Canon 5D Mark II - if you owned

[amatula15]

Hi!

The local camera shop has a used 5D Mark II. 

I currently have a Canon SL1 and was looking to upgrade.
I had been considering the Rebel T8i and the Canon RP (mirrorless full-frame).

I looked at the specs for the 5D II and they seem fine even though they do not have the latest and greatest of anything.

I handled it without battery and with the very light weight 50 mm F/12.8 lens and it did not feel heavy (but would want a heavier/longer lens than that one to help with stabilizing the camera) -- I am petite and use cameras hiking.

If you have owned and used this camera, what are your thoughts on it, especially for landscape?

I am also going to be working with ND (neutral density) filters and maybe seeing if I like astrophotography.

Thank you and all the best!

Annie

[Waddizzle]

It is a great camera.  If you are using the EF 50mm EF 1.8 STM with it, then you have an excellent combo for landscape photography, which is something that I enjoy doing, too.  I really like to capture panorama shots.

One in mint condition with a battery and charger should go for no more than $600, if not much less.  Make them throw in a memory card or two.  Haggle.  I am sure they want to sell it.

[amatula15]

Waddizzle, thank you so much!!

[ebiggs1]

I was a 5D Mk II owner for many years. If I were to have the choice between a new T8i and a used 5D2, I would go for the T8i every time. Simple it is a newer camera.  It has newer tech. It will remain current longer and will have a warranty. Just think the 5D2 is 12 year old tech. All the electronics are better now. Plus there is a lot of baloney about FF being so much better than crop.  Yes, the FF has some advantages but so does the cropper. It depends on whether you need those specific advantages.

My 1D Nk IV is a crop sensor and my 1DX is a FF but I use the Mk IV at certain time and the 1DX for others. 

Digic 4 vs Digic 8 c'mon, that says it all right there. If you are adding it to your bag as a compliment to your SL1, that's a pretty good idea but it isn't when the decision is a 5D2 vs a T8i.

[shadowsports]

Annie,

Stay away from that 5D2.

As you said, you have an SL1 now and small hands.  You'll be a natural for a T8i.

Was the 5D2 an exceptional camera, yes it was.

You have APS/C lenses too.  Maybe not the latest, but they won't fit on a 5D2 either way.

I'm with ebiggs.  As he pointed out consider moving from your SL1 (Digic5) to something much newer Digic 8, which is more technilogically capable and advanced.  The 5D2 is Digic 4.  You get that in a 12 yr old package.  Newer isn't always better, but in the case of a 5D2...  Even Canon knows where it belongs.

If you didn't have a camera now, I'd say maybe.  But you do, and you have some APS/C) lenses too.  This is your chance for a meaningful upgrade.  Just in case there is still any doubt about which camera to buy, here is a side by side:

https://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-5D-Mark-II-vs-Canon-EOS-Rebel-T8i     

Will you pay more for the T8i, yes.  But it will be a do more, get more camera.  Now compare your SL1 to the 5D2... Whats the biggest difference?  The lens mount...  because performance wise from a IQ standpoint, (Digic 5 vs. Digic 4) they are nearly identical, and both are "older" by today's standards.  

[amatula15]

Thank you, ebiggs. Is it silly to assume you can get a bigger print from full frame?
Yes, I am thinking of something to complement the SL1. I was originally thinking of replacing it, but the more I use it the more I like it. My other thought is the Canon RP, which looks like a full frame version of the SL1 and I might really like 🙂
Thank you for your help!

[amatula15]

Thank you, Rick!

I actually have an EF lens, Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.

It is always on my camera. I no longer use the kit lens that came with it.

I purchased that lens too (vs a APS-C lens) because I knew at some point I might want a FF camera.

If I don't purchase it, I might go with the Canon RP; a smaller FF camera with the same sensor (I think!) as the 6D II

I would even go with the 6D II too, although a little heavier. 

I have seen incredible shots with older cameras; and I don't need GPS and WiFi connections using the camera, nor flip or touch screens, so older is OK with me if I am getting a quality product.   I like the weather sealing and better viewfinder. That said, it is heavier and I'd need a flash.... 

Did you own the 5DII? Was there something about it that you didn't like?

All the best!

Annie

[ebiggs1]

"Is it silly to assume you can get a bigger print from full frame?"

Annie, sorta! There, again, is some baloney about a FF vs a cropper. You really need to consider the pixel count of each. I think it is something like 21 vs 24. I would guess yo ucan't tell the difference unless you pixel peep. Do you?

Just because it is FF, does not guarantee you better IQ, sharper and all that stuff, etc. You lens will have more to do with IQ than the camera, up to a point of course. If you changed the decision to, I have to use the T8i with the kit lens or I could use the 5D2 with my ef 24-70mm f2.8L, than 5D2 all day long. However, if you let me select a lens of my choice than the T8i wins every time.  You stick a lens like the fantastic Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon on a T8i not much else will out do it, if anything. Matter of fact my dream combo in a cropper is the 90D and the Siggy.

"Yes, I am thinking of something to complement the SL1."

That's not a bad idea but not instead of.

[ebiggs1]

" I don't need GPS and WiFi connections using the camera, nor flip or touch screens, so older is OK with me ..."

Those features are glitter and gadgets. Fluff!  That is not new tech of which we speak. It is the internal electronics like the Digic processor.

[ebiggs1]

"Did you own the 5DII? Was there something about it that you didn't like?"

I know you asked Rick this but my thoughts are.  I liked it in 2012 or so but I liked my 5D Mk III in 2014 better or whenever I bought it. 

The real bottom line, kido, if you want it, it is just a camera, buy it.  If it doesn't work out as you hoped the Sun will still come up in the morning. You'll move on and you'll be smarter for it.