Canon 5D Mark II in 2021

[@petehaimes874]

I still use mine professionally, I can't describe what it is but shots out of this camera just have a certain feel / character that my modern bodies (R, RP, M50) just cannot replicate.

[@donzokor5312]

@Hunter Cesar quit it nobody cares

[@donzokor5312]

@Damien Mekhi quit it

[@diwakarkaushik23]

True. Even i am fan for the feel of the images. Bro can u tell hws the focus system of this 5dii? Is it usable with center single point?

[@alexandermendeyev35]

Talking about an autofocus i remember that back in 2010 in my photography school a teacher told me to always focus using the main focus point in the center. Then after grabbing the focus recompose the image. It became an habit for me, even as i moved to the MKiii and the MKiv later. When Canon announced that the MKiii would have 61 focus points i was like "no way!, is impossible!", and it worked!, however still mantained the habit. Then the R5 appeared... You can literally focus on an eye at 100 mts and the thing wont lose it even at 1.2. Man what a time to be alive!

[@JPDC624]

Love it, at 2:20 he's talking about the limited auto-focus on the 5D2, and the camera he's using starts hunting for focus! Still have my 5D2 which I LEAPED on when it came out. 5D4 is main camera but the 5D2 changed EVERYTHING, keeping that classic camera. I remember RC helicopter companies offering services to carry the 5D2 in the air, and it was amazing to get that footage. Drone operators, you have the 5D2 to thank for your craft, THAT'S where it all started. 😊

[@MmostlyRandom]

@@Astraperfectum yeah it also has 6 AF assist points (close to the center point) in addition to the 9 normal points he mentioned which help when face tracking in AI servo mode. if you can't get sharp focus on a humans face I dunno what to say. (I can even get perfect focus on a face in manual focus without even using AF even at wide open apertures) if you're missing focus on a face its not really the cameras fault focus lock then recompose is not a hard thing to do I shoot mostly macro tho so I've never really trusted AF on ANY camera (especially a modern camera with hundreds of focus points, the camera usually always misses where I WANT to focus when macro shooting), if you can manually focus on a 1mm band of an insects eyes from a few inches away shooting portraits of a human face is a breeze :)

[@AT-uy7qn]

You only need a single center focus point. Lock and recompose. He shot models , they were static so it was not the camera’s fault

@@MmostlyRandom exactly what I was going to write! Missing autofocus on the face of a static person with a 5D Mk II?? WTF?

[@oxarnano1408]

This is the best, down to business “throw the specs sheet out the window” honest review on this wonderful camera I’ve seen on KZbin. Nice job bro, you got my subscription

[@planetdee3587]

I never owned this camera but it was fun times when this camera was around. I felt photography in general was at a high point. I owned a XSI in 2008 which I loved and had so many modern features at the time and was the king of entry level. Later got the 60D in 2010 and it also was huge for video because it was the first articulating screen. I remember when they used the 5D mark II to film house. Good times.

[@Riccardo_Mori]

I just love the format of your camera reviews. You're really great at concentrating the essential points in a relatively short video, and it doesn't feel superficial or rushed. Keep up the good work!

[@steve_heise]

Thanks so much!

[@bluasterisk]

I ended up picking up a 5D Mark II recently because I thought it was so great when I saw it released and my dad showed me his. Though I'm still starting my own gear, I think its still quite nice. I think having to manual focus kinda gives a more cinematic look in your videos.

[@brantisonfire]

I just bought a 5D MKII about four weeks ago. ~6000 shutter actuations. Traded in a canon aps-c Rebel and some lenses, and got a EF 40mm included for about $90. I have nothing to compare it to as far as full-frame, but the autofocus is slow and doesn’t catch sometimes. The flexibility is awesome. Not that it can make up for everything, the low noise when shooting up to ISO3200.

[@JP1050x]

STM lenses don’t work well with the 5Dii. Pair it with a USM lens, and stick to the center focus point, which will improve the performance a bit.

[@brantisonfire]

@@JP1050x Not too long after this comment I ordered a 28-135mm EF w/ image stabilization and ultrasonic motor from KEH. Paid $118 for a bargain grade lens, but it’s in awesome shape to be considered a bargain. An $8 lens cap from Amazon and bob’s your uncle. It’s been my daily driver lens since I first got it. I still want something a little wider angle like 18mm or even 24mm

[@raksh9]

For careful, studied photography, the 5D II is still great. Autofocus was pretty buggy for fast action, which Canon improved in later cameras. Got mine in 2009 and am still using it for landscape, portraits, and product photography. I used mine for corporate video for a couple of years, always using manual focus with EF lenses. The LCD was bad for manual focus, which was made a lot better with an external loupe. After that, I moved to the GH3 and GH4 for video, and the difference was immense. Workable autofocus, crisp 1080p and 4k, articulating screen, everything was a revelation.

[@crsantin]

I have the 5d mark ii. It’s still a good camera. I’ve only ever used centre point autofocus and it works great. I don’t think there is anything magical about it but it does take nice photos.

[@paduchiu]

Bought mine few months after release, used it ever since. Now "old school" - sort of, but still a great cam.

[@steve_heise]

I agree - I really do love it.

[@paduchiu]

I remember back then this was called “the Jesus camera”. And it was...

[@hanbin-q4c]

im sorry im new to photography but does the quality go bad when the shutter count are over 65K ? cuz i just bought the camera from ebay and its 66K shutter count

[@paduchiu]

@@hanbin-q4c 5dmk2 “should” go for 150000 actuations

[@warrenrae32]

Magic lantern on the 5d Mark 2 really helps a lot due to lack of autofocus. Even if you don’t activate magic lantern raw video there are features like focus peaking and digic peaking that enables better manual focus even on bright days out doors. I’ve found these features very helpful without being buggy or negatively affecting the footage.

[@creativekaii]

Everything you said was 100% accurate. I’ve owned the C5Dmii for a year now and I absolutely hate the lack of auto focus for video. I can manage with photos but there’s too many unnecessary steps I have to go through just to shoot a music video or direct a film. I jumped the gun buying this camera without asking the right questions. That being said, it can still compete with the modern cameras of today if you know what you’re doing! I’ve takien some really great photos but I personally just don’t wanna jump through hoops trying to manual focus all the time..

[@ryanthakkur9804]

The sample images in the beginning were my favorite part ;)

To me, the "weaknesses" of the 5D Mk II compares to "modern" cameras is precisely what makes interesting. You need to understand light to use this camera and make great photo. This is what real photogrpahy is.

[@genuine0]

Agreed, I have been using my 5dM2 for 7 years, it never failed me, I shot videos, and photos, always delivered, you need to know how to use the beast, remember Hollywood and most film industries shot great action movies with it, including Iron man II. So, it's a fantastic camera, and if this one dies I will have it fixed or replaced as soon as I can get my hands on a good deal. My other modern "Mirrorless" cameras are good but, they don't have the colour rendering of this camera, I don't care what anyone says.

[@gold333]

I’d question my focus skills if you had so many soft shots on 5D2. I used it for 10 years in professional commercial advertising campaigns and didn’t have that problem. You never let the camera select an auto focus point when shooting a model. On 5D2 we used to manually select af point using the multi controller, BBF using one shot. Also obviously use micro adjustment on each lens. Maybe your rhythm was smashing pics. Also no serious videographer today uses 5d2 without Magic Lantern which enables 14bit raw video at 3k.

[@realamericannegro977]

Do you still use it?

[@guyphoto9437]

I bought the 5DMKII shortly after it was on the market. I still have it and although I have many modern Canon cameras, I still use it on occasion. I've shot many models, graduating seniors, weddings, portraits, glamour, etc., with this camera and never had any focusing problems. I think people need to learn how to focus, hold a camera properly and squeeze the shutter like you would the trigger on a gun. During it's time as a major working pros camera I never heard any of my peers complain about focusing problems then either. To add one more thing, although capable of decent video (movies were made with the 5DMKII), this camera was primarily intended for still photography and the pro market. Canon really jumped into the video craziness when they released the 7D and 7DMKII. Those cameras were more oriented to amateur video "producers" far more than the 5DMKII; and the 7D was released after the 5D had been on the market for a while. So, to judge this camera by its video capability is to not know the history of Canon cameras.

[@nikonmark37814]

Good review, I own the Canon 6D and once upon a time I wanted the 5DII but when the 6D came out it was so much better than the 5DII.

[@MandeepGadgetBoy]

I had the 6D and then got the 5D III. The 6D had better IQ.

[@No_Plastic]

Not better but different. depands on the lens, 5D M2 is an amazing camera. I own 5d M4 but also use M2. can't stand pasticy 6D.

[@MaraMarrr]

So glad I found this video. I bought my 5D Mark II over a year ago and I loooove the photos but always questioned the auto focus. I would watch other reviews and people just ramble but I think this video was to the point and really pinpointed the auto focus issue. I had also started experimenting with video and thought I was insane because I couldnt figure out the damn autofocus on video….cause its not even an option! Hahaha thanks for this you gained a new subscriber

[@JP1050x]

I still use my 5Dii everyday for stills. Great camera, and the dynamic range is still great shooting raw. Best thing about it, is using adapted manual lenses using the optional manual focus screen. Love using it with my Voigtlander 40mm SLiis.

[@northernsky6117]

I have 1D4 and just bought 5D2 for milkyway and landscape. Price was 300 Euros and shuttercount around 9700.

[@choisam20]

You talk about things that we (potential buyers) actually want to hear. Great narration with a lot of info!! Very helpful!! I was expecting 100k subs on your channel on how helpful this vid was. Anyways, this sways me from getting this camera.

[@jiggermanca]

I love this camera, I use it primarily for landscape and the pics turn out great. I don`t shoot video and rarely take portrait photos so it works great for my purposes. Thanks for the video.

[@darksundarkson]

i own both..if you want fast shutter go the 60d, if you want a full frame look the 5d ii is worth it. both are great cameras

[@fotografoyvideo]

canon 5d mark ii has automatic focus on video, you have to put the camera in mode A and with AF-on you select the focus and it follows it in its movements. You can help find the focus in the first instance by using the zoom

[@Panotaker]

Put up a video on exactly how this works so the rest of us can auto focus in video mode. What is mode A?

[@steve_heise]

When he says “mode A”, I assume he’s just talking about Aperture Priority. As far as autofocus goes, the 5D Mark II doesn’t have autofocus in video mode. Again, this is a camera from 2008 and was the second DSLR to ever have video at all. DSLRs wouldn’t start having autofocus until 2010 when Nikon released the D3100. The only thing the 5D Mark II has is the ability to use back-button focus during video mode, but this isn’t actual “autofocus” like a modern camera has. It only works while you’re pressing the button and it’s incredibly slow. The 5D Mark II does have a box that will follow your face in video mode, but it does absolutely nothing when it comes to actually focusing. Hope that helps.

[@Panotaker]

@@steve_heise thanks. I knew all that. I was just calling the guy out because he post that same thing on other videos.

[@steve_heise]

Oh ok, thanks!

[@throughmyeyesonly]

I bought it when it first came out and still use it; love the camera. Agree on the focusing, would be frustrating for a first time user, but something to get used to.

[@michaeleschner7062]

Whatever Steven Heise says about the Canon 5D Mark II is correct. The auto-focus causes lots of out of focus pictures. I never messed up so many pictures as with this camera. But it still is my bread and butter camera. What I miss is a crisp focusing screen as I am used to from Leica R 6.2 and R 8. Both cameras have a sharp change from out of-focus to in-focus. Here, I think of lenses with high openings at available light conditions like the 1:1.4 85 mm, not to mention the Zeiss Otus Lenses with their EF-mounts or Canon cameras. To say it simple, its me the photographer who decides where to put the plane-of-focus not the algorithm of a software programmer. Manual focusing is a feature I miss in all Japanese cameras of all manufacturers.

[@gdjaybee742]

I'm a Nikon user, but I am also a camera collector, so when I had a chance to get the 5D mII for only $315 last year I did. One thing is that because the dynamic range and autofocus of this camera is poor, when I do use this camera, I feel like using this camera activates my "pro" skills; I am hyper aware of these weaknesses which means I will need to make sure I get the shot correctly and work faster. Using both my Nikon D700 and D810, photographers gets spoiled with under exposing or over exposing their photos, and having better autofocus, and fixing the photos up in lightroom. With the 5D MII you don't have a lot of wiggle room, so you do not have those crutches from Nikon, so I take this as a challenge when I go on photowalks.

[@topg2820]

How much DR diff you found between D700 and D810?

[@stycheus]

I am glad I am not the only one who likes the challenge of using older gear to hone out and sharpen my photography skills.

[@RubtsoffAccordion]

Try the Canon EOS 20D.

[@gdjaybee742]

@@topg2820 In practicality, I really do not pay attention comparing the 2. I just know I am able to get more detail out of the shadows and the highlights with my D810 vs my D700. But DxoMark measurements have D700 at 12.2 Evs, D810 at 14.8, and 5D m2 at 11.9 Evs. D700 and 5D m2 are about the same generation, and I remember every bit of DR help with the D700(not to mention Nikon has Active D-Lighting which lets you combine multiple exposures each having its own DR into one photo which even gives you more leway). Not sure if Canon has the equivalent function as the Active D-Lighting.

[@gdjaybee742]

@@RubtsoffAccordion Welp, I have the 20d (got it forr 60 nuggets), and the 5D M1(215 nugs). Just need to play with them. Old DSLR are dirt cheap this passed couple years, great if you collect them.

[@hobbiesfordays499]

I bought the 5DmkII brand new and still have. Looking to sell it just to buy newer mirrorless bodies. Hard to let it go.

[@Mme.Swisstella]

You will send it to me plz.

[@theleastsignificantbit4794]

I still use my Mark ][. I switched out my focus screen and shoot the Zeiss 35, 50 Makro, and 85-all manual focus. Great video!

[@juanpaulr]

I bet that you can still make money with the Canon 5d mark ii. You can also take great photos with it. Never mind the extra gizmos. If you're good with a camera, the focus points aren't even an issue. I just ordered one for $498, lol. I couldn't afford it back then way too much. Ill be putting that bad boy to work.

[@jamesfoureight9879]

I still have one! It’s a great camera, it has a look that is unique.

[@DiggerDugg]

No matter what camera I currently have I switch the autofucus to the single center focus point. Works for me :)

[@yemarican]

I have one.. the photos it takes are super stunning.. for video . I do not recommend using it on the go.. on tripod with fixed focus point is excellent like an interview or for youtube videos and all. the video quality is super amazing.

[@Thedesertguy75]

21 MPIXEL is enough. I had the 60D and 70D crop sensor cameras and I got incredible shots from them. I mean gorgeous with some good glass and a photographer who cares about excellent image quality.

[@JOREACTZ]

Can you help me , my 5D mark 2 , despite set to manual mode, the settings keep changing

[@iainwestland1875]

You got it on auto iso?

[@Тёма_Котиков]

The only problem with that camera, that it is very very heavy. But it is unkillable. You can even use it as a weapon

[@sadanandalibade]

11 years old 5d mk2 should i buy it in 2022

[@sheldonmurphy6031]

It nearly feels like your talking about the SL1. I feel like the SL1 is an offspring of the 5D Mk 2. I love my SL1 so much!

[@artemkamkov9857]

Still capable and much better than 5d and more affordable than 5dm3. Cool review. Thanks. Want to buy it)

[@steve_heise]

Thanks! It really is a great camera.

[@rustyjames6971]

hey, your vlogging camera lost focus while you were dissing the canon autofocus. ironic. love the mark ii.

[@rentedtux1883]

This guy...ugh

[@andychandler3992]

Heh... the center, I can only autofocus with a consistent dependability using the center point. I mean, I can use the others, but sometimes when i try to use another point, depending on the lens, my mkii goes "whut?" I seem to have good luck on native glass, but on a tamron, the thing breathes deeper than Darth Vader.

[@darbats]

I like 5dmarkii until now, I keep it. But I miss your model in the first photo, where she is now?

[@steve_heise]

Aida and I are still best friends and we still hang out every day. Unfortunately, she just didn’t enjoy making KZbin videos.

[@Iwtbaf]

still my primary camera

[@dxbadv]

I still use my 5D2 bought in 2009 in 2022 for my videos too with magic lantern, Im happy with 24fps, if I want higher fps I use my Gopro XD

[@brugj03]

You`re compairing the original a7 with this in the end of your video. In opinion the A7 is the way better buy if you have to start from scratch. The A7 is much smaller, lighter, has almost double the resolution, better iso performance, way better video integration and last but not least a modern high quality lens collection. O, yeah and it`s still relevant now and in the future while the 5d2 is already obsolete even if some people call it a classic.

[@sim2502]

Not a good idea to let any camera choose it's own autofocus point when shooting a model.

[@nurikabecs]

I'm interested because of the full-frame. Should I invest in the 5d mark ii or the 60d?

[@Malkiytzadeq-vv7qq]

⚜️ A canon SL1 can push theses results?

[@Jeffdaddy]

Great vid, still use my 5d, you are right on with your assessment, I can't afford anything else so I make it work 🙂

[@acraftman2823]

Talk about nostalgia only one of the models had tats! Thanks for posting.

[@steve_heise]

Lol thanks!

[@mai_xmai]

How does it compare to newer crop sensor canons ? 250d for example. Just in terms of stills, i don't need video

[@aliarenas6856]

Nice video. But wasn't Sony A99 the first full frame DSLR that did 1080 video , and with autofocus?. Still I love 5D mark ‼️👍

[@marilynzanca7712]

Hi i have a 5d mark 2 . Do you know how to get the focus button working ? as i think i may have changed some setting?

[@susandavidson6738]

Have you changed to Back button focus? If so you can watch a KZbin video or Google how to get it off.

[@marilynzanca7712]

@@susandavidson6738HI, I found the reason. I had turned the autofocus button on the lense off by mistake. Thanks you for your reply.cheers mal

[@kenneth_mirez]

so glad I have one

[@ethanhudson7223]

Would love to see more Sony nex videos. Love the canon cameras too.

[@flyme-z7b]

Good video, Steve! Thank you. Quick question: I still use (and love) my 5DM2 with a variety of great glass. I use a 7 inch super bright monitor (2200 nits) via the camera's mini HDMI port. When I playback my videos directly from the camera I get this distracting count-down info that is ticking away on the screen while the video is playing back. Do you happen to know of any way to have a 'clean screen' without any junk on it during playback? I have been searching everywhere but cannot find any mention of this.

[@steve_heise]

Hi Clinton - do you have Magic Lantern on your camera? As far as I can tell, it helps you get a clean HDMI out on the 5D Mark II. I found this video when I was searching around. Let me know if this works. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5WkgHqBoK-EZrs

[@flyme-z7b]

​@@steve_heise: I can't thank you enough for the link to this video! This a perfect solution and it reacquainted me with Magic Lantern. I forgot that I had installed ML on my T2i many years ago and never did so on my 5DM2. I just updated ML on the T2i and performed the install on my 5DM2 as well. Now I have to dig in and learn exactly what the benefits are and how this will apply to the things I do with each camera. Without dragging you down the rabbit hole can you tell me what you think the best features of ML would be for my 5DM2 when shooting video? :) Thanks again, Steve!

[@actuallyamazingcontent7852]

still super expensive to be honest, considering its a 13y old camera

[@cLaw27]

The downsides of being a solid camera i guess. I'm still shocked that the 5dm3 prices still stay up mostly because you can just mod it to shoot raw video...

[@narongsakyamtuy1047]

thank you

[@rezakodomo5148]

How about autofoccus sir

[@ishani1283]

New camera

[@ishani1283]

Thank you review ✋✋✋✋

[@steve_heise]

You’re welcome! 😊

[@steadicamwalker]

Very informative.

[@Mme.Swisstella]

How many money i will pay for item in very good condition with 250,000 shutterments?

[@j.kimmer1509]

What??/ you look in your 30's.... you did photography for 30+ years? o what?... great video.

[@FilmSpook]

Thanks, Steven, much much appreciated!! I've been occasionally looking at the Mark II in KZbin reviews and Magic Lantern examples for a few months now, and I've decided to soon purchase it mostly for making short films. I currently mostly use EOS M RAW with Magic Lantern. I LOVE your content, my friend, and I really dig your t-shirt in this video, with the Ouija: "Choose your own future." 😅 Fantastic! You're Awesome, man. Cheers

[@steve_heise]

Thanks so much! And good luck with the 5D Mark II. I think you’ll really enjoy it!

[@gundarsmiks4889]

Dude. The autofocus is perfect on 5dmk2... what are you talking about. Just select one point. and it always focuses. It just doesnt have the brains to automaticaly focus on the eye as modern cameras does. Such tech just wasnt a thing yet... You have to put the point of focus on the eye, and then it will automaticaly focus there... Even if there would ne ZERO autofocus. Its still a good camera. All video is manual focus anyway. Except very new cameras. And this debate was always a thing also 10 years ago. Is there autofocus. And you know what happened. It never mattered :D We still filmed, and everything was fine and in focus by hand!!! Its not realy an issue!!! Or a big point to consider at all... Its a camera. Thus the only thing that truly matter is what image it gives. And the image is literaly good even after 14 years. And its better than dual focus sensors, because dual focus sensors greatly reduced the dynamic range! And many of them look worse than 5dmk2.

[@ehornehorn1893]

if you want fast action focus, EOS 1D mark II N, best sports/wildlife camera for under 300.00 you can find. The bad focusing he was describing is called: "HI I'm lazy and didn't check" or in the case of the hot girl photos: "Hi I'm hard and all the blood left my brain and I was too lazy to check"

[@felixlechat1780]

Canon RP better investment

[@PerfectNormal]

No headphone Jack 😭

[@officialusmanqureshi]

2:36 yess.... her uhhh shoulder

[@SuperDeadparrot]

Quit bashing the autofocus. There’s nothing wrong with it.

[@idealpersonal1231]

does a profi like you need Autofocus for filming?!

[@KyupalNgYoutube]

A7? 😂 that 3x the price of 5dii

[@andrewcorrea5414]

Your camera went out of focus once so it your fault

[@dps6198]

The average buyer of a 5D is more of a casual weekend photographer. Very few users practice basic photography so they'll spend hours fixing their mediocre images with software. Any perceived or real shortcomings won't really matter.

[@gamotech2557]

lol