Canon EOS 5D M2: the first hands on review

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II is a legend in the world of digital photography, a camera that has stood the test of time and continues to be a favorite among professionals and enthusiasts alike. As a photographer this is my choice, that I will use mostly for portraits, travelling and documentary. But yesterday I decided to test this classic full-frame DSLR to see how it holds up in today's fast-paced photography environment.

Equipment:

CANON EOS 5D M2

YONGNUO 50mm f1.8

After 11 years I back to shoot RAW to make this review. I worked in RAW + JPG fine. I used JPG in Picture Style MONOCHROME. Edited in Adobe Lightroom Classic.

Build and Design

The 5D Mark II boasts a solid, rugged build that feels substantial in hand. The magnesium alloy body is durable and weather-sealed, making it suitable for various shooting conditions. Its weight, while heavier than many modern cameras, provides a reassuring heft that balances well with larger lenses.

Heavy, bulky, loud as hell. It was a slow-down experience, putting myself in another mindset and approach. Yes, the camera you use will change the approach and the photos you make. For this reason is important to choose the camera working for you. As I said I purchased the camera for specific purposes as portrait photography, work for the clients, but also some documentary work and travelling.

The Yongnuo 50mm f1.8 is not the best solution, but is just the lens I have right now. It will be replaced with the 50mm Canon as soon as possible.

Image Quality

One of the standout features of the Canon 5D Mark II is its 21.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. The image quality is impressive, with excellent detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The color reproduction is natural and pleasing.

With that said, i will say a thing that many will disagree but is my idea so: as you know I am used to work JPG only. I back to shoot RAW only for this review and forging my idea about the RAW quality with this camera: I don’t notice a particular difference with Fine JPG. I also find it inconvenient for my type of process to see when I process files in color. I find it an interruption from the view I have of the images I have created. By shooting directly Fine JPG in black and white in any phase I see the image in black and white, so I will continue to work only in Fine JPG using camera log, both sharpness and contrast turned off to allow me to make these choices only later in post-production with Lightroom.

Autofocus System

The 5D Mark II features a 9-point autofocus system with 6 assist points, which, while not as advanced as modern AF systems, is reliable and accurate for most street photography needs. But guys, I really use one, the center point and then I recompose.

I know that today the marketing proposes systems with a lot of alternatives of auto-focus in a camera, but…do we really need them? I am sorry, but I am an old photographer, and the center point is sufficient to make the job. Usually for street photography with my mirrorless cameras I go with zone focusing technique, it means manual focus. With a DSLR camera I think center point is sufficient.

The camera's intuitive layout and customizable controls make it easy to use, even for those transitioning from other camera systems. The viewfinder is bright and clear, offering a 98% coverage, which is helpful for composing shots accurately. The 98% is not a problem at all, when you know you count with a little more margin than what is framed, is better to have it and cropping it out after.

I bought it in the used camera market: no manual included. But you need I need that? I come from the same system with my Rebel cameras and the M200, and it was sufficient 30 minutes to understand anything I need to use the camera. Canon in my opinion has the best user interface.

Battery Life

The battery life of the 5D Mark II is commendable, with a single charge lasting for a full day of shooting, depending on usage. This is a significant advantage for street photographers and travelling photographers who spend long hours capturing the streets without access to charging facilities.

This is something many forgot because mirrorless are hungry with batteries.

The Street Experience

Using the Canon 5D Mark II on the streets is an experience that combines nostalgia witha different perception of myself while working. The camera's size and weight give it a presence that commands respect, both from the photographer and the subjects: you have to be aware iof this especially if you go in certain places as I did yesterday. While this might make it less discreet than some modern mirrorless cameras, it also lends a sense of purpose and seriousness to the act of taking a photo: it slows me down. My approach in any case is changed further for some time and I photograph much less, observing more.

The shutter sound of the 5D Mark II is distinct and loud, a mechanical reassurance that you've captured a moment, but of course makes it evident that you made a photograph. This auditory feedback, combined with the tactile feel of the camera's controls, creates an immersive shooting experience. Each press of the shutter feels deliberate and meaningful, a far cry from the silent, almost invisible process of shooting with a modern mirrorless camera. I think that can be a pros and cons, in any case I never advocate the “ninjia approach” and I donì’t hide wuhat I do on the street. I figure out myself shooting landscapes and the noisy shutter could be even pleasant.

Walking through the bustling streets of Mexico City with the 5D Mark II, I found myself more engaged with my surroundings. The camera's viewfinder offers a clear and expansive view, allowing for thoughtful composition and precise framing: I made a lot of photos of buildings too. The weight of the camera, while noticeable, becomes a part of the rhythm of shooting, grounding each shot in a physicality that enhances the connection to the scene. However, it happens something with a bulky and evident camera like this: at a certain point people after noticed me and my camera back to their activities, and I can photograph even at very close distance.

The dynamic range allows for a nuanced rendering of the interplay between light and shadow, crucial for my black and white street photography where contrast can often be stark. In fact I can see a result in the texture that makes the images more physical, material.

To shoot with a 50mm is my new challenge. As you know I photograph most of the time with am equivalent 28mm, and the 38.4 on my Canon Rebel T7. But i think 50mm is really the great opportunity for my photography goals. I want more and more working with the 50mm lens for my portraiture works. From the street photographer’s point of view it feels weird sometimes, but it gives you this advantage of not intervention in the scene that can be a good thing in certain situations. I also love how a character in the foreground in the fast paced street action gets blurred. This is what I can also appreciate in my 70mm with the Olympus Pen.

Conclusion

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II can be a powerful tool for photographers. Of course it is for portrait photographers or a quiet landscape to photograph. But thinking it from the point of view as a street documentary photographer busy in expeditions, to know that now I can count with this tank is reassuring.

Its excellent image quality, reliable performance, and robust build make it a camera that can still compete with newer models. While it may lack some of the modern features found in the latest cameras, that sincerely and personally I don’t miss, its timeless design and proven capabilities make it a worthy investment for anyone serious about photography. For those who value image quality and durability, the 5D Mark II is a classic choice that continues to deliver exceptional results. And now you can get it for a cheap price as i did.

The Canon 5D Mark II will be a trusted companion, a tool that allows me to engage deeply with my subjects.