Bought my 5D MKii fro Sitex...

[shahrulesa]

GUys, can we ust let him enjoy his toy in peace.

Enjoy shooting with it my friend.

I myself got my 400D when it first came out and the price dropped soon after, but because i bought it when I did, i managed to capture some of the photos that I would otherwise missed. the few hundred bucks was worth it.

Also, the stocks for 5DII are still limited, some retailers might give you quote you a good price but when you're there ready to pay, they might have sold out.

 

[heheapa]

GUys, can we ust let him enjoy his toy in peace.

Enjoy shooting with it my friend.

I myself got my 400D when it first came out and the price dropped soon after, but because i bought it when I did, i managed to capture some of the photos that I would otherwise missed. the few hundred bucks was worth it.

Also, the stocks for 5DII are still limited, some retailers might give you quote you a good price but when you're there ready to pay, they might have sold out.

Agree. Don't regret for your purchase. It's far better than those got the car just 1 week before the COE dropped to $2.

 

[sprewell]

thanks peeps.

don't worry i'm not at all upset about other people remarks.

my pics review are almost done. will upload soon.

 

[antonioshabirto]

thanks peeps.

don't worry i'm not at all upset about other people remarks.

my pics review are almost done. will upload soon.

ya true. treat is as donating to charity :lovegrin:

 

[sprewell]

Alright, since i'm at it, here's a general review of the camera:

Megapixel: Each 21mp raw generates a 30mb file. For professional work, i strongly recommend using at least an 8GB card which will yield a healthy 285 raw shots.


Ergonomics: The overhandling, touch and feel is exactly the same as a 40D. However, the camera is signficantly heavier than a 40D. Users of 2470 and 70200 take note. Attaching it to the grip and a 580exii will kill your arms. The buttons are neatly arranged to the left side of the LCD, unlike the 40D. If you ask me, i would very much prefer the 5d2's button arrangement.


User menu: The menu interface is similar to the 50D. However, the operations (how you configure etc) remain the same as the 40D, 450D and 1D(s) MK3.


Battery life: Its still too early to conclude. Then again, there was never once during my shoots that my canon batt ran flat. kudos to Canon.


24-105L: There were reports saying that this is a new and improved make. However, i do not find much significant difference as of yet. Will compare images taken with my former 24-105 lens in my advance review.


New stuff: This camera confirm not 100% weather sealed. Right beneath the '5D' logo is three little holes for sound recording. Be sure to stay away from rainy weather whenever unnecessary.


Video: Seriously the video menu and handling is confusing. When you activate the video mode (press set), live view becomes active. Pressing the set button for the second time will start recording. Once you are done recording, press the set button to stop recording. It then stays at live view mode. I had to go to menu, disable video in order to stop. (ok this was during my first attempt in shooting video, the user menu help clarified a lot of stuff)

If you ever purchase a 5D2, please read the user menu for a proper explanation. Having said that, i foresee quite a number of new 5D2 users posting threads here on how to use the video part. READ THE MANUAL. It's enough.


AOB: The shutter sound is really bad. Not that i'm a fussy user but since i'm giving a review here, i'd like to say that the shutter leaves the impression of a not-solid sound like those of a Nikon D3, D700 and D2Xs or the 1Ds. Having said that, not other complaints about this excellent camera. This camera is indeed for the serious hobbyists and definitely the minimum standard for a professional Canon photographer for all purposes. My main works are inside a studio (fashion, portraits, location and products) so the high ISO capability does not affect me much.

So why do i buy this camera if i do not need the high ISO? The 21mp lor (lol)

I can't say much for the jpeg shooters but this camera is memory hungry (Each raw is 30mb) for the concerned raw shooters. For a wedding job, i would think you will need at least three 8gb cards to be safe. Also, writing speed is ok for normal product shoots(on a EX3 or 133x). However, i strongly recommend getting the UDMA cards to max out the performance of this camera. For the video recording, it is obvious that the card (133x) could not catch up with the recording. After i paused the video recording, it pauses for a few seconds to complete the recording.

I have yet to test it with UDMA cards but i would like to think that this problem would be resolved.


Picture tests coming up...

 

[antonioshabirto]

Alright, since i'm at it, here's a general review of the camera:

Megapixel: Each 21mp raw generates a 30mb file. For professional work, i strongly recommend using at least an 8GB card which will yield a healthy 285 raw shots.


Ergonomics: The overhandling, touch and feel is exactly the same as a 40D. However, the camera is signficantly heavier than a 40D. Users of 2470 and 70200 take note. Attaching it to the grip and a 580exii will kill your arms. The buttons are neatly arranged to the left side of the LCD, unlike the 40D. If you ask me, i would very much prefer the 5d2's button arrangement.


User menu: The menu interface is similar to the 50D. However, the operations (how you configure etc) remain the same as the 40D, 450D and 1D(s) MK3.


Battery life: Its still too early to conclude. Then again, there was never once during my shoots that my canon batt ran flat. kudos to Canon.


24-105L: There were reports saying that this is a new and improved make. However, i do not find much significant difference as of yet. Will compare images taken with my former 24-105 lens in my advance review.


New stuff: This camera confirm not 100% weather sealed. Right beneath the '5D' logo is three little holes for sound recording. Be sure to stay away from rainy weather whenever unnecessary.


Video: Seriously the video menu and handling is confusing. When you activate the video mode (press set), live view becomes active. Pressing the set button for the second time will start recording. Once you are done recording, press the set button to stop recording. It then stays at live view mode. I had to go to menu, disable video in order to stop. (ok this was during my first attempt in shooting video, the user menu help clarified a lot of stuff)

If you ever purchase a 5D2, please read the user menu for a proper explanation. Having said that, i foresee quite a number of new 5D2 users posting threads here on how to use the video part. READ THE MANUAL. It's enough.


AOB: The shutter sound is really bad. Not that i'm a fussy user but since i'm giving a review here, i'd like to say that the shutter leaves the impression of a not-solid sound like those of a Nikon D3, D700 and D2Xs or the 1Ds. Having said that, not other complaints about this excellent camera. This camera is indeed for the serious hobbyists and definitely the minimum standard for a professional Canon photographer for all purposes. My main works are inside a studio (fashion, portraits, location and products) so the high ISO capability does not affect me much.

So why do i buy this camera if i do not need the high ISO? The 21mp lor (lol)

I can't say much for the jpeg shooters but this camera is memory hungry (Each raw is 30mb) for the concerned raw shooters. For a wedding job, i would think you will need at least three 8gb cards to be safe. Also, writing speed is ok for normal product shoots(on a EX3 or 133x). However, i strongly recommend getting the UDMA cards to max out the performance of this camera. For the video recording, it is obvious that the card (133x) could not catch up with the recording. After i paused the video recording, it pauses for a few seconds to complete the recording.

I have yet to test it with UDMA cards but i would like to think that this problem would be resolved.


Picture tests coming up...

well done. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[FLiNcHY]

Is the shutter sound loud?
Would you ever have need for the video function? It seems quite useless for people who are purely going to be photographers

 

[sprewell]

Part one of image test: Image details

Shot with 50mm f1.8 at 1/20th, f1.8, ISo 6400

Original

100% crop

300% crop

Notice how the central lower window has got tonal gradiation. I'm very pleased with the image details amidst the poor shooting conditions.

ISO performance coming up.

 

[sprewell]

Video recording + photo taking is the future of photojournalism. I strongly believe in that.

In the near future, events photography will evolve in such a way that clients will start demanding video clips + pics.

Looking at this from another point of view, if a photographer in this competitive industry does not offer more value (inclusion of videos) to clients, they will be left behind. The introduction of video will mean the end of videographers offering videography for events. Maybe not now, but in 2-3 years when 5D MK3 can offer auto focus in video recording.

And clients will start demanding videos for their events. My studio does videography for events and there is indeed a market for it like wedding, events, corporate launches or even personal events like family gathering etc.


In conclusion, is 5D2 video necessary for hobby photographers? No

Is it necessary for working photographers? Yes, even more so in future when the video technology is more evolved and advanced.

The shutter is not loud... it just sounds very fragile. Sure brings back memory of the old 5D mirror drop problem.

 

[eileenksj]

Video recording + photo taking is the future of photojournalism. I strongly believe in that.

In the near future, events photography will evolve in such a way that clients will start demanding video clips + pics.

Looking at this from another point of view, if a photographer in this competitive industry does not offer more value (inclusion of videos) to clients, they will be left behind. The introduction of video will mean the end of videographers offering videography for events. Maybe not now, but in 2-3 years when 5D MK3 can offer auto focus in video recording.

And clients will start demanding videos for their events. My studio does videography for events and there is indeed a market for it like wedding, events, corporate launches or even personal events like family gathering etc.


In conclusion, is 5D2 video necessary for hobby photographers? No

Is it necessary for working photographers? Yes, even more so in future when the video technology is more evolved and advanced.

The shutter is not loud... it just sounds very fragile. Sure brings back memory of the old 5D mirror drop problem.

thanks for the reviews. very tempting to buy.
by the way, time to change your signature to 'i have a 5dm2'. :bsmilie:

 

[sprewell]

ok some extra information for the curious CS-er

Processing speed for 21mp images using a MBP 2.4Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo (4Gb 667 MHZ DDR2 SDRAM)

Was processing my raw images and while waiting, i thought i'd share these info with you.

Average processing time for each 21mp raw = 20 seconds. This is consistent based on my time check.

If you process the 21mp raw images into a low res 72dpi 800x533 image, it takes 17 seconds instead.

I don't have another computer to compare the processing time but my old ibook (1Ghz, 768 mb ram) took close to 50 seconds to process a 10.1mp raw image from my 40D.

 

[FilterFunk]

may i ask on the sample shot, which af pt are you choosing? centre or ?

and the RAW file seems demonic indeed.

 

[sprewell]

At last, the ISO performance: I'm sorry if i mixed up any images. You probably can tell the difference anyway.

Original jpg (i blurred the bottom left because of some personal info) This one is the ISO 1600 pic.

100% crop

ISO800

ISO1600

ISO3200

ISO6400

 

[sprewell]

ISO12800

ISO25600

 

[sprewell]

Conclusion: For best quality, stick to the maximum ISO of 1600.

I have heard from Nikon D3 users that they generally cap at ISO 3200. This is not a comparison by any means.

 

[night86mare]

Got the kit set from Sitex for 5899.

congrats

now all your pictures will make people go WOW

 

[FLiNcHY]

Shooting video with a 5d will distract you from doing your main job, which is shooting photos.

Imagine if you are a wedding photographer, and you choose to shoot a video of the bride walking down the aisle. So by gaining that video, you lose the valuable pictures.

It just doesn't make sense.

That's what videographers are for. They shoot videos. We, as photographers, shoot the pictures.

So i really don't see how a 5d with video capabilities is supposed to help with anything. It's not as if the 5d is a full fledged video camera. You still have to hand hold it and pan as the subject moves around constantly. Which would mean shaky videos. Totally unpro.

Clients have always been demanding videos of events. That's why they hire videographers and photographers separate.

Don't tell me you're going to shoot a wedding in both video and photo formats yourself. You would end up accomplishing nothing.

Editing a thousand pictures in photoshop is tiring enough. Now you have to collate your itsy bitsy videos and edit them in final cut pro as well?

 

[theveed]

The feature is there, ranting about a camera having video is so pointless, if it bothers people so much that video is in a 5DII, just get a 1DsMKIII/A900/D3/D700 then.... Yeah, all the execs and engineers of the 5DII and D90 are brainless idiots because they incorporated what is an inevitable technological merge anyway (insert sarcastic smirk here). Like as if the video feature will reduce the 5DII's still image's performance in any direct way. Don't want it? Don't use it.

It's like complaining about a camera having scene modes just because you prefer PASM.

Sprewell - Wonderful write-up BTW. Looking forward to more images.

 

[portal28]

thanks for the review bro

 

[sprewell]

Shooting video with a 5d will distract you from doing your main job, which is shooting photos.

Imagine if you are a wedding photographer, and you choose to shoot a video of the bride walking down the aisle. So by gaining that video, you lose the valuable pictures.

It just doesn't make sense.

That's what videographers are for. They shoot videos. We, as photographers, shoot the pictures.

So i really don't see how a 5d with video capabilities is supposed to help with anything. It's not as if the 5d is a full fledged video camera. You still have to hand hold it and pan as the subject moves around constantly. Which would mean shaky videos. Totally unpro.

Clients have always been demanding videos of events. That's why they hire videographers and photographers separate.

Don't tell me you're going to shoot a wedding in both video and photo formats yourself. You would end up accomplishing nothing.

Editing a thousand pictures in photoshop is tiring enough. Now you have to collate your itsy bitsy videos and edit them in final cut pro as well?

Which is why i say 'even more so in future'.

I believe that in future, the photog will be able to take stills while videographing.

As for the extra legwork of video editing, i think thats just the way it is going to be..