Anyone own the Canon 5D MKII

[blary54]

I'm looking at upgrading my camera. I've had my 40D since 2007, and while its a great camera and still in great working condition, I've always wanted a full frame body. The Canon 5D MKII is down to around 1500 bucks(about 50% less than a 5D MKIII). I realize it is technically obsolete with the MkIII release but the price seems very reasonable for the specs.

Anyone own a 5D MkII that can share their opinion on if its worth it?

 

[Klos Shave]

I shoot with the 5D MkII. I specialize in senior portraits and the camera is amazing. Low light capabilities are excellent and I really don't have anything negative to say about the body. At $1500 it's a steal. You will see an INCREDIBLE difference between the 40D and the 5D MkII.

If you look at any of the photos on my site they're all shot with the 5D MkII. http://ryanklos.com

 

[blary54]

I shoot with the 5D MkII. I specialize in senior portraits and the camera is amazing. Low light capabilities are excellent and I really don't have anything negative to say about the body. At $1500 it's a steal. You will see an INCREDIBLE difference between the 40D and the 5D MkII.

If you look at any of the photos on my site they're all shot with the 5D MkII. http://ryanklos.com

Thanks, and those are some great portraits.

 

[xillion]

I have owned all three versions of the 5D. The MKII was, and still is, a great camera. I shot with mine since the day it was released and it was a fantastic body for me. I've been shooting with the MKIII since March. For the first few weeks, while I was learning how properly utilize the new features of the MKIII, I really missed my MKII. But, the AF system in the MKIII and the low light sensitivity of the sensor really sold me on the MKIII and quickly erased the longing for my MKII. Nearly all of the images I've posted here were taken with my MKII up until this March when I bought my MKIII.

Also, have you considered the new 6D?

http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/slrs/canon_eos6d

 

[blary54]

I have owned all three versions of the 5D. The MKII was, and still is, a great camera. I shot with mine since the day it was released and it was a fantastic body for me. I've been shooting with the MKIII since March. For the first few weeks, while I was learning how properly utilize the new features of the MKIII, I really missed my MKII. But, the AF system in the MKIII and the low light sensitivity of the sensor really sold me on the MKIII and quickly erased the longing for my MKII. Nearly all of the images I've posted here were taken with my MKII up until this March when I bought my MKIII.

Also, have you considered the new 6D?

Thanks. Yeah Im considering the 6D. Just have to determine if the new features on the 6D are worth an extra $600 dollars.

http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/slrs/canon_eos6d

Thanks. Yeah Im considering the 6D. Just have to determine if the new features on the 6D are worth an extra $600 dollars.

 

[Legion]

Thanks. Yeah Im considering the 6D. Just have to determine if the new features on the 6D are worth an extra $600 dollars.

Probably are if you plan to shoot lots of video. The low light performance is also a lot better on a 6d. It is a lot smaller and lighter as well, if that makes a difference.

 

[Village Idiot]

Probably are if you plan to shoot lots of video. The low light performance is also a lot better on a 6d. It is a lot smaller and lighter as well, if that makes a difference.

Define "a lot".

The worst feature of the 5D MKII for me is the AF. I've still used it to shoot concerts. It's been a damn good camera and I can comfortably shoot at 3200-6400 ISO if I need to.

 

[Legion]

Having played with both in a variety of lighting conditions (though I will admit, I own neither) I found I could shoot about two stops faster with the 6d, for the same amount of visible noise. Same with the 5d III.

The 5d II is still a very good camera, and at the price they are now great value, but five years technology advancement is a huge amount in cameras these days.

 

[Village Idiot]

Having played with both in a variety of lighting conditions (though I will admit, I own neither) I found I could shoot about two stops faster with the 6d, for the same amount of visible noise. Same with the 5d III.

The 5d II is still a very good camera, and at the price they are now great value, but five years technology advancement is a huge amount in cameras these days.

The 5D II and 5D III were announced less than 3 1/2 years apart and either the 5D MKII you're shooting with was absolutely terrible or you have a magical 5D MKIII. Everywhere that I've read the noise improvement is either negligible or just barely better. That's from people shooting and eyeing to whatever programs DxO Mark runs. They found about 1/3 of a stop improvement. I don't know of any camera's successor that's been released that has improved useable ISO by two entire stops. Even between the 5D and the 5D MKIII you're not seeing an entire stop of noise improvement if you go by DxO's calculations.

 

[Legion]

The 5D II and 5D III were announced less than 3 1/2 years apart and either the 5D MKII you're shooting with was absolutely terrible or you have a magical 5D MKIII. Everywhere that I've read the noise improvement is either negligible or just barely better. That's from people shooting and eyeing to whatever programs DxO Mark runs. They found about 1/3 of a stop improvement. I don't know of any camera's successor that's been released that has improved useable ISO by two entire stops. Even between the 5D and the 5D MKIII you're not seeing an entire stop of noise improvement if you go by DxO's calculations.

You may well be right. Just reporting my impressions and the results as I saw them. I didn't do any scientific testing, just looked at the shots, and my eyes saw a noticeable difference. YMMV.

The Mk II was announced in september 2008, the Mk III March this year. so yes, not five years thanks for the correction.

 

[ChiefWahoo]

I'm sniffing around for a used MkII myself and just wanted to thank everyone for the input. Currently own a 40D, though I've only had it less than a year so I need to get more time with it. My only reason for trying to make the decision now is that I'm lens shopping and if I'm going to drop $500+, I'd like it to work on my next body, too. So I need to decide what my plans are.

Klos, when I read "senior portraits" I found myself thinking of senior citizens for some reason and wondered why your banner was a young woman. LOL Great shots, though!

 

[Klos Shave]

I'm sniffing around for a used MkII myself and just wanted to thank everyone for the input. Currently own a 40D, though I've only had it less than a year so I need to get more time with it. My only reason for trying to make the decision now is that I'm lens shopping and if I'm going to drop $500+, I'd like it to work on my next body, too. So I need to decide what my plans are.

Klos, when I read "senior portraits" I found myself thinking of senior citizens for some reason and wondered why your banner was a young woman. LOL Great shots, though!

LOL! Thanks for the kudos. Yes, I suppose Senior (citizen) Portraits might not be as interesting or fulfilling

 

[ChiefWahoo]

I've been driving all day in a misty fog and have come to the conclusion that I'd like a weather-sealed camera for nights like this, so I'll be saving my pennies for a MkII...