Photo Travel Review Magazine

By Claire and Bill

Claire:

Some observations and thoughts about the Canon 5D MkII and up-grading from a 5D.

I bought my Canon 5D within months of it first coming on the market and I loved it from day one. At that time I was up grading from a 10D and the improvements were beyond doubt. The full frame capabilities for a landscaper who likes wide angle opened up whole new possibilities and a view on the world.

When the 5D MkII arrived on the market I wasn’t immediately convinced I needed it. I wanted it but did I need it? Eventually the decision was made on the basis the extra pixels would further help with the marketability of images in the arenas I sell. Plus I got a great part exchange deal, which won’t be possible a little longer down the line.

I had assumed that moving between these two cameras would be an easy learning curve. They felt similar in the hand and all the buttons were more or less where I was used to finding them.

I’ve now had the 5D MkII four months and taken it on two photo trips and also had one opportunity to really try it thoroughly with the 100-400mm shooting birds of prey. I’ve also done one commercial studio shoot that involved some challenging lighting.

I only now feel totally comfortable with it. The biggest frustration has been changing my workflow and resolving software issues. Straight from the box I couldn’t read the raw files in any of my usual conversion programmes and whilst the dedicated Canon software can do the job it doesn’t have the power of the professional packages. Once I’d paid the price of up-grading software there was more time needed to become familiar with them. It was at this point I realised I needed to up-grade my PC and buy yet more external storage and compact flash cards! Jumping from 12mp to 21mp files is a huge leap.

Bill:

My reason for purchasing the 5D Mark II differs with Claire.  I was using the Canon 1Ds Mark II, a 16MP camera, and frankly realized that it was time for me to upgrade to newer technology.  While the 1Ds Mark II is an outstanding camera, it was simply outdated with a small LCD panel, no live view, and no on-board sensor cleaner, something I hated about the camera.  So, the whole new experience of using the 5D Mark II was totally new, and its human interface was totally different than the 1Ds Mark II.

What I realized from the outset was that the 5D Mark II was a smaller camera, something that I really wanted to own.  And, after seeing some test shots done by professional reviewers, I was excited about what a 21MP camera could do for me.  Especially if down the road I want to do large prints or sell my shots to publications, since the 21MP size is what most publications want.

I had recently purchased a new computer with lots of storage and memory and had also purchased Adobe Photoshop CS4, so my workflow was not affected by the larger files, although I do realize that down that road I will be fighting with finding more and more disk space to store my files.

What I wanted was image quality.  That, in my mind is the first and foremost consideration.  And, even some of my first shots proved to me that the 5D Mark II would produce what I was after.  For example, the following shot is a 100% crop from one of my first shots, done hand held with the 300mm f/4L IS.

Click on Photograph to see the actual 100% crop.

What amazed me is that I took the shot of the Cormorant with default settings as I was on my way home just having purchased the camera and had no time to read the camera manual.  When I saw the shot I was ecstatic!

Claire:

Prior to going to Scotland in February I had been unable to source a second battery within the UK. With the 5D I had always travelled with two additional batteries. Only traveling with one was making me nervous. Bill came to my rescue and brought a device from the US with him that would enable me to recharge from the car. Days before leaving I managed to find a dealer in Hong Kong who was selling original Canon batteries and I ordered one (another £70). As it happened I never needed a second charge but then the weather was grim so opportunities slim. However, I have since filled nearly two 8gb cards in a day without needing the back-up. This is a considerable improvement. I’m not saying I’m happy Canon has made my old 5D batteries redundant but at least it is a superior, if expensive, product.

My style of photography means I use a tripod. I just didn’t take hand held shots, as I’m usually shooting in morning and evening light. However, this is changing, the reason being I have discovered that auto ISO in conjunction with a camera that had such amazingly low noise even at high ISOs gives you opportunities to experiment and get some interesting and sharp shots in moments when a tripod is unusable or the action is changing so fast a tripod slows you down. Having 3 custom setting buttons also speeds you up. I can be happily shooting on my tripod using my standard landscape custom setting, the mood changes and I see an opportunity for some experimental shooting, maybe into the light catching a wave and I want to freeze the action. I can take the camera off the tripod, move the settings to my second custom setting which is set up for auto ISO and within seconds be shooting. What also helps is the amazingly useful quick control screen (especially for the long sighted), this is a joy as you have instant access to all the settings you would want to tweak or check.

In the shot below I wasn’t willing to risk my camera on the tripod. It was a case of run in and run away and the camera’s auto ISO, in combination with some fast finger work on the quick screen, enable me to get this shot.

My third custom setting I have put ready for video. I’ve played with it but as yet haven’t had the time to really understand. The same goes for live view, my eye sight means I can see perfectly through a view finder but have problems with an LCD screen.

I’m in the process of getting files from my last trip and bird of prey shoot ready for my website. I think that the one aspect of the images that has shown me how responsive this camera is has to be that I no longer have to use the recovery tool to correct high-lights. I just haven’t burnt a pixel and I’m not using the hi-light priority function. Last weekend while shooting birds all cameras fell silent as the sun came out. I decided to carry on shooting as I was primarily there to see what the camera could do. Someone said “your whites will be burnt”. I thought yes, but my histogram was telling me otherwise. Since processing the files I can confirm that this camera can produce images I could not have considered shooting with the 5D. By spot metering from the hi-lights I also got some useable images in light that most would consider too harsh.

This image was taken under a dark pier with sunlight streaming under and catching the water and some of the dangling anemones.

The only way to see what this camera can really do is to print them large. I find that even sharpened images look soft when viewed as a slide show on a monitor (especially vertical), you have to zoom in to see the detail.

I find it even more important when saving to web to reduce the file in stages and add sharpening as you go.

The final observation is that the amount of information captured in the raw files is astounding. So much so I find that I am spending more time on my conversions and producing several versions from one image.

Bill:

I totally agree with Claire, the raw files are astounding, with details I have never seen before in any camera I have used.  And I have used many, including the 1Ds, the 1D IIn, and the 1Ds II.  None of those cameras came close to producing what the 5d Mark II will do.  And even cropped photographs retain wonderful details.  As in this shot, done in my backyard.

Click on Photograph for a larger version.

I have yet to have the opportunity to do landscape photography with the camera.  I should have that opportunity in June while in Scotland.  For now, my best efforts have been shots of Florida birds.  And yes, the 5D II can do excellent wildlife photography.

Click on Photograph for a larger version.

Claire:

I have a lens I love; it is old but has been my workhorse for years. It is the 17-35mm 2.8L. Whilst on the 5D I could live with the slightly soft corners but it is not really adequate with the 5D Mark II due to chromatic aberration – yes, I can use software to resolve this but I feel that it is time to exchange it to keep the quality of the images intact. I have yet to decide exactly which way to go – 24mm prime, Canon’s 16-35 f2.8 or maybe the Distagon. Whichever way – it will be expensive so I can only hope that my belief that more pixels will result in more sales is true.

The image below is an example of where CA would be a problem, I have cleaned it up successfully for the web but going large would show the impact to an eagle eye.

I am surprised at how well the 100-400mm works with this camera. I have a love/ hate relationship with this lens as I have never enjoyed the pull/push zooming and autofocus is slow. I have no intention of buying prime telephoto lenses as I so rarely use them. I did own a 300m 2.8 for a while but quickly sold it as I couldn’t cope with the weight. The fact the 100-400 can therefore prove useable is a bonus.

My 100mm macro works as expected and the extra cropping factor is a plus.

My walk around lens is a 24-105 L and chromatic aberration is an issue but it is more than useable.

In conclusion, it is a great camera but it has given me headaches as well as pleasant surprises. It isn’t a simple step up from the old version and as such anyone thinking of upgrading needs to be prepared to expend time and money to make the most of it.

Bill:

I agree with Claire about the need to own good glass to go with the 5D II.  I am fortunate to have lots of good glass, since I have always believed that glass is actually more important than the camera body.  Cameras come and go, glass is forever.

For example, here is a shot down with the 300mm f/2.8L IS, probably the sharpest lens made by Canon.

Click on Photograph for a larger version.

I am excited about using this camera in Scotland soon.  And that trip will likely result in my final review because I will be shooting daily under all kinds of different circumstances and all kinds of different subjects, including landscapes, red deer, puffins, and gannets.  Some shots will be done from boats.  It will be my test from the real world about how this camera works in the field.

For now, let me summarize some of my likes and dislikes about the camera:

Likes

1.  Stunning image quality.  For me this is the most important measure of any camera.  The Canon 5D Mark II is absolutely the best camera I have ever used.

2.  Good ergonomics.  It is easy to hold and use, with sensible buttons and dials.

3.  Easy to understand menu system.

4.  Superb LCD panel, great for looking at the sharpness of photographs in the field.

5.  Great HD video, if one can come to grips with what the camera is doing automatically.

6.  Live view can be useful for setting exposures, although it is a pain to do.

7.  Light weight. Perfect for use while hiking or long treks.

8.  No dust!  So far at least.  Thank you Canon, the dust cleaning system will save me thousands and thousands of hours during post processing.

9.  High ISOs that I can actually use!  The camera has opened up opportunities for shots I could never have done with a 1D series camera.  Absolutely.

Dislikes

1.  Build quality.  While a significant improvement over the Canon 5D, the 5D II still lacks professional camera status, particularly the battery door and the CF compartment.  While it feels substantial in my hands, it does not have the feel of a 1D series professional camera.  I worry about damage from using larger lenses with it, such as the 300mm f/2.8L IS, and I am very concerned about how well it will stand up in rain, saltwater, and other extreme weather conditions.  I worry about transport and already have ordered covers to protect it while traveling.

2.  Video shooting, while of great quality, is almost totally impossible to understand.  Apparently the camera is setting ISO, DOF, shutter speed, and other stuff automatically.  I like control of what I am doing and I have not idea what this camera is likely to do when I am shooting video, for example, if I set the aperture to f/16 it is not likely I will get f/16, it more likely I will get f/2.8.  And worse, the manual supplied with the camera is just about useless in the “how to” of shooting video.  On the good side is the superb shallow DOF the camera will produce with certain lenses.  Heretofore such capability would cost one tens of thousands of dollars to produce with a video camera.

3.  AF is slow even on the best lens Canon makes, the 300mm f/2.8L.  Although I must admit that I was able to keep flying terns in focus will little difficulty.

Recommendations on lenses for use with the camera:

1.  Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II

2.  Canon 24mm f/1.4L II (Canon’s best wide angle lens).

3.  Canon 24-105mm f/4L (if I were to buy one lens this would be it).

4.  Canon 70-200mm f/4L (one of the sharpest zooms Canon makes and a perfect match for the 5D II).

5.  Canon 85mm f/1.2L (simply awesome for portraits, bokah like none other).

6.  Canon 300mm f/4L IS (great balance with the weight of the camera, superb quality, fantastic hand held lens).

7.  Canon 400mm f/5.6L (incredibly sharp, will work well with the 5D II because of weight).

I must remember, this camera is not one of Canon’s “professional grade” cameras.  It is aimed at the serious photographer, but not the professional.  I suspect though that many professionals will use it simply because of its superb image quality.  I can only image what the replacement for the Canon 1Ds Mark III will be like.  Whenever the Mark IV is announced, I will be looking for ways to buy one.

In sum, after a week long test of the camera, I am convinced it is the best I have ever used and that includes comparisons with four of Canon’s professional grade 1D series cameras.

Filed under: Gear Reviews, Canon 24mm f/1.4L, Canon 300mm f/2.8L IS, Canon 300mm f/4L IS, Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 5D Mark II Review