The DigitalTourist

Canon's EOS 5D, Mk II: More Than Meets the Eye

A Serious Camera For A Serious Photographer

The average professional or advanced amateur photographer will likely tell you that the rationale behind their purchase of a new digital SLR camera is based on the feature set of the camera, the image quality and what lenses they already have in their camera bag. Canon USA's (www.usa.canon.com) latest professional camera, the EOS 5D, Mk II, adds an additional twist to the consideration soup. This camera will give pro or amateur the ability to capture High Definition video.

The EOS 5D, Mk II is priced just under $2500 for the body only. If you do not have this lens already, we strongly recommend the purchase of the body and the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens. If you have a couple of lenses that are already in the same focal length area, buy it anyway; it is that good a lens, and will likely lighten your camera bag by at least one lens.

The EOS 5D, Mk II is equipped with a CMOS sensor that measures 24 mm by 36 mm, the same size as a frame of 35 mm film. The sensor has 21.1 million effective pixels, equaling the pixel count of the Canon EOS-1Ds, Mk III. And while the EOS 5D, Mk II has only nine focusing points, compared to the -1Ds, Mk III's forty-five, we did not find this to be detrimental to the operation of the camera or inhibit us in our picture-taking ability.

The camera stores images on a CompactFlash flash memory card. There is only one card slot. Power comes from one of Canon's LP-E6 batteries; you can also purchase, separately, a battery grip that carries two batteries and extends the picture-taking capability of the camera. Or, you can carry an additional battery, something we would strongly recommend. Our testing indicated that we could capture 350-450 RAW images with a fully charged battery.

There have been many cameras available for several years that have a "Movie" setting, permitting the user to capture video with their still camera. Usually, there are limitations that accompany this feature, such as a short-duration movie clip (30 seconds to one minute) and/or a video file that does not take advantage of the full size of the camera's sensor. Such is not the case with the EOS 5D, Mk II. This camera can create excellent video that takes advantage of the full size of the camera's sensor. It can capture video in one of two resolutions: 1920 x 1080 and 640 x 480. Full resolution can be saved in 1080i or 1080p configurations. If you have a four gigabyte CF card in the camera, you can fill the card up with about twelve minutes of video. Four gigabytes is the maximum size file you can generate.

What we did find with the EOS 5D, Mk II's video ability is that you had best have video experience, professional video experience, prior to purchasing this camera. The camera does have some noteworthy limitations. It lacks the ability to auto focus as you try to track (or pan) the camera, following the action. In other words, the subject you are focused on when you start the video will likely be out of focus if it starts to move laterally or towards or away from you. You can refresh the focus, either by switching to manual focus or, if the camera is on Live Focus, refreshing the focus point. Our testing showed that, while this is successful, you will see an out of focus image and a noticeable flare in the image until it has a chance to stabilize the new focus point.

You cannot expect less-sophisticated editing applications, like iMovie, for example, to be adequate for editing these movies. Again, you will need a computer and monitor suitable for video production to take advantage of the camera's abilities.

We tried many different video capture scenarios with the EOS 5D, Mk II. Our results were less than stellar. We have, in fact, seen beautiful video from this camera. However, that video was generated by experienced professionals with the background that lent itself to good video.
The EOS 5D, Mk II has a shutter range of 1/8000th of a second to 30 seconds in duration. And, while the camera does not have an ultra-fast frame rate (only 3.9 frames per second), it can capture that fast-moving subject for you. With an ISO range of 100 to 6400, this camera will also give you an exposure latitude that is usually found only on the best professional cameras.

Our testing indicated that with the camera set to ISO 100 through 400, we found no disturbing indications of excessive noise in the images. With the camera set to ISO 800 or 1600, we did start to pick up noticeable noise in our images. Set it to ISO 3200 or 6400, and you can expect marked increase in noise levels. However, it should be noted that, in a similar situation if you were using film at those speeds, you would be dealing with considerable levels of grain and fully expecting to be dealing with that type of image.

We tried using the EOS 5D, Mk II in a low-light situation. We set the camera up, using the 24 mm - 105 mm lens, in the Northeast Bastion of San Francisco's Fort Point. If you are familiar with The City, it is the large, brick fort located under the Golden Gate Bridge. Many of the gun galleries and casemates are very poorly lit. This particular location in the fort is one of the most dimly lit. With the camera set to ISO 100, our indicated exposure was thirty seconds at ƒ22. We took a similar photograph thirty years ago, with a Mamiya RB67 camera, shooting a B&W film rated at ISO 100. The spot meter indicated an exposure value (EV) of 1, which translated into an exposure of thirty seconds at ƒ32. Because of the slow exposure, we had to allow for the phenomena of reciprocity failure, basically the longer an exposure, the less capable film is to register light. The reciprocity failure table indicated that the exposure was now six minutes and thirty seconds.

Obviously, most photographers do not purchase a digital camera for it's ability to create black and white images. Far and away, color is still the dominant medium. And the EOS 5D, Mk II presents us with exquisite color. Color from this camera is everything the photographer could hope for. Skin tone is where it should be and all of our primaries show that the EOS 5D, Mk II can capture a full range of color as it should be. Still playing tourist in San Francisco, we ventured into North Beach. Saints Peter & Paul Church provided us with a well-lit subject against a beautiful blue sky. The greens of the park in the foreground provided an additional contrasting point to the bright building. The detail of the spires and the finials, the depth of color of the blue sky provide us with sufficient evidence that the EOS 5D, Mk II is worth your consideration.

And, in case that is insufficient evidence, a photograph of the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge leaves no doubt as to what the color of the bridge really is. The detail and sharpness of the cables against the blue background of the sky reinforce the evaluation of the camera's abilities, determined earlier in North Beach.

Over the many weeks we tested this camera, we frequently came away feeling frustrated with the difficulties we encountered with the video features. If we had not been shown successful and professional video imagery, we would have had serious doubts about this aspect to the EOS 5D, Mk II. It can, in fact, do what Canon claims it can do. However, video comes with a major caveat: You have to know what you are doing. Discussions we had with a number of professional photographers indicated they were disappointed with the level of sophistication necessary to command successful use of the video feature. A number indicated that they would not have purchased the camera knowing what they know now.

On the other hand, if it is quality color or black & white images you desire to create, we cannot think of a better camera for your consideration. The EOS 5D, Mk II provides the professional and advanced amateur photographer with the widest range of capabilities for the price. You will find the full range of Canon lenses at your disposal. You will generate images with a beautiful and consistent range of color. Your images will be sharp and shadow detail will let your customer or family members see what you saw through the viewfinder.

And for those that may have been wistfully casting their eyes on a more expensive professional camera, their wallet will thanks them many times over. At the base price of under $2500, you will be able to have either that second body in your camera bag to provide a comfort level that two $8,000 camera bodies normally would, or give the advanced amateur the entre into professional image creation that would not have been available to them otherwise. All in all, the EOS 5D, Mk II will be a sound investment.

Canon EOS 5D, Mk II
March 1, 2011

Canon's EOS 5D, Mk II: More Than Meets the Eye A Serious Camera For A Serious Photographer The average professional or advanced amateur photographer will likely tell you that the rationale behind their purchase of a new digital SLR camera is based on the feature set of the camera, the image quality and what lenses they already have in their camera bag. Canon USA's (www.usa.canon.com) latest professional camera, the EOS 5D, Mk II, adds an additional twist to the consideration soup. This camera will give pro or amateur the ability to capture High Definition video. The EOS 5D, Mk II is priced just under $2500 for the body only. If you do not have this lens already, we strongly recommend the purchase of the body and the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens. If you have a couple of lenses that are already in the same focal length area, buy it anyway; it is that good a lens, and will likely lighten your camera bag by at least one lens. The EOS 5D, Mk II is equipped with a CMOS sensor that measures 24 mm by 36 mm, the same size as a frame of 35 mm film. The sensor has 21.1 million effective pixels, equaling the pixel count of the Canon EOS-1Ds, Mk III. And while the EOS 5D, Mk II has only nine focusing points, compared to the -1Ds, Mk III's forty-five, we did not find this to be detrimental to the operation of the camera or inhibit us in our picture-taking ability. The camera stores images on a CompactFlash flash memory card. There is only one card slot. Power comes from one of Canon's LP-E6 batteries; you can also purchase, separately, a battery grip that carries two batteries and extends the picture-taking capability of the camera. Or, you can carry an additional battery, something we would strongly recommend. Our testing indicated that we could capture 350-450 RAW images with a fully charged battery. There have been many cameras available for several years that have a "Movie" setting, permitting the user to capture video with their still camera. Usually, there are limitations that accompany this feature, such as a short-duration movie clip (30 seconds to one minute) and/or a video file that does not take advantage of the full size of the camera's sensor. Such is not the case with the EOS 5D, Mk II. This camera can create excellent video that takes advantage of the full size of the camera's sensor. It can capture video in one of two resolutions: 1920 x 1080 and 640 x 480. Full resolution can be saved in 1080i or 1080p configurations. If you have a four gigabyte CF card in the camera, you can fill the card up with about twelve minutes of video. Four gigabytes is the maximum size file you can generate. What we did find with the EOS 5D, Mk II's video ability is that you had best have video experience, professional video experience, prior to purchasing this camera. The camera does have some noteworthy limitations. It lacks the ability to auto focus as you try to track (or pan) the camera, following the action. In other words, the subject you are focused on when you start the video will likely be out of focus if it starts to move laterally or towards or away from you. You can refresh the focus, either by switching to manual focus or, if the camera is on Live Focus, refreshing the focus point. Our testing showed that, while this is successful, you will see an out of focus image and a noticeable flare in the image until it has a chance to stabilize the new focus point. You cannot expect less-sophisticated editing applications, like iMovie, for example, to be adequate for editing these movies. Again, you will need a computer and monitor suitable for video production to take advantage of the camera's abilities. We tried many different video capture scenarios with the EOS 5D, Mk II. Our results were less than stellar. We have, in fact, seen beautiful video from this camera. However, that video was generated by experienced professionals with the background that lent itself to good video. The EOS 5D, Mk II has a shutter range of 1/8000th of a second to 30 seconds in duration. And, while the camera does not have an ultra-fast frame rate (only 3.9 frames per second), it can capture that fast-moving subject for you. With an ISO range of 100 to 6400, this camera will also give you an exposure latitude that is usually found only on the best professional cameras. Our testing indicated that with the camera set to ISO 100 through 400, we found no disturbing indications of excessive noise in the images. With the camera set to ISO 800 or 1600, we did start to pick up noticeable noise in our images. Set it to ISO 3200 or 6400, and you can expect marked increase in noise levels. However, it should be noted that, in a similar situation if you were using film at those speeds, you would be dealing with considerable levels of grain and fully expecting to be dealing with that type of image. We tried using the EOS 5D, Mk II in a low-light situation. We set the camera up, using the 24 mm - 105 mm lens, in the Northeast Bastion of San Francisco's Fort Point. If you are familiar with The City, it is the large, brick fort located under the Golden Gate Bridge. Many of the gun galleries and casemates are very poorly lit. This particular location in the fort is one of the most dimly lit. With the camera set to ISO 100, our indicated exposure was thirty seconds at ƒ22. We took a similar photograph thirty years ago, with a Mamiya RB67 camera, shooting a B&W film rated at ISO 100. The spot meter indicated an exposure value (EV) of 1, which translated into an exposure of thirty seconds at ƒ32. Because of the slow exposure, we had to allow for the phenomena of reciprocity failure, basically the longer an exposure, the less capable film is to register light. The reciprocity failure table indicated that the exposure was now six minutes and thirty seconds. Obviously, most photographers do not purchase a digital camera for it's ability to create black and white images. Far and away, color is still the dominant medium. And the EOS 5D, Mk II presents us with exquisite color. Color from this camera is everything the photographer could hope for. Skin tone is where it should be and all of our primaries show that the EOS 5D, Mk II can capture a full range of color as it should be. Still playing tourist in San Francisco, we ventured into North Beach. Saints Peter & Paul Church provided us with a well-lit subject against a beautiful blue sky. The greens of the park in the foreground provided an additional contrasting point to the bright building. The detail of the spires and the finials, the depth of color of the blue sky provide us with sufficient evidence that the EOS 5D, Mk II is worth your consideration. And, in case that is insufficient evidence, a photograph of the south tower of the Golden Gate Bridge leaves no doubt as to what the color of the bridge really is. The detail and sharpness of the cables against the blue background of the sky reinforce the evaluation of the camera's abilities, determined earlier in North Beach. Over the many weeks we tested this camera, we frequently came away feeling frustrated with the difficulties we encountered with the video features. If we had not been shown successful and professional video imagery, we would have had serious doubts about this aspect to the EOS 5D, Mk II. It can, in fact, do what Canon claims it can do. However, video comes with a major caveat: You have to know what you are doing. Discussions we had with a number of professional photographers indicated they were disappointed with the level of sophistication necessary to command successful use of the video feature. A number indicated that they would not have purchased the camera knowing what they know now. On the other hand, if it is quality color or black & white images you desire to create, we cannot think of a better camera for your consideration. The EOS 5D, Mk II provides the professional and advanced amateur photographer with the widest range of capabilities for the price. You will find the full range of Canon lenses at your disposal. You will generate images with a beautiful and consistent range of color. Your images will be sharp and shadow detail will let your customer or family members see what you saw through the viewfinder. And for those that may have been wistfully casting their eyes on a more expensive professional camera, their wallet will thanks them many times over. At the base price of under $2500, you will be able to have either that second body in your camera bag to provide a comfort level that two $8,000 camera bodies normally would, or give the advanced amateur the entre into professional image creation that would not have been available to them otherwise. All in all, the EOS 5D, Mk II will be a sound investment. ©2011 Rick Oldano All Rights Reserved