a flip screen). I hadn't understood how dependent on that.

Actually 5D2 LV is very good. I think you just over-emphasize AF in LV.

I tried the 5D mkII live mode with manual focus. I guess it works, but it feels very crude.

DSLR shooters use OVF for AF. LV is usually for tripod work and many prefer use MF on tripod. The relative new 70D implements a much better PDAF thru dual-pixel technology in LV that is very good and close to mFT LV speed on still subjects although still lacking in tracking on moving subject. But we can expect Canon will continue improve dual-pixel technology and implement in their future cameras including FF cameras.

I would by the a7 for sure, if there were enough lenses available. I did that mistake with the nex. Not going there again. 5 years from now, sure.

Yes, lens is still the key factor, arguably more important than sensors' difference on the same format.

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[ovlov]

I'm a photojournalist and still use two 5D II bodies. Frankly, I do not want most of the features you state. A touch screen would be a PITA. I would like a flip-out screen, but almost no pro or mid-range camera incorporates them. The focusing points are just fine--I use the center point to focus and recompose 95% of the time anyway.

A real step up is the 5D III camera or the 1D line of pro bodies. The old 5D II is indeed getting a bit long in the tooth, but is still produces absolutely spectacular image quality under most shooting situations.

Is this from a movie?

 

[Rick Knepper]

but it can seem rudimentary when compared to features and functions on newer cameras. That could be true for the 5D3 in another 2-3 years. The 5D2 was a technological wonder compared to the 5D it replaced. The biggest complaint about the 5D2 when it was released was that it retained the super-basic AF system and relatively slow fps rate of the 5D.

Not sure the 6D will improve IQ much if at all but it has a better set of features. I recently replaced a 5D2 with a refurbed 6D and I am glad I did.

I have an olympus e-m5. This time of year all light in sweden is low light, so I have come to yearn for less noise, and also more DOF control. So a week ago I ordered a Canon 6D. At the same time I by chance got the opportunity to borrow a 5D M2. My experience so far surprises me.

The 5D MII is obviously a fantastic piece of equipment and professionals have shown what it can do in the right hands. No one can reasonably say that the 5D MII is anything less than a fantastic camera.

However, MY experience after a week with this camera has been very different. The camera feels like a relic from a past time. No flip out screen with perfectly working live view, no evf, no youch screen, focus points on only part of the image, etc. The 5D feels like a thick-TV without a remote, but with very good image quality. It is very inconvenient, mostly due to size/weight, no flip out screen, no evf, and no well working live mode.

So it seems I have to chose between user friendly or low noise+better DOF control. I am not sure I will bother to use the 5D in the long run.

Of course, many, many people do not agree with me at all. I have no problem with that, my experience is my own. But I have two questions:

I) The 5D MII is getting old. Do you think I will have a better experience with the 6D?

II) Is anyone else sharing my feelings of the 5D as a thick-TV without remote? A really inconvenient and old feeling camera? (With great image quality.) Am I the only one?

PS. I am an advanced amateur and, I guess, at least to some people a geek. I know a lot about camera technology and what my camera can do technically, but I am very far from having the creative skills of a professional photographer, nor do I have those ambitions.

 

[hotdog321]

Yes. I was shooting behind the scenes stuff of "Killing Mr. Right" for the Houston Chronicle. Using the 5DII and the new 24-70 f/2.8L II lens, which kicks bootie.

 

[Hans Kruse]

but it can seem rudimentary when compared to features and functions on newer cameras. That could be true for the 5D3 in another 2-3 years. The 5D2 was a technological wonder compared to the 5D it replaced. The biggest complaint about the 5D2 when it was released was that it retained the super-basic AF system and relatively slow fps rate of the 5D.

Not sure the 6D will improve IQ much if at all but it has a better set of features. I recently replaced a 5D2 with a refurbed 6D and I am glad I did.

The 6D has less shadow noise and has builtin WiFi and GPS which is nice, but other than that I'm not sure about advantages over the old 5D II.

I now see many coming with the 6D on workshops.

 

[papillon_65]

yes it's bigger and heavier, yes it's quite clunky old beast and yes it won't win any beauty contests. However, I love it. Ergonomically it's much nicer to use than the E-M5 for me, big dials and buttons work for me, as does a chunky grip. I also love the IQ, with the 24-105mm lens you can have most situations covered, no need to carry loads of lenses, I'm very happy with mine, it was the right choice for me.

 

[qianp2k]

but it can seem rudimentary when compared to features and functions on newer cameras. That could be true for the 5D3 in another 2-3 years. The 5D2 was a technological wonder compared to the 5D it replaced. The biggest complaint about the 5D2 when it was released was that it retained the super-basic AF system and relatively slow fps rate of the 5D.

Not sure the 6D will improve IQ much if at all but it has a better set of features. I recently replaced a 5D2 with a refurbed 6D and I am glad I did.

The 6D has less shadow noise and has builtin WiFi and GPS which is nice, but other than that I'm not sure about advantages over the old 5D II.

No mention 1/4000 vs 1/8000 shutter that maybe useful in rare occasions. Lacking of joystick and big dial wheel on 6D could be a concern to someone. But 6D also has a much more sensitive censer AF point in low light.

I now see many coming with the 6D on workshops.

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[Schwany]

I'm just saying