How would you change Canon's EOS 5D Mark II?
By Darren Murph 
posted January 2nd 2009 7:48PM
posted January 2nd 2009 7:48PM
posted January 2nd 2009 7:48PM
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
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No, only EF-S lenses aren't compatible. The XXD series can also use EF lenses, which comprise the majority of available lenses.
As far as I can tell it still has the same old crappy autofocus and flash system as the previous generation. To really compete with things like the D3/D700, Canon needs not just more pixels, but better camera bodies.
Built in flash.
cell phone
seriously
bluetooth for remote tether control of major functions by laptop / handheld / phone
How would you change Canon's EOS 5D Mark II?
Is it just me or does Canon always have to jump the gun before releasing their "one-up" camera to their competitors.
This always aggravates me because the final product always has some serious issues that lack quality control. Especially for a camera that is almost $3000 dollars, which in my mind will target savvy camera users, while the competitors are obviously targeting the mass audience.
So here's my suggestion to Canon.
1. QUALITY CONTROL. Completely and thoroughly test a product before release. Stop playing the "PC vs. Mac" game and work on releasing a quality product that stands behind the $3000 pricetag that you demand from your customers.
If you dropped $3000 on a refrigerator who's icemaker wasn't working properly, or automatically as it promised, more than likely you would return it to your local retailer and shop for a new one. Whats the difference?
It makes me glad i saved the money and got a K20D with 55-300 lens. price/performance ration is unbeatable. Now watch me get voted down for not supporting the big 2!
I'll stick with my 60d
Increase the continuous shooting rate to 5fps or more, then it can compete with the Alpha A900 and D700 in ALL areas. Of course, the 1ds MkIV would then need more than 5fps to stop the 5d stealing sales.
I've had this camera for about three weeks now, and I used the 5D MK1 extensively throughout the last three years.
This is what I would change:
1) Less MP for better high ISO performance and better dynamic range. There is a lot of luminous noise when shooting at ISO6400+ that is nearly impossible to get rid of. Bright areas at high ISO get blown out suddendly and abruptly, not gradually like with the original 5D.
2) Keep top LCD illumination panel button in the same place.
3) Make top LCD illumination brighter (the original 5D is brighter than the MK2)
4) AF really sucks. All AF points other than center are useless when using fast lenses with extremely shallow DOF like 50/1L or 85/1.2L
I would have gladly paid a premium to have AF comparable to the similarly priced Nikon D700's.
5) Have a max. shutter speed option when using auto-ISO, like Nikon has. This is useful when using long lenses, you can specify a max shutter speed of 1/80 sec when using an 85mm lens, or 1/100 sec when using a 100mm lens, and so on, in order to avoid blur due to camera shake.
6) Have EV adjustment of at least +/- 5 stops, like Nikon. On the 5D2, it's only 2 stops. If you want to do intentional under or overexposure over 2 stops, you have to switch to M mode and calculate the shutter speed/aperture setting, which can be annoying.
7) Add a built in AF assist LED light. I have to lug around an ST-E2 or shoe-mounted flash if I want to AF in the dark.
Forgot to mention:
I agree with the articulating LCD screen idea. This feature + live view would be killer for shooting candids.
Also, if you want to shoot video with full manual aperture/shutter speed control control, then just use a non-EF mount lens like a Nikon, Olympus or Leica lens mounted with an adapter. You can control the aperture by turning the aperture ring on the lens and the shutter speed on the scroll wheel on the body.
For examples of non-EF mount lenses on EOS bodies, see:
http://flickr.com/photos/fodder/sets/72157594320195534/
Spectacular list. I didn't even realize some of those existed until you mentioned them. lol
does anyone think canon reads this kind of forums?
I'd love it if it came with a K-mount.
I think anyone looking to buy this camera will have no interest in a pop up flash. Odds are they have probably already invested in a few speedlights.
I'd lower the pixel density (or make a prosumer model without the unecessary 21MP), and add better autofocus. I'd probably also go back to the weaker anti-alias filter that the original 5D used. The 5d was so close to the perfect full-frame camera. All it lacked was A/F and a higher shooting speed. I honestly don't understand who they were marketing to with this latest one.
add a Powershot style swivel-screen like that on the SX1 IS... (but make it robust for dSLR duty)
Well I have had mine for 2 days now - so far here are my initial impressions:
Pros:
Resolution is excellent - I also thought 21mp was too much - but with the ability to regularly shoot at f5.6-7.1 because of better iso noise performance with my two 2.8L lenses it actually really does help over the 10mp of my old 40D.
Video mode COULD be killer when used properly. I saw Reviere and instantly thought - I will go outside at night and see dark blacks with little to no noise - not the case at all. So far the people that are saying that there is zero noise in video mode even up to 3200 haven't looked at them on a screen bigger than the 3" LCD on the camera. I am sure its possible to get much better results with practice - but so far I literally haven't kept a single video I have shot.
The viewfinder - it simply rocks. Much bigger, brighter and the info it gives is great.
Cons:
Can't obtain an extra battery - REALLY CANON? WTF IS WITH THAT?
Compared to my 40D - it seems to have a tendency to underexpose - by almost 2/3 of a stop. This is a big deal - and I haven't quite figured it out yet.
Noise is still there - don't believe people that say you can't tell a difference between 100 and 3200 - there is definitely noise at 3200. Its still an excellent performer (3200 is probably like 800 on the 40D) - but it isn't "noise free up to 3200" like many people are claiming.
30MB Raw files are great - but I will be ordering a few more TB soon.
Overall - what would I instantly change?
Articulating LCD Screen
Ability to shoot video in Av mode
Use BP-511A batteries - even if they did have 30% shorter life
The ability to stay zoomed in while in video mode to focus
Harder things:
Faster/Constant AF in video mode
If you're finding the wheel is too awkward to use, try putting the battery grip on - it'll make the body longer, and thus your hand position will be much more comfortable on the wheel & buttons (I had the same problem with my 20D).
full manual controls during video mode. better AF
5d mark II is a great buy for the money... its almost a 1,000 less than the previous version, and can take the best resolution and sharpest images in its class.
AF could be a lot better! I would be willing to pay another 400 or 500 for a better AF...
Canon doens't allow the Auto ISO to jump beyond ISO 400 in Manual mode but it will jump to 3200 in AV and TV... this is the one thing I am UPSET ABOUT! I understand you can't have 8,000 features for 3,000... but for them to not allow the ISO to jump to 3200 or whatever you set it to jump too... makes me very angry. This would have been one of my favorite features.
Micro Focus Adjustment is Great!
White Balance is good.. probably not as good as the Original 5D.. its good... I am just used to the original and loved it.
I had a 5d... sold it for 1300 and paid 1300 for the new camrea... the new 5D is worth every penny for an upgrade... couldn't be happier Canon gave me a 21mp high iso chip that is outstanding in every way for 2,600 bucks.. Very happy...
They should have also given us an auto ISO in manual mode that jumps as high as we set the ceiling.. .
I'm a Pentax user too, (K-Mount 4 Life!) and I love my K20D, but it's no panacea and can't really compare to the 5D. The full frame sensor alone is enough to make all the difference in the world to anyone who wants to shoot wide.
I want a 14mm (35mm Equivalent) rectilinear lens. For the full frame Canon, there's the 14mm F/2.8L, or the Sigma 14mm, Or the Tamron SP 14mm F/2.8. In for the APS-C format K20 there's... nothing. Well, okay, I guess you could do the Sigma 10-20mm, but that's a Zoom. I want PRIMES. :-)
That said, all you Canon users really get the shaft too. How is it I have wireless TTL flash control with my $800 Pentax body, and y'all get a big fat nothing at 3X the price? I mean, I get some of the reasons why they didn't include a pop-up, but would it have killed them to fix mold one into the body like they do with their compacts? Canon owners tend to be pretty loyal, you'd think at the price of the 5D they'd throw y'all a bone. Pretty disrespectful to such a huge and loyal userbase if you ask me.
BOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO! Good God.
I'd like to see some kind of mysterious port or slot on the camera that is only there to piss off whiners like the ones on this forum.
Some thoughts:
* The black dot issue? If you like to put your camera on a tripod and shoot cityscapes at night at 1600 iso, I guess you'll have an issue. Otherwise, there is no issue, so stop making it an issue. It's a minor anomaly, nothing more. Same for the banding in sraw. Who cares, you big babies.
* SiteNik says, "i really think Nikon has the win with the D700." Really? Have you noticed that Canon and Nikon never seem to have two directly comparable products in this game? Did you think Canon really had the win when you compared it with the D200? Get a clue.
* Evan says the price is too high. Poor Evan. He should go buy that other 21mp full frame camera with 1080 HD. What's it called?
* Napkindoodle doesn't like the thumbwheel placement. Oops, looks like someone just exposed himself as a total ignoramus.
* It's too big, some say. There's a cure for that. Buy a piece-of-crap plastic XT. Yeah great ergonomics on those little pea-shooters. My 10-year-old daughter loves hers.
* yoyonna says "if you think built in flash are useless you're basically an elitist prick." OK, I am an elitist prick. And you are an inexperienced amateur who neither understands nor cares about why professionals like myself do not use in-camera or on-camera flash.
* Arie wants a pop-up flash. What do you think the chance are that Arie is a total newbie to DSLR photography? Same for most of you, actually. I question whether many of you are even knowledgeable and skilled enough to utilize this class of camera. Seriously. How many of you are using this device to photograph your pets? Your petty complaints are telltale signs of your ignorance.
One more: Major4Play says, "It's just gotta have more cowbell." Now that I agree with.
(And yes I agree that manual controls over video would have been good. This was the one area of disappointment for me.)
Hi- I've had mine for several weeks now and love it. I just shot with it in the studio today and the image quality is amazing. Those people who are complaining about price should note that I bought this camera to replace a Mamiya RZ67 with a Kodak 16MP Pro Back. That little rig cost me over $30,000. a few years back, so $3,600. doesn't seem too bad to me. This camera actually takes pictures that are as sharp or sharper and it's one hell of a lot smaller and easier to use. The Nikon D700 would be a pretty good, somewhat cheaper alternative to this camera. You'd get the full-frame sharpness and high ISO without some extra megapixels that you are probably going to downsample away anyway. Haven't really had enough time with it to suggest any changes. I really like the interactive menu screen that lets you change all the camera settings, very intuitive. JS
I switched from Nikon (D200 + ~$5k in lenses) to Canon specifically for the 5DMarkII and am very happy with the purchase. Short of bringing Nikon's ergonomics with me (yeah...8+yrs as Nikon has me hooked on their design) I wouldn't change a thing. I'm just now rebuilding my lens collection and getting used to the button layout and menu structure. It's more of a learning process than anything though.
Ah no, i thought of something...if I could change one thing I would add an LCD cover like every Nikon (dSLR) I have ever owned came with! Do Canon owners just not seem to care about the lack of protection? Or is Canon using some kind of space aged polymer to protect the screen for us? ;)
change the codec for hd video from h.264 to avchd/h.264. almost same quality and less space on memory.
On another forum somewhere I read that some Nikons offer the ability to just use a portion of the sensor (DX-format) so you can re-use the corresponding lenses, and get the longer reach (or at least without having to crop later).
Anyone comment on the usefulness of this 'feature'. Sounds like it might be nice when shooting with say a 70-200mm, so you get the longer reach without having to use a 1.4x or 2x, or post-process crop. Also, could use the 10-22mm EF-S, so I don't have to run out and get me a 17-40mm f/4L and spend another night sleeping on the couch (although it is kind of like camping).
I love mine. Great picture quality, great video. What to add?
- GPS
- remote flash trigger (as mentioned above)
- aperture control in video mode
- Eye Controlled Focus (I have no experience with this but sounds great)
- perhaps a grip with a hard drive build in?
Over all I think it is great camera with a great price.
Drop the video. That's what video camera's and point and shoots are for. Put the money into camera features. It isn't like I'm buying a camera to do professional video, I'm buying a camera to do professional photography. Bend more towards the Mark III not a video camera.
i'm a wedding and event photographer who welcomes this camera as much for its small size and light weight as it's full sensor, which will give me greater depth of field control. i shoot with a 1d mark III, and if you think the 5d is big and heavy, that's laughable. since this one is so light i will carry both of them with different lenses, and never miss a shot opportunity because of switching lenses. i also always shoot with a speedlite flash, of course, and wouldn't think of using a built in even if it had it (i'm grateful it doesn't. just more usless weight to go wrong and add cost). how can you control any of the built in flashes to look anything like natural light anyway? all the speedlites have auxiliary flash controls. i would like a vertical shooting arrangement like the 1d markIII, but this is more a prosumer camera that needs to be kept cheaper, i guess. i like the button arrangement and find it quite responsive and intuitive even in the heat of peak shooting. i think it is simply a matter of habit, and who cares if you have the time to contemplate a shot more than a millisecond. if the built quality is professional, who could ask for more in a camera? the video is just a curiosity to me.
I would add
- full manual controls in video mode
- 1d autofocus system, being able to shoot in lower light is great unless you cant focus!
Thats about it, its a great camera loved shooting with it for a day w/ 24L II, 50L, 85L
ps. I shoot with a d700.
Well, I would be very satiosfied with the camera not to have a growing "common" problem with the shutter. The camera in one of the positions after first shot, stuck and announces an error message : "error 30" - turn on and off the camera or take off/put in the battery.
To determine the casue of the problem I tried all my lenses from 50/1.4, through zooms (all "L") to 400/5.6L and all weather situations (from -10 °C through snowfall and humidity). I must say the cause of the camera failure is not in the weather. In case that you shoot in horizontal position only the camera performs well. BUT in case you shoot vertically (e.g. you hold the camera upward the shutter release = your hand on shutter button is above the lense) after first shot the camera stops and announces the "error 30". In case you turn the vertical position on 180° there is suprisingly no problem with shooting at all... Very peculiar issue... the gravity does have such an effect ? Some hints on the DP to resolve the problem does not worka t all ... e.g. use the "live view" mode. Yes, on this mode the camera performs well (either in horizontal and vertical position) but who in bloody hell wants to shoot through live view all the time..?
Also if you change the position of the camera (e.g. after the vertical shot you shoot horizontaly then you can continue to shoot, just you ca not shoot 2 images in the same (recommended) vertical position. Does anybody have this problem?