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