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Canon EOS 5D Mark II
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Review Date: May 7, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Size for a full frame, feels good in hand, IQ is great, High ISO, Video, weather sealing, micro adjust etc.
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Cons:
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Price if it is your first jump to a full frame!
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First, someone actually put 'large file size' as a con? Don't buy a 21+ mp camera then!
I've had a couple cheaper rebels in the past and jumped up to the 5D II because I was tired of wanting to upgrade and figured I would just do it all in one big leap.
I love this camera. I see some people complain about the AF and the points. I don't do studio work and 90% of the time (or more) use the center point anyway, so this might be an issue for some but really has no effect on my use. High ISO is just great compared to the crop frames. I can use my 100-400mm L in many more situations now because of the ISO performance on this camera as that lens needs good light because it is not very fast. 4 frames a sec is perfectly fine for what I do. The camera is large and heavy compared to a Rebel but for a full frame I think it is quite compact and feels great in my hand. I do not mind walking half the day with the 24-70mm f/2.8L mounted. I would recommend getting a hand strap for it though, instead of the neck strap. I got one for around $15 and it works great! The camera is a lot of money for an amateur but I am happy that I have and think I got what I paid for!
Some sample pictures that I've taken with the 5D Mark II: click 'all sizes' above the pic for larger sizes.
24-70mm f/2.8L, B&W CP
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4573422537/
24-70mm f/2.8L, B&W 10 stop ND filter
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4476395136/
24-70mm f/2.8L, B&W 10 stop ND filter
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4513691568/
135mm f/2L
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4462710587/
24-70mm f/2.8L, B&W 10 stop ND filter
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4539987402/
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Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
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Review Date: May 6, 2010
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,600.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Weight for the reach offered, IQ in the right conditions, IS, locks on and tracks subject well
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Cons:
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Needs good light, price
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I do like this lens but it is at times tough to get 'great' pictures out of it. Under the right conditions and good light (fast enough shutter speed) it will take some very nice pictures. I use it on my 5D Mark II and I am pretty happy with it. It offers great reach and with the 5D II I can use higher ISO's to keep the shutter speeds up. I am happy with the size of this lens for reach that it offers but it sure will get some attention when it is extended out to 400mm with a hood on it! IS works good and so does the focus tracking.
Some examples taken with this lens and a 5D II including some birds in flight while focus tracking. Click on 'all sizes' above pic to view large:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4532813736/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4447211926/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4447749701/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4567383804/
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Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
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Review Date: May 6, 2010
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Recommend? |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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Just get it, you wont be disappointed.
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Cons:
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Forgot to mention that I also use this lens for and it works very well for long daytime exposures with B&W ND filters. I guess it is all relative but I do not feel that this lens is too large. But, I also have the 100-400mm L and this is small compared to that. It also does not seem large when paired with a camera the size of the 5D II, maybe on smaller crop frames it would seem large or make the camera front heavy. I don't mind carrying it around at all though. I also was thinking I would get a wider angle lens for my lineup but I feel, so far, that this at 24mm is wide enough for my landscape shots on a full frame. Wouldn't be wide enough on a crop frame though.
Long exposure examples with this lens (click 'all sizes' above pics for larger views):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4476395136/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kenclass/4539987402/
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Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
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Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
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