5D2 replacement to be announced soon (maybe), BUT...

So, rumor has it that a replacement for the Canon 5D MkII is going to be announced next week. Supposedly it's not going to be a big advancement in megapixels (from the current 21.1 to an even 22), all the updates will be beyond the MP count. Those improvements could be substantial if it's a sensor like that in the 1D-X. The question for all you 5D2 owners is, will you plop down another $3K (or more) for a camera that retains roughly the same megapixels but offers other worthy updates, or will you wait to see if Canon does something on par with what Nikon did with their 36-mp D800? Even if I had the money, I'd have to think long and hard (that's what she said) about dropping the dough for just the ability to take better high-iso images. What say you?

Todd, I think you and ALL the 5D2 users should get the new body so I can have a chance at a good, gently used 5D2 at the $$$ I can afford!

If it only offered higher ISO capabilities, I'd probably wait. I guess it all depends on what the other new features are.

Well it would have been great if my 1Ds2 had waited another year before being "lost at sea".
So, I now have a 9 month old 5d2 that I am very happy with.

I think the rumored replacement specs make for a great all around camera, but not enough to tempt me into upgrading.
I'll be looking forward to see how much the 37MP adds to the Nikon D800e IQ and what Canon may offer later for their high MP version. Switching brands for me is not an option, but the Nikon will certainly provide a great baseline for what a high MP 35mm sensor can do.

Scott, the rumors have a significant improvement in the AF system and frame rates.

Bill, I shoot mostly landscapes so the AF and frame rates aren't a huge factor for me. I'm most interested in what the sensor can do. I've also started playing with the video a bit and would be interested to see what new features come with that, I understand the 1DX has the ability to record for 30 minutes.

Don't use autofocus, don't need another 1000 pixels, don't need .2" larger LCD and don't need a second memory card slot...for another $1,500-1,700.00. Sensor technology is where I begin to listen. Another 2 stops of clean ISO and I'll have something to think about. I do think resale value on this rumored camera will hold it's own for many years down the line.

I'm happy with 21mp, especially with stitching.

There are a lot more wedding, portrait, sports, street and PJ photographers than their are nature photographers. Perhaps Canon is targeting these folks. If they improve their sucky auto focus and low light abilities they might be able to win over the Nikon crowd that is screaming that 36 megs is too much. Not a bad busness move. Canon gets the low light crowd and Nikon gets the high meg folks. Is it worth $3500 for a new camera? If you are a nature photographer probably not. In other fields - maybe. It won't matter when all the Mk II's are gone.

As for me personaly, I am #1 in line for a Nikon D800E, so I don't really give a rat's rear.

I couldn't agree more with Kane, especially with the current crop of Canon wide angle zoom lenses available.

Wait.

I think as landscape photographers the Nikon D800 E should be really interesting -- no AA filter!

Don't really know how much difference no AA filter will make. I guess in a couple of months we will know. Same with the 36 megs. Coming from the 12 meg D700 camera it should make a huge difference; coming from a 21 meg MkII, I wouldn't expect much difference. Much will depend on how good your shooting technique is.

Ah, no thanks.

The improvements will mostly be for video (like 60i for slo-mo, dual slots and full HD output from the HDMI jack). And HOPEFULLY one stop cleaner images. But if they make it more than 24mp I'm going to be TICKED, no way do I want to give up the larger cells for more MPs. I also mirror Kane"s assessment.

I am needing a 2nd body and would definitely buy one if the image quality doesn't suffer via too many MPs, and if it has the video improvements I'd like to see (and AF for video is definitely not one of them, it's not a camcorder). Otherwise I'll grab another 5D2 before they disappear. My goodness, what an impact this camera has had over the last 3-1/2 years, definitely will be a historical game changer classic. Btw, if you go see George Lucas' Red Tails or Act of Valor, there's the 5D2 in action again, shooting footage for major motion pictures. And yet it's a great stills cam also. Wild. Ok, enough blubbering about this thing...

Todd, I'm with Kane and John. Higher ISOs mean nothing to someone who can't remember shooting more than a few frames as high as 400 ISO. Frankly, unless Canon is planning on releasing something else later on with a 36MP sensor, it would seem as if they're abandoning serious landscape shooters to Nikon's D800. I have no intention of rushing out to switch systems, but over the long haul ... hmmm.

I've been planning on adding a full-frame to go with my 7D. I've kept up with all the rumors and have been waiting on this announcement to see if I want the 5D2 or 5D3. Based on what I'm seeing, I'm going to be shopping tor a 5D2 bargain. I care less about megapixels, frame rate or autofocus points. I'm more interested in low-noise landscape images. I'll keep my 7D for wildlife, sports and other times I need more reach and faster frame rate.

I'm with Bob Falcone on this one

I have definitely been waiting for a new Full Frame companion to my 7D.

Depending on the rumor, there is talk of a higher MP Canon later in the year - a split in the line or a "3D'. But I am concerned the high MP Nikon/Sony and Canon sensors will be just as noisy as my 7D sensor in larger Full Frame size - I want better that that - and its not like I personally am selling 8 x 10 ft LightJet prints at the moment. I think I can wait a sensor generation; or just get a Medium Format when the time comes.

So yeah, 22 MP is ok; would have preferred 28-30 MP; beyond that I wont trust. If I can get rid of noise and improve DR, heh, I am a happy camper! AF at least as good as my 7D will be good for the fair amount of 4x4 and event photography I do. Most important, it will get me up to full frame photography.

(and at the moment, I dont even have a working 7D - its off to repair after a tripod accident in Durango - so a Brownie might do :) )

I'll wait for a higher MP version. I admit I'm a bit jealous of Nikon's 36mp, but I cannot give up my Canon T/S lenses, and it's impossible to put Canon lenses on a Nikon body so that one is a no-go. I'm doing just fine for now with the 5D2's sharp-as-sh-t 21mp, so it won't hurt that much to wait!

One simple thing that would change my decision is if the new Canon had an adjustable viewfinder/live-view aspect ratio - I hate shooting in 2:3 format!

I'm happy enough with my MKii that I really have no interest in upgrading, although a couple more stops of high ISO goodness could be tempting. 3K+ is awfully pricey though. What concerns me more are the prices of the new EOS lenses. Seems like every time Canon upgrades an L lens, they raise the price into the stratosphere. Eg: the old 24-70 is listed on B&H at 1369 while the new II version is 2299. They did this with the 70-200 series as well. Micro 4/3 is looking better and better

I'm with Bob and Randy. Any of you guys that want to dump your crummy outdated 5D2 let me know.

My 1Ds Mark III has one advantage no new digital camera will ever have .... I already paid for it.

I think I'll wait to see noise comparisons with the 5DII and if it's a rather significant improvement, I might buy. I'd prefer lower noise over higher megapixels with all the night photography I do. Sorry, probably wouldn't sell the crummy 5DII, as I think I'd keep it as a second camera.

There's also rumors that they're splitting the 5D line with a 5DX coming with 34 megapixels (in addition to a 5DIII with 22 MP).

At this point I need higher resolution so I can make larger prints. I'm not sure that a higher resolution 35mm sensor will deliver what I need, though. From what I've seen of the Nikon D800 images it just isn't resolving detail all that well. Yeah, the files are bigger but that's about it. Unless Canon is able to do something to dramatically increase the amount of detail resolved by a higher resolution sensor, I'm not interested.

Now, a 36 MP digital medium format camera...

>> Unless Canon is able to do something to dramatically increase the amount of detail resolved by a higher resolution sensor, I'm not interested. <<

I like what Canon is doing to refresh the top lenses with higher sharpness. The 70-200 IS II is just wow; and I hear the newer 24-70 II is phenomenal. I think you need that refresh groundwork before pushing the pixel resolution of the 35mm DSLR. I dont follow the Nikon line closely; so I dont know if they made that effort before announcing the D800; love to hear from Nikon users on that.

Bret, I believe that all that has been posted from the D800 so far are around 22 meg jpeg files from the original RAW files. Not the best evaluation tool. I got to view, in person, some partial prints equivelent to 32x48 inches. Quite impressive. Better than medium format Velvia, but maybe not as good as 4x5 film.

As far as medium format digital I urge you to read Joseph Holmes article on the subject. Not a particularly easy or short read, but I assure you it will totally destroy any lust you ever had for medium format digital.

http://www.josephholmes.com/news-medformatprecision.html

Karl, both Nikon and Canon make some truely fine optics that are capable of high enough resolution for a 36 meg sensor IF proper technique is used. Many people don't have the equipment or technical knowledge to get the most out of a 36 meg sensor. Even so, an image recorded with a 36 meg sensor using a poor quality lens, will do a far better job than one using a 12 meg sensor. (Provided good technique is used on both shots.) Nikon actually lists the lenses they recommend for use with the high meg cameras. An interesting point is that anything said for the Nikon D800 holds true for the Canon 5DmkII. To get the full 21 meg benefit, only the best Canon lenses can be used at only the correct f-stops and off a sturdy support and mirror locked up. Something to think about if you insist on handholding your mkII.

I want more pixels, and less noise, faster, bigger, better--i want it ALL!