dSLR Dad

After releasing firmware 1.1.0, Canon has published more information regarding the manual video exposure of the EOS 5D Mark II dSLR Camera:

Once installed, EOS 5D Mark II users will be able to utilize the ‘M’ mode setting to manually set shutter speed, lens aperture, and ISO when in Movie Mode. Previously, regardless of where the Mode Dial was physically set, video recording was always in the Program AE setting with no practical method to manually set a pre-determined exposure value. We’ll explain the procedure to manually set exposure during video recording in a moment — the important thing here is to note that users now have a choice during video recording, once firmware version 1.1.0 is installed: they can continue to let the camera set exposure completely automatically, as it has up to now, or they can manually set exposure themselves.

What this firmware does NOT do, at least at this time, is add or change features like the camera’s 30 frames per second framing rate, its fully automatic audio gain control, or add in-camera time code capability.

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Neutral Day has published an in-depth review of the full-frame Canon EOS 5D Mark II dSLR camera:

The 5D Mark II, naturally offers much more than this, but these are what grabbed my attention, in part because of what the competition was offering. Nikon had been producing its well received D700 for a short time with a 12 megapixel sensor, better AF system, and no HD video, while Sony had only just announced its own full frame offering, the Sony A900, with a whopping 24 megapixels, but no live view, no video, and a less sophisticated AF than the D700. (more…)

Canon is really excited about this.  The latest firmware for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, version 1.1.0, will now let dSLR Dads manually control the exposure while shooting 1080p HD video:

This new firmware will accommodate a great number of user requests for manual exposure control in the EOS 5D Mark II video mode. Manual exposure control while shooting video on the EOS 5D Mark II is expected to make a big impact with cinematographers and videographers using the 5D Mark II for high-end HD video production.

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Phil Holland has published his detailed review of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II Full-Frame dSLR:

Much like many of you I’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Canon 5D Mark II. Many things intrigued me and excited me about the camera, but the points that stood out to me personally were: Higher quality/range ISO, increase of resolution, full 1080p video support.

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Photographer Nick Devlin has published his field report of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II dSLR.  What follows are his impressions after a January, 2009 Expedition to the Antarctic:

The 5D Mark II is a hard camera to review. On one hand, it betters its predecessors in every respect and pushes the envelope of 35mm photography to new bounds at a relatively accessible price.  On the other hand, it is not the photographic second coming that its pre-release hype and anticipation suggested.  Given that the original 5D brought full-frame to the masses, the messianic metaphor isn’t altogether misplaced.  With this camera, Canon offers us mere mortals elevation into the exalted air of 20+ Megapixels – previously the terrain of MF backs and the über-pricey 1DsIII.  This is heady stuff, even in the era of camera-a-minute advancements and galloping Megapixel counts. (more…)

Does the Little Brother Have a Chance?

Rob Galbraith has had a chance to briefly compare the HD video feature of the new Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D versus the 5D Mark II dSLR Cameras.  He has found that:

• A shallow focus effect can definitely be achieved with the Rebel T1i.
• The Rebel T1i’s deep shadows may be less plugged than the 5D Mark II.
• For all but static scenes, the stutter of the 20fps 1080p mode in the Rebel T1i will be unwelcome.
• It’s possible to pull a usable still frame from Rebel T1i 720p video.
• While both camera models include a built-in mono mic, the sound quality from the 5D Mark II’s mic is richer and more live sounding.
• The 5D Mark II has an external stereo miniphone mic jack. The Rebel T1i doesn’t.
• The Rebel T1i has a video capture setting on its mode dial, and a record start/stop button separate from the Set button.
• The Rebel T1i has a 4GB clip length limit, the same as the 5D Mark II.

You can read the entire preview at Rob Galbraith DPI.  You can find more information about the Canon EOS Rebel T1i 500D here.

B&H Photo has the Canon EOS 5D Mark II dSLR camera body in stock and shipping.  Please note, that unlike other retailers, it is selling at it’s correct Street Price of $2,699.95.  If you were hoping to order the 5D Mark II and EF 24-105mm f/4L lens kit, you’re are going to have to wait, it is still listed on back order.

Chris Sanderson has documented his impressions of trying to use a Canon EOS 5D Mark II to capture HD video while on an Expedition to the Antarctic in January:

Let’s be clear at the outset – the video files from the Canon 5D MkII are very good and very useable, as has been shown by many examples posted on the web. I don’t think anyone needs confirmation at this stage that the Canon 5D MkII produces very good stills and good HD video. Rather, for me the question was whether this camera could be used successfully to cover both stills and video in the field. The answer is ‘maybe...’. Know the limitations of the camera and possibly discover your own – as I did.

Certainly the camera is highly competent for stills. For video it’s a bit of a stretch. A stretch both for the camera and the operator. This then is not really a review but more of a story of one person’s experience with the camera on location using it as the primary capture device to record both stills and video on a trip to Antarctica in January 2009.

You can read the entire story at The Luminous Landscape.  As always, you can find more reviews about the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in the dSLR Dad Resource Guide.  All dSLR Dad articles on the 5D MarkII can be found here.

Digital Photography Review has published their typically-epic review of the 21-Megapixel Canon EOS 5D Mark II:

While there are still other cameras in its class with marginally higher resolution, marginally better high ISO performance, more advanced AF, faster performance, better weather sealing and more solid build quality – and the Sony A900’s built-in anti-shake remains unique in the full frame arena – the 5D Mark II is certainly one of the best value for money propositions on the market for image quality – especially in RAW, where you really can see the benefit of all 21 million pixels. Canon has also wisely made only minor tweaks to the external interface, so that 5D users can jump right in and feel at home. Looking at the package as a whole the EOS 5D Mark II seems hard to beat.

We have always placed a heavy emphasis on image quality, and all other things aside this means the 5D Mark II has to receive our highest rating. When you consider the price of the EOS-1Ds Mark III, the 5D Mark II seems like quite a bargain. In our review of the original 5D we said ‘only history will tell if the EOS 5D is the start of a full frame revolution or simply the first of a new niche format’. Now we have to wait to see if the 5D Mark II (and the Nikon D90) are the start of the convergence of high end video and still photography cameras. But even if you never shoot video, and consider Live View to be a pointless novelty, the EOS 5D Mark II has an awful lot to recommend it to the serious photographer.

You can read the entire in-depth review at dPreview.  As always, you can find more reviews about the Canon EOS 5D Mark II in the dSLR Dad Resource Guide.  All dSLR Dad articles on the 5D MarkII can be found here.

Canon has issued firmware update version 1.0.7 for the Canon EOS 5D Mark II dSLR Camera.  This firmware change is supposed to help with both the black dot and banding issues:

It improves and mitigates the following image quality phenomena.

1. “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or greater on a monitor or if extremely large prints of the images are made. This firmware improves and mitigates this phenomenon.
2. Vertical banding noiseIf the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background. The firmware improves and mitigates this phenomenon.

This firmware revision also requires a software update to the Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software:

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