Possibility of Canon 5D upgrade?

[timhum]

With the introduction of the 7D and the upgrade of the 1D to mk 4 would it be resonable to expect a 5D mk 2 upgrade in the near future. I ask as I want to replace my 450 with something rather better and am considering the 5d and 7d.

thanks

Tim

[MonkeyHanger]

The original 5D lasted about 3 years before it was replaced. Given that the MK2 has only been out a year i don't see a replacement for at least 12-18 months.

Buy what you need now. If you wait for the next big thing you'll never buy anything.

[Dr MAD]

Canon have announced that there will be a firmware update for the 5D MkII next year that will improve on the video recording options. Don't expect a 5D MkIII for quite a while.

[V8S]

Dr MAD said:

Canon have announced that there will be a firmware update for the 5D MkII next year that will improve on the video recording options. Don't expect a 5D MkIII for quite a while.

Any idea what they'll improve? The update to include manual aperture and shutter is already out.

The only other thing that would make a difference to my use of video would be to be able to look through the viewfinder to focus, but that's impossible because the mirror needs to flip up.

[Dr MAD]

This is what I've seen so far...

"Press Info - London, 20 October 2009 – Canon today announces that it is currently developing a firmware update to the EOS 5D Mark II to enable the recording of high definition 1080p video at 24 and 25fps. The decision to develop new firmware to support these features has been taken following feedback received from cinematographers and photographers.

Introduced in September 2008, the multi award-winning EOS 5D Mark II was the first DSLR product to offer full frame 1080p HD video recording, opening up a multitude of new creative possibilities for photo journalists, news photographers and amateur filmmakers. Since then, Canon has continued to develop its groundbreaking EOS Movie functionality, firstly with the firmware update to the EOS 5D Mark II that enabled manual exposure control, and more recently by introducing a choice of video recording frame rates with the EOS 7D and EOS-1D Mark IV.

Canon currently expects the firmware update to be made available during the first half of 2010. An announcement regarding details of the update and its availability will be made closer to the release date"

[jon-]

Canon can't update the 5d. The main area the camera currently lacks is the AF and speed, and if they sorted that out it would be as good as the £6000 1DSMKIII.

[Dr MAD]

jon- said:

Canon can't update the 5d. The main area the camera currently lacks is the AF and speed, and if they sorted that out it would be as good as the £6000 1DSMKIII.

Hence the firmware updates are only video related. Since the introduction of the 7D, those using the 5D MkII as a serious video tool have been a little upset with the 7D's capabilities. Since the framerate is controlled by the software it's an easy(ish) fix. AF and speed on the other hand requires different hardware and processing power that the 5D doesn't have.

On the topic of video there have been some amazing videos produced with both cameras (5D2 & 7D) - http://www.cinema5d.com/index.php - worth having a look if you're interested in the video capabilities of either camera.

[timhum]

Thanks all, I was thinking in terms of continuous shooting speed, to get closer to the 7d and improved auto focus, which seems to get some criticism on these forums. I'm trying to figure which will suit me best 5d or 7d, difficult decision as I really fancy trying a full frame camera but take quite a few pictures of moving trains and motor racing which would seem to point me to the 7d.
Additionally my question was also prompted by the considerable number of refurbished 5Ds being offered on the e-bay Canon Outlet store, I appreciate that they may be ex-demo by why so many being sold or are they just overstocked in a recession? Around £1650.00 seems a good price for a body.

Tim

[jon-]

timhum said:

Thanks all, I was thinking in terms of continuous shooting speed, to get closer to the 7d and improved auto focus, which seems to get some criticism on these forums. I'm trying to figure which will suit me best 5d or 7d, difficult decision as I really fancy trying a full frame camera but take quite a few pictures of moving trains and motor racing which would seem to point me to the 7d.
Additionally my question was also prompted by the considerable number of refurbished 5Ds being offered on the e-bay Canon Outlet store, I appreciate that they may be ex-demo by why so many being sold or are they just overstocked in a recession? Around £1650.00 seems a good price for a body.

Tim

More AF and speed... so what you're after is the 1ds MKIII, just need to increase your budget a bit The issue is with current technology moving 21mp files through the buffer and onto card takes time. Even the 1ds MKIII only manages 5fps at full chat!

I'm in the same upgrade situation but I shoot people 95% of the time, hence the full frame lust. Why do you want full frame? If you're shooting a lot of moving things the AF on the 7d is meant to be excellent, especially for tracking motion so this might be the most sensible buy. People are already using the 7d in studios with fantastic results too, if you don't push the ISO the IQ is really good.

I've noticed a LOT of second hand 5d MKIIs on photography forums which has got me wondering. Most have some sort of reasonable excuse (lots moving to 7d for reach and AF, or Nikon) but it's still quite a high percentage of camreas.

[Hedgeman]

Just get both...

I've got a 5D mk1 which I'm more than happy with. Results on portraits and landscapes are magnificent. I don't do major cropping or feel the need to constantly pixel-peep, so "only" 12.8MP is not an issue. High ISO / low-light performance is also very very good. I did briefly consider buying a 7D as well but the combination of inferior viewfinder (it seems tiny compared to the 5D) and comparitive tests showing loads of high ISO noise put me off given its - at the time - lofty price tag. But there's no getting away from the fact the 5D is a slow camera, so...

...I recently picked up a 50D body from the canon outlet store (effectively cost me only £350 as I was after a lens for a gift for someone). I've not tried it with any fast action yet, but the overall speed and responsiveness of the camera are a good way ahead of the 5D mk1, so good vibes for it right now, and I think 5D + 50D combo is a better bet than one 7D.

Gary.

[jon-]

Hedgeman said:

Just get both...

You must mean...

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[timhum]

Appreciate your point Hedgeman but I really don't want to mess about with two camera bodies, it only a hobby to me not providing a living. It seems the choice of camera is a dilemma for quite a few of us.
The reason for asking about the possibility of a forthcoming upgrade on the 5d is that I'm quite keen to give one a try, particularly with the decent prices on them at the moment. If there were changes expected in say a couple of months I would wait but if any longer would buy now.
On the other hand there are so many good reports on the 7d, life, hobbies and the decisions to be made are so difficult!

[jon-]

Well to answer your concern there will be no hardware updates to the 5d MKII in the near future. I would be surprised if there was an update next year too.

[timhum]

Bit the bullet and bought a 5D MK2 today !!

[jon-]

Thought needed.