Taoguy
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
|
| p.1 #1 · Why did Canon ever produce the lack-luster 5D MKII? | |
That horrible 5D MKII
With the Nikon D800 announcement I thought I’d share my experiences with the Canon mistake, ( 5D MKII ) a bashing it much deserves.
A little background, I operate today in both the Canon and Nikon camp. I converted/reintroduced myself to Nikon 3+ years ago. The cause for this move was my dreaded 1D MKIII, it appears that you either had a good one or a bad one back then, mine was bad. Coming from a MKIIN my upgrade/replacement was a nightmare.
After much annoyance the following purchasing schedule was;
11/20/08 - D700
10/23/09 - D300s
11/19/09 - D3s
7/10/11 - D3x
11/20/08 to 12/31/11 $$$ of Nikon glass/flash/etc.
I have now been fully indoctrinated into the Nikon camp. Using $ from the sale of a few Canon lens the transition was still expensive but the Nikon bodies delivered what I was looking for. Actually they reminded me of what the upgrade to the MKIIN should have been IMO.
Picture life was good again. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention after taking delivery of my D700, my pre-ordered 5D MKII arrived just before Christmas. This was the only body I have ordered that was not from, B&H, (they were not taking pre-orders) so when it arrived on my doorstep after I already canceled the order, I was tempted to just send it back and fight to get my credit card restored. Had I done that I would not have had to endure the next 3 ½ years of the 5D MKII tormenting me.
I opened the box, I could always justify why later, and when I loaded it up I quickly noticed the body squeaked. I was already aware of Canon quality control ? I then made a terrible mistake, I shot a few pictures and it began.
Regardless of what Canon did not upgrade with the focusing system, the squeaking body, lack of weather proofing, etc., what Canon did deliver was a lot of value in a body that gave me the best image quality I have seen since leaving film. Rotten companies like Canon knew if I opened that box the tormenting would began.
I had already sold my Canon long lens but decided I should do more testing before selling anymore Canon glass. I still had 5 ‘L’ lens on hand, a couple others and all my flash set up. Foolish not to at least try it, as I only had the D700 and two Nikon lens at this time.
Fast forward to today, I still have the 5D MKII, no Canon equipment has been sold since 2008. I pre-ordered the D800E, telling myself its time to sell the Canon gear.
I think this is the third time I’ve instructed myself this order. Took a few new pics to post on B&S on this forum and rid myself of this mistake. Thought I would post next week, almost, sort of.
As I stated above, I have two very fine high res cameras. IMO the 5DMKII gives up nothing in IQ compared to the D3x. One hassle for me is when I travel (Air travel esp.), I can only take one brand as the limited space. I might give up certain strengths from one system to another but if one learns to use the equipment they can be minimized.
I had a local buyer last year ready to give my 5DMKII a home. I had already decided to take it on a two-week trip to the Holy Land. Not a photo trip. I knew we would be moving daily, there would be no time setting up for the sunsets or those shots that needed extra time. Shoot on the move, light weight, so I chose the 5DMKII and although there were times I missed the high ISO of my D3s in the end I made the correct choice as after 4500 shots, up to 3200 ISO, sometimes shooting from a moving vehicle, this body with 24-70/2.8/ 135/2.0 and the 70-200/4 performed very well.
Did I miss some shots due to the slower auto focus; sure, I even miss some with the D3s. However when I review the files I have nothing but praise for the results this horribly slow camera, that doesn’t focus, and squeaks, has provided me in photographs.
Now that I have the D3x, ( it doesn’t squeak) which was purchased to replace the mediocre 5DMKII, almost, I can compare side by side. The 5DMKII will be staying in my stable, I’ll be canceling my pre-order on the D800, video improvements it may have, I shoot little video. How much will I see from the increased MP? Not much I’d guess.
The purpose of this long-winded post is this. If you have a Canon 5DMKII, you own one of the top digital cameras ever produced. It is a tool that is hard to beat when in the hands of a learned shooter. ( I’m still learning) Value compared to today’s prices is good. When I look at the files/prints, oh yeah, tough to say I could do it better.
So this was to re-inform the 5DMKII owners what they Already knew, although the 5DMKII will be updated, this camera will rank as one of the best in the digital age for a long time. If you can get one used today, grab it.
IMO over the digital age, my top five cameras I own/or owned, based on the end results are in order;
1. Nikon D3s
2. Canon 5DMK II
3. Nikon D700
4. Nikon D3x
5. Canon 1D MK IIN
I still own #1 thru #4, anyone of them will get me what I want, I might follow a different procedure to get that photo, they are tools after all.
I haven’t used the D800, I’m sure it will be a great body with great IQ, but I had to ask myself the question Moose Peterson asked himself on his blog,
“What problems do I have with my current gear that the new gear might solve?”
He goes on, “Then there is that, “It’s new and I’ve gotta have it” feeling. Seriously, there is nothing better then the smell of new gear and the thrill of taking it out for the first time. But that new body doesn’t guarantee you better photographs, it just don’t work that way.
Thanks Moose, I think the major problem I have is to devote more time to photography and improve my skill set. I’ve had a camera in hand for 44 years, you’d think I am a slow learner, I am. I am certainly guilty of the new and gotta have it feeling. Not this year, all because of that horrible tormenting 5D MKII.
Cheers & good shooting.
Gerard
|
