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Canon Digital SLR Camera EOS 5D Mark II | 
| Brand: Canon
Buy New: £1,706.50
as of 30/7/2010 06:12 BST details
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Rating:  26 reviews
Media: Electronics
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Display Size: 3
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.8
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MPN: 1671412
Model: 2764B015AA
EAN: 8714574529585
ASIN: B001E97GIK
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 26
 5D Mark 2000 January 23, 2010
Justin Charles (Ireland)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
In the past I have owned the Canon 20D, and then more recently the 5D.
I've read reviews and craved this camera for a long time, and it is now finally in my grubby hands. Here's what I can say after only using it for a week:
Noticeable changes from the 5D:
- physical changes
1. It feels more sturdy and slightly bigger.
2. The screen is superb, automatically adjusts for ambient light conditions, and very clear. Zooming into photos is a real treat (if you managed to get it pin sharp, like from a tripod, it's especially stunning). I'd read about a new special coating on the screen (the same coating they now put on the front of the first sensor filter) to repel smudges etc, but it doesn't seem to do much. It does have a nice purple-blue sheen, but my nose still makes it messy after a while shooting. Note to self: shower more. Only kidding.
3. The sensor is full frame, 21MP and 14 bits per channel. This allows for smooth tones and lovely switches from light to shadow. Simply light years ahead of the 5D or any other camera (better in some comparisons I've read than even the 1Ds Mk III).
4. They moved the light button to the outside of the top lcd. Minor, but takes a second to remind myself about it.
5. The flash hotshoe is now bare metal instead of black (which ended up half metal anyway - lots of scratches from the 580 being put on and off.
6. The plastic flaps on the side that contain the ports are now way less awkward to use.
7. The main dial now has three custom fucntion sets there, which I have not used yet.
8. It's subtle, but the viewfinder is somehow more crisp - and slightly bigger. Just that bit more comfortable. And the autofocus points are that bit more easy to see without fiddling with the diopter.
- software changes
1. There is a handy feature called "highlight tone priority" in the custom functions that shifts the dynamic range to hold the highlights. It also makes the minimum ISO only 200, but I've tried it and it seems to work very well. Possibly a little more noise in the shadows, but nothing noticeable.
2. Speaking of dynamic range, I do a fair bit of HDR photography and the AEB functions are now nicely linked to the Exposure Compensation function. On one screen you can shift the exposure up or down a stop, as well as expand to bracket three exposures of +/- 2 stops. Lovely addition. As in the 5D you can shoot all three exposures automatically by using the timer.
3. Oh my god I love this feature: lens micro focus adjustment. Previously only available to lucky owners of the 1D series, this allows you to check the autofocus feature of any lens, and adjust the focus if you find it to be slightly soft (e.g. the focus is slightly behind or in front of the target). I spent 3 hours last night in full-on nerd mode, and finally figured out a way to do it simply. Skip the next bit if you're not a total optic nerd. The more in-focus an image is, the larger the file size. By varying the micro-adjustment from -20 to +20 in stages, you can later review the file sizes of the images and the one with the largest file size (if you keep all parameters the same) will be the setting with the most accurate focus. To do this, set up the camera and lens on a tripod and get it exactly perpendicular to a target. The target should fill the frame. I taped an old "start here" poster from a printer to the wall, and used a level to level the tripod. Tether the camera to a laptop and use live view shooting. Defocus the lens manually. Go into the custom functions and select the adjust by lens, and set it to -20. Then click the autofocus on the laptop to focus it. I repeat this focus click 3 times to make sure it is perfect. Then shoot 4 shots (to get an average reading). Move the micro-adjustment to -10 and repeat at intervals of 10 until you reach +20. Make sure to defocus the lens manually each time to make sure you force the autofocus to work through the problem again each time. Lets say +10 gave the largest average file size. Then go back and shoot at +5, +10, and +15. Lets say you decide +10 is still best, then go for +7, +8, +9, +10, +11 until you find the perfect focus. Nerds rejoice!! Actually it's not just nerdyness for the sake of being nerdy - I spent 3 hours on my 85mm f/1.2 last night and it is now WAY better than it was previously. It's razor thin depth of field at f/1.2 is now slightly behind where it was at it'd default (0) setting. So instead of a lovely in-focus image of an eyebrow and the tips of eyelashes, I now get the eyeball itself in clear focus. This is obviously a lens issue, but the fact that I can fix it in-camera without sending my lens off for re-calibration is a joy!!
4. In general the digic 4 system is vastly better than the digic 2 I was used to on the 5D. Menu surfing is fast and intuitive, and in no time I was used to it.
5. The main screen is now used a lot more than I realized - there is a whole lot of information that pops up between shots - and you can now navigate using the small adjustment knob, and change your ISO or metering mode that way (as well as the old way of looking through the viewfinder, or using the top lcd).
6. As much touted, you can now also shoot full HD video. This is a bit fiddly, and it's hard to get used to how to change aperture etc. Also because it's not raw (a format I use all the time) I now also have to learn about the picture style settings. Using zoom or changing focus while shooting is not advisable, because the noise of the lens (even the relatively quiet USM lenses) is simply deafening on playback. A mic can be added, which I think I would do if I got seriously into making movies on the 5D. Movie buffs are drooling over the chance to use wide aperture lenses that don't cost a trillion dollars, but for me the HD function is more of a gimmick for now. Although if I have some time on my hands, maybe I'll get into it some day. You can shoot still frames while recording, and on playback there is just a tiny glitchy moment when the camera returns momentarily to being a still frame device.
Overall this is a superb upgrade to the 5D. Aside from the size and name on the side, it's hardly the same camera at all.
Yes it's expensive, and yes the 7D seems to have similar quality photos in terms of bit depth and image size, but for me full frame functionality of this camera is the main thing. L lenses (especially the wide angle ones) only really make sense on a full frame camera. Although wildlife shooters might argue against me there.
The 5D was an amazing camera and I had years of joy with it. I look forward to years more with this one - and wonder what Canon will have to do in order to convince me to ever upgrade again.
Beg, borrow, steal. Get one!!
canon 5d mark 2 May 2, 2009
W. Whitmore
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
My third Canon digital camera - Rebel to 30d and now to this. It is as good as all the reviews I've read and after my previous camera the controls are familiar.
Thought that the HD video was unnecessary but I've started using it and the quality is very good.
Would recommend this camera to anyone.
Awesome camera November 19, 2009
Andrew Johns (Taunton,UK)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Obtained after a opportunity presented itself I must admit I doubted that I would feel the need for such a camera over my existing 40D, I was wrong. Within a few frames I didn't want to give this stunning camera up, there is just something about full frame that gives images a special look and feel.
I have had some focusing issues, but it turns out my technique was not as good as it should have been and a couple of my lenses needed calibration, thankfully it is easy to fix the latter with the camera calibration setting in the menus. The former is something I will have to live with however.
In the end this camera has reignited my passion for photography. The image quality is nothing short of stunning, the movie stuff is a nice addition, handling is improved over the 40D and it sounds nicer to boot. Scarily I almost feel it justifies its price tag.
Long Awaited Upgrade November 3, 2009
Paul Phillips (LOndon)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
The Canon D5 Mark II was a long overdue upgrade from my faithful Canon EOS 10D, and definately worth the long wait. Its a complicated camera to use, and a few days is needed to digest the manual, but the results are superb and the camera itself is robust and beautifully made. Using my Canon EF 50 mm F1.2L USM lens gave great results in pretty much all lighting conditions. The combination of which make the lack of an inbuilt flash immaterial. I am delighted with the performance and can't imagine ever needing to buy another camera after this one.
Excellent Camera May 5, 2009
C. Gleissner (London, UK)
20 out of 22 found this review helpful
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is an excellent tool in the hands of anyone serious about photography. Comparing it to models I previously owned (400D, 10D, 20D, 5D), this camera delivers in every single aspect. The improvement over the 5D is so significant that the simple Mark II extension doesn't do the camera justice. Calling it a 6D would have been more appropriate.
The most important additions to me are live view and video. The 10x magnification in live view permits absolute precise manual focussing and immediate feedback to any ISO/shutter speed/aperture changes, as well as white balanced adjustments. Before, I had to take test shots and zoom in. Live view zoom is a much more elegant and quick solution to this. Video is also a major extension. Most point and shoot cameras - and phones - have been supporting photo and video for years. It's good that DSLRs finally catch up. Being able to use the dozen of Canon EF lenses, especially at wide aperture, is great. Sure, there are some limitations such as 30 frames/s instead of 24 frames and no manual adjustment of aperture (work-arounds exist and are well-documented in various online forums), but all in all, it is a highly usable feature.
Apart from that, there are many small additions which make a big difference. For instance, you can now configure your own menu - great for the mirror-lock-up function. ISO is permanently visible in the viewfinder and there is even an Auto ISO function. And the anti-dust sensor shake is also very useful.
This camera is highly recommended.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 26
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