Canon 5D Mark II Review: A Solid Choice for Full-Frame Beginners

My First Full-Frame Camera: The Canon 5D Mark II Still Delivers

summarizeEditor's Summary

The Canon 5D Mark II has been my go-to full-frame camera for a while now, and I'm still blown away by its build quality and image quality. I picked it up used, which was a total score for the price. It's not the fastest camera out there, but it's still a great option for anyone looking to get into full-frame photography without breaking the bank. One thing to note is that the battery life is pretty decent, and I've had no issues with it lasting all day even with moderate use. I've been using it for a while, and I've got to say, it's still a solid choice for anyone looking to dip their toes into full-frame photography. The Canon 5D Mark II is a great value for the price, especially if you're looking to get into full-frame photography. It's also still widely supported, making it easy to find accessories and replacement parts.

settingsSpecifications

Fiyat7/10

Kararİyi

Kalite8/10

Kullanışlılık9/10

I'm super stoked to share my experience with my third camera and first full-frame - the Canon 5D Mark II.

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If you're interested, my first camera was the Canon EOS 600D, my second and very loved camera was the Canon 7D (I really loved it and was crazy about the pictures it took, it was faster than this model and I got it really cheap, but unfortunately, it got damaged and I lost it), and now I'm left with just this one camera, the hero of this review.

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Price: I'm not picky about buying used tech, so I often snag it when someone doesn't need it anymore. I think it's normal to not be able to afford a bunch of cash for lenses and a body all at once.

I ended up getting the Canon 5D Mark II body and the Canon 24-105 f/4L IS USM lens for a total of 53,000 rubles, although we did negotiate a bit because of the higher mileage.

The package also came with a charging cable, which was a bit refurbished, a battery, and a 16 GB CF card. No box or documentation.

Oh, and I almost forgot, there was a spare battery pack in the package, but I don't really use it because it's just too heavy to carry around, especially with a flash attached. I'd rather swap out batteries quickly if I need to.

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At first, I had to get used to the controls, but now that I've been shooting with this camera for a while, everything feels really intuitive and natural.

When I switched from crop mode to full-frame, I was using the Canon EF 50 F1.8 lens, which was okay, but when I switched to this camera, I decided to switch to the 50mm f/1.4 lens and that's what I've been using ever since. All the photos in this review, except for the ones of the camera itself, were taken with this setup.

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I've even used this lens for a couple of weddings, since I've only got one lens to my name. But, of course, I'd love to have something wider, as it can get a bit claustrophobic at times, and I've always dreamed of having the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM for more flexibility when shooting most things.

I think you might be wondering about the crop factor and full-frame I'm talking about. Every camera has its own crop factor, so for example, if one camera has a crop factor of 1, and another has 1.6, then at the same focal length, the 1.6 crop factor will fit way less in the frame, making a 50mm lens feel like 85mm in a studio setting.

Also, one of the big advantages of full-frame is that when you push the ISO to 1000 or higher, the noise on your photos will be significantly less.

But, the downside of this model is that it still has noise in the shadows, and this is the second mark of its age. However, in a way, that's even its charm.

I always adjust the white balance manually in Kelvin, otherwise, the colors look terrible.

Of course, not all lenses will be suitable for full-frame, and most of the time, the ones that are will be quite pricey, especially if you're just starting out in photography.

One thing I really miss is Wi-Fi, like the newer models have.

And, of course, here are some example photos:

Make sure to open them in full screen, or the quality will be compromised

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I've gotta say, the frame count on this camera is pretty impressive. My camera's got almost 300,000 shots on it, and that's way more than the promised 150,000. I'm stoked about that, and I'm hoping it'll keep going strong for another 150,000 or so without any issues. The shutter's still clicking like new, everything's working great, and even the strap's still looking good, aside from a few minor scratches

I've been really happy with this camera, and I think it's a great choice for newbies who are just starting out with photography. It's a full-frame camera that's easy to use and gets the job done.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is the Canon 5D Mark II a good choice for beginners?

Yeah, the Canon 5D Mark II is a great option for those just starting out with full-frame photography. It's a bit more affordable than newer models, and the image quality is still excellent.

How does the autofocus perform?

The autofocus can be a bit slow, especially in low light conditions. However, it's still accurate and reliable, making it a good choice for most photography needs.

Is the camera easy to use?

The Canon 5D Mark II has a bit of a learning curve, but it's still relatively easy to use. The menu system can be a bit confusing, but there are plenty of resources available online to help you get started.

Can I use the Canon 5D Mark II with a lens from a different brand?

Yeah, the Canon 5D Mark II is compatible with lenses from other brands, but you may need to use an adapter to do so.

How long does the battery last?

The battery life is pretty decent, lasting all day with moderate use. However, it can be a bit short if you're shooting continuously.

Is the camera still supported by Canon?

Yeah, the Canon 5D Mark II is still widely supported by Canon, making it easy to find accessories and replacement parts.

Can I use the Canon 5D Mark II for video?

Yeah, the Canon 5D Mark II is capable of shooting video, but it's not the best option for those who want high-quality video.

Is the camera weather-sealed?

No, the Canon 5D Mark II is not weather-sealed, so you'll need to take extra precautions when shooting in harsh environments.

check_circlePros

•The build quality is top-notch, with a solid feel that's hard to find in newer cameras.
•The image quality is still excellent, even compared to newer models.
•The battery life is pretty decent, lasting all day with moderate use.
•It's a great value for the price, especially if you're looking to get into full-frame photography.
•The Canon 5D Mark II is still widely supported, making it easy to find accessories and replacement parts.
•It's a great option for those who want a full-frame camera without the high price tag.
•The camera is still relatively easy to use, even for beginners.
•The Canon 5D Mark II is compatible with lenses from other brands, but you may need to use an adapter to do so.

cancelCons

•The autofocus can be a bit slow, especially in low light conditions.
•The camera can be a bit heavy, especially when paired with a lens.
•The menu system can be a bit confusing for beginners.
•The camera doesn't have some of the newer features found in more modern models.
•The battery life can be a bit short if you're shooting continuously.
•It's not the most compact camera out there, making it a bit harder to carry around.
•The camera can be a bit noisy, especially when shooting in low light conditions.
•The Canon 5D Mark II doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi, which can be a bit of a pain.