Canon 5dii upgrade
Discussion
Morning, looking for a bit of advice on a possible upgrade please.
I've had a 5dii for about 7 or 8 years, generally very happy with it. I've read about the auto focus issues and most of the time not had an issue, it takes great wedding and birthday photos and landscapes, mostly with a couple or three Canon L lenses.
It's a 15 year old design and there have been two new versions since so I guess the iii or the iv would produce better images, less noise and maybe better colour and sharper ?
In particular I'd like to improve low light performance, images in the early evening can be hard for AF. I don't think the dark areas and shadows are very good either, sometimes there's a bit of noise as the ISO increases - which I accept is how it works but would like to improve.
Is there really much of a difference between the ii, iii and iv ? I'm quite happy to buy the iii used from MBP if it'll give me 80% of the improvement I'm looking for rather than a iv, I don't need to have the latest and greatest but if the iv is a good jump again from the iii then I may as well buy that.
I've looked at the 6dii but been advised the image quality isn't as good as the 5diii - would this be correct ?
I've had a 5dii for about 7 or 8 years, generally very happy with it. I've read about the auto focus issues and most of the time not had an issue, it takes great wedding and birthday photos and landscapes, mostly with a couple or three Canon L lenses.
It's a 15 year old design and there have been two new versions since so I guess the iii or the iv would produce better images, less noise and maybe better colour and sharper ?
In particular I'd like to improve low light performance, images in the early evening can be hard for AF. I don't think the dark areas and shadows are very good either, sometimes there's a bit of noise as the ISO increases - which I accept is how it works but would like to improve.
Is there really much of a difference between the ii, iii and iv ? I'm quite happy to buy the iii used from MBP if it'll give me 80% of the improvement I'm looking for rather than a iv, I don't need to have the latest and greatest but if the iv is a good jump again from the iii then I may as well buy that.
I've looked at the 6dii but been advised the image quality isn't as good as the 5diii - would this be correct ?
Autofocus for me was the reason I upgraded to a 5d3 over 5 years ago. The 5d2 has only 9 AF points - the 5d3 has 61. It's also got a few other in-camera features for lens correction etc.
I'm going to hang on to mine - it's rather battered but has produced some lovely shots. Whether I will upgrade to the R5 is another matter.
SD.
I'm going to hang on to mine - it's rather battered but has produced some lovely shots. Whether I will upgrade to the R5 is another matter.
SD.
seveb said:
In particular I'd like to improve low light performance, images in the early evening can be hard for AF. I don't think the dark areas and shadows are very good either, sometimes there's a bit of noise as the ISO increases - which I accept is how it works but would like to improve.
Is there really much of a difference between the ii, iii and iv ? I'm quite happy to buy the iii used from MBP if it'll give me 80% of the improvement I'm looking for rather than a iv, I don't need to have the latest and greatest but if the iv is a good jump again from the iii then I may as well buy that.
I've looked at the 6dii but been advised the image quality isn't as good as the 5diii - would this be correct ?
Yes, there is a vast difference between the ii, iii and iv.Is there really much of a difference between the ii, iii and iv ? I'm quite happy to buy the iii used from MBP if it'll give me 80% of the improvement I'm looking for rather than a iv, I don't need to have the latest and greatest but if the iv is a good jump again from the iii then I may as well buy that.
I've looked at the 6dii but been advised the image quality isn't as good as the 5diii - would this be correct ?
The iii has a much improved all round performance but the sensor isnt much better than the ii
The iv has a much better sensor, its better in low light than a 6d ( my previous astro camera) its almost as good as my sony a7r for dynamic range at low ISO.
Given the choice I would go for an iv over a iii evey day of the week if it was affordable (or even the EOS R now).
The 6d2 has poorer noise and dynamic range than the original 6d (which is a bit better than the 5d iii), it has 26mp and a few other things going for it but not sensor metrics.
Thanks for the suggestions, I'd not considered the new R - which is now available for £1800 which is substantially less than the 5d iv ! It seems there are issues with the video on the R but not to an extent that would bother me and I'm not pro so lack of two memory slots, although a shooting in the foot by Canon again, doesn't really bother me as I change cards regularly on a day shooting so if one fails I've only lost 20%-30% not everything.
It's never easy.
It's never easy.
I have a 5DII which still works fine. The only issue, apart from it being an older sensor, is AF with wide aperture lenses. So last year I dipped my toe into mirrorless with the EOS R. But didn’t think it was worth paying full official price so I went grey market https://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-eos-r-body-inc... It is flawed, but not as bad as some reviews suggest and basically has the same sensor as the iv.
L lenses work great with it, and AF with EVF and touch screen works great and accurate in very low light. The adapter makes the camera a bit front heavy, but not a problem. Mirrorless is obviously the future and I was planning to move to RF glass and add the R5 which is looking more serious, with a price to match.
L lenses work great with it, and AF with EVF and touch screen works great and accurate in very low light. The adapter makes the camera a bit front heavy, but not a problem. Mirrorless is obviously the future and I was planning to move to RF glass and add the R5 which is looking more serious, with a price to match.
Bacardi said:
I have a 5DII which still works fine. The only issue, apart from it being an older sensor, is AF with wide aperture lenses. So last year I dipped my toe into mirrorless with the EOS R. But didn’t think it was worth paying full official price so I went grey market https://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-eos-r-body-inc... It is flawed, but not as bad as some reviews suggest and basically has the same sensor as the iv.
L lenses work great with it, and AF with EVF and touch screen works great and accurate in very low light. The adapter makes the camera a bit front heavy, but not a problem. Mirrorless is obviously the future and I was planning to move to RF glass and add the R5 which is looking more serious, with a price to match.
I'm just getting back into photography after an extended break, dusted off my old Canon DSLR's etc.L lenses work great with it, and AF with EVF and touch screen works great and accurate in very low light. The adapter makes the camera a bit front heavy, but not a problem. Mirrorless is obviously the future and I was planning to move to RF glass and add the R5 which is looking more serious, with a price to match.
I keep seeing comments about mirrorless being the future, I'm intrigued why.
Personally I really like the optical viewfinder. I've had a number of (admittedly bridge) cameras with an evf and really didn't get on with them.
Russ T Bolt said:
I'm just getting back into photography after an extended break, dusted off my old Canon DSLR's etc.
I keep seeing comments about mirrorless being the future, I'm intrigued why.
Personally I really like the optical viewfinder. I've had a number of (admittedly bridge) cameras with an evf and really didn't get on with them.
You need to try cameras out for yourself. I picked up an R just after launch, and put it back after a few seconds. It's just too small for me. I've a 5D3 with battery pack usually fitted, and that's a lovely size for my large hands.I keep seeing comments about mirrorless being the future, I'm intrigued why.
Personally I really like the optical viewfinder. I've had a number of (admittedly bridge) cameras with an evf and really didn't get on with them.
To the OP. It all depends on your budget. The improved low light performance in the 5D3 is a big step up, and will suit your photography. Buy used, if you don't like it, sell it on.
Russ T Bolt said:
I'm just getting back into photography after an extended break, dusted off my old Canon DSLR's etc.
I keep seeing comments about mirrorless being the future, I'm intrigued why.
Personally I really like the optical viewfinder. I've had a number of (admittedly bridge) cameras with an evf and really didn't get on with them.
Technology just moves on, that’s life. You could have said you dusted down your ‘SLR’, nothing wrong with film, but you obviously went digital…I keep seeing comments about mirrorless being the future, I'm intrigued why.
Personally I really like the optical viewfinder. I've had a number of (admittedly bridge) cameras with an evf and really didn't get on with them.
I too like optical viewfinders and some of the lower res EVFs are awful, but as the resolution goes up, they are getting much better.
The advantages with mirrorless isn’t compact size for me, but being able to see in the dark, 90% of the sensor/screen/EVF have AF points which works accurately with 1.4 and 1.2 lenses which are hopeless with OVF, you have to focus bracket, which is hit and miss so less than ideal.
There are plenty of other advantages, IBS, silent shutters, tilting/flip screens, object/eye tracking AF, video features etc...
Bacardi said:
Russ T Bolt said:
I'm just getting back into photography after an extended break, dusted off my old Canon DSLR's etc.
I keep seeing comments about mirrorless being the future, I'm intrigued why.
Personally I really like the optical viewfinder. I've had a number of (admittedly bridge) cameras with an evf and really didn't get on with them.
Technology just moves on, that’s life. You could have said you dusted down your ‘SLR’, nothing wrong with film, but you obviously went digital…I keep seeing comments about mirrorless being the future, I'm intrigued why.
Personally I really like the optical viewfinder. I've had a number of (admittedly bridge) cameras with an evf and really didn't get on with them.
I too like optical viewfinders and some of the lower res EVFs are awful, but as the resolution goes up, they are getting much better.
The advantages with mirrorless isn’t compact size for me, but being able to see in the dark, 90% of the sensor/screen/EVF have AF points which works accurately with 1.4 and 1.2 lenses which are hopeless with OVF, you have to focus bracket, which is hit and miss so less than ideal.
There are plenty of other advantages, IBS, silent shutters, tilting/flip screens, object/eye tracking AF, video features etc...
Non of the advantages to you are of interest to me to be honest, but each to their own.
Having invested huge amounts in Canon lenses that may or may not work on a new mirrorless body, but would certainly feel unbalanced on a smaller body I will stick with what I have and maybe invest in a new 5Dmk4, which may be the last of it's kind if rumours are true.
I just wondered what was generating some of the comments I have seen, mostly predicting the demise of SLR's.
Edited by Russ T Bolt on Tuesday 5th May 22:14
Horses for courses…
I’m experienced with Xpan, but not with 645 (RB, RZ, sure). I do still have a shelf full of V series Hasselblads and lenses, film and P1 backs, so I am am very much a manual shooter…
I have invested tons of money on L lenses and they work way better on an R, in terms of AF, than on old hat DSLR.
I think you may be investing in the past, but as you say... each to their own….
I’m experienced with Xpan, but not with 645 (RB, RZ, sure). I do still have a shelf full of V series Hasselblads and lenses, film and P1 backs, so I am am very much a manual shooter…
I have invested tons of money on L lenses and they work way better on an R, in terms of AF, than on old hat DSLR.
I think you may be investing in the past, but as you say... each to their own….
DSLRs are not going anywhere, I have not once had a client say, "why are you shooting on a DSLR and not mirrorless"..., or vice versa...as they just don't care, they get the job done, photographers preference what they use suppose, but won't be going the way of film/analogue quite yet.
But, OP you have a 5d2. One of the best, if not legendary tbh and the sensor is still pretty special.
I still use mine for most of my personal client work, albeit alongside my 5d4 I use for work shoots (tbh not much difference, unless your pixel peeping).
My 5d2 has around 120k shutter actuations on it, but it's such a lovely camera and so ahead of the time. Few dents on it, and paint is more or less worn off, patina is cool tho isn't it...
but it's paid for itself many time over, I will fix it if it breaks.
Surely a fast, big aperture prime lens would suffice? 1.2/1.4 aperture for low light, so much different and will add a new lease of life into that 5d2...
Promise you, there is a hell of alot of use left in that 5d2, there is one on YouTube famously with 1 million shutter actuations (quite a good watch)
But if you fancy an upgrade, 5d4 is nice jump if your gonna keep it, or even the 5d3 is good (had to hire own few months back, nice enough) and you will know your way around it aswell.
Like you said MPB is a good site, or WEX
Good luck in what you decide
But, OP you have a 5d2. One of the best, if not legendary tbh and the sensor is still pretty special.
I still use mine for most of my personal client work, albeit alongside my 5d4 I use for work shoots (tbh not much difference, unless your pixel peeping).
My 5d2 has around 120k shutter actuations on it, but it's such a lovely camera and so ahead of the time. Few dents on it, and paint is more or less worn off, patina is cool tho isn't it...
but it's paid for itself many time over, I will fix it if it breaks.Surely a fast, big aperture prime lens would suffice? 1.2/1.4 aperture for low light, so much different and will add a new lease of life into that 5d2...
Promise you, there is a hell of alot of use left in that 5d2, there is one on YouTube famously with 1 million shutter actuations (quite a good watch)
But if you fancy an upgrade, 5d4 is nice jump if your gonna keep it, or even the 5d3 is good (had to hire own few months back, nice enough) and you will know your way around it aswell.
Like you said MPB is a good site, or WEX
Good luck in what you decide
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