Today I took two photographs in my backyard that convinced me that the image quality of the Canon 5D Mark II is unmatched by any camera I have used.

To put it simply, I am in total awe of what this camera can produce.  Superb details, perfect clarity, and wonderful color rendition.

Here is the first of the two shots.

Click on Photograph for a larger version.

Here is the second shot.

Click on Photograph for a larger version.

I know, probably not photographs that most would care for, but what I am looking at is clarity, detail, and color rendition.  The shots were done with the Canon 300mm f/4L IS, hand held.  What surprised me was the bokah.

I am excited about using this camera in Scotland soon.  And that trip will likely result in my final review because I will be shooting daily under all kinds of different circumstances and all kinds of different subjects, including landscapes, red deer, puffins, and gannets.  Some shots will be done from boats.  It will be my test from the real world about how this camera works in the field.

For now, let me summarize some of my likes and dislikes about the camera:

Likes

1.  Stunning image quality.  For me this is the most important measure of any camera.  The Canon 5D Mark II is absolutely the best camera I have ever used.

2.  Good ergonomics.  It is easy to hold and use, with sensible buttons and dials.

3.  Easy to understand menu system.

4.  Superb LCD panel, great for looking at the sharpness of photographs in the field.

5.  Great HD video, if one can come to grips with what the camera is doing automatically.

6.  Live view can be useful for setting exposures, although it is a pain to do.

7.  Light weight. Perfect for use while hiking or long treks.

8.  No dust!  So far at least.  Thank you Canon, the dust cleaning system will save me thousands and thousands of hours during post processing.

9.  High ISOs that I can actually use!  The camera has opened up opportunities for shots I could never have done with a 1D series camera.  Absolutely.

Dislikes

1.  Build quality.  While a significant improvement over the Canon 5D, the 5D II still lacks professional camera status, particularly the battery door and the CF compartment.  While it feels substantial in my hands, it does not have the feel of a 1D series professional camera.  I worry about damage from using larger lenses with it, such as the 300mm f/2.8L IS, and I am very concerned about how well it will stand up in rain, saltwater, and other extreme weather conditions.  I worry about transport and already have ordered covers to protect it while traveling.

2.  Video shooting, while of great quality, is almost totally impossible to understand.  Apparently the camera is setting ISO, DOF, shutter speed, and other stuff automatically.  I like control of what I am doing and I have not idea what this camera is likely to do when I am shooting video, for example, if I set the aperture to f/16 it is not likely I will get f/16, it more likely I will get f/2.8.  And worse, the manual supplied with the camera is just about useless in the “how to” of shooting video.  On the good side is the superb shallow DOF the camera will produce with certain lenses.  Heretofore such capability would cost one tens of thousands of dollars to produce with a video camera.

3.  AF is slow even on the best lens Canon makes, the 300mm f/2.8L.  Although I must admit that I was able to keep flying terns in focus will little difficulty.

Recommendations on lenses for use with the camera:

1.  Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L II

2.  Canon 24mm f/1.4L II (Canon’s best wide angle lens).

3.  Canon 24-105mm f/4L (if I were to buy one lens this would be it).

4.  Canon 70-200mm f/4L (one of the sharpest zooms Canon makes and a perfect match for the 5D II).

5.  Canon 85mm f/1.2L (simply awesome for portraits, bokah like none other).

6.  Canon 300mm f/4L IS (great balance with the weight of the camera, superb quality, fantastic hand held lens).

7.  Canon 400mm f/5.6L (incredibly sharp, will work well with the 5D II because of weight).

I must remember, this camera is not one of Canon’s “professional grade” cameras.  It is aimed at the serious photographer, but not the professional.  I suspect though that many professionals will use it simply because of its superb image quality.  I can only image what the replacement for the Canon 1Ds Mark III will be like.  Whenever the Mark IV is announced, I will be looking for ways to buy one.

In sum, after a week long test of the camera, I am convinced it is the best I have ever used and that includes comparisons with four of Canon’s professional grade 1D series cameras.

After my next trip to Scotland I hope to provide you will a full and complete review of the Canon 5D Mark II with example photographs that one can only find there.  I can’t wait!