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By Justin Charles (Ireland)
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!!
By Fritz Zsombor
Pros: HI ISO, big viewfinder, fast, weather protected, FULL FRAME, reilable, build quality, picture quality
Cons: there's no infra flash transmitter integrated, too expensive, old interface (contra much cheaper 7D), few focus points, limited video functionality
By Jeff Smith (England)
Not much to say really... awesome camera, buy one. Highly useable for point and shoot or the most advanced user, great metering; make sure you use L series lenses though, pointless otherwise.
By Kieran Madden
There are a lot of mis-informed reviews here on both sides of the argument in my opinion. So I'll try to clear things up as I see them.
I've had this camera for about 10 months now and am both pleased with it and mildly disappointed.
I'm pleased with it because it takes amazing pictures and deals with noise at low resolutions brilliantly - I have no personal experience of the competition but from what I've read, when everything comes together and the camera isn't held back by its flaws, no other dSLR on the market delivers the same level of image quality.
I'm disappointed with it because of what the D700 has that it doesn't.
Many have complained about the dated autofocus technology it uses. A few have complained that the AF just doesn't work properly; this isn't my experience at all, and those people must have defective cameras (although I've read of Canon claiming there was nothing wrong, I have read of some having had their cameras changed by their retailer and had no problems with their replacement).
But the AF is definitely not up to scratch. I often find myself framing my shots according to where the AF points are, rather than according to what would look good; focus recompose is a nice idea but doesn't work if you're shooting at f/2.8.
And, for a camera designed for use in low light, the inferior outer focus points are often a struggle to use. Placing them on a line of contrast, such as the edge of a shadow, often helps the system achieve focus lock but my f/2.8 L lenses still often hunt for focus in this situation. While the center AF point works perfectly it's not much use for reasons of composition.
Some people have said that people managed OK in the old days without AF, etc. These people are being facetious and miss the point. You don't spend £2k on a camera expect a dated AF system. But at the same time it's not useless. It's just irritating - and a good photographer can work around that.
When AF does work - which, to be honest, is most of the time even in difficult conditions - the low light abilities of this camera is incredible. ISO 6400 is quite useable for low-res web use. If there's enough light for you to make out colours, with fast glass then you'll be able to take good shots handheld. Even if stopping motion at f/2.8 might be hard, this is incredible progress in camera technology.
The framerate isn't up to scratch. But to speed up the framerate would have required an improved shutter mechanism - moving a full-frame mirror twice as fast is a lot harder than moving a 1.3x (on the 1D-series) or a much smaller 1.6x mirror twice as fast (xxxD,xxD and 7D). Moreover, processing eight or so 25 Mb images per second would have required a far better processor - as it stands with just 4fps the buffer on the 5DII fills up extremely quickly.
So basically, the 5DII's emphasis is on resolution, while the D700's is on speed.
To a degree, many of these issues have been solved by the release of the 7D. While a part of me resents having to buy a second, £1300, body - which also delivers (apparently slightly) inferior image quality - to be able to photograph birds in flight etc well, a part of me is attracted by the extra reach of a 1.6x body with far higher pixel density. My 400 f/5.6L prime doesn't get me all that close on this full-frame body.
(And, with a good L prime, you will get extra reach when comparing the 7D to 5DII due to the afforementioned pixel density - I can't afford a 500 f/4L, so an effective 640mm is an attractive thought, even if the image quality wouldn't be as amazing as the extremely heavy & expensive 500 fitted to my 5DII).
Those who moan about file sizes are being silly. As others have said, what else do you expect when shooting RAW on a 21MP camera? If you don't like it, reduce the resolution. Solved - and you get longer continuous shooting bursts before the buffer fills.
Some people have switched to Nikon due to the 5DII, while I've read of Nikonians who've switched to Canon for this camera and have been happy. I've looked into the idea of going to Nikon but I don't like Nikon's lenses, which are also MUCH more expensive - so much more so that I reckon the cost of switching to the Nikon equivalents of my Canon lenses would be less than selling my 5DII and getting a 1DsIII or IDIV.
Finally, video is a great addition to this camera - even if you think you don't need it, it's good to have. I often find myself wondering if I should shoot video or stills. While videoing well on this camera is a whole different skill, if you get it right the results are amazing - even if just for home videos. The in-built microphone isn't too bad either - not professional, but quite useable.
Is it a camera to suit all your needs? No. But it is a damn good camera, and below the 1D series cameras everything is a compromise (Canon of course want you to buy their most expensive bodies). If landscapes and the best image quality aren't important to you, though, consider getting the 7D instead of the 5DII - I wish I'd known the 7D was round the corner when I bought this because I may have made a different choice. But if I were to change now, I fear that I may miss the stunning quality of the 5DII's shots.
By Gryphon (Bedford, England)
I have now been using this product for almost 9 months and it is a fantastic camera for this price. This camera is aimed squarely at the keen amateur or semi-professional and in the right hands I can see no need to upgrade to the considerably more expensive EOS 1DS MkIII - which uses the same sensor. Users upgrading from any of the APS 'C' sensor cameras such as the 20D, 40D or 50D and own Canon EF-S lenses, these must not be used with the 5D MkII as the short focus back on the EF-S lenses will result in a catastophic mirror strike. Your lens budget may go out of the window as you really do need the 'L' series for the wider angle lenses to take full advantage of the sensor. The image quality is superb. Functions and settings available to users are full and customisable. HD Video is a bit of an art form and there are issues in that the 30fps standard is in use - Canon are investigating a 24fps update in 2010 - so this may impact PAL users as we use 25fps. You will need to get an external mic though as the one fitted to the camera is mono and poor (it does not claim to be anything but). I use mine for shooting lightning and the quality is near slide film standard and has no 'halo' caused by the brightness of lightnin strikes which are visible on my 40D when enlarged. Canon's DPP software continues to be a bit flaky but does an adequate job, although I expect most users will want to be using either Photoshop or similar professional image editing software.
If you are serious about photography but wanted to stay with film because digital cameras had not caught up, then think again - this camera does deliver.
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