It's official... Canon 5D Mark II announced

Links:

http://www.canon.com/moon/en/

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08091705canon_5dmarkII.asp

And now on the Canon USA site:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=17662

u gonna buy adam?

I am!! sign me up

Yessss

Looks great - I will update the Gear Shoppe listings as soon as it's available.

Credit card ------ READY!!!!

I wonder how much I can get for a kidney....

What is the projected available date?

Late November Peter...but there are some predictions of a back order situation...

I have been waiting and waiting, still shooting with the 20D, and now, this, wow! Finally I can upgrade to a full frame, with 21mp, amazing!

u gonna buy adam?

I've already spent a lot of money on computer equipment and lenses this year, but yes I'll probably buy the 5D Mk.II after New Years.

Yes but will it work in autofocus? I am still super cheesed that the $8000 1ds Mark III can not be trusted for accurate autofocus even after firmware updates and lens calibrations!! I can not use the camera for dog and kid shoots and have to rely on the Rebel instead (autofocus performance kicks butt over the 1ds! Canon better shape up... Nikon is producing better stuff lately. Darwin

I'm in the same boat as Mike Horn...been waiting and waiting...Hurray!

I can probably wait a bit longer for the first round of rebates and price reductions, but even at retail, it looks like ALOT of camera for the price!!!

In addition to the 5D MK II, Canon announced the G10 to replace the G9. I just looked on Amazon and they've jacked the price of the G9 up to $679! I wonder if the price of the old 5Ds will skyrocket until November.

I've also been waiting and I will get one, but I would rather they had left out the video mode and dropped the price a bit.

Waiting until Novemger sucks. Called B&H and they said not taking orders. Well I guess I'm glad I held out on getting the M III. I was so close too.

I would guess the old 5's price will drop. Then I can buy one for IR use and my present one for a backup.

Sucks aboout the G9. Just got it recently. Anybody want to buy it. I need that wider angle. I'll even take the loss. I'll be Mexico for a few days so won't be able to reply til Monday on that.

Wow, just what i've been waiting for, can't wait to have this in my hot little hand.

It's interesting that this camera will have HD video capability; far better quality than the D90, and while the video feature was discussed early on with the D90, in 17 posts in this thread no one's mentioned the video capability of the 5D Mk II.

When I bought my first digital camera (Nikon D3, 6 months ago) I took this camera for a test. I drove to a busy street during nighttime, and I found a tall building (30+ floor) that was under construction and some workers still doing their business on top of it. I decided to get up there in search for a good vantage point. After I was done from shooting couple cityscape shots, I turned toward two men working on a steal 10 meters behind me, and with my 80-200 I took this shot. This was shot number 11 I took with this camera since I bought it. I was not sure how to set most of the new things, WB, Active D-Lighting, ISO, etc...So I set everything on AUTO. When I saw this on the camera monitor soon after I release the shutter I was really shocked, I was telling myself at that moment "hey, a new and wide door has open for you with this tech".

The strength of this camera in low light is really amazing. Believe it or not there is no PS on this shot, pure raw.

I am not trying to begin an old and vanished canon vs. Nikon war discussion but will this new Canon 5d mkII reach same level in low light as Nikon? I hope so! Let's wait & see how it will perform.

It's interesting how well the mk II is being received here on a nature photographer's blog, while in other chat rooms one would think Canon had just released a box with a pin hole in it. Canon says this camera has the best IQ of any of its DSLRs, including the 1DS Mk III at about a third of the cost, plus video, a vastly improved LCD monitor, etc. What's not to like? (Besides Canon's stubborn refusal to add a mirror lockup bottom - who needs at direct print button?) Also, what does this do to 1DS market? Is there a 30+ meg Mk IV coming out soon?

Mohsen, the D3 is truly an excellent high iso performer. There is no exif data attached to your image, and I didn't see your iso stated anywhere. So what was the iso for this shot? We can't really compare noise performance and IQ unless the iso is there. Images shot at iso3200 from my current 5D compare pretty favorably to the D3 images I've seen at the same iso. Not quite as good, but close. So, it will be an interesting next few months for people who pay close attention to noise performance between the two primary brands. And with the 5D Mk2 going up to iso25,600, well . . .

Greg, one of the things that drew me to NPN in the first place and keeps me coming back is the refreshing lack of pretense among members here. On quite a few other photographic Web forums, small differences, either positives or negatives, get ruthlessly magnified, and the next thing you know it's a shouting match -- and all over such minor things.

For example, if Mohsen had posted his image and comments on some of the other photo sites I look in on from time to time, it would have of course launched Canon/Nikon World War III. That doesn't happen here, and that's one of the reasons I love this place. So many people much more concerned about their art than their gear.


Not that the gear talk isn't a lot of fun, of course. And I may even end up selling my boat to fund the 5D Mk2. It seems like an ultimate wedding DSLR, and I'm so busy this year my boat hardly has seen the water anyway. On the other hand, I've never photographed an indoor wedding in a venue that requires a higher iso than 3200, and since I'm not by trade a landscape photog and am not very interested in the 21 MP, the Mk2 is likely more camera than I really need for my business.

I'll tell you though, I love that these innovations just keep on coming, because that allows me to pick up used or surplus cameras a generation older than the newest ones at rock-bottom prices. The continued race to be the best benefits us in many ways.

Steve, sorry for that...here is the data:
80-200
focal length: 135mm
ISO: 500
Proogrammed Auto
shutter speed: 1/320s
f9
WB: auto
Adobe RBG, vivid
metering: multi-pattern

Thanks, Mohsen. That helps a lot.

I've already received a few pre-order notices for the camera. Calumet and Midwest Photo (stu@mpex.com - the owner, or www.mpex.com) are both taking orders for the camera.

I live near Midwest and spend most of my photo dollars there, so I'd recommend them to purchase from.

Two nice new cameras for NPers

50D for the critters
5DII for the landscapers

A few years ago I ever would have thought it would go this far this fast.

If the high ISO is in the neighborhood of Nikon's cameras then I'm sold. That would be a dream come true. Hopefully this is the first camera that gets it all right for a change and is relatively affordable by most.

I couldn't understand the hype about this camera, thought it would be so predictable. Surely it would be somewhere between the 50D & 1DsMkIII. I'm shocked. Who would have thought Canon would dare to release a camera 1/2 the price of the 1DsMkIII with the same resolution? The specs are very impressive, and they needed to be to answer Nikon's recent challengers. Although I don't care for the video capabilities, it is ridiculous to imply it is a less serious camera because of its inclusion.

Mohsen, at ISO 500 you're not really showing the high ISO capability of your camera. Pretty much any DSLR on the market today will be very good to excellent up to 800 ISO. It's beyond that level where the differences really begin to be noticed. Also, was this a RAW shot or a JPEG? If it was a JPEG then there's processing applied in camera. A RAW image with no processing except to convert it is really the only way to evaluate.

"If the high ISO is in the neighborhood of Nikon's cameras then I'm sold."

One thing I like about the Canon's is how they hold detail at high ISO. The Nikon's true resolution drops quickly as ISO increases. Nikon's "clean up" in-camera software is better, but Canon's sensor actually makes a more accurate recording.

Canon says essentially that the 5DII has the 1DsIII sensor with upgrades.

Canon says essentially that the 5DII has the 1DsIII sensor with upgrades.

And at a third the cost. And I hear some landscape photographers whining on another forum about the lack of increased weather sealing, with some wedding photographers whining about no advance in autofocus performance. Gosh, some people are impossible to please.

And Don, thanks for that perspective on the relative strength/weaknesses of both brands' high iso performance. That was new info for me.

With the 5D mk2 at 21 Mp, it does make a person wonder just what's in store with the 1Ds Mk4. Hmmm, 26 Mp? 30?

With the 5D mk2 at 21 Mp, it does make a person wonder just what's in store with the 1Ds Mk4. Hmmm, 26 Mp? 30?

If there is any validity to some claims (not that I'm questioning the validity of the claims, since I'm not knowledgeable enough to do so) that the 21 megapixel 24x36mm sensor is already at or exceeds the resolution capabilities of even the Canon L series lenses, then what would be the advantage (to Canon or their customers) of a 26 or 30 megapixel 24x36mm sensor, unless Canon starts producing a whole new line of EF lenses with even better optical capabilities?

I was wondering the exact same thing when I read the reaction of most forums to the 5D2.

I was amazed - format-leading resolution at a price I can afford. Brilliant! And suddenly, it seems that everyone is outside shooting peregrine falcons in pouring rain, b/c any camera that doesnt have 50000 AF points and is completely submersible is apparently no use for photography. Bah.

I'm finally ready to retire my 1D2, I think - the 50D/5D2 combo looks like it will do everything I need from my camera.

Steve - I'm hearing 38-50MP numbers being bandied about for the 1Ds4. Apparently, Canon has announced a 50MP sensor not too long ago...?

Vandit

50MP?? Hasselblad only just announced 50MP for a medium format camera (and then Phase one immediately stole their thunder with a 60MP MF sensor). Just how many pixels can be crammed onto at 35mm-sized sensor before high noise or other physical limitations become unsurmountable? Or is this as much a matter of how far sensor technology can be pushed. I suspect it's a combination of both, right?

50 Mp? I gotta get a new computer.

Seriously though, Vandit, I am with you. With the 5D2 and 50D, why bother loosening the wallet for a "1" series anymore? Those bodies new are only a bit over $4,000 for both. Just how much does a person really need? How much will a 1Ds Mk4 cost, anyway? Cripes, I only paid $25,000 for my house!

Steve,

This is about the 50th time I've seen a post stating that the 5D2 is not weather sealed. What, can no one read any more? Read the line below! It clearly states "improved weather-resistant body". It really can't get any clearer than that!

From Canon's own website:

"High performance with 3.9 fps continuous shooting, new shutter with a durability of 150,000 cycles and improved weather-resistant body."

I can't wait till I get my hands on this bad-boy!

Steve,

This is about the 50th time I've seen a post stating that the 5D2 is not weather sealed. What, can no one read any more? Read the line below! It clearly states "improved weather-resistant body". It really can't get any clearer than that!

From Canon's own website:

"High performance with 3.9 fps continuous shooting, new shutter with a durability of 150,000 cycles and improved weather-resistant body."

I can't wait till I get my hands on this bad-boy!

Jerry, I know the mk2 has better weather sealing than the original 5D. Why do I know that? Because I can read. Perhaps you should re-read my post, in which you'll note it's clear that I am laughing at other people's comments, not making my own. Gosh, that reading deal is quite a challenge.

Hi Guys. I haven't read all comments here but some thoughts about the pricing of this 5D MK II:
Sony is releasing the alpha 900: Full Frame, 24MPix. Price is about the same as the new 5D MkII. Not sure how Canon anticipated this Sony-release, but in order to beat Sony on that, they simply had to set this low price for the new 5D. Why should anyone by a Canon full-frame for 7000$ (1D MkIII) if they can get full frame, a bit more Mpix for just a third of that price?
Just my explanation why Canon competes with their own product - because they compete with Sony.

How will the auto-focus compare with the 1D Mark III ?

Steve,

I really didn't mean for my post to read as if you couldn't read! I was commenting about the posts that you had read (I've been reading the same). I just worded my post wrong. Everyone calls it baby-brain! You know, having a 7-month old and all. She's sucking out my brain cells! It's all worth it though!

Canon's research and developement department spends more $$$ than than Nikon corp as a whole entity. Just because the 5D MII has all those bells and whistles for a hi end consumer DSLR at a price like that doesn't mean that they don't already have a pro version that will knock it's socks off. Seems like Canon just waits for their competition to catch up. There has to a point where you don't need any more mega pixels. Right?

No worries, Jerry!

There has to a point where you don't need any more mega pixels. Right?

Yes, but I think that's a long way off yet Steve. While a lot people won't make good use of even the amount of pixels they have now, there are always cases where you'd want more. This would mainly be for super large prints, and large crops. These will get more common as higher megapixel cameras become the norm, even if people aren't doing it much now. And if you look at the medium format digital backs, they are now up over 60 megapixels. I think the big limiter eventually might just be the lenses ability to use all those megapixels effectively, moreso than the sensor itself.

It also depends a bit on what you mean by need. As I said, many people don't need it and won't use it - but they may still be willing to pay for it.

The math is actually pretty simple. If you want to make "very sharp" prints, say at 300dpi, up to say 60x40, you will need 216 megapixels worth of image data to avoid having to "rezz up". You can tweak the numbers to what makes sense to you, but either way a case can be made for much higher resolutions than any DSLR is capable of today.

An issue you'll run into, though, is that while sensor resolution is rising rapidly, there are very real limitations on how much information even the best lenses can resolve onto a small 24x36mm frame. At some point adding more pixels to the sensor will not result in additional image detail. From there on, it's the same story as with film: bigger is better.

Guy

I've been hearing about the lens resolution issue. I was talking yesterday with excursion clients about this very thing, and it led to a key question. How much more detail can our eyes resolve than what we have to work with lenses and digital sensors now? I mean, are we approaching those limitations just as we're approaching the wall with lenses?

For example, using the best IQ sensor and sharpest lenses on the market and making a high resolution print at the limit of the native file with no interpolation, are there already things in there our naked eye can't resolve? Or is that point far, far in the future?

Steve, you might find this interesting:

http://www.clarkvision.com/imagedetail/eye-resolution.html

Guy

Thanks Guy!