Hoping I made the right decision ...

Greetings everyone!

I remember when I made the transition from my Canon G2 to my first DSLR the Canon 10D. Since then I upgraded bodies to the 20D and 40D bypassing the 30D. Recently my 20D had to go into the shop due to our own fault, we tried to force a CF card and bent one of the pins inside. The cost to repair it, clean the sensor and perform general maintenance came back as $368.00. That being said, we decided maybe we should upgrade that 20D to something better to partner with my 40D which thus far has been very loyal to us.

The dilemma was trying to decide between the following:

• New 7D (same 1.6 crop)
  
• Used 5D, FF Camera at approximate 1,200-1,300
  
• New 5D MKii
  

I do not think that any of the choice above would have been a mistake.

Replaces wrote in post #8999005
I do not think that any of the choice above would have been a mistake.

I understand. Just trying to justify to my WIFE the additional $1,000 cost for the 5D2 over the 7D is all.

DOrtiz wrote in post #8999210
I understand. Just trying to justify to my WIFE the additional $1,000 cost for the 5D2 over the 7D is all.

Oo I can help on that. lol @_@v
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5DMKII is a beast, not being sarcastic but it is. Its a FF so low light less noise high ISO monster rig. xD A lot better than 5D on every aspect. As long as you're not pressured by time when taking photos, FF is perfect.

I have one (5D mkII) and the IQ is stellar when paired with good glass. You will absolutely love the 17-40 on your 5D.

Replaces wrote in post #8999244
Oo I can help on that. lol @_@v
.
5DMKII is a beast, not being sarcastic but it is. Its a FF so low light less noise high ISO monster rig. xD A lot better than 5D on every aspect. As long as you're not pressured by time when taking photos, FF is perfect.

Yes. The ISO control on the 5DII is amazing as well as the range of ISO it offers while maintaining quality. I think of ISO6400 as I thought of ISO1600 on the XT I had previously.

Also, as long as you are not doing super action shots, the outstanding IQ and resolving power more than make up for a lack of autofocus prowess.

5d mark ii.

You can use the 40d for distance and sports. The 5d mark ii for low light and portrait shots.

Just remember the 5dmkii raw files are bigger.

OK, excellent advice guys. I will show my wife your posts so she SEES what people of experience with these units say.

With any luck, I'll get to sleep in my bedroom again and can give the dog-house back to our dog.

Thanks again,
-Dave

same dilemma as you, just i factor out the 7d because i want to switch to FF. A used 5D classic @1100-$1300 is tempting where as the mkII is a bit steep. Obviously it would be nice to save the $1k difference but I second guess myself if i would find myself in situations where i would missed out on the new features and wish i had the higher ISO,better image quality from the digic IV or the super clean screen for preview and of coarse the Video is a plus if needed. But if i can find a mkII for under $2200 or hope the price might go down during the holidays..... obviously if the money is there mkII is a easier decision. Hope you enjoy your new toy!!!

Don't forget that the 20D body is still worth something either on E-bay or Craig's list.
Also, you can trade it into Canon Loyalty Program for a 50D or something later.

I own a 40D and a 5dII. I use the 40D for sports and some wildlife for extra reach on my 600 f/4. But when taking portraits, events, etc....the 5DII rocks! Coming from a 40D, you'll crap yourself when you see the files from the 5DII. Fantastic detail and HUGE! Heck, I shot some senior portraits in portrait orientation and decided I liked a landscape crop headshot. Yep, you can crop a 5DII file from portrait to landscape and still get a very usable print.....amazing. Two totally different cameras. The 5DII won't seem, feel, or sound as responsive and fast as the 40D, but its killer!

OK, well here's the verdit -- go easy on me ...

Hi Guys!

Well, let me clarify first that is FAR from a professional's review of the Canon 5D MKii. I'm just a guy who shoots people and events, and doesn't know the in-depth technical (pixel peeping) details. That being said, if I had to sum-up my experience in one word, it would be .. "WOW!"

I arrived home at 5:45 pm this evening from work, my Canon 5D MKii was waiting for me in the box. I had a concert/festival shoot this evening at 7:00 pm (already dark out) and decided I would do a quick charge (75% charged after only 45 minutes on the charger), a 5D MKII quick manual crash course and off I went. I went into the world of low light, horrible overcast from the multi-colored lights at the festival. I went manual mode all the way, started with ISO800 and decided to crank it up to ISO1600 to see what I'd get.

I shot a few images with my flash and 17-40 f/4L (checking the histogram from exposure) then went with the 50MM f/1.4 prime and no flash (still at ISO1600). My heart was racing as I was afraid what the screen would show me. However, to my amazement, I LOVED what I was seeing. Still, knowing what I would see when I got home on the PC with my 40D, I remained skeptical. THAT quickly changed when I uploaded the images into iPhoto. WOW! Clear, crisp shots and not ONE was OOF -- AMAZING! I couldn't believe the LIGHT I was seeing through that viewfinder -- it's as though I was missing something I never had (maybe a full frame?).

Anyway, I have MUCH to practice and read with this unit, but I just want to say in a non technical way that this camera is to die for!! Tomorrow I'll be out during the day shooting the festival again, only this time I'll be in Av mode and will tag along my 70-200 f/2.8.

Here are four simple (nothing to brag about) plain-jane photos -- shot at (ISO1600), but trust me .. there IS a difference between this unit and my 10, 20, and 40D series(IMHO). Even my wife, who was a tad upset about the almost 2,500 expense feels the money was well spent.

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I found mine here ...

Canonism wrote in post #8999774
same dilemma as you, just i factor out the 7d because i want to switch to FF. A used 5D classic @1100-$1300 is tempting where as the mkII is a bit steep. Obviously it would be nice to save the $1k difference but I second guess myself if i would find myself in situations where i would missed out on the new features and wish i had the higher ISO,better image quality from the digic IV or the super clean screen for preview and of coarse the Video is a plus if needed. But if i can find a mkII for under $2200 or hope the price might go down during the holidays..... obviously if the money is there mkII is a easier decision. Hope you enjoy your new toy!!!

I found mine here, total price fully shipped and this merchant is selling them like hot-cakes. They also come with the latest firmware.

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Looking at the last 5D's tenure, the current 5DmkII is a great purchase. It will be around just as long and be able to have that lasting ability. It's when you get caught up in the gearheadedness of it all or trying to find the perfect camera that leads down that dark path.
I think you made a great choice

Man, what a nice camera.

Are you shooting professionally? You mentioned a concert and having to charge your camera in a hurry.

I ask this because, if you're shooting professionally, you want excellent equipment and the cost is justified if it can turn a higher profit for your business.

If you have to shoot a lot of low light events, full frame is by far the superior way to go.