Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body Only)

I do photography both as a hobby and as a second job. I found the Canon 5D excellent. I used to use a Canon 20D. The full frame is fantastic. Its 3 inch LCD screen is excellent and its 21.1 megapixel resolution is something which cannot be described but has to be experienced. The controls are easy to set, once one gets used to such a gadget. But with so many options, the camera needs to have a vast menu but it is easy to go about it.

I like the feel of it. When I took in my hand I felt the old sensation of the quite larger film cameras. This makes me feel more secure when I am shooting. However, a person accustomed to the small cameras in use nowadays might take some time until s/he becomes accustomed to the bulky feel.

It is enjoy fast shooting speed, only 3 frames per second, but for normal usage, especially landscapes, photo shoots, still life and occasions - such as weddings, it is a fantastic camera and speed is not a criterion.

Perhaps for a professional or a semi-professional photographer, the function of the video is superfluous. However, I might find it useful in the future, I don't know yet as I have a separate video camera.

The camera works well with a 2GB memory card and, for those who are accustomed with cameras having a built-in flash, this camera does not have one. However, bearing in mind that it is a professional camera, a professional photographer will always need an external strong flashgun for serious work. It works perfect with my Speedflash 580.

The dial which sets the mode of the camera, again, looks like the old-style. It is very visible, not the flattish style with which we have been accustomed as regards digital camera.

The command dials work very much like all other Canon cameras. This makes the shift from one Canon camera to another very easy. You have only to learn how to set the camera for your own requirements.

I needed the leap in quality from 8 megapixels to 21.1. This permits me to manipulate my photos better. And I did not find any difficulty or problems with the full frame. I believe that many brands make people afraid of the full frame because they have not yet reached the technology to produce reliable full frame cameras, as was the case when the first digital SLRs were introtuced.

Yes, the full frame makes one sacrifice on the longer end of the zoom. Remember that a 300mm lens will be equivalent about 480mm with normal digital cameras. However, the full frame makes better use of the wide angle, since a 24mm will be equivalent to 24mm on a full frame as opposed to 38mm with the usual digital camera.

On the whole I like the camera and I do not regret buying it.

Pros.
From the very first time you pick this camera up it feels like it has a good pedigree background.
Picture quality is 'outstanding'.
The camera has very fast focus.
This camera simply has everything you could ever need. If a setting is not available as standard,the camera buttons/functions can be programmed in numerous ways to get the effect desired.
Video is top quality although care has to be taken to keep the camera reasonably still - a tripod is the best way forward here.
3" LCD screen is a delight to use although a fold out type (like EOS 60D) would make the camera alot easier to use.
The onboard flash is stunning for its size.

Cons.
The camera is expensive although PhotoDirect are very competitive in its pricing.
The menus appear to be overly complex to start with although with some careful use of the manual, things do become easier to find/adjust. Time spent on this will pay dividends in the long term.
Video focusing can be tricky to master. Short prefocused shots is the way forward. I would not buy the camera if you want to take holiday videos etc, it will be disappointing.
If you want a camera that takes great photographs buy this camera, you will not be disappointed. On paper, the EOS 60D appears quite a similar camera to the 7D but it is only when you hold both in your hands that the difference is obvious. The 7D feels much more solid to hold and the numerous buttons etc make using the camera very easy.

I started with an EOS500d went to the 550d which is an excellent camera and for the money and as good as you are going to get in any brand. Then after much thought I bought a second hand 5d MKii. This camera is just so good. The one single thing I notice most (apart from the weight) is the depth of color I get. It cannot be conveyed with words really but WoW ! Ok it's not cheap to buy but it's really worth it. To do it justice you do need good lenses or you'll never enjoy the benifit of this camera. I'm using the f/4 24-105L that I won on here and I did the camera insidently. There are a zillion reviews out there on this camera. If you want to read the best Google dp review. Enjoy.

an extreme upgrade in picture quality from the crop camera which i owned previously. the high ISO is particularly good when shooting in low light. in manual mode the features such as portrait n landscape are good to have as no photoshop tweaking in colour is needed. the back screen is a really big which is great for checking focus etc post-shot.
overall very pleased with the camera, havent tested it to the full yet as i only own one huge zoom lens which isnt suitable for everyday photography. but initial results have been very pleasing

I mainly shoot a combination of landscape and wildlife, including some macro work, with the occasional still life. I've owned the 7D now since its release in October ans it has been everything I could have wished for, when it comes to wildlife photography. However, it had one major failing, landscapes, due to the exacerbation of diffraction effects due to the high pixel density. I had therefore been considering the 5D MkII for a few months.
In actual use, I can't fault it. The tonal gradation and dynamic range is visibly better than the 7D for landscapes and still life, it is also much easier to use with manual focus, due to the more traditional viewfinder. Although the 7D controls noise very well, even up to ISO 1600, the 5D MkII produces a cleaner image at all ISO and controls noise at least half a stop better, with ISO 3200 usable (although not quite as clean as the 7D at ISO 1600).
All in all, it is a very good camera, which suits my needs perfectly. It probably doesn't have a fast enough frame rate for faster moving wildlife, but that isn't its purpose. Also, the crop on the 7D makes it better for small subjects, due to the extra effective reach. However, it excels at landscapes and it is nice to be able to use f/16 and even f/22 again when I need it, without losing image sharpness.