Question about the 5D mark II

I recently sold my Canon 60D to get a new 5D markII,

And as I look at the images I can only noticed a difference while the pic is at full size, meaning when I look at those pics on my iMac trough iPhoto with a 21 inches screen, there is no major difference, only when I click to full size that I can see it's a lot clearer , so I was wondering what you guys tough of that....since I use mainly the camera for my 21 inches screen.....
Should I go and take it back and trade it for a 7D or Am I wrong....

sega62 wrote in post #14697102
I recently sold my Canon 60D to get a new 5D markII,

And as I look at the images I can only noticed a difference while the pic is at full size, meaning when I look at those pics on my iMac trough iPhoto with a 21 inches screen, there is no major difference, only when I click to full size that I can see it's a lot clearer , so I was wondering what you guys tough of that....since I use mainly the camera for my 21 inches screen.....
Should I go and take it back and trade it for a 7D or Am I wrong....

When viewed at smaller sizes you arent likely to notice a great deal of difference between the output of any of the cameras given a well exposed image in reasonable light. The differences come down to things not directly related to display size but focusing systems, color rendition, field of view with a given lens, ISO performance, etc. if web sized display is your measuring stick go buy a T3 and save some money.

I don't like the T3 size, I like a bigger camera, but I was thinking about the 7D, but again I love the 36 mm view, wich is so cool!
But image wise, I still have to do some test, but it's a nice camera, don't get me wrong...

sega62 wrote in post #14697160
I don't like the T3 size, I like a bigger camera, but I was thinking about the 7D, but again I love the 36 mm view, wich is so cool!
But image wise, I still have to do some test, but it's a nice camera, don't get me wrong...

I understand, but my point is this, you are buying ferarris to drive at 35 mph. If web display is your standard they are going to equal out in the long run.

You're not wrong. For viewing on a computer screen, you're not going to see much difference unless at 100%. However, start printing these photos large and you'll start seeing differences. If you only want to view images on a computer screen, then the 5d is overkill for your needs... most cameras will be overkill.

What did you expect?

sega62 wrote in post #14697160
I don't like the T3 size, I like a bigger camera, but I was thinking about the 7D, but again I love the 36 mm view, wich is so cool!
But image wise, I still have to do some test, but it's a nice camera, don't get me wrong...

Do some test in low light and you will see which body excels. IMO, they are different tools for different uses. Landscape, studio, portraits, weddings all lend well to the 5D2. While the 7D lends a lot better to sports and other shoots that require quick AF and a fast frame rate.

I do mainly shoot outdoor, scenery,and landscape and city stuff

If you arn't printing photos or selling them, and are just keeping them on your computer at web sizes (such as facebook) then no, you won't see much of a difference between any body really. That doesn't mean you don't deserve a camera as good as the 5DII - but you might save some money by getting a cheaper body if that is all the output is being used for.

If you are selling them, or using the photos on a portfolio on a website - keep in mind the rest of the population of the world has a variety of monitor sizes. They will see your photos smaller or larger depending. If you can see a distinctive difference in IQ when zoomed in (as you would) I don't see what the problem is, and you should be happy, no?

yeah i'm happy, but I was wondering since I got 2 weeks of trial, if i'm not happy I could get a 7D, but I will give it a good try before.
Yes there is 2 major differences, not crop and it's a hell of a difference, cause I have a 11-16 Tokina with I don't need anymore, since my 24-105 makes plenty of room on a full sensor, it's just amazing the size you really get.

Secondly, when I got the image on full size it's a blast, really.
And also like the camera button configuration, and there is more than the 60D.
What I would really like is more autofocus points, 9 is not enough.

I have both the 7D and the 5D2, I'll give you some advice. Take that 5D2 back ASAP and get the 7D.

The 5D2's sensor is better than the 7D for sure, but for the very great majority of people you'll see very little difference. The low light ISO performance of the 5D is also a couple stops better than the 7D, but thats where the good stuff stops for the 5D

At 3 frames a second the 5D2 is slooooooooooooooow... too slow to get any good action.

It has 9 AF points... which is a total scam. Only ONE (the center one) is accurate enough to be used for any reason. This center point is pretty useless in low light as well.

The AF system as a whole is abysmal. The single greatest weakness of the entire unit, which cripples it when taking pictures of moving objects is the AF "system" (and i use system very loosely)

There are two important areas the 5D2 excels, the full frame sensor, and its low light ISO performance. BOTH are worth nothing when 6 out of 10 shots are out of focus.

The only two areas of photography where this camera is any good is portraits and landscapes. The two areas of photography where you have a completely immobile subject. If it moves, the 5D2 will miss it.

Thats not to say the camera can't be used. Lots of professional wedding photographers use it, but its a mystery to me how they pull it off... manual focus maybe?

The 7D on the other hand is a FANTASTIC camera.

The AF system on it is top notch, even for the age, there are few cameras that can rival it. It has 8 frames per second and every one of them will be sharp and in focus no matter what your subject is. (assuming you are using a lens with a motor fast enough to keep up.)

It does have a crop sensor, which is the only thing on the unit I would change. Its low light high ISO performance is very good. Not quite as good as the 5D2, but you can comfortably shoot 1600, 3200 in a pinch, vs 3200, 6400 in a pinch on the 5D2.

between the two cameras, each has its use. the 5D2 is a portrait / landscape camera and the 7D is an action camera. Thats not to say the 7D doesnt do portraits or landscapes just fine because it does. The same cannot be said about the 5D2.

I'm going to have a half dozen people argue this whole post right away, so I ask this to all you who come to argue:

"Is what I've said about the AF system untrue."

If the answer is no, then you have no argument. Nip it in the bud before it even starts.

The 5D2 takes a beautiful image. But if your forever fighting for focus, wtf good is it.

In my opinion, take the 5D2 back before its too late and get the 7D.

Yep, I don't understand how anybody can live with such crappy focus on their 5D2 when trying to shoot fast moving objects like birds

L.J.G. wrote in post #14698581
The way everybody bags the focus on a 5D2 you would reckon if it moves faster than a snail you have no hope!

Your right there. "everyone bags on the focus on a 5d2". You're one guy in a veritable sea of people that can handle the limitations of the 5D focus system. And why would you want to put up with it? The 5D2's IQ is barely noticeably different than the 7D in all but the lowest light, and widest focal lengths.

I never said you'd never get focus on the 5D, just that 6 out of 10 would be missed. Its easy to post a couple shots, or even a hundred shots of well focused motion, but what you don't see are the thousands of throw aways due to missed focus.

When using the 7D, If you get one shot out of focus in 10 its a surprise.

Wow! This thread is an eye opener. IQ is my biggest concern too witht he 60D. I haven't used a cropper in years so I'm a bit scared to buy a 60D.


It looks like I'm keeping my 5D and pair it with a 60D.

L.J.G. wrote in post #14698581
Yep, I don't understand how anybody can live with such crappy focus on their 5D2 when trying to shoot fast moving objects like birds

Personally I have no issue with the focus system, centre point or otherwise. It all depends on how you use it and what you shoot. Stick with it and it will grow on you. Once you are used to it you won't want to part with it.

Hey LJG,
Those bird shots are from a 5D mark II?
I'm trying to see what people has to say about the autofocus problems, so far it's fine with me.....for sure it's not a fast camera, but it is as fast as my 60D with better resolution for sure and full frame wich is a BIG PLUS believe me, my Tokina will be out soon, cause I think with 24-105 you get pretty wide , for my taste anyway, but I might keep it, the thing is on the Tokina 11-16 on a full frame, you can't use the 11-14 mm, cause you see some vigneting, you really see a circle around the exterior borders of the picture....so I might sell it, i'll have to check that out real seriously.....


Thanks for the comments, it's always nice to hear from someone who as both cameras!

I'm actually using the 7d more than the 5dm2, as the IQ difference below 1600 is not much difference.
I'm enjoying the extra reach, the improved AF and the higher FPS.

I think the trick is to use the 7d with sharp glass and keep the shutter speed higher to counteract the higher pixel density.