Canon 5dmkii Durability Issues/Upgrade Suggestions?

Background:
I grew tired of waiting for the Nikon d700 successor back in Aug 2010 and decided to switch camera formats altogether to Canon. This decision came with many reservations, but after hearing the many rave reviews of the 5dmkii, I sold all my Nikon gear and made the plunge with Canon...

Here I am 1.5 years after the fact, and am having serious problems with my 5dmkii. The problems began only 3 months after first purchasing the camera, with the shutter tripping automatically and none of the buttons on the camera functioning, LCD's not working, basically no functions on the camera working. To spare you all the ugly details, my camera has been in the Canon repair facility 5 times now (in 1.5 years mind you), for what is essentially the same problem. Canon usually maintains that there is "liquid damage" to the camera. I live in a humid area near the coast and often shoot close to water, but have never submerged the camera in water nor put this camera in situations I hadn't put my Nikon in, but these issues persist and I'm now faced with yet another STEEP repair bill from Canon, and just don't know if it's worth it to continue on with this body?

On to my question:
Have any of you had similar experiences with your 5dmkii's being EXTREMELY fragile to naturally occurring weather conditions (like fog, mild rain, 90% humidity)? Is my copy just extra sensitive to moisture or is this a problem with the 5dmkii's in general? I seem to see many others shooting in very similar conditions with this model and they don't seem to be having the same issues?

Also, if I were to once again change cameras, what are some notably rugged DSLRs on the market in your opinion (under $4k)? I've heard the 1ds mark iii's have extended weatherproofing(and there may be more coming on the market with the 1dx announcement), but after my experience with the 5dmkii, I'm not really sold on Canon, their products, or their "service" with their products. Any other options I should consider?

Thanks in advance for any advice, guidance, or sympathy!

Jared, sounds like you had some really bad luck with this body. The 5D MkII was my second body in Peru, and I noticed that the weather sealing kinda sucks on it. As far as I know, it uses the same weather sealing as the older 40D/50D line of bodies, which is definitely inferior to the more recent bodies Canon has put out. By comparison, my 7D handled the wet, often humid rainforest conditions quite well, so I don't think this is a general "Canon product" issue.

In terms of replacements, Canon is set to announce the next body in the 5D line next week supposedly, so you may want to wait and see what that offers. It's going to be over $3K according to reports. I'm very curious to hear about its weather sealing, FPS, autofocus and more, because aside from the sensor and video capabilities, the 5D MkII is too much like the 40D/50D for my tastes.

Max

Thanks Max. Good insight on the 7D vs. the 5DMkII. I also was not aware of the upcoming 5D announcement, though I try not to get caught up in the latest & greatest gear releases. I'll have to look into that a bit more.

Jared, you're not alone. I've talked to a couple other photogs who are rough with their gear that have quickly destroyed one or more 5D MkII's.

I am a similar position -- I am going to wait a couple weeks to see what Canon announces. If it's underwhelming then the Nikon D800 is available for pre-order!

Some time ago I was shooting with my D300 and 600mm lens in the late afternoon when the phone rang in the house. I got to talking, and completely forgot about my camera being outside. That evening there was a major thunderstorm that dropped about 2 inches of rain. I almost passed out the next morning when I looked out the window and saw my beloved Nikon sitting out in the yard. I went out to get it and noticed it was still powered on. Brought it into the house and towelled it off, and then just let it sit to dry out for a few hours. It never flinched and worked perfectly as if nothing had ever happened. I was impressed.

I've had my 5DII since they were first introduced and have had no problems with mine. I'm not the most careful person and have put it through more than most people do I'm sure. I live in Denver so don't have the high humidity, but I have shot in wet environments, including in the snow and rain. The camera has had direct snow and rain falling on it, and all I have done is wipe it down as soon as possible. I have had a 1DS II and III in the past and they definitely have better weather sealing than the 5DII. I had my 1DSII in Iceland where it rained almost everyday for 3 weeks and shot in the rain constantly without any issues.

Sorry to hear about all the problems you have had, it would certainly irritate the heck out of me. I guess my only advise would be to use one of the many different rain covers available. The January/February 2012 edition of Outdoor Photographer magazine has an article reviewing several different options. You might also want to try storing the camera in a sealed bag with some of those silica packets that absorb the moisture in the air, which may help in the humid environment.

Thanks for the comments all.

Charlie, I had my d300 when I lived in CO and shot in rain, snow, sand, wind etc. and it never warranted any repairs! This is the standard I'm holding my Canon to and unfortunately the 5dmkII is coming up short as far as durability is concerned.

Scott, good to hear your comments and advice. We actually run a dehumidifier in our home, and if there is ever any visible moisture on the camera I will towel dry and set next to the dehumidifier for at least a few hours to try and dry out any residual moisture that may have infiltrated the many crevices on the camera body. Your experience with yours makes me suspicious that I either got a bad copy or the Canon repair facility is not as thorough in their repairs or testing as I would like (I've send the camera back for 3 re-repairs now...).

Matt-Good to hear I am not the only person (I guess??). I've been eyeing the D800, but it's such an undertaking to change camera systems and don't know that the D800 will be the answer I'm looking for?

Anyone have any comments on a 1ds III vs. the 5dmkII?

Hi Jared,
I would suggest that if you subject your camera to light rain and ocean spray (as indicated by 5 separate repairs with the same diagnosis), that you buy a camera with more robust weather sealing like the 1ds series. Were you using the Nikon since you moved to California?

Thanks for the comment John and good to hear from you.

The cam has been subjected to some sea spray/light rain from time to time, but nothing that should (IMO) render the camera completely useless or inoperable. I understand the inherent shortfalls of electronics/technology when the elements are concerned, but have not subjected the camera to anything that any other electronic device I may be carrying are subjected to (GPS, Iphone, Intervalometer, other cameras) and the 5dmkII is the only one that seems to have issues. The much larger issue for me is the inability for Canon service to address the problems, even after I paid a great deal of $ to have the problems fixed. I have ended up sending the camera back for "re-repairs" every single time I have requested service from Canon b/c the repairs were not done completely or correctly the first time.

As for the Nikon comment, no I did not shoot with my Nikon on the coast, but I'm also not suggesting that in any way is Nikon better than Canon or vice versa. That is simply the only measuring stick I have to compare, and as I mentioned, I have not changed anything in the way I handle the camera now (except I do wrap the camera w/ a plastic bag if I'm shooting very near ocean/surf). I've been very pleased with the 5dmkII in many other ways, but I'm more just trying to get a feel for whether or not I just got a lemon, If others have had similar experiences with Canon, if there's a better alternative in Canon's line, or if another manufacturer has something on the market that may be worth considering.

Thanks again for the comments.

Hi Jared,

I've never had any troubles my 5DII body (knock on wood.) I live in the desert so I don't have the exposure to humidity that you do. I have used my body in the rain and snow on several occasions and have never had any problems. It doesn't sound like you should keep pouring money into something that is a reoccurring problem. Maybe you should try selling it or filing an insurance claim on it and move on with a camera that is more likely to suit your needs.

I have put my original 5D through some pretty horrific water scenarios and it never had any issues. Same with the original 1Ds. I have never had a problem with my 5D2, but then it has never seen quite the same wet weather that those two have. It looks like you have a couple options right now. The 5D3 with better high ISO images, and much better AF, or the D800 with better AF and higher resolution. I don't know if the weather sealing on the 5D3 is supposed to be any different, but its arrival may also drop the price of a (highly weather sealed) used 1Ds3, as the IQ especially at high ISO looks like it will be superior.

Personally, I am making the jump over to the D800E... This, in conjunction with Murphy's law, means that any day now Canon will announce the landscape photographer's dream camera!

Sorry Ryan! Your murphy's law continues !!! With the announcement of the 5d mark III, it looks like Canon recognized the problem with the weather sealing on the mkII ( or lack thereof) and increased the sealing of the new model. This may be the answer i was looking for, thanks for the replies all!

Ive sent in my 5D mark 2 many times for repair. Last one cost me $1200. You do what you have to do.

Jared, You never know, I've had no problems with my 5d or 5d2 from Death Valley to Costa Rica, but while is Costa Rica last week one of the workshop students 7d just started making some noise and never worked again, it was hot/humid but everything from 40, 50, 5D worked just fine?