5d Mark II Announced -- OFFICIAL RELEASE

Blitz wrote in post #6329822
I'm getting one the day they hit stores. Yeah, more fps would be nice, but I am super stoked for HD videos. And since I'm shooting with a 300D (1600 ISO = USELESS), this will be one hell of an upgrade.

That will be a nice little upgrade!

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #6328895
Well, I'm actually interested now...
21 MP and the HD movie mode... I like it.

From my PM to you last week

" ...the next big addition that POTN should start to consider is video. This will become increasingly important as gear converges as well as the fact that many people are required to shoot both."

belmondo wrote in post #6329769
After the first couple hours, it's extremely unlikely we're going to plow any new ground in this discussion. Everyone seems to want to express their opinion, though, and they should have that right.

It is ironic that so many people are willing to bash the 5Dm2, even before Rob Galbraith has told us if it's any good or not.

Pretty much! I'm very curious to see what Galbraith and others say after a real review as well as some ISO comparisons to the Nikons.

TheHoff wrote in post #6329778
Thread summary:

People waiting to buy a 5D are generally happy.
People looking to upgrade their 5D are somewhat pleased but not so impressed.
People waiting for a 3D are annoyed.

I agree with that. I think it's a good looking camera, but I am sort of in the 3D camp having been spoiled by the 1 series cameras. Doesn't mean I need a 3D over the 5D Mark II but I'd like the choice

People who are complaining amaze me....

Honestly... at $2,700.00 this camera is an AMAZING upgrade!!

It doesn't have 862 AFpoints... and shoot 9000 fps. SO WHAT?!?!? It's not a sports camera so really, how many focus points do you need? Guess what? the 1D is going to get the Digic4 chips too... and then you'll have your 10fps and 29 AF points. You'll also have the $4500 price tag as well.

The 5D mkII still fits the purpose it was intended for and I'm happy about that. It's not an alternative to the 1D but it is an alternative to the 1Ds. Full frame high MP (CLEAN) for general purpose. Us wedding photographers are gonna LOVE this camera! I would be happy with usable ISO6400 images but from what I've seen... even 25600 is usable. Not it's not clean... in fact it's noisy as hell... but convert to B/W and EVERY single frame will be usable!!!

Pekka wrote in post #6329645
Video will be part of digital cameras from now on. So we will have it covered.

Pekka- Just wanted to mention that along with video we should have a section for audio as there are different applications for audio editing than just the video editing software.

Blitz wrote in post #6329822
I'm getting one the day they hit stores. Yeah, more fps would be nice, but I am super stoked for HD videos. And since I'm shooting with a 300D (1600 ISO = USELESS), this will be one hell of an upgrade.

I would have liked 5 FPS. The HD Movie mode looks like it could be a very interesting toy to play with indeed.

Canon could have done a better job of using more of the viewfinder space for the AF points instead of having them mainly in the center of the frame. I like having the ability to use a focus point on my XT that's on the far right or left without having to change composition to focus and then recompose back to the original view.

And since Nikon doesn't have a 70-200 F4 IS, I'll probably stay with Canon even though the D700/D3 look like really sweet cameras.

belmondo wrote in post #6329769
It is ironic that so many people are willing to bash the 5Dm2, even before Rob Galbraith has told us if it's any good or not.

And yet another keyboard doused with beer.....

Fortunately, I have an environmentally sealed keyboard now.

TheHoff wrote in post #6329778
Thread summary:

People waiting to buy a 5D are generally happy.
People looking to upgrade their 5D are somewhat pleased but not so impressed.
People waiting for a 3D are annoyed.

That about sums it up. Some testing will be needed before I will upgrade the 5D. The 1D3 didn't work out so well for me, so I'm considerably more cautious this time around. Canon's on probation.

belmondo wrote in post #6329769
It is ironic that so many people are willing to bash the 5Dm2, even before Rob Galbraith has told us if it's any good or not.

Now that was good ...

forkball wrote in post #6329905
People who are complaining amaze me....

Honestly... at $2,700.00 this camera is an AMAZING upgrade!!

It doesn't have 862 AFpoints... and shoot 9000 fps. SO WHAT?!?!? It's not a sports camera so really, how many focus points do you need? Guess what? the 1D is going to get the Digic4 chips too... and then you'll have your 10fps and 29 AF points. You'll also have the $4500 price tag as well.

The 5D mkII still fits the purpose it was intended for and I'm happy about that. It's not an alternative to the 1D but it is an alternative to the 1Ds. Full frame high MP (CLEAN) for general purpose. Us wedding photographers are gonna LOVE this camera! I would be happy with usable ISO6400 images but from what I've seen... even 25600 is usable. Not it's not clean... in fact it's noisy as hell... but convert to B/W and EVERY single frame will be usable!!!

They added a bunch of "features" and they updated the electronics...but the mechanics of the camera...you know, the photography part, remains largely unchanged. How is it hard to see that this is not just a little bit disappointing?

Yohan Pamudji wrote in post #6329657
And I like how expressing disappointment is automatically "whining" in the eyes of so many of those who are excited about this camera. Isn't there room for differing viewpoints without name-calling?.

I don't think being disappointed is whining, but there are definitely ways of expressing it without coming across as a whiner. For example, I think people who keep threatening to jump to Nikon if Canon doesn't release a great camera with all the features only they deem important are whiners.

Canon did not release the Rebel 1000 for Rebel owners, they did it for P&S owners to upgrade. The 50D was to get people to upgrade from the Rebel, not the 40D. Similarly, if you already have a 5D, you may not like the 5D II, and that's OK... but don't automatically assume it's crap, yell that at the top of your lungs, and then not expect some flak to head your way (I am using "your" in the generic sense here). For those of us jumping up to the 5 level camera, like I plan on doing, this is a great product at a decent price. Just let us be happy about our decision, OK?

did i call you stupid? i don't think so. i just pointed out that there are very few people that are going to buy this camera that are just casual shooters. the people that use this model are generally business people. if you want to spend your money on it cause you can afford to do so then by all means please do. canon loves you for it. i will most liekly be buying one, cause i love the iq of a 5 series. will i use the video mode? i doubt it, but nor will it keep me from buying one either.

proxes wrote in post #6329199
I believe people have the right to spend their money on whatever they want, as long as other parts of their life don't suffer.

If I want to spend $4000 on camera gear to take pictures of my cat I should be able to without being called "stupid."

It seems people that make comments about things like this are the ones that drive a $45,000 3 ton truck back and forth from their 600 sf apartment to their 6x4 cubicle. (not saying this is you. it has been my experiance.)

I have a 20D and my girlfriend has a 40D. I showed her this camera and all she said was WOW. Next was $2699! Then I showed her the movie mode samples and explained a little bit more about it, and she said "you need to get one", "when are you getting one?" I've always wanted to move to full frame and this seems like a good time for me to. Do I NEED FF? Do I NEED a 5D mk2? Am I a pro shooer? No. Can I purchase one and still easily make all my bill payments? Yes. So why not?

Poe wrote in post #6329794
I'd like to know which "photographers" and how many of them "demanded" for 1080p video in the 5D2

Oddly, and this is coming from someone with about 15 minutes of video experience, I find the video addition intriguing. It seems like the more I think about it, the more I can see it being useful. Weddings? - how about a quick video of the bridal dance, march up the aisle, or something of that sort? News? There's always opportunities to grab a video clip. Nature? Animals in action.

I really can't knock the video feature. It's the AF that I'm less than pleased about, even though I've been living with that very system for almost 3 years.

I think that once we overcome the "expectations - vs - reality" confrontation, we'll find that the 5D2 is a compelling upgrade to the 5D. That is, if it performs as claimed.

any how i believe pekka or somebody mentioned earlier in an article review that was posted that it will shoot faster fps, nearly double, but its the write speed to the card that is holding it up. it is a large file. the advantage the 1d has is it has two processors so it can write faster i would imagine.

NickSimcheck wrote in post #6323623
The guys over at DVinfo.net are judging the video next to Canon's professional video cameras, and it's getting good reviews.

I'm SOO fired up right now.

Oh yes! As a video guy I am pretty excited they put full HD in it. I am actually getting some work with the YMCA in Hong Kong doing video and taking photos of events (just so they can have a record) this camera would let me do BOTH. Totally awesome for me.

PhotoJourno wrote in post #6326901
Last but not least, a camera is an incredibly uncomfortable way of shooting video. Image stabilization is zip, and without being able to rest the camera on your shoulder, the shake is very noticeable (yes, even more so in HD).

I agree. But for things that are not too important (and as long as you don't zoom in too much) it would be fine.


[QUOTE=Tom W;6323746]Thanks for posting this, Ninja (and in the cover of darkness, no less)./QUOTE]

LOL it was noon when I posted it. Different timezones. Thanks anyway.

a_kraker99 wrote in post #6324020
Anyone know if using the sRAW feature would allow for better high ISO performance? (pixel binning)

I want to know this too.

a_kraker99 wrote in post #6324136
Why didnt canon go with the avi movie format? Quicktime is a pain in my rear. I hate how they assume that I want their crappy program on my startup list everytime I open it.

The vast majority of video professional (editor) use the Mac system (Final Cut) which is Quicktime based.

AVI is a messy container (too many weird possibilities and combinations). Quicktime (in this case H.264) is much better for HD. H.264 (developed by Apple) is a VERY good compression system for HD (similar to HD Mpeg2 but at half the size - takes more processing power to render it though). AVI just can't match it.

Sorry it's a pain for you. But for me, it's great.

VLC will open it too btw (if you hate quicktime).


Now, I see a lot of people here (after reading post after post) are dissapointed with the 5D mkII. Some are current 5D owners (like The Hoff) who are not pleased that the AF system hasn't changed.

Some want better weather sealing.

etc.

Well, I'm still happy with it and I'm excited about it. I guess I didn't expect as much as some people. I'd be happy with a 5D mkI, but (to me) this Camera is better in many ways. Sure it doesn't have everything in the world, and you can get some extra things with the D700. But I had the choice a while ago to get the D300 or the 40D. I chose the 40D for 1 reason. Lenses. I really like Canon lenses.

So to me, I don't care if it doesn't have this or that. It is the best CANON camera I can perceivably afford/justify. So I'm happy with it.

If you love the D700 and think you need the extras like weather sealing and more AF points, you should (seriously) consider selling your current body and lenses and buying one. I am happy with the 5D mkII specs and sample images (and the movie mode is a bonus for me) and the fact it has an EF mount just seals the deal.

All I need to do now is save.

TheHoff wrote in post #6329778
Thread summary:

People waiting to buy a 5D are generally happy.
People looking to upgrade their 5D are somewhat pleased but not so impressed.
People waiting for a 3D are annoyed.

That sums it up well. I am in the first camp.

3D will come, don't expect the 5D mkII to be a 3D or 1D or D700 or Hasselblad.