How would you change Canon's EOS 5D Mark II?
By Darren Murph 
posted Jan 2nd 2009 7:48PM
posted Jan 2nd 2009 7:48PM
posted Jan 2nd 2009 7:48PM
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How would you change Canon's EOS 5D Mark II? That's easy, by getting one.
Amen Brother
Getting what? Maybe Nikon D90? I'm tired of people saying Nikon is over since Canon released 5D Mark II. Duh! It's just a full HD with a black dot hahaha.
The D90 and the 5D really aren't compatible in class. Let Nikon get the D400 out, then we'll do a comparison.
While the 5D is a fine camera overall, the dot/band issue really is unacceptable - epically for a camera at this price point from one of the MAJOR players. Nikon is most definitely not out of the game. The D90 was an excellent update for the mid range DSLR market and now Nikon has a roadmap of what they need to beat in the Prosumer level here with the 5D... and I'm willing to bet it wont come out with the pretty serious issues that the 5D is plagued with.
i really think Nikon has the win with the D700. The D90 is a super camera as well, but it isn't really at the same level as the Canon.
the Canon could add GPS and unlimited remote flash units, wifi upload.
a better shutter release button placement - like on the Nikon's - it just feels better.
i don't know about you, but it seems that the Canon lenses are feeling really loose and jankey lately too.
Add those functions to the Canon and they'll have a win.
yea the banding issue was a major blunder, I'd sweep that under the rug real quick, over a fix and replace it.
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I'd replace it with my XTi. (Temple of Doom style) and RUN!
@RichardBronosky: Don't you mean Raiders style?
Overall I'm satisfied with my new 5DmkII over my trusty 5D. In terms of image quality*, feel, LCD, light weather sealing, menu's, slight button re-arangements I'm very happy! It is a worthwhile upgrade.
The one obvious exception is the Black Dot phenomenon. I hope the firmware is out soon and is an acceptable "fix" instead of a workaround that masks a real issue and compromises ultimate image quality. Hopefully it will be out the 1st week in January or I will regretfully need to return the camera to protect my $3k invested.
I feel strongly about this because a large portion of my photography is Nightscapes and Night City Scapes. In this environment I just haven't found a combination of settings that eliminate the dots (RAW, No Hi ISO NR, No Highlight Tone Priority, No Long Exposure NR, ISO 100 still has some visible). And my camera was a fresh shipment on 12/28!
One improvement wish is a firmware update (free for Canon) to improve on the AE Bracketing functionality. There is no excuse for a $3k camera to limit a user to 3 frames +/- 2EV. Other recent competitive cameras in the same price range allow 5, 7 and even 9 frames at +/- 3, 4 or even 5EV!!! For HDR photography, which is very popular today, this is a must. It also may be a reason that I return the camera.
Last wish is more focus points. With most of my work on a tripod it is very impractical to align to one of the 9 points then move and recompose the frame and lock down the ball head. It makes it impossible to get multiple frames with the exact alignment since the camera must be moved. The alternative is to use manual focus or live view. I'll live with this one but next time around, Canon, please upgrade the focus in line with the competition (Nikon D700 has 51 Point)!
Ditto to Richard, although I'd do it Temple of Doom style. I'd tear the still-beating 5D MkII out of some poor dude's chest and then replace it with my XTi. He won't know the difference since he'll fry in lava anyway.
Add more seabass.
lolwut
Change the ergonomics. The thumbwheel and awkward power switch placement especially I find problematic and uncomfortable to use.
thats how Canon dslr's have been for a while.
Agreed
it is classical canon design if you don't like it then you'd better try alternative brands. I personally won't change anything about that for me everything is right on spot and that is essential when I have to change parameters for a quick shot
I'm very happy with mine. I have had it for almost a month now. I guess the biggest thing would be price but when you think about it, it's worth it. There is nothing I would change to the camera. Just wait for the next firmwire update and it will be perfect.
I was about to get one, I have one question though.
Are there any better ones for around the same price?
yeah...lower the price
better just move the decimal in the price one place to the left :D
I've had mine for about a month and love it. The pictures are great but the video is simply amazing. The only problem for me that I would love for canon to update is auto focusing during video recording. Other than that i'm very happy.
+1.
It has auto focusing in video mode. Go to page 123 to look up how to use it.
In short, all you have to do is not select quick mode in the video settings and the AF button will auto focus during recording. I have used it plenty now and it works well.
Get a Nikon =)
People think the Microsoft vs Apple fanboy war is intense but it is nothing compared to the Nikon vs Canon war.
The 5D2 has not proven itself a champion in the low-light space and is only a champion in the video space when you compare it to other DSLRs. It makes a pretty crappy video camera otherwise.
You would improve the 5D2 by giving it a real AF system.
Agree, the AF system needs improving a lot. I was dismayed t hear they hadn't touched it since the first 5D. I don't know why you were low ranked.
Very happy with mine. But I need to change my MacBook (1st Generation) if I want to edit HD video. :-)
Core Duo Processor is too slow...
It's not the processor, its that you have an integrated video card and not a stand alone. Need a MBpro for that.
Actually, except for compositing, the processor does most of the heavy lifting. RAM and HD access throughput are also a consideration, and all 3 suffer a bit on a laptop.
Make it smaller/lighter. This has been a problem among most or all of the prosumer and pro level DSLRs. I really am not sure much could be done in this area but it sure would be nice. Other than that I think that they made a great camera.
Why would you want it smaller?
Reducing dimensions would hamper the ergonomics of the camera.
Try going from Canon's entry level DSLR's (Rebels) to their 5D or 50D, it's a MAJOR difference in comfort.
he obviously is not a photographer or does not have any experience with an SLR. I have an XTI which is good, but when going up to a 40D, 50D, 5D II or anything higher than that it is much easier to use. I am actually planning on upgrading to this camera in the near future. Defiantly a worthy investment
I've got 40D and trust me, maybe it depends on the size of your hands or something but for some people (like me) the larger size is not a 'major improvement in comfort' over the 350D I had before.
The main 'comfort' improvement is really the second control wheel on the back and the buttons for easy setting adjustment without using menus - with a bit of careful design I'm certain those could fit on a smaller camera. But for actually holding the camera, the smaller, lighter one was nicer. Not everyone wants bigger cameras and I definitely second the original poster's suggestion.
Not saying it is a major problem with the 40D though - and I like the more solid feel otherwise - it's more of an annoyance. (And though it's not an ergonomics thing, I think one other reason for larger size is a better viewfinder; 5Dmk2 is a full-frame camera as well which presumably takes up a bit more space internally.)
I'm considering 5dmk2, but if it had been significantly smaller than the 40D as well as all the other nice things, I'd definitely be considering it more seriously. :)
pop up flash would have been nice.
I'd like to see a built-in flash that will control remote Speedlites. Nikon has done this for a couple generations and I don't get why Canon can't. Instead of cannibalizing external flash sales, I think it would help them - if I knew I could control a 430 or 580 with my (camera) body, I would have bought a Speedlite much sooner.
pop up flashes are so useless, and only put on the cameras for marketing reasons. External flash is the only way to go.
With the number of pixels and the high iso support, you do not need the flash.
I have been using mine extensivley at night in the last two weeks, and not needed the flash. I have been shooting band's performing outside at night, and the stage lights, even from 50 yards away are ample. Noise is way lower than most would care about, and resampling down 50% averages away a fair amount of any noise.
If you are serious about flash photography, then any built in flash is not going to cut it either.
I have the 580EXII, and realised I did not need to have it with me for almost every thing I was shooting, so I left it at home.
Yup! That's what I was thinking. Even though I hate using flash and presumably with a sensor so clean at high ISO, you probably don't need one. Also wish Canon made a small compact external one like what Nikon has though.
if you think built in flash are useless you're basically an elitist prick. Its call fill in flash people or do you strap in you're flash 100% of the daytime
As a wedding photographer, yeah i do strap in my 580exII 100% of the daytime, which i also do when shooting casually. leave popup flash for the consumer bodies like the xxxD line, as its that group of people that find it most useful.
I use the 580 speedlight, external lighting, and I would still like to have a popup flash. Sometimes I like to travel "light", and the popup flash is very helpful in keeping what I am carrying to a minimum. Or I could carry around my 40D for that purpose, but right now it is the 5DII that I want to play with!
I would move the power switch up top where it could be flicked with the right thumb, so it can be powered on one-handed. I would make one of the buttons easily reachable with the right thumb control over and under exposure in Av/Tv/P modes in conjunction with the top dial.
Both of these things are on the Rebels, and as a result the 5D is more laborious to use.
You mean people actually use the power switches on their cameras? I've been shooting Canon DSLRs for 6 years and have almost never turned one off. Just let the camera put itself to sleep on its own and it'll wake up when you're ready to hit the shutter. The most ergonomic power switch is one that you never need to use, and in my book Canon's basically nailed that.
It's just gotta have more cowbell
CRAP! I knew I should've read the comments before I posted!
Don't have one, but I wish they hadn't changed the batteries, I've got like five or six BP-511/A's that I've accumulated over the years so if I do end up getting one (it's a money issue at the moment) I'd have to buy a whole new set.
More cowbell.
Aside from cost? Nothing. My wife wants to upgrade (from a 20D) but it's just too much money right now.
If she's looking to upgrade from the 20d she might want to just take a serious look at the 40d or 50d. I say this because most [if not all?] of the lenses on the XXD series aren't compatible with the 5D2 or higher. And the 50d is significantly cheaper, especially if you're not buying new lenses.
to make this statement more complete...EF-S lenses are not compatible with ANY Canon full frame cameras.
add 24fps support...hopefully firmware could take care of this. it can do 30fps, so wouldn't it be feasible to do 24? come on now...valentine's day present?