Oh Canon! Thou dost disappoint me!
Well, Canon has finally announced the new 5D Mark II and my initial thoughts are of disappointed. I had waited for this camera so long and all they did was release a 21MP full frame 50D. While this camera is certainly a step up from the 5D, I’m not entirely sure that it’s worth the upgrade. I don’t intend to use my SLR for video - that’s what I have my video camera for. At first, the thought of creating macro videos would be interesting, but I would then need a new lighting source as a flash won’t cut it for video. Really, for me video is not a very useful feature on a professional camera.
In particular I am very disappointed with essentially the same AF as the current 5D and a paltry 3.9 fps. The fact that the camera is 21MP isn’t very helpful. I would have preferred a 15MP camera with a higher frame rate and even better noise handling in high ISO cases.
While the UI certainly appears to be an improvement over the current 5D, they still haven’t added the features I most desire.
1) More than 3 shots in exposure bracketing
2) One button mirror lock
Right now I find myself at a bit of a crossroads. The better ISO handling will help my travel photos, but I’m just not sold on the upgrade. I am also incredibly disappointed in Canon’s lens announcements. I had really hoped to see a Canon 100-400 4-5.6 IS and I was considering a 24-70 2.8 IS if I could figure out how to fit it in my bag.
My current thoughts are one of the following.
- Save my money for a real professional camera or in other words the successor to the 1Ds Mark III. At least this camera will be guaranteed to have top notch AF. This is probably where the 5D Mark II disappoints me the most. If they had significantly improved the AF, I may have jumped on it.
- Purchase a 24mm tilt shift lens for real estate photography. Currently I have not been actively going after agents, but I am considering letting the word out more (currently I only work with my wife and other agents she knows).
- Consider again getting into photomicrography, which will cost more than the 5D Mark II any ways.
To be honest, I am currently undecided, but I do have to wonder what exactly is going on at Canon.
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Tags: 5d, 5D Mark II, announcement, canon, disappointment, Mark II, photography