Jim Bianco

What do you guys think of a Canon 5D mark ll, good camera or not?Nikon guy going over to canon, because of cost, Canon seems a little cheaper, I have a d7100 now. Thanks Jim Bianco

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

My pro Canon shooting friends say the MKII has focusing issues.
They told me to look for a MKIII or better.
If you have Nikon gear already, you're going to have to replace it all, so consider if it's really cheaper.
From a previous post, looks like you have 4 Nikon full-frame lenses you'll have to replace.
And though not ideal, with Nikon you can still use your DX lenses, if you have any, on full-frame bodies.

I'm a Nikon shooter but I do prefer the Canon color straight out of the camera.
I've been considering a switch myself for a while now, as almost all my Nikon gear is on indefinite loan so I don't actually own much.
Most of my friends shoot Canon and that could make it easier to borrow/loan/pool equipment.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The EOS 5DII is a fine full-frame camera. It was revolutionary back in its day, but the EOS 5DIII really broke the mold. If you to go back in time to recognize how Canon (and Nikon) full frame cameras were competing back in 2008, back then Canon had two flavors of their 1-Series profession model and just the 5-series line as a lower-tier full frame option. After the 5DII, Canon released the 6-series as more of an 'entry-level' full-frame model and really increased the capabilities of the 5-series, moving the 5-series closer to the 1-series.

For the age of the 5DII, you really shouldn't be paying more than $500, especially when the 5DIII is posted on ebay around $700 for completed sales. Consider the 6D / 6DII option too. The 5DII / 6D / 6DII are all rather interchangeable, just based on age and what you'll need to pay for one of them.

One of the drawbacks of having a market share bigger than both Nikon and Sony combined is there are always more Canon cameras for resale than the others. For people looking for real deals, like the 5DII and 21MP of full-frame glory, these older 5D models are a real steal with still years / decades of useful life with 150,000 shutters.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I agree with Jim. There's no reason to change systems to change body, unless you only had all DX lenses on your D7100 and can afford both the body and the full-frame lens(es) when making such a change.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Suddenly in the same price range and just slightly lower pixel resolution is an original 1DX -

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-689687-1.html

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Great price! Don’t know much about that model, but not really that much lower resolution. Doubt if anyone would really notice. The seller really should post photos.

uhaas2009

I don’t know what Nikon equipment you have but to change to the older canon makes to my opinion no sense. Why do you want to change to canon?
What’s about the 810/850 or 500?
Mirror less there I would change the company.

Jim Bianco

Can't afford those high priced cameras.

Jim Bianco

Thanks for all your help.

Jim Bianco

Thanks for all your help.

Brian PA Loc: Lehigh Valley, PA

Careful. Short term member UHH.

User ID

The 5D2 was my first post-stone-age DSLR after my sad experience with both the 20D and D20. So to me it was rather miraculous in its day. It remains a very usable camera if ordinary low tech AF suits your style. Everything else about the 5D2 is not very far behind current.

It’s a great bargain in a utilitarian FF camera and I can’t recall even a single negative post about its reliability. If you can find a better camera for $500 to $600 then buy that instead. You don’t get cutting edge tech for that price regardless of which system you adopt.

A good thing about used Canon gear is that you will NEVER hafta puzzle about which generation of used lenses will be completely compatible. There’s only one “eternal” generation since 1988.

And ...... you can use old Nikon lenses on a Canon SLR exactly the same as on a Sony, Fuji, etc. I put an “old school” focus screen (OEM, $35) in my 5D2 to enhance the use of manual lenses.

In the picture below notice the very thin silver ring between the f-stop scales and the body. That is the *entire* Nikon to Canon full focus range adapter, featuring NO added glass :-)

(Download)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A home run is worth more than two doubles. So is a full frame camera.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

I agree with all of this. The 5D II was ground breaking, but if you can swing a 5DIII purchase, that is a much sweeter build.

JimRPhoto Loc: Raleigh NC

I use the Canon 5Dii; I am not one for upgrading when new models come on the scene, if I’m satisfied with what I have. I opted instead to add quality lenses. I have not experienced any issues at all with this camera, with focus or any other operational features. I think it depends on your own outlook, on the price of what you want to buy, etc. Good luck with your decision. JimR