Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Shooting video? Try our Video section for video specific support and accessories!

Now with a 21-megapixel image on a full-frame sensor captured at 14 bits, it provides image detail equal to any SLR camera available. ISO has been expanded from 50 to 25,600. (our take is that ISO 6400 is very usable and that anything higher is for emergencies only.)

The LCD has been upgraded to a 3-inch, 920,000 pixel display with an amazing 170 degree viewing angle, which again is the equal of anything available on any camera body. Burst capability is 3.9 frames per second, but it can continue that for up to 13 RAW images or 78 JPEGs, which marks a significant improvement over the original.

And, of course, there is the ability to record movies in 1080p HD (1920×1080) for up to 12 minute clips, a new sealed magnesium body, and an integrated cleaning system. An 8GB card will hold about 30 minutes of video. The camera itself will record a clip until it hits either a 4GB file size or a 30 minute limit. Then you can start another clip. A battery (at room temperature) will last about 80 minutes shooting 1080p video.

All of our 5DMkII’s have the most recent firmware update. This allows aperture to be set in movie mode, among other updates. To set the aperture in movie mode, simply follow these steps— Set the mode dial to Manual. Then set the ISO speed, Set the shutter speed and aperture, focus. Then start shooting using the Set button. Press the Set button again to stop shooting.

Hot Pixels: SLR sensors that are run for prolonged times (several minutes), run at high ISO, and sometimes simply randomly will develop “hot pixels”. Each camera is tested before being sent out for any hot or dead pixels, but they still happen during shooting. Check your video in the field! Resting the camera for 15 minutes may clear the issue up, but not always. If your rental camera develops a hot pixel we will send you a replacement overnight, but that is all we can do. This is a well known phenomenon and is consistent with the manufacturer’s design, so the operator’s failure to be aware of it is not our responsibility.

Roger’s Take: Full disclosure first: I loved the original 5D and shot with it more than any other camera. My first reaction to the 5DMkII was some amazement at how many megapixels Canon put in that sensor. I like the resolution, but then of course I like to make large prints. So, if you print big or want to be able to crop a lot and still make a decent size print, the resolution is worth it. People have hair-split and pixel peeped ad nauseum online, but the practical bottom line is that this camera is good at ISO 1600 and shoots decent ISO 3200 shots. ISO 6400 is usable for web images or small prints.

The Movie Mode is another kettle of fish entirely. Some skilled videographers are doing amazing things with it (basically getting high definition video with top of the line lenses for a fraction of the cost of a professional video system). But if you want to shoot serious video you’ll need some serious video equipment, particularly good support (handheld ain’t happening folks) and a well-powered computer with some video editing software.

Note: All of our cameras ship with one fully charged battery, instruction sheet, the battery charger, and a bag. A lens does not come with the camera. Additionally, due to the license agreements, we cannot send the Canon software with the camera.

In case you need them.

• The spare battery for this camera is the LP-E6
• The Battery Grip is the BG-E6 Grip
• It uses any CF memory card although only UDMA cards should be used for video.

Works Well With:

• Rode VideoMic Pro or Rode NTG-2 Shotgun
• Beachtek DXA-SLR audio adapter
• Litepanels Micro or MicroPro
• Redrock eyeSPY Deluxe

Includes:

• Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera body
• Body cap
• Strap
• Battery
• Charger
• Manual or Cheat Sheet
• Camera bag