Moving up from the Canon 5D MKII

Sheq

Sheq

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Ash
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Hello, new here, and am after some advice.

I have an old 5D MKII which I used over a decade ago for photos and films, and did quite well with gig photography and short festival films. I thought I'd make a new film this / next year, but it looks like my camera is a bit old. I think it still does well, and gets great footage. However, it won't go on a gimbal and I could do with some stability in motion, and when I look around and see that even the MKIV has 4K. So I've been thinking about a change. I still have my EF lenses: a Sigma 70-200mm and Canon 50mm 1.4mm.

I wondered if anyone might have any advice on what step to take next. I quite like the full frame look and the image that Canon puts out. But I'm happy to move to a different system too. I've been considering just getting a MK IV and being done with it, but perhaps there are other options. I did look at the GH5 etc and those type of systems, but I don't think they're a fit. Checked out the C100 MKII, but am still worried about stability.

Thanks for any advice in advance.
 
For videos, the GH5 is the better, but for stills, the Mk IV is full frame, and if you like it...

The GH5 and others also take excellent stills, but there are differences that may not suit you.

I don't see a huge advantage of the Mk IV over the Mk III, apart from the 4K video, especially for the price difference.
 
Canon R6ii should definitely be a contender: allows you to natively adapt your existing lenses, has stabilisation, great video features and sensor.
 
If you are looking at a new camera or system the choices depend on a few factors,

What is you budget and what were you hopping to get for that.
Do you need the ability to take good stills.
Do you need video autofocus.

If you could give a bit more information about these that would help.

Andrew HATFIELD | Architectural and Interior Photographer
 
Hi, my budget is around £700-800 max.

I can take good still with the 5D. This is primarily a video project. Autofocus would be lovely as I don’t have a focus puller.
 
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Gold said:
Canon R6ii should definitely be a contender: allows you to natively adapt your existing lenses, has stabilisation, great video features and sensor.
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Thank you. I’ll look into this. I called wex and they said the same.
 
Sangoma said:
For videos, the GH5 is the better, but for stills, the Mk IV is full frame, and if you like it...

The GH5 and others also take excellent stills, but there are differences that may not suit you.

I don't see a huge advantage of the Mk IV over the Mk III, apart from the 4K video, especially for the price difference.
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This I very helpful. Thank you. I think 4k gets just that little extra but for the money, I don’t know. It’s not like I’m Coppola or anything.
 
ScottT said:
I use my 5Dmk4 on a Zhyun Crane lab3 gimbal and it works perfectly.
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I don’t know if they’re compatible with the MK II, though. I know most will be with the mk iii or iv, which I suppose is the choice I have to make.
 
You might be better looking at a modern camcorder with 4K and probably decent zoom built in.
The 5Dmk2 can still cut it for photos I had one for a while and reworking old files through modern Lightroom etc they are lovely.
It was extraordinarily cumbersome to use for video though and only 1080p, admittedly results could be good but much easier ways now.
 
4wd said:
You might be better looking at a modern camcorder with 4K and probably decent zoom built in.
The 5Dmk2 can still cut it for photos I had one for a while and reworking old files through modern Lightroom etc they are lovely.
It was extraordinarily cumbersome to use for video though and only 1080p, admittedly results could be good but much easier ways now.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Do you have any suggestions?
 
Perhaps I'm being dim here - how is the 5D2 not able to be put on a gimbal? Maybe one particular design of gimbal I can envisage, but not on any gimbal I'm struggling to get my head around.
 
4wd said:
You might be better looking at a modern camcorder with 4K and probably decent zoom built in.
The 5Dmk2 can still cut it for photos I had one for a while and reworking old files through modern Lightroom etc they are lovely.
It was extraordinarily cumbersome to use for video though and only 1080p, admittedly results could be good but much easier ways now.
Click to expand...
Do ‘affordable’ camcorders produce video with the same ‘look’ as that produced by full-frame DSLR bodies?
 
hunnymonster said:
Perhaps I'm being dim here - how is the 5D2 not able to be put on a gimbal? Maybe one particular design of gimbal I can envisage, but not on any gimbal I'm struggling to get my head around.
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I can only assume it’s a firmware issue and the gimbal software is not compatible. I’ve been on the Ronin site and this is what I think I’ve gleaned.
 
I upgraded my 5D2 to a 5D4 many years ago. It was well worth it. One aspect not mentioned is the dynamic range which I considered to be critical. With the 5D2, I had to take multiple exposures and use HDR techniques for most landscapes but not so with the 5D4. I have since replaced the 5D4 by a Sony A6600 but that was just to reduce the weight. As the performance of the 5D4 was so good, I kept it and still use for studio work. I also used the 5D4 recently for my son's wedding (video). I also have several expensive Canon lenses which I did not want to waste. In theory I could used the Canon lenses on the Sony but the heavy weight would make this pointless apart from possibly the Macro lens.

Dave
 
Sheq said:
I can only assume it’s a firmware issue and the gimbal software is not compatible. I’ve been on the Ronin site and this is what I think I’ve gleaned.
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Ah, ok - this is way more advanced than any gimbal I was envisaging - gimbal to me is the mechanical part.. this gimbal seems to have more bells & whistles.
 
Dave Canon said:
I upgraded my 5D2 to a 5D4 many years ago. It was well worth it. One aspect not mentioned is the dynamic range which I considered to be critical. With the 5D2, I had to take multiple exposures and use HDR techniques for most landscapes but not so with the 5D4. I have since replaced the 5D4 by a Sony A6600 but that was just to reduce the weight. As the performance of the 5D4 was so good, I kept it and still use for studio work. I also used the 5D4 recently for my son's wedding (video). I also have several expensive Canon lenses which I did not want to waste. In theory I could used the Canon lenses on the Sony but the heavy weight would make this pointless apart from possibly the Macro lens.

Dave
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Thanks Dave. Have been looking at the IV.
 
From the Zhiyun crane lab 3 compatibility list

Cable needed:
5D Mark Ⅱ Cable mark: ① USB 3.0 to USB Mini

Grip control:
1. Take photos
2. Start/stop recording video
3. Turn on/off live view
4. Aperture, shutter speed, ISOadjustment
5.Half press to activate autofocus mode of the camera duringviewfinder shooting
6. Digital follow focus

Precautions for Camera/Lens Settings:
1. When applying digital follow focus function, thelens should be in AF mode while the camera in liveview mode.
2. It is recommended to turn off Auto Review of thecamera

Compatible lenses:
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USMEF
24-70mm f/2.8L II USMEF
24-105mm f/4L IS II USMEF
50mm f/1.4 USMEF
85mm f/1.4L IS USMEF
85mm f/1.8 USMSigma
35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ArtSigma
50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ArtSigma
24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art

Ive used a 17-40 f/4 with no issues on my 5D4

Its an older model gimbal now so can be found at a reasonable price.
 
ScottT said:
From the Zhiyun crane lab 3 compatibility list

Cable needed:
5D Mark Ⅱ Cable mark: ① USB 3.0 to USB Mini

Grip control:
1. Take photos
2. Start/stop recording video
3. Turn on/off live view
4. Aperture, shutter speed, ISOadjustment
5.Half press to activate autofocus mode of the camera duringviewfinder shooting
6. Digital follow focus

Precautions for Camera/Lens Settings:
1. When applying digital follow focus function, thelens should be in AF mode while the camera in liveview mode.
2. It is recommended to turn off Auto Review of thecamera

Compatible lenses:
EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USMEF
24-70mm f/2.8L II USMEF
24-105mm f/4L IS II USMEF
50mm f/1.4 USMEF
85mm f/1.4L IS USMEF
85mm f/1.8 USMSigma
35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ArtSigma
50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ArtSigma
24-70mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art

Ive used a 17-40 f/4 with no issues on my 5D4

It’s an older model gimbal now so can be found at a reasonable price.
Click to expand...
Most helpful. Thank you.
 
GeeJay57 said:
Do ‘affordable’ camcorders produce video with the same ‘look’ as that produced by full-frame DSLR bodies?
Click to expand...
No and yes, the camera doesnt really matter except for the times it does.
To get the same look as a full frame DSLR very few camcorders will give you that look, its all to do with sensor size and the lens, very few if any camcorders will be able to shoot at f/1.2 for example so despite that above video you'll never get the exact same look as the larger sensor will give you. Plus a DSLR will shoot in 10bit (or even 12bit) most basic camcorders will shoot in 8bit
I have a Panasonic HC-X1 but that was a similar price to my 5D4, both shoot in 4k, both have a great picture but both do slightly different things so it depends on what i'm filming as to which one i'll take with me. I also have a Panasonic HC-VXF990, shoots in 4k but the quality isnt as good as the others, but in the right light it can be hard to tell the difference between the 3 of them, where it comes into its own it when i travel very light or on days when i'm not out filming but just stick it in my pocket in case I see something.

A pro, who can tell a story, get the right shots, edit it all together with good sound and get the colours right (using Resolve or similar) will always produce a far better video that someone who's skills aren't great in any or all of those areas.
Someone who really knows what they are doing will produce a better finished product on a iphone 7 than most people would produce if you gave them an Arri.
Steven Soderburgh shot Unsane on a iphone7. Tangerine was shot on a iphone5.
Think of The Blair Witch Project, one old camcorder and a 16mm film camera shot all that, any new £500+ camcorder will do a better job.

If you want an affordable camcorder that will give the DSLR look and you have a lot of Canon glass lying around then look at a used Black magic instead. MPB have a Blackmagic design cinema camera 1080hd only with EF mount for £320 or they have the Blackmagic design Production camera 4K for £430-£520 both will give far better quality than a basic camcorder and take all your EF lenses, i wish i had got one of those instead of the VXF990

​

 
ScottT said:
No and yes, the camera doesnt really matter except for the times it does.
To get the same look as a full frame DSLR very few camcorders will give you that look, its all to do with sensor size and the lens, very few if any camcorders will be able to shoot at f/1.2 for example so despite that above video you'll never get the exact same look as the larger sensor will give you. Plus a DSLR will shoot in 10bit (or even 12bit) most basic camcorders will shoot in 8bit
I have a Panasonic HC-X1 but that was a similar price to my 5D4, both shoot in 4k, both have a great picture but both do slightly different things so it depends on what i'm filming as to which one i'll take with me. I also have a Panasonic HC-VXF990, shoots in 4k but the quality isnt as good as the others, but in the right light it can be hard to tell the difference between the 3 of them, where it comes into its own it when i travel very light or on days when i'm not out filming but just stick it in my pocket in case I see something.

A pro, who can tell a story, get the right shots, edit it all together with good sound and get the colours right (using Resolve or similar) will always produce a far better video that someone who's skills aren't great in any or all of those areas.
Someone who really knows what they are doing will produce a better finished product on a iphone 7 than most people would produce if you gave them an Arri.
Steven Soderburgh shot Unsane on a iphone7. Tangerine was shot on a iphone5.
Think of The Blair Witch Project, one old camcorder and a 16mm film camera shot all that, any new £500+ camcorder will do a better job.

If you want an affordable camcorder that will give the DSLR look and you have a lot of Canon glass lying around then look at a used Black magic instead. MPB have a Blackmagic design cinema camera 1080hd only with EF mount for £320 or they have the Blackmagic design Production camera 4K for £430-£520 both will give far better quality than a basic camcorder and take all your EF lenses, i wish i had got one of those instead of the VXF990

​

Click to expand...
Thanks for that. I think if it hadn’t been for the crop factor I’d probably have bought it immediately. I’ll still consider it - see if I can make it work. Might need a wider lens.
 
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