Canon 5d MkI v MkII

feileacan

Probably shouldnt start another 5d thread but...

I have a Canon 5d-mk1 and i am very happy with it. But, im also fixated with the new 5d-mk2. No matter how hard i fight it is becoming an object of desire. Albeit an expensive one.

The question to the boards is it worth upgrading - is there a noticeable difference?

Please, someone talk me out of it!

Fajitas!

Do you need it?

feileacan

probably not.

but theres a difference between needing and wanting.

but seriously, apart from the 12 v 21mp difference, is there a significant difference in technology between the two to warrant the upgrade?

Paulw

Can you afford it? Why do you want it?

If you can't see a major reason to buy, then save your money and buy lenses.

feileacan

affordability - probably, i would sell my 5d to part fund it and purchase from HK

i have all the lenses i boy could want (or carry)

Fajitas!

Well, if you think it'd be of benefit, go for it, personally, if your 5D is serving you well, I'd be holding on for the moment until you can get the 5D for even cheaper (imagine that!!! :pac: )

AnimalRights

The better ISO performance is worth it alone.
3" lcd high quality screen.
Better battery life.
HD video

If you don't believe me Gordon Laing never lies,

"The new EOS 5D Mark II may share essentially the same body and AF system as its predecessor, but almost everything else has changed. The sensor’s been boosted to 21.1 Megapixels, matching Canon’s flagship EOS 1Ds Mark III at a fraction of the price, the maximum sensitivity increased by three stops, continuous shooting accelerated from 3 to 3.9fps, the viewfinder coverage slightly broadened to 98%, and the screen greatly improved in size and detail to a 3in VGA model. There’s now also Live View, AF micro-adjustment, support for quick UDMA cards, an HDMI port, a new battery with accurate feedback and numerous processing tricks including Highlight Tone Priority, Auto Lighting Optimizer and Peripheral Illumination Correction. And oh yes, it’s also the first Canon DSLR to offer movie recording, and in nothing less than the 1080p format.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II"


I'd go for it if you have the money....
Did I also mention the self auto cleaner for dust too?

challengemaster

Sorry to sink your ship there AR, but the better battery life is due ot new batteries being used, which cost between 50 and 80 quid last time I checked. In that case you're paying for it..

Also You haven't shot above ISO 6400 for any real reason yet, have you? Apart from me telling you to that is ISO 3200 on the MkI is perfectly usable IMO. Hardly being left short handed on the ISO.. fair enough if you'll get use out of the extra 3 iso levels, but if not..

3" screen? well.. meh, really, I dont edit my shots on the camera screen so that matters as much to me as where my harry potter books from 2002 are.

HD video really is the only reason I could see if you needed it...but for an extra 1200€+, not something I'd jump at really!

feileacan

thanks AnimalRights, i read (and watched) Gordon Laing's review.

im now seriously considering the upgrade.

anyone want to buy a 5d and battery grip?

how much should i ask?

challengemaster

I'd be interested in the grip...depending on price..

As for price? Used 5DmkI? I'd say 1000€, I got mine new for 1200€

democrates

+1 AnimalRights, Testify!

I can't believe the high iso results either, lifesaver.

The 5dii has made another little bit of history, the official portrait of president elect Barack Obama just released is digital for the first time. Metadata may be of interest to portrait togs:

Standard Fields -----------------------------------
         Image Creation Date: 2009:01:13 19:35:18
                        Make: Canon
                       Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
            Software Version: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
                X Resolution: 300 Pixels/Inch
                Y Resolution: 300 Pixels/Inch
           Image Description: Official portrait of President-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 13, 2009.

(Photo by Pete Souza)


  EXIF Fields ---------------------------------------
          Image Capture Date: 2009:01:13 17:38:39
     Sub-Second Capture Time: 04
        Image Digitized Date: 2009:01:13 17:38:39
               Exposure Bias: 0 EV
                Focal Length: 105mm
               Exposure Time: 1/125 Sec.
                    Aperture: f10
            Exif Image Width: 1916 pixels
           Exif Image Height: 2608 pixels
            Exposure Program: Manual Control
            ISO Speed Rating: 10 (100)
               Metering Mode: Multi-Segment/Pattern
                EXIF Version: 0221
            FlashPix Version: 0100
                       Flash: Flash Not Fired; Compulsory Flash Suppression; 
                  ColorSpace: Uncalibrated
     Component Configuration: YCbCr

AnimalRights

challengemaster wrote: »

Sorry to sink your ship there AR, but the better battery life is due ot new batteries being used, which cost between 50 and 80 quid last time I checked. In that case you're paying for it..

Was a thread on this veru issue...€46 in Gunn's.
And re: new batteries yeah I never meant to say it was the exact battery just that battery life (when not using vid) was longer.[/QUOTE]

challengemaster wrote: »

Also You haven't shot above ISO 6400 for any real reason yet, have you? Apart from me telling you to that is ISO 3200 on the MkI is perfectly usable IMO. Hardly being left short handed on the ISO.. fair enough if you'll get use out of the extra 3 iso levels, but if not..

You just never know in an emergency when you will need above 3200 IMO.
Photos were my 1st attempt at such high isos...the yellow glow is from the yellow street lighting.
12800

6400

12800

6400

4000 on an almost pitch dark canal


3200 shots are almost perfectly normal so point in upping them.

challengemaster wrote: »

3" screen? well.. meh, really, I dont edit my shots on the camera screen so that matters as much to me as where my harry potter books from 2002 are.

This really is one of my favourite features and remember I came from the lower res 3" LCD screens.
So your 2.5" is very meh.

The guy said he has the money if need be and I do believe that most people if they are mad into their hobby and have the money would go for the upgrade.
The new cleaning anti dust system I find better than the 40Ds too, the 5D hasn't got one has it?

challengemaster

AnimalRights wrote: »

Was a thread on this veru issue...€46 in Gunn's.
And re: new batteries yeah I never meant to say it was the exact battery just that battery life (when not using vid) was longer.

Yeah, but the extended battery life is due to the newer batteries which are capable of holding more charge. Moot point really..

AnimalRights

I r getting confused now.
The new battery obviously comes with the 5D II? :P
Basically you are speaking about the xtra batteries required for the grip?
I see no point in a grip at this time and moment.....although further down the line.

feileacan

the grip on the 5d just makes the whole thing more balanced and comfortable, you take the grip and the camera feels very top heavy.

plus two batteries charge lasts for ages...

thanks for the advice.

cant believe the iso on the mk2 is upto 25600

why would you ever need it that high?

AnimalRights

Because the opposition has it. (D700)

Borderfox

I have the 5d mk1 and dont see any need to upgrade at all, I have said it before and I will say it again bodies come and go but good glass goes in the box with you when you depart the earthy world.

PixelTrawler

Hey AR

By the looks of those shots you put up that 5d II is junk...
You should sell it to me at a massive loss!

Looks like itll be March before I can order once...

democrates

AnimalRights wrote: »

I r getting confused now.
The new battery obviously comes with the 5D II? :P
Basically you are speaking about the xtra batteries required for the grip?
I see no point in a grip at this time and moment.....although further down the line.

I was thinking about the grip (bg-e6) too but it occurred to me that I'd get three batteries (lp-e6) plus change for the same price as the grip without the extra battery.

The extra shutter release in portrait is no big loss and anything I shoot hasn't made battery swaps an intolerable issue, while the lower bulk and weight is welcome.

Frankly I believe grips among other accessories are an apalling rip-off, even the battery magazine BGM-E6 if you have to replace it will set you back around €30, where €3 would better reflect production costs plus margins.

One question remaining about the new lp-e6 batteries - will it be possible to buy 3rd party versions or is the new circuitry intended to prevent just that I wonder (like printers that require own brand ink cartridges)?

ThOnda

If I had the money, I would go for the MkII. ISO and video. I know, but I would do more with the camera. Still, I don't have time to walk it outside so far...