Some further 5D Mark II thoughts.

[pxl8]

At f/1.2 or even f/1.4 it doesn't take much movement to end up OOF with a head shot, still it's much worse if you're shooting macro when it's really down to fractions of a mm. The real advantage of micro adjust is that you can tune the AF to your style rather than what's "technically" correct and, as you've found suddenly every shot is on the money

 

[Matt T]

Like the first gun shot.

As for Nikon v Canon. I've already got a 40D with a few lens and accessories so makes sense to stick with Canon. Just put off by the 'reliability' issues, lame AF, and the price (still a few hundred more than the d700)

All the shots in here are spot on though, i like the first gun shot

 

[Radiohead]

At f/1.2 or even f/1.4 it doesn't take much movement to end up OOF with a head shot, still it's much worse if you're shooting macro when it's really down to fractions of a mm. The real advantage of micro adjust is that you can tune the AF to your style rather than what's "technically" correct and, as you've found suddenly every shot is on the money

Especially if you're using focus and recompose.

 

[Ally]

Good use of the DOF in one Pete. I like the overall style of the shots too And get a hair cut eh!

 

[desantnik]

Something that came up in conversation today that I've not heard anything about on the MkII....

The original 5D was cursed with vignetting that (some) 5D owners never shut up about...

Does the MkII suffer from it?

Or when we look at the problem now, is this just not the same issue all of the full frame cameras suffer from with particular lenses and narrow apertures, just that back in the day of the original 5D there weren't any other "cheap" alternatives to make this comparison too?

 

[puddleduck]

I reckon it will do, although this can be help (somewhat) by microlenses.

Most of these cameras now have vignetting control anyhow.

I think a lot of the 5D stuff was over-blown anyhow. Film users were always used to it, but for anyone coming from a cropped camera, it was a surprise. This digital era has seen a lot of new photographers who never ever shot a roll of film...

Doesn't bother me at all on the D700, and tbh I quite like the effect and often add it rather than take it away.

 

[sportysnaps]

Following Diego's trials and tribulations with his cameras is better than watching any soap!

Keep up the good work!

maybe this is what you should do - review cameras and kit for magazines...

you write well and take good photos (with any kit)

one important point you have highlighted is that to get the best out of our kit you need to spend some time with the camera / lens and learn its traits / faults in order to get the best from it

 

[puddleduck]

maybe this is what you should do - review cameras and kit for magazines...

Yes its much more useful that so-called reviews where some test charts are snapped, a still life image taken or some fruit or a wine bottle, and a "Winner" is Awarded.

Pretty much all "professional" reviews are absolutely pointless IMHO.

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

I love the DOF on some of those shots. Now how do I convince my better half...

 

[puddleduck]

I love the DOF on some of those shots. Now how do I convince my better half...

You need to practice the "Nooooo.. same camera I've always had, I've just changed the strap!" technique

 

[madmitch]

You need to practice the "Nooooo.. same camera I've always had, I've just changed the strap!" technique

Worked three times for me

 

[RogDen31]

Use a TP strap, she wouldn't even notice then

 

[Diego Garcia]

Update for those who have not seen it - all shot on the 17-40L lens on the 5D2.

Nice day out and certainly worth the freezing conditions. Still trying to feel my toes ! 2009 is the year I had set aside to shoot different things and it is off to a good start, but a long way to go.

 

[Diego Garcia]

Update for those who have not seen these. All shot on the 5D Mark II with a 70-200 F4 at about F8 ish...ISO maintained in camera to sustain 1/200th or above.

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[Diego Garcia]

UPDATE - In retrospect it would have made fiscal sense to stay with Nikon as I have spent more that I should have (sold to buy basically and traded the D3 in) and only really replaced like for like - or so people tell me. I look at the 17-40 and love it.....it is fast, light, sharp and quirky, getting me really cool grab shots like this (taken today) -

The Nikon lens is £1200.00 has a bulbous front and a lens I never wanted, as amazing as it looked. I do suspect the corners are sharper though, but not bothered here. The 17-40 will transpose to docu, street and sport very nicely. The Nikkor 85mm 1.4 is something else but way to long for my street, hence the 50mm 1.2L purchase. At the moment that is all I have - one body, two lenses - could be all I need.

The enjoyment I am getting out of the 5d2 is superb and as such that validates it. I spent all day using the camera today and never felt tired or drained like I did with the D3 though the 700 is obviously a lot lighter.

One thing I have noted is that Nikon DO pick up the midrange better out of the camera and the histograms are very even, where as Canon tend to bottom out in the mids, unless you are prepared to work at it.

 

[Diego Garcia]

First set of 5D Mark II flash portraits. Simple set up....

Camera at ISO 100/200, F/5.6 - F/8, 1/200th, ST-E2 on loan from mate to test with same loan 70-200 F/4 lens doing the work. ETTL only but bounced into one flash (430 EXII) back onto subject via silver brolly which was above me pointing down. Subject on stool with drak backdrop to absorb the light.

Very quick work. PP done in CS4 Camera Raw slight contrast push, saturation lowered, vibrancy dropped. Cropped to 7x5 either way. Job done and absolutely delighted with these.

 

[puddleduck]

They all look excellent, the landscapey / nature type stuff is more what I do and that looks very promising from my PoV.

You've really dialed in the skintones now on those flash shots, and the redness is gone now.

Nice work!

 

[joxby]

You're doing a fine job.
It's the most refreshingly un-tainted by brand loyalty and exaggeration, user experience I've read in a long time.

 

[Diego Garcia]

Cheers Guys, I like to take pictures and the camera is getting there now.

Glad people are enjoying the thread. Just say when it has run the course and will wind it up.

Not sure what is happening in the week ahead pix wise, but sure as eggs I will shoot something.

 

[KayJay]

Great thread so far, I've got a 17-40L to pick up tomorrow so looking forward to seeing how that goes. You're landscape images with that lens are pretty stunning.

 

[KayJay]

Incidentally I'm getting the 17-40 more for urbex shots and the odd architectural photography now and then. Have you tried it for any sports shots yet? I noticed you said that you were thinking it'd cope well with a transition to sport and street.

 

[Diego Garcia]

Incidentally I'm getting the 17-40 more for urbex shots and the odd architectural photography now and then. Have you tried it for any sports shots yet? I noticed you said that you were thinking it'd cope well with a transition to sport and street.

Not yet, but I cant wait to get in the ring and cover some boxing with this lens....various reasons, one being the way it will render the pugilists like giants !!! Cool or what....?

 

[KayJay]

They'll look like giants if you're shooting from the corners, would love to see the results.

 

[Diego Garcia]

They'll look like giants if you're shooting from the corners, would love to see the results.

From a previous shoot, but not as wide and too far away really.

 

[Grant]

I'm still itching to hear about the HD Video. So much so that I've given up waiting for your input, and laid the cash to find out for myself - roll on Wednesday!

Thanks for helping convince me to grab this body, some fantastic shots.

 

[Diego Garcia]

I'm still itching to hear about the HD Video. So much so that I've given up waiting for your input, and laid the cash to find out for myself - roll on Wednesday!

Thanks for helping convince me to grab this body, some fantastic shots.

Sorry about that mate, far from a videographer, but will start working on that when I am happy with the camera. I have done some test stuff and literally stunning results. Eye popping in fact....

 

[Grant]

Sorry about that mate, far from a videographer, but will start working on that when I am happy with the camera. I have done some test stuff and literally stunning results. Eye popping in fact....

That's exactly my hopes, that someone who isn't a videographer can still produce fantastic results!

Regardless, awesome thread, and fantastic pictures as I say!

Grant

 

[Radiohead]

For DPP users:

http://diglloyd.com/diglloyd/2009-01-blog.html#_20090105CautionDPP

Caution with Canon Digital Photo Professional 3.5.1 update, released December 21, 2008. The update introduced a disturbing side effect: detail-blurring noise reduction is enabled inappropriately, at least on two of my systems, and there is no warning from the software. This is the Mac OS X version; reader Timothy S confirms the same problem and fix for Windows.

DPP 3.5.1 defaults to Apply Camera Settings for noise reduction, or at least it did on two of my systems (Macs). The problem is that even with all noise reduction in the camera turned off, noise reduction is enabled at level 2 for RAW files, even at ISO 50 and ISO 100! I strongly recommend setting the DPP preferences for no noise reduction as follows.

 

[Diego Garcia]

Further update - still delighted and the mark II is a camera for all scenario's. Have some boxing coming up so will post as and when.

Had a 'shoot' with a dedicated retro model today, modeling clothes for an indi Bristol clothes shop. Really enjoyed the work and far removed from the freezing cold touchlines. Shot with the 5D Mark II and a 70-200 F4 lens, with two flashes triggered by and ST-E2 which were set at various power. The hat guy then traded places with a female model where the remit remained the same, shoot in my style but max out the pixels for posters. Job done and a nice result. In my heart and in my head I know that the female shots are weaker but I dont shoot females that often and will be securing more work with this outfit as and when. If anything I am happy to admit my skin technique is none so I dropped the clarity slider in LR2 just to soften the shots up a tad. Weird today as both models lent themselves to the camera in different ways. In the end we wrapped up early as the wind was strong and took one of my stands over, breaking one of my soft brollies.

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[MJ Stebbings]

Diego

I have never read a single post from this thread as i didnt visit the forum much over the festive holidays. I have just sat and read this whole thread. Why are you tempting me with the quality of this camera. Anyone got a spare £5k they can lend me to upgrade my kit

Seriously, the results you are pulling off with the camera are just stunning and i hope that the camera continues to serve you well

Mike

 

[Diego Garcia]

Diego

I have never read a single post from this thread as i didnt visit the forum much over the festive holidays. I have just sat and read this whole thread. Why are you tempting me with the quality of this camera. Anyone got a spare £5k they can lend me to upgrade my kit

Seriously, the results you are pulling off with the camera are just stunning and i hope that the camera continues to serve you well

Mike

Thanks for the compliment - too kind. I will continue to update this thread as and when. Loving the camera. Needs more TLC than a D3 did out of the box for sure, but the quality is incredible. Louped views or 100% in LR is stunning. Heck, it even caught the curly blood vessel in my eye. Some camera.

 

[Diego Garcia]

Further update;

I continue to like and dislike the Mark II in equal measure. I Went back to Brecon for another landscape shoot and enjoyed it very much despite the flat light and lack of blue skies. I have not had that much work with the camera as busy with other things, struggling with a touch of the black dog and training people and the like, so sorry for the lack of opinion here. The one thing I have found is that my 50mm 1.2L is now custom focused to -13 and performing well. I have found that an unsharp mask push in CS4 can really suit the lens, especially when shooting in RAW.....some reference pictures here. I covered an event yesterday and shot in JPEG with the 17-40L @ F/4 to expedite things and the images came out a little flat and lacked bite but I am sure I could have pushed them in RAW and I should have gelled up my flashguns to help with skin tones. Sharpness wise I must stop comparing this lens to the Nikon 24-70 as the Nikkor hammers it, especially two stops down. I do like the weight and reportage shapes that the 17-40 offers however and the weights shot is an example given that I was hanging over the top of the machine like some deranged mad man.

And Yep, thats me in the last one, still looking as dandy and as handsome as ever.

 

[annao]

Hi Diego

Really good thread....

Got my MKII yesterday and to cut a long story short found out i can't use my CS3 to edit RAW Files (Camera RAW update is only for CS4...). I had been thinking about getting lightroom 2 anyway but am not so sure after reading this thread now. Are you using it again with your MKII or are you sticking with DPP?

Cheers

Anna

 

[Diego Garcia]

Hi Diego

Really good thread....

Got my MKII yesterday and to cut a long story short found out i can't use my CS3 to edit RAW Files (Camera RAW update is only for CS4...). I had been thinking about getting lightroom 2 anyway but am not so sure after reading this thread now. Are you using it again with your MKII or are you sticking with DPP?

Cheers

Anna

You can download the CS3 update and convert to DNG so you can use 5D2 files with CS3, but no, not using LR2 as much - at the moment.

I use DPP and CS4 though I still use NX2 for straightening the odd photo.

Thanks

 

[annao]

ok thanks, will try that...

 

[Diego Garcia]

UPDATE;

Took these in a small place called Yeoford between 7.00am and 10.00 am Sat last week. All shot on a 5D2 with Hi-tech filters and a cheap CP on the 17-40L.

I am now saving for a BW CP as I had a look at snapper73's and it blew my mind! The odd spots on the last shot were caused by a werid effect as I was using blue tac to secure my filters and they were not tight enough. Best viewed on white due to the odd 16:9 ratio. Thanks for looking.

For reference, I have boxing this week - the adic test I have been waiting for. Also shooting some table tennis this week as well with multiple flash at 21mp so will see what happens and post back. Naturally, flickr resized images dont really to it justice.

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[Diego Garcia]

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[tiler65]

Just read the lot and you are making the camera speak for itself well done.

I like the last set and I do like the skateboard. I have done an edit (hope you don't mind), it is a LR preset call cloudy day brighten.

Keep shootin' Pete.

 

[natjag]

Hi Deigo,
Nice thread. I've been considering a D3, in addition to canon. I almost jumped ship to Nikon a few months back, but stuck with it. Reading your review and this post, makes me feel quite pleased with my decision, rather than having to keep changing complete systems everytime.

You take great photos and as you've had experience with both systems, your is an opinion I and others on TP respect. Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated.

 

[Diego Garcia]

Hi Deigo,
Nice thread. I've been considering a D3, in addition to canon. I almost jumped ship to Nikon a few months back, but stuck with it. Reading your review and this post, makes me feel quite pleased with my decision, rather than having to keep changing complete systems everytime.

You take great photos and as you've had experience with both systems, your is an opinion I and others on TP respect. Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated.

Thanks -

both systems have their respective plus and minus points. I am trying to convey an objective point of view with the 5D2 as I note that there are a lot of crazy threads over on DP Review which suprise me. I will continue to post and comments like yours encourage me to do so. Thanks. Glad people are enjoying a reasoned opinion. The real difference for me is the fatness of the pixels in that they just look fuller which eqautes to the higher MP I suppose. It also worth noting that I was not unhappy with my Nikon set up I just felt compelled to try the Canon machine due to my 09 shooting agenda.