Bad review for Canon 5D MKII video

This review states:

"The video mode in the Canon 5D MKII is basically useless for the average consumer/ prosumer."


http://www.prophotohom​e.com …-video-mode-disaster.html

I don't care.......I'm buying for the still images that will come out of the camera. The video stuff I might use...............NEVE​R!

I would probably use the video in the MKII as much as I do in my G9, that is I would if I could remember how to make it even work! But honest I have used it, uh I think three times just to see if it actually works and it does...whoppee-I guess.

In 2 years I used video on my S5IS once. Not because it was bad or difficult, because there was only one instance that I wanted it. And I have never missed having video on my XT. Oh well.

I tend to agree, as it does not auto focus while you are in recoding mode recording

Its still a fun creativeaddition to the body.

It may take some getting use to but if canon decides to continue to offer it then I am sure it will only get better with time.

The #1 use of this body is still photography, so there is no point to give it a bad name or not like it because of that.

There are many features that we all could choose for any body that we have. Be it AF points, 250 flash sync or 10fps or 24fps video (5DII in this case.)

I still love how the 5DII felt for me and still plan on getting one come Jan.

I love the iso on it and how nice 6400 is as I do a lot of hand held low light shooting.

Just my 2¢ I guess

Was it ever stated, anywhere, that the 5D2 would replace a camcorder? None of the previews that I saw implied that it would, and most were very specific that it would be useful under specific circumstances, but that it could not be called a "video camera" by any stretch.

It's already lived up to my expectations for the kinds of things I want from it. For instance, we have a very lost hummingbird in CT right now - it appears it migrated east instead of south, and has been taking advantage of a feeder for a couple months now. I got a number of good photos with my 40D a couple weeks ago, but went back yesterday to get some video with the 5D2.

Shooting handheld with a 300 F4L IS, using the zoomed-in Live View to focus before shooting, the video came out very nice. For this type of scenario, the 5D2's video mode is very handy, and beats having to carry a separate video camera, and generally gives a much nicer "look" than the typical camcorder.

I am sure that the next iteration will focus while recording. In the meantime, who is 'average'?

Honestly I find the MF of the 5DMk2 a great thing, as a film buff and working in the entertainment industry I have always been impressed by the skill cinematographers show when MF'ing a shot and I've worked with a number of directors who have that old school mentallity.

While I probably will use very little of the video myself there are still many creative scenarios for motorsports where I am interested in putting the 5DMk2 video to use.

It's new tech, frontiers are being crossed. It's not going to be PERFECT, but it seems so many of these so called "pro's" are just FUD spreaders. IMHO of course.

Wow a very harsh statement indeed, I am not a video fan at all but also do not regard the 5D II as a consumer kind of camera but rather the kind of camera mostly bought by persons fairly serious about their photography and who knows what they are doing. I can understand that it could be "useless" for someone who knows nothing(or nearly nothing) about photography but then they should rather buy something more suitable for their photography skills. I personally prefer using my little handy cam for video but that does not qualify me to call the video feature on the 5D II useless. Lots of people will learn how to use this feature properly and will find it practical for their needs.

Sean wrote in post #6845265
...but it seems so many of these so called "pro's" are just FUD spreaders. IMHO of course.

Man, you got that right! Very slightly OT, but a recent well-known pro blogger, broadcaster, and publisher Scott Bourne (who used to get $25,000 per wedding) wrote a column that for all intents and purposes basically advised that unless the weather is good, don't bother shooting.

Some of the best landscaping I've ever done has been in bad. moody weather. One picture that's about to be published was shot in 50+ MPH winds in the middle of a tropical storm that hit the U.S. east coast.

But because Scott said it, to many it's gospel. And because he said it, sadly many agree.

I think it's sort of strange that the entire basis of the guy's negative review is that he had incorrect expectations going in and he expects many consumers will also. Maybe he should spend more time on POTN! It's a sensational way to attempt to "educate" consumers I guess.
I think most of this site's hits were generated from their 1DmkIII AF testing (which was actually pretty decent). Now that the MkIII issue has waned, they have to move on to the next big thing...stirring up controversy over the 5DII video.

You would think most people would do some research before spending $2700 on a product. Also, it seems that there are some impressive video samples out there already, from pros and amateurs alike.

When you look at some of the professional productions created already with this camera you have to be impressed.

By the way - professional video cameras do not auto focus and the first thing a good cinematographer does is turn off any auto settings if the camera has any. Prosumer cameras with a fixed lens will auto focus but any professional cameras that have lens mounts do not auto focus.

I think I will find a lot of uses for my 5DMII for video in my business even though I have several much more expensive video cameras. If I could auto focus with 5DMII I would personally turn it off anyways.

Imagine a quick interview head shot in a tight space - grab 5DMII and a fast 50mm and get some really nice soft backgrounds. Over at cinema5d there are a lot of tips on how to control aperture, iso and even shutter speed. Im personally excited about the possibilities.

sorry, but to me that review screams "look at me, i need attention". there is nothing in that review that wasn't well known prior to the release of the camera or anything that is actually surprising. to me, Drew posted that review so we can get more views by getting a rise out of people that will get riled up because of his review.