Feb 07 2009

3:19 pm

Please welcome our the newest Addition to the family – Ashley McNamara – San Diego Photographer

The Canon 5D Mark II !! What were you expecting… a pet??

After making this announcement to friends, I was naturally bombarded by questions galore! I’m going to do my best to answer them all!

Do you love it?” and “Can you show me some high ISO pictures?”

Let me just say, If you are on the fence about whether or not to buy this camera. Straddle no longer!! JUST DO IT!! Holy amazing camera, batman! For anyone using anything BUT a 5D this camera is a neccessity! For those of you already working with this a 5D, the following information won’t be news to you!

To start, let’s talk about the ISO performance. Simply put, it’s too die for! I’m not sure that’s a legit technical term, but suffice it to say… TO… DIE… FOR! While my 40D was a great camera, the ISO perfmance was a little lacking. I found that using a higher ISO’s on my 40D made my pictures “hazy” any sort of grain at all made my pictures seem almost out of focus.. The 5D Mark II on the other hand is an entirely different barrell of fish! Not only are all of my “grain” issues a thing of the past, but even when shooting near an ISO of 2500 the grain is much more like film grain. Crystal clear images with grain. Just stunning.

Example 1: ISO 1000 | No noiseware and minimal processing

3248849304 f096709846 o Please welcome our the newest Addition to the family Ashley McNamara San Diego Photographer

Example 2: ISO 6400 | I used my Soft Cross Process action

3246333824 0f31717ee6 o Please welcome our the newest Addition to the family Ashley McNamara San Diego Photographer

(Buzzed photographer friend makes the photo that much more interesting..)

ISO 6400 has grain.. obviously. The grain is fan.freaking.tastic though! Totally useable and a welcomed change from the 40D who’s highest ISO was 3200.

Example 3: Now for the 5D Mark II’s highest ISO 25600

3259756038 f2f248a271 o Please welcome our the newest Addition to the family Ashley McNamara San Diego Photographer

Shot with the 15mm Fisheye | I cropped some dirty clothes out of the corner and fixed the white balance a little. Nothing else..I wouldn’t use it for clients but for a shapshot of my two favorite boys in my dark living room not too shabby!

While I am sure this camera offers a million reasons to love it, the ISO was certainly my biggest issue with my 40D. The color and clarity on this camera is un-freaking-real! I’m absolutely satisfied!

“Is the video feature difficult to use?”

While this is an amazing feature, it is a little hard to get used to. I am by no means a videographer (although in my spare time I like to pretend). Right now I have my video set to facial recognition which I thought was pretty darn fancy. So for the most part it gets the focus.. At the moment the only things I am recording are my children fighting over which t.v. shows to watch…. IN HD!!! Think I can list that on Pay Per View?

“Gripes?”

Only One! The battery life is crap, people! I mean it, CRAP! If you buy the camera buy an extra battery!

With only ONE measley gripe, dare I dream that Canon is making it’s comeback??

“Do you still like your lenses on a full frame?”

TOTALLY!! I might even love them MORE!! List of lenses in order of favorites..

#1 Favorite lens — 50mm 1.4 I shot a whole session with that bad boy! No more changing lenses! Whohoo!!!

#2 24-70 2.8L saaawwwet lens on a full frame! Good for all your zooming needs.

#3 The 15mm Fisheye.. It used to be my go to for beach shots on the crop sensor but now I can just shoot with the 24-70… the fisheye is just good fun on the full frame and we all need a little fun! See drunken photographer friend above as a refrence.

#4 The 70-200 2.8L Remember back in my last post I said I didn’t like this lens? Well turns out I just didn’t like it on a crop sensor. Kicks butt lens on a full frame. But still #4 on my list because it gives me wrist cramps… hehe!

What kind of bag are you Using to store that bad boy? (I didn’t actually get this question but I am sad about my bag!)

I have the Crumpler 7 Million Dollar Home and I am sad to say that I might have to part with this bag.. I love my Crumpler bag but this BIG ole’ camera just isn’t liking the tight constraints of the Crumpler. I have moved the inserts in about 6 million different ways.. Bye bye crumpler.. I might have to reunite with the Jill-e Roller..

Hopefully this was more than just a ramble..

by ashley mcnamara | posted in For Photographers, Personal | tagged 27-70 2.8 L, 50mm 1.4, 70-200 f/2.8, Canon, canon 5D mark II, crumpler, crumpler 7 million dollar home, jill-e

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Schona Kessler - I love your review! I totally agree with it too! I upgraded from my 40d in the beginning of June and am in love with it also. My battery lasts just fine through weddings and all.August 19, 2009 – 2:37 am

Lisa - Hey – I saw this post awhile back and searched today to find it again. I have a 5d now that is giving me problems. I need a back up camera before something happens and I have to have it repaired. I originally thought about getting a 30D or something like that for my backup but now I think I should just go ahead and upgrade so my current 5D is my backup.

Sorry for the ramble…anyway my question is about the battery. You have the grip? Everything I read about this camera says stuff about the improved battery capability. You are the only one that has mentioned that it is a negative so I was wondering if it has been a problem now that you have had it awhile. Do you just have to have lots of extra batteries when you work (how many)? Thanks! Love your work – have seen lots of your Flickr stuff as well.
LisaMarch 11, 2009 – 9:58 am

Lren Alexander - I found your flickr through searching the tag “southern california photographer”, which lead to your blog, website etc! I think your work is really amazing. I also love your blog about how you moved up from a 40d to the 5Dii. I work with a 30D in San Diego, and was really considering the step up. After reading your review, I know the 5D is the way to go. So again, thanks so much lady!

Your work is amazing and you rock!
March 4, 2009 – 12:57 pm

Erin Woods - Thanks for the info Ashley, and you should totally go for the Jill-e bag, I love mine!February 25, 2009 – 7:56 am

allie - Those eyes, those toes in the first one… beautiful!February 13, 2009 – 5:47 am

april bodenburg - Thanks so much for posting this review! Although – I’m not in a position to buy it yet – so it’s probably not healthy for me to fantasize about it so much! I only have the measly 20D now – but after some weddings and sessions this summer – my hope is to buy this bad boy!! I’m also interested if you are selling your 7MDH. Looks like someone beat me to the punch though! February 11, 2009 – 9:11 am

Meg - I love your work! You are a favorite of mine! February 10, 2009 – 5:18 pm

jennifer - thanks for sharing with us, congrats on the new camera,the pics are looking awesome!February 8, 2009 – 7:38 pm

shannon - so good to hear. thanks for sharing. i’m upgrading to the markII b/c of the grain issue with my 40D…so yay!!! and congrats!!February 8, 2009 – 5:08 pm

Michelle Guzman - Haha! Thanks for the review. The baby images is just amazing!February 8, 2009 – 10:09 am

Scott Stater - Congrats on the new addition! That camera is definitely on my short list. Especially as I’m shooting with the 40D right now, so the comparisons are super interesting to me.

I think the 70-200 2.8 is next on my list, but the 5DMII isn’t far behind… ugh, time to get out and drum up some biz!February 8, 2009 – 9:09 am

ASHLEY - Shanna — It is red with a blue interior. It has been used for two years.. has some dirt on the bottom. I had not planned on selling it but I am not opposed. Email me an offer. February 8, 2009 – 8:52 am

ASHLEY - Heather– The focus is perfect so far. No issues.. So far I have not had one out of focus photo which hasn’t happened in a long time!February 8, 2009 – 8:50 am

Amanda Elkins - AMEN sista! This was BY FAR my best purchase to date! And I hear you on the bag… I bought a jill-e roller at the end of last year and it is what I am using now to store my gear. I still use the shootsac on a couple of shoots, but not all. The jill-e is such a FANTASTIC bag! LOVE IT!

Congrats on the camera! That pic of Desiree is hillarious! February 8, 2009 – 8:36 am

shanna - what color and interested in selling your crumpler?
thanks,
shannaFebruary 8, 2009 – 7:28 am

heather - hows the focus? heard that can be off? tfs! love that first pic so much!February 8, 2009 – 12:15 am

shawna@lifeshadowsph - YAY for you! i am getting this camera, too….moving up from 40D (I didn’t know u had the 40d, too????) i am even more excite after reading your post!!!!!February 7, 2009 – 7:04 pm

kate - oooh, I want one. totally jealous.February 7, 2009 – 6:42 pm