Canon Digital SLR Camera EOS 5D Mark II

Wow!. I had a canon 30D before and when I started using the 5D Mk II it blew me away. I haven't started to scratch the surface of what it can do but I'm already extremely happy. Don't expect to sit down and read the user manual before you use it - it's got 250 pages! I just put it to fully automatic and went shooting. The photos were excellent but there were some things not to my satsfaction (needed more aperture or shutter control) so I read the relevant bits of the manual and tried again. The ISO range of the camera is such that if you leave ISO speed in auto you will not get a bad photo (unless you are trying to use it at night in a dark room!). I took it into a gloomy cathedral recently and all the photos were brilliant. Then there's the video camera! It shoots video at HD TV quality with sound. The only real problem I see is that it takes such good photos I am now not satisfied with the quality of my lens. More expense on the horizon!

Why is it described as having Wi-FI when it clearly doesn't? Yes, you can add some adapters perhaps to be able to use the Wi-FI. But... The Camera is a great camera depending on which one you get, if it is kept in mint condition or good working condition, the camera itself is a fantastic camera, it was used and still is being used by most professionals, including some movie industries, including Hollywood, movies such as Iron man II and many other movies were shot by this amazing camera. So if you can get this one or the Mark III go for it. You will not regret it, but make sure you don't get scammed.

I hope people will find this review useful. I'm one the few brave souls that has switched from Nikon to Canon in order to use this wonderful camera. After reading many reviews and being sold the idea of owning a Nikon by a pro press photographer friend, I bought a Nikon D700 and used it for a year. I also had both 50mm f/1.4 and 70-300mm Nikkor lenses. During that year I took some good images and about 30 of them have found their way onto online stock libraries and been downloaded a few times, but I never really got on with the camera. Back in earlier years I shot weddings and portraits as a hobby and used Olympus bodies (OM1 and OM2). I did all my own processing too, so I'm not new to photographic principals. Making the switch to digital with the D700 was not a good experience for me though. Being used to to film and (as a graphic designer) daily processing high quality images on a Mac, I found 12 megapixels often a little too constraining on larger jobs (double-page spread backgrounds for instance). And the camera never really 'allowed' me to mess about creatively. It's too clinical, too exact, too Nikon. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that I fell out of love with photography for a while, and quite often left my camera at home when going out walking etc. I just knew that photographically I wouldn't get what I wanted. OK, a lot of this has to do with my skills as a photographer, and my ability to use the Nikon to its full potential. But I think a great deal of the photographic experience is about the photographer's sensibilities, the ability to 'see' and create a striking image... without the camera getting in the way. The Nikon got in my way. I just had to sell it. Enter the Canon EOS 5D Mark ii. Straight out of the box it's a different animal. It doesn't feel as tough as the D700 but it's forgiving, easy to use, intuitive and, above all, creative. I have just one lens at the moment; an EF 85mm f/1.2 L ii USM. Images from it (and the camera) are staggering... and that's without any post processing. The video is unbelievable and adds an extra dimension to an already wonderful product. RAW files are capable of use at A2 size and (despite what I've read online) you can save just RAW files on their own... not only in combination with a secondary JPEG. The manual is well written, easily understood and pocket sized. I would use the word 'clunky' to describe Canon pro stuff. It's almost kind of 'loose' in a way. The Nikon D700 is clinical, something like a BMW... compared to the Canon, which is more like a Land Rover Defender. I know this all sounds a bit silly, but it's the way I think about things. I like to feel comfortable with what I use. I know which car I would rather drive. And I now know which camera I would rather create with. The Nikon D700 is a wonderful camera and no doubt it's right for many people. I'm not one of them. So if you're the arty type, you prefer real ale and you react to things instinctively, I would heartily recommend the Canon EOS 5D. To my mind, the Nikon D700 is a hard working tool for photographers in a hurry... who probably don't like beer. Finally: a word or ten about Amazon. I paid for express delivery and the camera took one day longer to arrive. Amazon refunded the difference between standard and express delivery immediately. These people understand the principle of retaining good customer relations. I trust them completely and would never hesitate to use them. Well done Amazon. I wish there were more companies like you on the net!

Product as expcted

I've still only had this Camera a few weeks, so I'll weight my comments accordingly. It arrived in very good time (I live in the Scottish Northern Isles, so never hold my breath over delivery dates). It did require a bit of cosmetic cleaning, but really nothing to worry about. Certainly won't justify dropping a Star, but the Seller might want to think about that. Packaging was good and protected the Camera well. Once I charged the Battery, it was good to go. Please bear in mind that cost didn't include a Compact Memory Card or Spare Battery. The Card is of course essential if you want to take more than a couple of shots, and Compact Memory Card are not as common or cheap as they once were. I'd also say that any serious photographer has a fully charged spare Battery too. In terms of the Camera itself - well the 5Dii does what I expected. I've had a 550D from new which is about the same age, and that is fine Camera. Having used 5Ds in the past I had a shrewd idea of what to expect. Build quality is really good, and I have to say, living with this Camera and using it with a Cannon 50mm Prime lens (the 1.8 one) is a joy. I find a warmth in Standard Setting that I only normally anticipate with film. You'd have to work hard to take a bad picture with this Camera. In you are new to DSLRs, then just using it in Automatic Mode will up your game. I know Professionals who do this! The Daffodils Photo is in full Auto Mode. I've done a bit of video testing and it's good. Need really to install Magic Lantern to get the best from it. The 5D works with most of the lenses I have acquired for the 550D. I'm happy enough with that. With the arrival of Mirrorless DSLRs, prices for the 5D and other such, will inevitably be driven down. Great time to get one, as good picture last forever, and the advantages of mirrorless are not a deal breaker for me.

Article reçu avant la date prévue. On est quand même loin du "très bon état" : usure sur les boutons, écran rayé, petits impacts sur le corps du boîtier. Déclenchements annoncés : 7998, après vérification : 75698 ... Je vous laisse juger.

The camera is a couple of years old, but still in its prime. Whats not that great, is the packaging - no shock-absorber, only newspaper - for a camera that is prici and delicate i would have expected a more carefull packaging. But it arrived and is ok, so that was a lucky one. And its a little bit pitty that there is only the battery charger attached, no other cable for transmitting, etc. But all over I am happy to got the camera.

Perfectamente embalado, Llego el día prometido. La cámara llego en perfecto estado, con bateria original, cargador, y una tarjeta CF. El número de disparos fue el indicado Con signos de suciedad en el visor. Y el sensor una mancha que quedaba de manifiesto en las fotos. Pero que con un poco de alcohol y una limpieza manual se soluciono en pocos minutos.