Used 5D Mark II?

[cdon]

I'm on the look out for a used 5D Mark II and 24-105 lens. I've been looking on eBay and there's a whole array of sellers.. heavily used (200k shutter count), medium use (30-50k shutter count), studio use, no box/charger etc then some kits that basically look unused (4000-9000 shutter count).

Is there anything to look out for with these cameras? Were there different models/revisions of the Mark II? And most importantly what shutter count is too high?

Also can these shutter counts be reset/modified or can they be trusted as I understand it can't be read in the body and has to be done through a third party software?

Going rate for the body seems to be around £500, and £400 for the lens. Often batteries/grips etc are thrown into the deals. I just want to get a good one and hold onto it for a while.

[Tony1963]

The only revisions will be software, which you can update easily.
I'd buy from a decent dealer, with a decent warranty and after sales support.
Only buy from the shop, not over the internet, especially with the lens, as the original 24-105 has a habit of chewing through an internal ribbon cable...

A great combo for landscapes, family shots, walkarounds, general stuff. Just don't try action shots!

[Smollet]

You can get them fairly cheaply on eBay then send them here for a reboot
http://www.fixationuk.com/canon-repair/?mkwid=sRW6...

[SS2.]

cdon said:

Going rate for the body seems to be around £500, and £400 for the lens. Often batteries/grips etc are thrown into the deals. I just want to get a good one and hold onto it for a while.

I had a look at one a few weeks ago - still on sale here.

Boxed with all original accessories, very low shutter count (can't remember exactly how many) and appeared to be in A1 condition.

It's probably priced at the top end for a Mk II but the shop owner seemed happy to talk a deal.

[cdon]

Tony1963 said:

A great combo for landscapes, family shots, walkarounds, general stuff. Just don't try action shots!

What's the limitation on action shots? Auto Focus or write speed?

I mainly want one for shooting video and some walkabout.

[cdon]

SS2. said:

I had a look at one a few weeks ago - still on sale here.

Boxed with all original accessories, very low shutter count (can't remember exactly how many) and appeared to be in A1 condition.

It's probably priced at the top end for a Mk II but the shop owner seemed happy to talk a deal.

Thanks. I'll give them a shout.

[covboy]

cdon said:

Tony1963 said:

A great combo for landscapes, family shots, walkarounds, general stuff. Just don't try action shots!

What's the limitation on action shots? Auto Focus or write speed?

I mainly want one for shooting video and some walkabout.

Got mine from mpd a few weeks back. Basicaly a slow autofocus and a little"clunky" compared to my 7D. I bought it (as stated above) for landscapes and portraits. (slightly old technology now)

[DIW35]

The 5D II can be used for action shots. You just have to be aware of any problems caused by relatively slow focus, and make allowances for it. When I first started photography, there was no such thing as autofocus, and one of my main interests was motorsport, but the lack of autofocus didn't stop me from getting some cracking shots.

I've moved on to a 5D III now, but I still have the 5D II, and still think it's a great camera.

[Tony1963]

DIW35 said:

The 5D II can be used for action shots. You just have to be aware of any problems caused by relatively slow focus, and make allowances for it. When I first started photography, there was no such thing as autofocus, and one of my main interests was motorsport, but the lack of autofocus didn't stop me from getting some cracking shots.

I've moved on to a 5D III now, but I still have the 5D II, and still think it's a great camera.

Any camera can be used for any type of photography, so yes, you're right. However, why make life difficult? I've been shooting since around 1972 and have taken all sorts of shots with a wide variety of cameras, but the way a modern dslr can track a fast moving object that changes direction suddenly is quite astonishing. That was impossible with a manual focus camera, and a 5D2 feels like a half way house compared to even a 5D3.

[DIW35]

You're absolutely right Tony, I was only trying to say that just because the 5D mkII may not be the best tool for taking action shots, any potential purchaser shouldn't be fooled into thinking that it can't be used for such shots. Obviously if that was the only or majority of the sort of shots that the OP was looking to take, then I would also advise him to consider a different camera.