It’s here! The Canon EOS 5D Mark II

After a long wait, the much anticipated Canon EOS 5D Mark II is in my hands. The update to the original and classic Canon EOS 5D, the 5D Mark II is a full-frame digital SLR with 21.1 juicy megapixels, a DIGIC 4 Image Processor, an ISO range of 50 to 25600, 3.9 fps, 150,000 cycle shutter life, Live view, and 1080p High-Definition video recording at 30fps. I purchased the kit including the EF24-105 f/4L IS USM lens which I’ll write about in the future.

I must admit that as a landscape and architectural photographer, I’m very excited about Live View and the new LCD display. Live view will allow me to frame my compositions with a rule-of-thirds grid superimposed over the scene and I’ll be able to manually focus with greater precision. The new 3.0″ LCD display with 920,000 pixels is absolutely beautiful and allows the photographer to judge the sharpness of the image, something I was never comfortable doing in the past.

My first experience with the 5D Mark II in the field will occur tomorrow. I’ll be working with a student, but I’m sure I will find some time to fire off a few test shots with the new camera. I’ll have another opportunity to test the camera tomorrow night when I photograph the Lighting of Ledoux. An annual holiday event in the oldest art district in Taos, the Lighting of Ledoux  involves lining the street with farolitos (paper sacks weighted with sand with a lit candle inside) creating a magical scene that is often filled with carolers and the beat of drums from members of the Taos Pueblo.

Please click on any image for an expanded view.

This entry was posted on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 8:09 pm and is filed under Canon 5D Mark II, Equipment, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.