5D II initial impressions

The long awaited 5D II finally arrived late Thursday from Mike's Camera, CO. I was dying at work all day yesterday to try it out and see some of the images on screen.

While I am impressed with the ergonomics, new features, nice big LCD, for me this is all just icing on the cake. What really matters are the images.

Anyway I did a couple of quick shoots before and after work yesterday. And last night I had a chance to process and view some of them.

The first thing I noticed was the increased latitude enabling one to push/pull images much more during RAW processing. For me that is huge because I prefer digital blends over GNDs. And many times I'll use one RAW images to accomplish this, although using 2 or more is better. With movement that can pose a challenge.

There is also greater info left in the shadows which I was hoping for allowing one to open them up more in PS.

I also noticed that long exposures are very clean thankfully as I love night shots. My 10D was woefully noisey. Here the first shot I took in bulb mode for ~20 minutes:
http://www.landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#431048706_QTzS3-A-LB

Composing in pitch black dark was really tough. So I plan to reshoot this scene hopefully soon.

Here are a few more. All are blended from one RAW image because of the extreme dynamic range:
http://www.landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#431107869_4NHUj-A-LB

http://www.landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#431116970_FAdLp-A-LB

This one I really stretched in the shadows with only some minor noise in the LL which I haven't bothered to apply noise redution to yet.
http://www.landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#431124748_hxqej-A-LB

http://www.landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6234693_bgVA8#431131856_68uTk-A-LB

Overall I am very pleased with the camera. Although I am obviously still getting used to it. I haven't even played with the hi def video or live view.

Derek

thanks Derek. I appreciate the direct and early feedback. I am currently in the market for upgrading my DSLR and have been examining this product as well. Thanks again. Love your work!! Peter

Thanks Peter,

There are a lot of good options right now depending on what you are looking for.

Nikon D700, Canon 5D II and Sony A900 are some nice newer FF models.

Then there are some great cropped options as well - lots to chose from. I thought Canon fell asleep at the wheel for a while. But it looks like they woke up to answer their competitors in some of their newest models. Competition is great for everyone!

Derek

Congrats on the new purchase, Derek. I've heard they almost have that digital stuff worked out.

From the looks of your recent shots, they are coming through loud and clear. Nice work, as always.

Hey Derek, Congrats on the new 5D II. You are making me miss Monterey something aweful. I see they cooked up a little snow for the kiddos! We got our first good snow dump on Friday. They said an inch or so... got over 15"!! Expecting more on Monday afternoon. WhooHoo!
John
RMNP

Great to hear from you John! I look forward to seeing some of your winter snowscapes.

Try and make it back over to the Sangres lookout too. Man talk about a great goto spot!

Derek

Sweet... I particularly like the last image linked. While I'm waiting for a full frame to come out with a true live view that is both intuitive and natural to use, the current full frame offerings are making it very difficult to not make the plunge. The 5D MkII looks like a hell of camera for the money spent. Can't wait to see what you're able to produce with it.