Just upgraded to a 5D Mark II from 60D

Well, it's not even here yet. Should arrive tomorrow. For those of you who have gone through such a transition from the 60D (or similar crop camera) to the 5d Mark II, what changes in the new body did it take longest to get used to? Any tips? I'll be my 85 1.8 and 70-200 f4 IS. My 17-55 will be getting sold soon enough to make room for a Canon 24-70. I can use that on my 60D, too, which I'll be keeping as a backup.

It's a camera. There wasn't really anything to adjust to. Especially since I was familiar with the Canon system anyway. I guess you will have the joy of a more professional body than you have worked with before assuming the 60D and t1i are it. The multi-controller is awesome, and a far better button layout compared to the 60D as well.

Numenorean wrote in post #14326383
It's a camera. There wasn't really anything to adjust to. Especially since I was familiar with the Canon system anyway. I guess you will have the joy of a more professional body than you have worked with before assuming the 60D and t1i are it. The multi-controller is awesome, and a far better button layout compared to the 60D as well.

Thanks. I've owned a 40D in the past, and I'm selling my T1i today.

The only transition is learning where the buttons are, and learning how different your lenses are on the full frame camera. Canon controls are pretty consistent from one model to another but they move the buttons around so each body has its own ergonomics. The 70-200 really becomes a different lens on a full frame camera, its not that long anymore and you might miss the reach. But it becomes even more versatile as what you get on the wide end allows you to use it in more circumstances than you might have before.

gonzogolf wrote in post #14326394
The only transition is learning where the buttons are, and learning how different your lenses are on the full frame camera. Canon controls are pretty consistent from one model to another but they move the buttons around so each body has its own ergonomics. The 70-200 really becomes a different lens on a full frame camera, its not that long anymore and you might miss the reach. But it becomes even more versatile as what you get on the wide end allows you to use it in more circumstances than you might have before.

Thanks Gonzogolf. That's what I'm hoping with the 70-200. Also, even though it is f4, I should be able to shoot better in low light with the full frame than when it is on my 60D.

I went from a 7D to a 5D3.. the biggest adjustment is that I'm used to using a certain lens in a certain situation. Now, times when I'd normally reach for my 35L, I find myself grabbing the Sigma 85... and somewhat wishing that I had a 50L.... the 35L is now a somewhat wide angle instead of being a "normal" range lens... up close, it gets a bit more distorted than I'm used to...

The controls are also just different enough to mess me up every once in a while.. when I'm chimping a shot, I'll go up to hit magnify with my right thumb, but on the 5D, I now need to hit the magnify button first, then use the front wheel to zoom in and out... so.. little things like that take a little while to get used to...

eaglefan wrote in post #14326410
Thanks Gonzogolf. That's what I'm hoping with the 70-200. Also, even though it is f4, I should be able to shoot better in low light with the full frame than when it is on my 60D.

Only because of ISO performance. Its not going to be a curative for indoor work, for that get a fast prime. My reference was more to the fact that the zoom range makes it an option for event work on a full frame where its usually more suited to sports/wildlife work on a crop camera.

eaglefan wrote in post #14326410
Thanks Gonzogolf. That's what I'm hoping with the 70-200. Also, even though it is f4, I should be able to shoot better in low light with the full frame than when it is on my 60D.

Well..only because of the higher usable ISO on the 5DII. There is no exposure difference between crop/full frame sensors.

Numenorean wrote in post #14326436
Well..only because of the higher usable ISO on the 5DII. There is no exposure difference between crop/full frame sensors.

Is it not true that with a crop camera, the 1.6 also comes into play with aperture? So shooting at f4 on a crop is more like shooting at f6.4, and f4 on a full frame is f4.

eaglefan wrote in post #14326446
Is it not true that with a crop camera, the 1.6 also comes into play with aperture? So shooting at f4 on a crop is more like shooting at f6.4, and f4 on a full frame is f4.

No. Aperture is the same. There is a difference in the depth of field. But at a given ISO shutter speed and aperture are the same.

the difference in aperture discussion is often misleading. Really, it's a difference in your framing and distance to subject.

With a crop camera, let's say that you're shooting a head and shoulders portrait of a subject from 4ft away. To get the same framing with a full frame camera, you'll be closer to your subject. Closer to subject = shallower DOF. It's really that simple...

Take for example a series of shots I did while looking at the differences in ISO performance between my 7D and 5D3. In both pictures, the camera settings were the same, the tripod was in the same place. Look at the difference in framing:

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

eaglefan wrote in post #14326446
Is it not true that with a crop camera, the 1.6 also comes into play with aperture? So shooting at f4 on a crop is more like shooting at f6.4, and f4 on a full frame is f4.

No, the aperture is still letting in the same amount of light. You just have a larger sensor that it is hitting on a full frame vs. a crop. The projected image from the lens is exactly the same on both cameras.

See the post above about framing - you have to adjust your subject distance or focal length in order to get the shots framed the same on a full frame vs. a crop. This is why the DOF would change if you wanted to frame the shots the same way, but this doesn't have anything to do with the aperture changing.

va_rider wrote in post #14326506
the difference in aperture discussion is often misleading. Really, it's a difference in your framing and distance to subject.

With a crop camera, let's say that you're shooting a head and shoulders portrait of a subject from 4ft away. To get the same framing with a full frame camera, you'll be closer to your subject. Closer to subject = shallower DOF. It's really that simple...

Take for example a series of shots I did while looking at the differences in ISO performance between my 7D and 5D3. In both pictures, the camera settings were the same, the tripod was in the same place. Look at the difference in framing:

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

5D MK III ISO 100 by Trovatoam, on Flickr

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

7D ISO 100 by Trovatoam, on Flickr

Again, both shots were from the same distance from the bottles, so on these, the DOF is the same. However, to get the same framing on the 7D shot, I would have to move the tripod back, which would result in a larger DOF.

Thanks, this actually explains it really well!

+2, thanks!

Another reason for me to justify upgrading to the 5d2 based on the type of pics I like shooting lol

va_rider wrote in post #14326506
the difference in aperture discussion is often misleading. Really, it's a difference in your framing and distance to subject.

With a crop camera, let's say that you're shooting a head and shoulders portrait of a subject from 4ft away. To get the same framing with a full frame camera, you'll be closer to your subject. Closer to subject = shallower DOF. It's really that simple...

Take for example a series of shots I did while looking at the differences in ISO performance between my 7D and 5D3. In both pictures, the camera settings were the same, the tripod was in the same place. Look at the difference in framing:

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

5D MK III ISO 100 by Trovatoam, on Flickr

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

7D ISO 100 by Trovatoam, on Flickr

Again, both shots were from the same distance from the bottles, so on these, the DOF is the same. However, to get the same framing on the 7D shot, I would have to move the tripod back, which would result in a larger DOF.

This does sum it up very well... I just drowned my 7D and I am trying to decide whether or not to jump to the FF or buy another 7D (I loved my 7D). all this info is great!

side note: Apothic Red is a nice wine!