Canon 5D Mark II - Worth investment?

[Leonard W.]

Hey all,

Roger if you have an opinion as well please share.

95% of my photography is 35mm. I shoot on two old Minolta SRT101/102 and also medium format on the Yahsica MAT 124G.

The problem is for clients its much cheaper and easier to shoot digital. I don't own one and have had to borrow one each time. The most money I am willing to spend is $3500 for the Canon 5D Mark II with the 24-105mm lens. My only concerns are that a better camera will be released soon either by canon or a competitor. Anyone that owns this camera please give your thoughts. Do you find that this camera will be well worth the investment a few years from now? I love that it has the full frame chip and the video capability which would allow for me to use it for video shoots as well.

Should I spend the money or just get a solid camera slightly cheaper camera without the video and use the extra money for other lenses? I just dont want to make a quick decision and could use some advice to help weigh my decision.

Thanks

[Jackson_Gango]

I stopped following it but I'm pretty sure it still doesn't shoot 24p, which always drives me away. On top of the fact that you only get one choice in frame rate which in my personal opinion is whats holding all these digital SLRs back from being serious players.
I do know the Mark II fixed all their automatic controls so that you now manipulate shutter manually, which the D90 won't let you do and it really aggravates me.

But honestly, a camera like this is going to be phased out or completely upgraded within the next year.

[Wilson]

My opinion in regards to making any purchase that involves technology that can and at somepoint in the future will be improved upon is to be as clear as possible with your intentions on how you wish to use the technology. What I mean by that is, yes it seems great that they are developing these SLR's that are both capable of still photographs in addition to HD quality video footage but do you need the combination? Is there a camera that can give you everything you're looking for that you see in the 5D but at a less expensive price because its a pure DSLR with no video capabilities? If thats the case, then why not go with that option? It will then allow you to invest in lenses and other accessories that will make you feel more content than sitting around wondering when the next upgrade will be released.

Ultimately its just up to you to do your research based on what you're looking to achieve. After all, with all technologies, improvements and upgrades will continue to occur as time goes on but that doesnt mean that just because you bought last years model, your work is obsolete. If you can find a camera that has what you're looking for and satisfies your needs now why can't it satisfy your needs in a year when they make the "B" version that has one more megapixel and slightly less noise at 3200 ISO?

[Kevin Thomas]

Hi Leonard,

From the still photography stand point I would suggest going for a lower spec body and buying a wide to normal-ish and a mid to long telephoto lenses. Your next purchase after that should be another camera body partly to keep the sensor clean by not switching lenses and just as importantly to have a back up if one body develops problems. Whether you choose Canon or Nikon, full frame or DX is something you need to answer yourself especially as you already have experience of what your clients requirements are.

Regarding your concern that a better spec camera will be released, that is inevitable. This is not a problem if you are able to supply your clients needs with the kit you have already chosen. Furthermore this is not so much of an issue if your business is supplying stills..

The tricky bit of your question is about using a DSLR to record video. There is a whole host of technical issues that tend to get overlooked when viewing a night scene with shallow depth of field shot by these cameras – the footage looks so impressive. It has sparked the imagination of a far few photographers and film-makers while I think the response of cameramen/women (film or video) has been interested but cautious.

If you are looking for a step straight into the world of video production the DSLR with video is not the best choice. That is not to say you couldn’t make it work for you.

[Jake]

In Terms of a stills camera The 5d MkII is fantastic. I would not trade it for the world. Using the video function on it is great to use for a reccy or even a shoot that will be used for online viewing or even DVD but you need to treat it for what it is a stills camera with Video! In terms of dealing with the inevitable redundancy of technology, what will be the difference in three years time? You will be asking the same question again! it doesn't end it never will, my advice, Buy the camera if it will furfill your needs now not weather it will be superseeded in a years time.
Before you go spending a large amount of money on a stills camera you also must consider the Glass that you will be putting in front of it. Canon make some pretty nice glass, which is alot slower to become redundant then the camera itself and can be used for your current camera and the next! I would buy a cheaper camera and better glass then the other way around if you can't afford both.

[Leonard W.]

Thanks guys for the insight. I have been doing my research and I have been borrowing a 5D Mark II from a friend. The stills are nice and the video is impressive for what it is.

Kevin: i have been looking into this. I think I would be much happier with a cheaper body and better/more glass. I feel restricted with only one lens and would regret just getting the 5D Mark II and not have the option of a longer/wider lens. I really like the 50D.

Jake: After getting my hands on one i really love the camera but not having the option of changing the frame rate does bother me. Of course it IS a DSLR not a video camera. Also the continuous rate of 3.9 is much slower compared to the 50D at 6.3 shots/sec.

A friend of mine just told me about a "leak" that Canon will be releasing a new EOS camera, the 7D. Its a full frame with 12 MP. Its rumored to be released next month so i may wait a little longer and weigh the 50D and the 7D.

Thanks again everyone!

[Andrew Wilding]

Ill just weigh in that I wouldnt trade my 5d mkii for the world. The Video mode is frankly something that I never use (the most horrible compression!), but it is such an intuitive, gorgeous stills camera.

[Roger]

One comment - Leica.

[TimH]

Roger,

Have a look at this photographer (Dave Hill), while he does a lot of polished/commercial stuff he also shoots a lot of personal photos with his Leica M6 and I'd be curious what you think of them. There is an [i] to the bottom right of each photo that gives you the specs of the camera used, film type and size.

Enjoy

http://www.davehillphoto.com/gallery/landscape

http://www.davehillphoto.com/gallery/personal-music

[Roger]

The landscapes are really excellent. Beautiful images.

[Ziryab Ben Brahem]

Should I spend the money or just get a solid camera slightly cheaper camera without the video and use the extra money for other lenses? I just dont want to make a quick decision and could use some advice to help weigh my decision.

Personally I wouldn't bother buying the Canon 5D Mark II, when you can achieve the same amount of quality with the newer and cheaper 7D. I think it all comes to whether you need the Full Frame capability on the Canon 5D Mark II. The 7D's APS-C CMOS sensor should perform just as good, but it will have the usual x1.6 crop factor.

As for video, I don't think most photographers really need that video feature. It makes too many compromises as for the video quality. I don't really believe in the combination thing, a video camera is for video, A still camera is for still photography.

So, my suggestion is: If you can live without full frame: Buy the cheaper 7D, get yourself some D lenses.
If you need full-frame: Just go for the Canon 5D Mark II. It isn't that much of a investment anyhow.

[jim_bob_blann]

Just wanted to weigh in with this old debate for anyone, like me, who read it for advice.
I'm a bit of film stills snob and I bought the 5D for video and love it, I have to love it now because I bought it! I was really surprised with the quality of the video, it has a look all of it's own and makes film making much more accessible for people like me. Here's a part of my first little test with it - http://www.flickr.com/photos/meblob/4344658404/. Anyone out there hesitating, i'd suggest just going for it.

[Cenydd Ros]

I shot this with my Canon T2i - this is actually a still from video footage I shot with my T2i. Sorry, I'm not lightning fast on the trigger.

Lightning Strike - Rabbit Lake, Aug 26, 2010
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_IvPBda21ctU/T ... trikes.jpg

More rainy summer day shots on my blog
http://cenyddros.blogspot.com/