Canon 5D Mark ll (old body): Greetings. I've been with UH for several years...mostly lurking and learning. Question: I'm contemplating the purchase of a Canon 5D Mark ll. I note that...

avery48 Loc: Jefferson City

Greetings. I've been with UH for several years...mostly lurking and learning. Question: I'm contemplating the purchase of a Canon 5D Mark ll. I note that the camera is listed as "old body".... Does anyone know what that refers to? I see that one store lists one that is cheaper...but refers to a polycarbonate body. Might that be the "new body"? Any help here would be appreciated.

Haydon

The 5D II hasn't been in production for some time now. If your heart is set on this body, I'd recommend contacting the vendor to ensure you know what is being offered.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

avery48 wrote:

Greetings. I've been with UH for several years...mostly lurking and learning. Question: I'm contemplating the purchase of a Canon 5D Mark ll. I note that the camera is listed as "old body".... Does anyone know what that refers to? I see that one store lists one that is cheaper...but refers to a polycarbonate body. Might that be the "new body"? Any help here would be appreciated.

While the 5dmkii is still a good camera, there are so many others out there that offer a better bang for the money in my opinion.

amehta Loc: Boston

avery48 wrote:

Greetings. I've been with UH for several years...mostly lurking and learning. Question: I'm contemplating the purchase of a Canon 5D Mark ll. I note that the camera is listed as "old body".... Does anyone know what that refers to? I see that one store lists one that is cheaper...but refers to a polycarbonate body. Might that be the "new body"? Any help here would be appreciated.

The Canon 5D Mark II came out in 2008, so it is not a current camera, and has been "replaced" by the Canon 5D Mark III. The question you should ask if it is a used body or not.

If you really want to get a full frame camera, I think this is one of the best "low price" options. A cheaper full frame camera would be significantly older, and probably would not have sensor technology which makes the full frame useful.

If you are not committed to a full frame camera, I agree with Cdouthitt that there are a number of other options for the same price ($1100-1500), including
* Canon 70D (1.6x crop factor)
* Nikon D7100 (1.5x crop factor)
* Olympus OM-D E-M1 (2x crop factor)

pete-m Loc: Casper, WY

There are a couple of excellent photographers that post superb photos on the hog using a Canon 5D Mk II.

I have never heard of old body, but you should check it out as well as the seller before deciding to purchase.

And don't forget you'll need lenses to go with it.

Pete :D

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

pete-m wrote:

There are a couple of excellent photographers that post superb photos on the hog using a Canon 5D Mk II.

I have never heard of old body, but you should check it out as well as the seller before deciding to purchase.

And don't forget you'll need lenses to go with it.

Pete :D

I bought the 5DII a little over a year ago, I was looking at the 6d at the time but I didn't like the way the 6d felt so I bought the 5DII This camera takes very good images but I really sacrificed higher iso by buying the 5dII . If you don't need the higher iso this is still a good frame , but if you will be shooting in low light get a camera with a newer processor since this is 2008 technology .

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

avery48 wrote:

Greetings. I've been with UH for several years...mostly lurking and learning. Question: I'm contemplating the purchase of a Canon 5D Mark ll. I note that the camera is listed as "old body".... Does anyone know what that refers to? I see that one store lists one that is cheaper...but refers to a polycarbonate body. Might that be the "new body"? Any help here would be appreciated.

Avery, by "old body", I think they were referring to me!
Maybe they meant used, as opposed to old-new-stock.
Yes, there are other cameras, but it depends on what you are looking for in a camera. At the right price, say $1100 dollars, It's still pretty hard to beat the 5ll, as it is a semi-pro camera, versus the 70 is a nice consumer camera, and the 6d is a striped down FF entry level camera and most of it's bang for the buck will not help you get a better shot.
Personally, high ISO is really overrated, but that's just my opinion. If you have to crank up the ISO, it's cause you're under-glassed! With what you save, get the 600ex flash, that'll speed it up! :thumbup:
SS

The Fonz Loc: Queensland, mate!

Many pros continue using the 5D (e.g. David Burnett) and 5D MkII. Nothing wrong with them. Comes down to price, comfort, reliability and useability.
My best photos are usually taken with a camera I am completely at ease with. If that means continuing to use a 6 year old body (or in my case much older gear) then there really is no argument, just consumerism at the other end. If you haven't got a DSLR yet, then it doesn't matter much what you get. Interestingly, but perhaps not surprisingly, I find pro-bodies often easier to use. However, they're usually not lightweight. So, more often than not, I just grab an old low-end consumer body and one lens, unless on assignment.

Skellum0

I bought mine new 5 years ago. Now approaching 50,000 shutter actuations and I love it as much as when I first took it out the box.. It's a great camera, especially if you marry it with Canon pro glass.

bee7474 Loc: Selah, Wa

The 5D iMark ii is a good camera, but with the good pro lens it is very heavy. I sold my 5D and all the pro lens as they can weigh between 7 and 9 pounds. I replaced with the SX50 and get good pictures. If I would use a tripod they would be even better. Also much cheaper investment than a 5 D with all the lens.

avery48 Loc: Jefferson City

Thanks for all your replies. I should have added that I already have a 7D (love it!!!) and a 40D for backup. And I have some decent glass to go with them. I am looking for something that is full frame and offers a bit higher ISO. I want to stay with Canon because I have invested in the lens system. Mark III is a bit too rich for me...can't stretch the bank. I asked about the Mark II Old Body because of the way it was listed in Amazon. Used ones in good shape are going for $1300-1400 with limited numbers of clicks. Then I saw an ad here on UH for a new one for less than $1100...listing a polycarbonate body. Doesn't the Mark II have a magnesium body...or is that the Mark III? I considered the 6D but it didn't seem to compare as well with the Mark II. Am I wrong there?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I think you should post the URL to the web site that is advertising this so we can check them out. I think you should be more careful about who you are buying from than the quality of the Canon 5D II. The 5D II is a fine camera body but the sell seems questionable.

avery48 wrote:

Greetings. I've been with UH for several years...mostly lurking and learning. Question: I'm contemplating the purchase of a Canon 5D Mark ll. I note that the camera is listed as "old body".... Does anyone know what that refers to? I see that one store lists one that is cheaper...but refers to a polycarbonate body. Might that be the "new body"? Any help here would be appreciated.

philo Loc: philo, ca

If you want to get heavily into movies then maybe you want to go newer. As for myself I have no interest in video and I will stay with my 5dmark2

Camera buyer Loc: Las Vegas

I used consumer model Canon EOS cameras from the d30 to the 7d and enjoyed them all. I shoot performers on stage and noise in the higher ISO's was a problem. I bought the 6d and find it a quantum leap for what I do. I also own a 5dMKII and enjoy that camera. The CF cards are more expensive but I found a CF adapter that uses SD cards that works fine. It all depends on what level of image you're shooting for. I did have to replace all of my glass to fit the larger format without vignetting. I currently own a 16-35, 24-105m and a 100-400
, all Canon L Series glass. I also own a Tamron 28-300 which is quite good. As we say, you pays your money and make your choice.

(Download)

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

I just want to add my vote for you to purchase the 5D Mark II. I purchased it in 2008. I'm shocked when I think of the "age", for like you, I feel as though the camera is still brand new. It gives amazing results. I have no desires to do video, so the Mark III does not appeal to me. With the full size sensor, I can photograph with White Cliffs of Dover from afar, yet heavily crop the image to give the "close up" effect. Relative to the ISO? I photographed the Statue of Liberty as the Queen Elizabeth II came into harbor at 5AM. Totally dark, I could hardly "see" the statue in the view finder. Yet that's a beautiful print on the wall taken that very dark morning. I give three thumbs up for you to buy the 5D Mark II. (Three thumbs??)