Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a legendary full-frame DSLR that remains a popular budget entry into full-frame photography. It is highly praised for its unique 'film-like' color science and reliability for static subjects like landscapes and portraits. However, it is widely considered outdated for action or wildlife due to a slow, unreliable autofocus system and a lack of modern features like Auto ISO in manual mode.
Pros
- Unique, film-like color rendition often compared to classic film stocks
- Affordable entry point for photographers wanting a full-frame sensor
- Excellent performance for landscapes and still portraits
- Robust build quality with some units reaching very high shutter counts
- Significant upgrade in low-light performance over older crop-sensor (Rebel) bodies
Cons
- Outdated and 'horrible' autofocus system, especially for moving subjects
- Lack of Auto ISO support when shooting in Manual (M) mode
- Poor dynamic range compared to modern sensors
- Heavy and bulky, making it less ideal for casual or 'walking' photography
- Picky with CompactFlash (CF) card compatibility
Caveats
- The CF card slot pins are a known failure point and can be easily broken
- Most users recommend using only the center autofocus point and then recomposing
- The jump in performance to the 5D Mark III is considered significant by those who have used both
Best for
- Landscape and studio portrait photography
- Budget-conscious photographers looking for full-frame depth of field
- Users who prioritize 'Canon colors' and a film-like aesthetic
Avoid if
- You primarily shoot wildlife, birds, or fast-moving sports
- You require modern conveniences like reliable multi-point AF or silent shooting
- You want a lightweight setup for travel or casual daily use
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older (median age ~435 days), which is expected for a legacy hardware product that is no longer in production.
Sentiment
30 positive (63%) · 8 mixed (17%) · 10 negative (21%)
Trust + time weighted score: +38% · raw score 42%
What redditors said (10 of 48)
Parent context: Well I do have some EF lenses. Reply: They hurry up and buy it, it's a 5DII, it's still an awesome camera even all these years later!
I have a 5D mark II, which was $2,700 in 2008. Adjusted for inflation that's almost $4,300. They're ~$250 now, which is 6% of the original price.
They are workhorses and still shoot the same professional quality they did when pro's used them back then. The autofocus sucks, but use the centre point and shoot like it's 1999. The ISO performance is quite decent all considered, and with modern noise reduction it's not much worry.
It's made in 2004 so it's really old technology. If you have nothing now, then. It's better than no camera. But honestly, it's not the best option. I had this exact camera, but I bought it when it was new and it was quickly outdated because the newer cameras are much better at high ISO and things like color and focus speed are lacking as well.
I paid $85 for mine. Didn’t have any info but knowing how durable the 5D2 is I took the risk and it’s been working hard for me.
$80 for a 5D Mark II is a solid price if it actually works, but a seller being cagey about details is always a yellow flag. I'd push hard for shutter count and at least one test photo before committing, because worst case you're out $80 on a body that won't fire.
My Mk2 takes a leasurely 3-5 seconds to start up after turning on or waking up from sleep. Not great for spontaneous shots.
Bringing it along on a trip with the kids is nylon ideal, though. Way too slow. Takes ages to turn on. It takes ages to flush its internal memory to the CF card... Its shutter is loud like a jackhammer. It forces you to slow down. That’s one thing I like about it. And it still takes very nice photos.
I went from the Canon 5D Mark II to the Canon R8. The leap in quality and features is huge.
Canon 5D Mark II was a workman’s camera and supported many a photographer. It’s a solid machine!
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