Originally Posted by jmphotocraft Thanks, I believe they do. To be fair though, you can do it with any Canon capable of RAW if you just take 3 bracketed shots and then run the HDR tool in DPP. But doing it in-camera saves a ton of time.

Oh yeah...I know that...but the in camera shots that you've posted are great...and I was using your HDR shot as example for the OP...in the new technology that will come with new cameras.

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft Seriously what do you need two bodies for? I shot 3 years of Little League T&I and action (5000 keepers over the course of a month), and never had a camera or lens fail. I say roll the dice.

I have had several camera failures at critical times, so having a back-up was really nice. (And oddly, I used my 5d2 as a back up for several sports events, instead of my 1d3.)

I will need to replace my 5d2 shortly, just because it's been seriously used and abused. That said, I consistently get better images from that camera than even my 1d4 bodies. Yes, it takes some practice to deal with the primitive AF system. But even with sports shooting, I can usually get my shot.

I just pulled the trigger on upgrading my 1d4 bodies to 1dx bodies; somewhat reluctantly I might add, as I can certainly get by without the upgrade. However, after shooting a couple of night MLB games with a friend's X, I was hooked. The high ISO performance is really that much better. The other feature I tried (much to the initial amusement of the AP shooter next to me) was zone focusing with face recognition. However, every shot I took of a player running towards me was dead-nuts on! (By the end of the game, the AP guy had enabled this feature on his X as well!)

Honestly, ms Divamum, you can agonise over price and features of new models until the cows come home. Or, you can just get a great camera at a good price and learn to deal with its idiosyncrasies. Anything you buy will eventually become obsolete. I've been really happy with my 5d2, and probably have 300K+ shots logged on it. I've taken it on expeditions and let it soak in water in a 'dry' box for many hours. I've dropped it multiple times, stepped on it, shot professional sports in terrible lighting and lots of rain, all with great results. It's the only camera in my kit that has never failed. If it died today I'd have no regrets.

Originally Posted by jmphotocraft I am going to predict that the 6D's center AF point will be as good or better than the 5D3's, which is why they only gave it one of them. I will also predict that the outer line-type sensors will be as good or marginally better than the 5D2's, which is to say, dubious for single-shot and useless for servo. .

if that's the case then I might be a potential buyer - if price comes down

The AF of the 5d(c) and 5dmkii was never an issue for me. The only issue I have had was user error. Heck, my old (old) 20d AF works fine and it is not an issue either. I am of the opinion, use what your wallet can afford and then learn how to use that tool. FWIW, i find the AF better on the 5dmkii over the old classic, however the classic AF never really bothered me. The biggest difference in IQ I ever noticed between camera bodies was moving from a crop sensor to full frame. I am also of the opinion that there will always be a latest and greatest. So why not wait a few years and get it for much much cheaper when the next gen hits the market.

So, with that said, get the mkii if that is what your wallet can afford. I don't believe you will be disappointment.
-Jon

Decisions, decisions....

I had FINALLY made up my mind just to stop overthinking things and buy one via CLP for $1583 - I reckon that's kind of a no-brainer since regardless of how much better the 5dIII clearly is, the 5dII IS still a great camera and would get my foot in the FF door and be a very reasonable price to start a stepping stone path to the III.

HOWEVER.

What I didn't know is that Canon charges sales tax... which brings the total up to $1677. Which is nearly the current new price at Amazon. AARGH. Round and round in circles I go.....


Btw, it makes me laugh that this thread has prompted 3 pages of replies -clearly questioning my sanity attracts readers

Originally Posted by divamum HOWEVER. What I didn't know is that Canon charges sales tax... which brings the total up to $1677. Which is nearly the current new price at Amazon. AARGH. Round and round in circles I go..... Btw, it makes me laugh that this thread has prompted 3 pages of replies -clearly questioning my sanity attracts readers

Amazon themselves charge sales tax also...it is just some of the private sellers that might not charge sales tax......I do not know about your state but here in Ks if you buy on the net, then want to deduct off taxes they collect sales tax right then and there...so for me and others fro Ks doesn't really matter, they got ya...it is simply a pay now or pay later situation....

I've never been charged tax by Amazon to date, so unless it's changed in the last 48hrs, I'm in one of the places that isn't an issue.....

B&H is the same price as Amazon, or does B&H charge you sales tax?

Originally Posted by divamum Decisions, decisions.... What I didn't know is that Canon charges sales tax... which brings the total up to $1677. Which is nearly the current new price at Amazon. AARGH. Round and round in circles I go.....

no, my state typically only charges tax if there is a bricks& mortar store in-state. That's why Canon's tax policy surprised pme; afaik there's no "store" here. Maybe they have offices here or something? Dunno....

Originally Posted by divamum What I didn't know is that Canon charges sales tax... which brings the total up to $1677. Which is nearly the current new price at Amazon. AARGH. Round and round in circles I go..... Btw, it makes me laugh that this thread has prompted 3 pages of replies -clearly questioning my sanity attracts readers

Yeah, just look what you started.

Canon charged me sales tax on a refurb 24 - 70 f/2.8 that I bought last year. I was surprised -- unless Robert Byrd somehow got them to open something in West Virginia, I can tell you there's no Canon facility here...

Originally Posted by divamum no, my state typically only charges tax if there is a bricks& mortar store in-state. That's why Canon's tax policy surprised pme; afaik there's no "store" here. Maybe they have offices here or something? Dunno....

Canon USA is headquartered in Lake Success, New York

Also, there are tax wars between online stores and states and not all have resolutions yet. Amazon is now charging sales tax to shipments in CA this month and they weren't before. I wouldn't be surprise if Amazon loses its battle with New York in the future.

Originally Posted by aktse Canon USA is headquartered in Lake Success, New York Also, there are tax wars between online stores and states and not all have resolutions yet. Amazon is now charging sales tax to shipments in CA this month and they weren't before. I wouldn't be surprise if Amazon loses its battle with New York in the future.

Amazon started charging sales tax on sales to Texas a few months ago. I guess there was some kind of facility here. No more Amazon Prime for me! Its a shame, because I loved it, but money talks.

Originally Posted by divamum Decisions, decisions.... I had FINALLY made up my mind just to stop overthinking things and buy one via CLP for $1583 - I reckon that's kind of a no-brainer since regardless of how much better the 5dIII clearly is, the 5dII IS still a great camera and would get my foot in the FF door and be a very reasonable price to start a stepping stone path to the III. HOWEVER. What I didn't know is that Canon charges sales tax... which brings the total up to $1677. Which is nearly the current new price at Amazon. AARGH. Round and round in circles I go..... Btw, it makes me laugh that this thread has prompted 3 pages of replies -clearly questioning my sanity attracts readers

Good Afternoon Diva,
The refurbed price of the 5D2 is $1759.20. With the 20% CLP discount by trading in an older Canon camera, the price drops to $1407.36. With 6% sales tax, it's still under $1500 ($1491.80) If they changed their discount, then I'm not aware of that.
Have a good afternoon
Jim...

The refurbed price of the 5D2 is $1759.20. With the 20% CLP discount by trading in an older Canon camera, the price drops to $1407.36. With 6% sales tax, it's still under $1500 ($1491.80) If they changed their discount, then I'm not aware of that.

Current discount - I spoke to the CLP rep yesterday - is 10% discount on the refurb price = $1583+tax.....

Ok, I did it - new 5dII on its way to me. With no tax, a 2% cashback reward from Amazon and a 5% cashback reward from my Discover card, I think that's about as good as it's going to get. Worst-case scenario is I send it back, but I have a feeling that, despite the mediocre AF, I'll be just fine with it. Frankly, a bigger question to me is whether or not I'll like the different field of vision - I KNOW I'll love the ISO capability and "creaminess" of the FF sensor, but I suspect there will be a learning curve....

In any case, at some point in the next year I will probably use the 5dII and/or 7d to help fund a 5dIII - hopefully by then prices will have softened a bit on the III. Yes, I'll lose money on the II, but I consider that a "rental fee" without a time limit so it's all good.

PS One other advantage for me, as a 7d owner, having a 5dII: they use the same batteries.....

Originally Posted by divamum Current discount - I spoke to the CLP rep yesterday - is 10% discount on the refurb price = $1583+tax.....

Morning Diva,
Thanks for the discount update For the majority of your shooting, the 5D2 will not disappoint you. Only if you shoot sports, or in very, very low light conditions, would you need a 1 series camera. Thanks again for the update
Enjoy your day
Jim...

[QUOTE=divamum;1823610]Ok, I did it - new 5dII on its way to me. With no tax, a 2% cashback reward from Amazon and a 5% cashback reward from my Discover card, I think that's about as good as it's going to get. Worst-case scenario is I send it back, but I have a feeling that, despite the mediocre AF, I'll be just fine with it. Frankly, a bigger question to me is whether or not I'll like the different field of vision - I KNOW I'll love the ISO capability and "creaminess" of the FF sensor, but I suspect there will be a learning curve....

In any case, at some point in the next year I will probably use the 5dII and/or 7d to help fund a 5dIII - hopefully by then prices will have softened a bit on the III. Yes, I'll lose money on the II, but I consider that a "rental fee" without a time limit so it's all good.


If you use the 5D2 for business, then I can't see how you would lose money. If it's just for pleasure or hobby, then yes, you'll lose money. Everything depreciates over time
Enjoy your day
Jim...

After you get used to the 5d2, please post your opinions of the 135mm f/2.0L on a full frame.

Originally Posted by nak After you get used to the 5d2, please post your opinions of the 135mm f/2.0L on a full frame.

muahahahaha That is one of the pleasures I am greatly looking forward to trying firsthand! I love it to pieces on my 7d - although it's sometimes too long - and have a feeling I'll enjoy it even more on FF. Actually, one of the many attractions of FF is I can use the 135L the way I currently use the 85 1.8....

It should arrive tomorrow (I ponied up the extra $3.99 so I could be home to receive it and, if it turns up early enough, play with it on my day off!!). Now that I'm past the idea I just spent nearly 2k on a camera, I'm just excited to get it...

Originally Posted by divamum Ok, I did it - new 5dII on its way to me. With no tax, a 2% cashback reward from Amazon and a 5% cashback reward from my Discover card, I think that's about as good as it's going to get.

Congrats! So how much was it? I hope you got the $400 rebate? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...D_Mark_II.html

Frankly, a bigger question to me is whether or not I'll like the different field of vision

This really isn't a question. Once you peer through the big viewfinder, you'll see what you've been missing.

In any case, at some point in the next year I will probably use the 5dII and/or 7d to help fund a 5dIII - hopefully by then prices will have softened a bit on the III.

I wouldn't bet on the price coming down much if at all, if the 5D2 is any example. You might be able to catch a temporary rebate for like $200.

Anyway, enjoy your new camera! Let's see some results.