Need advice on 5D Mark II

Spookerella · Dec 18, 2011

I'm wanting to upgrade to an 5D Mark II (from a Rebel) .... I have not yet gotten it but I have played with one for an hour and liked the quality and features it has. Now I'm needing to know what to get exactly to get what I want in my portraits.

There's a kit lense (EF 25-105mm 4L IS USM) ... would this kit lense work least for a while and worth the money for the kit? Or should I just get the body and pick out a lense? I looked up this lense, it's a $900+ and can get it with the camera for $500.

Now, the other important part... What would be a good on-camera flash for this camera, for portraits? I need a very good flash but affordable.

Any other advice and opinions to this camera, please share. I'm coming from a Rebel and need as many experience photographers opinons as possible!

Thank you in advance!

tirediron · Dec 18, 2011

I can't speak to the attributes of the 5D Mk II as I'm a Nikonian by breeding, but based on the questions in your post, my suggestion would be to hold off on buying anything for a little while yet, and spend some more time reading and learning. What is it that you want to do that your Rebel isn't allowing you to?

bazooka · Dec 19, 2011

From what I've read, the 24-105 f/4 is a nice lens. Used it goes for $850. If you don't already have an assortment of lenses, it would be a good one to use as a go-to lens.

Kerbouchard · Dec 19, 2011

Sounds like it would be a no-brainer to go ahead and get the 24-105 and sell it if you want to go with another option. In any case, I'm with tirediron. I'm a Nikon guy, so I can't speak directly to the Canon lens lineup, but it's been a long time since I didn't know what to buy or why I should buy it.

Perhaps, you should just add a speedlight at this point and go from there...Can't really go wrong with the Canon 580 EX II. If you don't already own a speedlight, it will open up a whole new world to you, and that new world might not include another kit lens or camera body.

scorpion_tyr · Dec 19, 2011

The 25-105 you speak of is not a "kit" lens. It's L class glass and worth every penny of $500, especially if you only have EF-S lenses right now (cause those won't work on the 5D). So here's my question: Why do you want/need to upgrade? And I mean specifically what features does the 5D Mk II have that you need that your rebel does not have? Do you find yourself shooting at 1/4000 and still getting a little bit of motion blur when you don't want to? Will the 4.8mm of effective focal length difference in the lenses I'm guessing you have and the one you mentioned really make that much of a difference for what you're shooting? Do you really need ISO 50? How many shutter actuations does your Rebel have? Are you comfortable shooting in Manual? In case you haven't noticed the 5D doesn't have any little faces or people running on the mode dial so if you're still using settings at or below the little green square you're gonna be in for a real shock after you "upgrade".

Sure, if you have an unlimited budget go for the 5D MkII, but I'm guessing you're like most people and you don't. I don't know you or how much you know about photography, but based on your questions I really have to assume you're probably not ready to upgrade. My advise: Keep your rebel and get a Canon Speedlite 430EX II or 580EX II and some good glass. Lenses will last a lot longer and offer more options to you than another camera.

Vtec44 · Dec 19, 2011

IMHO, on camera flash does not make exiting portrait photographs even when diffused. I'd invest in an off camera flash system either with speed lights or portable strobes if you're planning to shoot out door often. A wireless trigger system is also something to think about.

DiskoJoe · Dec 19, 2011

buy it!!!!

Dao · Dec 19, 2011

If money is not a factor, get it. It is better than a Rebel. And get the 24-105mm L lens too. Of course add other lenses and flashes.
If money is a factor, then wait until you know why you need to upgrade. Find out why your current setup cannot do what you like to do. It could be any reasons. And then justify whether it worths to upgrade based on your situation.

The limitations you find may not be camera body itself, it could be lens, flash (or other lighting equipments), tripod, software, hardwares as well as knowledge.

Village Idiot · Dec 19, 2011

scorpion_tyr said:
The 25-105 you speak of is not a "kit" lens. It's L class glass and worth every penny of $500, especially if you only have EF-S lenses right now (cause those won't work on the 5D). So here's my question: Why do you want/need to upgrade? And I mean specifically what features does the 5D Mk II have that you need that your rebel does not have? Do you find yourself shooting at 1/4000 and still getting a little bit of motion blur when you don't want to? Will the 4.8mm of effective focal length difference in the lenses I'm guessing you have and the one you mentioned really make that much of a difference for what you're shooting? Do you really need ISO 50? How many shutter actuations does your Rebel have? Are you comfortable shooting in Manual? In case you haven't noticed the 5D doesn't have any little faces or people running on the mode dial so if you're still using settings at or below the little green square you're gonna be in for a real shock after you "upgrade".

Sure, if you have an unlimited budget go for the 5D MkII, but I'm guessing you're like most people and you don't. I don't know you or how much you know about photography, but based on your questions I really have to assume you're probably not ready to upgrade. My advise: Keep your rebel and get a Canon Speedlite 430EX II or 580EX II and some good glass. Lenses will last a lot longer and offer more options to you than another camera.

The 24-105 is indeed a kit lens. It is sold in the 5D MKII kit as the included lens. Can't get any more kit lens than that. It may be much better quality than the 18-55 that comes with the rebels, but that doesn't change the fact that it's sold in the 5D MKII kit.

When the 5D MKII was first released it was nearly impossible to find just the body, so I bought the kit and sold the 24-105 for no loss, I use the 24-70 f/2.8L. I have other lenses and prefer the wider aperture over the 24-105.

Spookerella · Dec 19, 2011

Hi all,

Well right now, the reason I need to "upgrade" is because my Rebel died on me suddenly, it would come on but right back off, showing the battery were dead... the batteries I have seemed to be charged but every one of them showed dead, then I bought a brand new battery from Canon to be sure it wasn't mine that were just messed up.. so sent camera in and have not heard anything back yet. But I have been wanted to upgrade for a couple months now and now I see no reason not to upgrade.

Not to mentioned, I found that my Rebel did not have many things that I wanted I see in a upgrade.

I already have tripod, softwares, etc... I know you all are "sharing" your opinions but I came on here to ask for others experiences for a on-camera flash and lense for portraits for this camera since I am "new" to this model and wanted others experiences with lenses and flashes instead of just going out and buying whatever and get disappointed in the lense and a flash. I also know everyone's likes doesn't mean I would like it too, why I just want others experiences. Everyone is new at photography at some point and I don't understand why some are very closed minded about sharing their experiences and say "If you do not know this or that, stick with the low-graded camera" and say nothing else.. I understand completely about some people think they should just jump in and then they really have no clue of what they're doing, since I was a newbie at DSLR with my Rebel when it first came out but I am proud to say I have learned a lot and I was tired of Cyber-shots and want to get more serious in photography.

Lighting equipment isn't really an option right now

why I need a good flash. I have little room until we are finished with a room I'm turning into a studio. I also know a on-camera flash is not very good for indoors if it's the only lighting source.

And you're right, I am NOT rich *pouts*, but just because I am on a budget, shouldn't mean I should stick with whatever I am not happy with anymore, especially if I'm able to get what I want in my camera and I have found by "saving up" is the key.

Thank you,

Derrel · Dec 19, 2011

I bought the original Canon 5D in a great big box...and the kit lens included was...wait for it...the Canon EF 24mm-105mm f/4-L IS USM...so yeah, it HAS been a kit lens for at least 5 years....sold in a great big box...even has a neckstrap in there!!!

The $500 price when bought as a kit lens makes it a good value, as opposed to paying full single-item retail, AND what it does is it gets you some of the absolute MOST-useful focal lengths on 24x36...you get a 24, a 28, a 35, a 45, a 50, 70, 85, and 105mm...all with a maximum aperture value of f/4 across the entire range...Image Stabilizer...and a lens/body combo that has terrific balance on the 5D or 5D-II body. All you need to add is the 580 EX-II flash and you're good to cover many,many types of events and situations without the need to change lenses. It is for good reason that the 24-105-L IS USM is Canon's kit lens of choice for the 5D series cameras...Canon made a wise choice for people who want the goodness a full-frame camera brings, but who might not otherwise choose such a lens to start with.

It is **NOT** the "best" wide-angle lens....but it is acceptably good above about 38mm...and it's very convenient.

Iron Flatline · Dec 20, 2011

what do you shoot? Landscapes, people, kids, sports, fashion, etc...? It's a tool, tell us what the primary tasks are.

Love the 5D Mk II. My partner and I have five of them between us, and the 1Ds Mk III rarely comes out of the storage room.

Jesse11 · Dec 20, 2011

If you have the money, go for it. I upgraded from an XS to the 5DII. The very first picture I took with it, I noticed the person in the picture seemed to pop off the page a lot more.

MissCream · Dec 20, 2011

If you are shoot portraits in a studio I wouldn't use an on camera flash. You could pick up a couple of YN-460ii's (they have a slave option so you can trigger them via other flashes) they are really cheap and quite reliable for the price. As far as the 24-105 lens, I know nothing about it but I know that if you are going to use it at the widest end your portraits are going to be distorted, I wouldn't shoot any wider then 50mm.

Scuba · Dec 20, 2011

Don't take this wrong as I am just trying to be honest but if you are asking some of these questions do you think you need a 5D II? That is a big expense and jumping from a rebel is a big step. Why not get a original 5D or a 50D or 60D and get some good glass and lights with the extra $2k?