History | Move To Digital

Canon 5D Mark II

I decided it was time to purchase a digital SLR.  My decision to purchase the Canon EOS 5D Mark II was driven primarily by the following things:

• ability to mount non-Canon EOS lenses

• full-frame (24x36mm) sensor

• high-end features (low light capabilities, rugged construction, comprehensive "system" support

I have a bunch of lenses.  I purchased M42-EOS, Pentax K-Mount to EOS, and Olympus OM System to EOS mount adapters  to make use of those lenses.  The lens adapter product is exactly what I wanted.  With that item accounted for, It was time to turn my attention to the camera itself.  During my "procrastination" phase, Canon released the EOS 5D Mark II with improved features over the 5D.  Of interest to me is the full frame sensor, the high-speed compact flash memory compatibility, dual battery option, and HD Video.  The camera still costs a big chunk of change, but I had gotten to the point where having all those lenses (and then some), I was anxious to get back to "systems photography" like I am accustomed.  So I put together my list and went shopping:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera

• Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens (comes with camera at a slightly reduced price)

The kit is reasonably complete but there were a few other things that I purchased with or soon after the camera:

• Canon BG-E6 Battery Grip for Canon 5D Mark II Digital SLR  (provides ability to use second battery on-board)

• Canon LP-E6 Battery Pack for Canon 5D Mark II Digital SLR (second battery for use in battery grip)

• Eveready AA Lithium Batteries (spare "throw-away" batteries "just in case")

• Lexar Professional Series UDMA 16 GB 300x CompactFlash Memory Card (high-speed card required for HD-Video)

• SanDisk Ultra 4GB Compact Flash Memory Card 30mb/s (spare high-speed card "just in case")

• Canon Wireless Remote Control RC-1

• Canon Stereo Video Cable STV-250 (second one for car)

• mini-HDMI to standard-HDMI cable (for HD picture quality displays on TV monitor)

• Canon EG-200 Backpack

• Vivitar 283 Flash (already had) with Sto-Fen Omni Bounce diffuser

• 77mm Polarizing Filter

• Pentax M42 to EOS Lens mount adapter

• Pentax-K to EOS Lens mount adapter

• Olympus OM System to EOS Lens mount adapter

• Tripods

 

Camera and Lens

10/21/09

The camera provides the full frame sensor and lens compatibility I was seeking.  The 24~105mm lens provides a good range of focal lengths and the system compatibility with the camera, enabling rapid, integrated shooting.  It doesn't make much sense to get a camera body like this and be relegated only to manual, screw-mount lenses.  I view the screw-mount lenses I have as extensions to this system, providing me a stop-gap range of focal lengths, some of which are rarely used and not likely to be purchased as Canon Lenses (the fish-eye and super-telephotos fall into this category).  In the meantime I have over 30 high-quality lenses that will work with this camera through the use of a small adapter:

Pentax Screw-mount (M42) to Canon EOS Lens Mount Adapter (with assisted focus chip)

Here is another option for the slower lenses where assisted focus will not work (f-stop smaller than f/5.6)

 

 

Canon EOS 5D Mark II Manual

Current Lenses

Canon EF 16-35mm 1:2.8L II USM	Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Ultra Wide Tilt-Shift Lens	EF 24-105mm 1:4 L IS USM	Update 6/22/2010	Update 8/21/2010

     

Canon EF 70~200mm 1:2.8L IS USM (original and Version II)

   

   

         

 

     

   

        

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(crop of) Moon over Greystone-on-the-Cheat (SMCTZ 1:4.5/85~210) 10/21/09

More Canon Images...

At the end of the day, this is supposed to be all about making images.  Sure, I have a fondness for cameras, but I really do own them to make images.  In the spirit of sharing what this camera can do, with the kit lens as well as my screw-mount lenses, here are some images I made - some right out of the box sitting in my kitchen...

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar 1:4.0/200mm (above)

Super-Multi-Coated Fish Eye Takumar 1:4.0/17mm (above)

 

Super-Multi-Coated Macro Takumar 1:4.0/100mm (above)

 

Super-Multi-Coated Macro Takumar 1:4.0/100mm (above)

 

Canon EF 24~105mm 1:4.0 L IS USM (circular polarizer) (above)

 

Canon EF 24~105mm 1:4.0 L IS USM (circular polarizer) (above)

 

Canon EF 24~105mm 1:4.0 L IS USM (circular polarizer) (above)

 

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar Zoom 1:4.5/85~210mm (above) - see 100% crop below

 

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar Zoom 1:4.5/85~210mm (above)

 

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar Zoom 1:4.5/85~210mm (above)

 

Super-Multi-Coated Takumar Zoom 1:4.5/85~210mm (above) - see 100% crop below

 

Canon EF 24~105mm 1:4.0 L IS USM (circular polarizer) (above)

 

Canon EF 24~105mm 1:4.0 L IS USM (circular polarizer) (above)

More Images...

 

 

         

   

   

      

 

Pentax Screw-mount (M42) to Canon EOS Lens Mount Adapter

 

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