Canon 5D Mark II review by Ira Block

Here is a review of the new 5D Mark II by Ira Block. Ira is a long time National Geographic Photographer. He's one of the shooters they turn to when difficult photo problems need to be solved. Ira has forgotten more about cameras and photography than I will ever know.

-SA

UPDATE see part 2 of Ira's review HERE   Read about making movies with the camera here

I got my hands on the Canon 5D Mark2 on Monday and have been playing around with it the last couple of days. It feels and acts just like the original 5D, so I didn't have to learn much. I was able to shoot without going into the instruction manual And of course it does video, which is another world - it's fun to shoot but prepare yourself for some serious computer time to edit. 

 Many of the new things in this camera, 14 bit color, live view, and sensor cleaning have already been incorporated into other Canon cameras. But what's wonderful about this camera is the high ISO ability and that it shoots in 14 bit, The end result is that I'm getting fantastic looking files at ISO 1600. I haven't really done much at 3200 or 6400, but 1600 looks incredible, it looks like IS0 400 on the original 5D. The 14 bit really gives great tonal range, and the camera seems to have a better range of highlights and shadows than any other camera I've worked with. The camera also has a highlight tone priority setting (again a feature in other Canon cameras) which will keep your highlights from blowing out. However, I never really saw this feature work too well in my 1Ds Mark 3. 

Canon says the camera is better weather sealed than the 5D, though not as well as the 1DsMark3. If you are used to shooting with the 1DsMark3 you'll find when you fire this camera it doesn't feel as 'positive' or solid. Also like the 5D this camera is not fast, it does about 3 to 4 frames per second, but if you're not shooting sports or fast spot news that seems fast enough. All in all, I like the files this camera produces, they are better looking than the 1DsMark3 and probably any other camera on the market - and that's the most important thing to me.

Here are some example that I shot in my neighborhood today.

above ASA 400

Above ASA 1600 florescent light auto white balance

Above, a crop from the previous photo

-Ira Block

New York

Comments

[Electronics Philippines]

Well, thanks for the review, I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing.

-seff-

[Mitch]

I cannot wait for this camera to be delivered to my door! The potential of this camera with its video and low light capabilities is so great that I created a wiki for the 5d. People have been collecting video and still samples from around the world that is very helpful to anyone thinking about buying the mk ii or wanting to see what it can do... http://planet5d.com. - We're adding this review to the reviews section.