5DmkII - Useless for birding?

[Bass Sweden]

Hi guys!
Im trying to figure out if i should buy the 5DmkII + 400/5.6L or 1DmkIII + 400/5.6L + 1.4x TC.
I would rather own the 5DmkII for my other types of photographing.. but i would love to start shooting birds as well.
I was woundering if anyone have experience with birding with a 5D? Is it useless for birding cos of AF?

[Michael Pancier]

I wouldn't say it's "useless" insofar as stills and large birds in flight; but it will not track as well as the 1d Mark III. However, the image quality and the high ISO is superior on the 5d Mark II. So I'd say what's your primary purpose vis a vis shooting? If you're primarily a landscape shooter go with the 5d Mark II. If you're primary a wildlife shooter, go with the Mark III.

[Bass Sweden]

I wouldn't say it's "useless" insofar as stills and large birds in flight; but it will not track as well as the 1d Mark III. However, the image quality and the high ISO is superior on the 5d Mark II. So I'd say what's your primary purpose vis a vis shooting? If you're primarily a landscape shooter go with the 5d Mark II. If you're primary a wildlife shooter, go with the Mark III.

Hi and thanx!
I wont be shooting mainly wildlife, but it would be great to be able to do both. I really would love to own the 5DmkII..
When people talk about the bad and slow preformance of the 5D´s.. are they talking about AI Servo? I never used anything but single shooting anyways.. but would the AF in single shoot be fast enough for birds in flight?
Been a while since i owned a camera.. would love to get out there again now ;)

Fun to share.. so:
2 old shoots.. first with 350D ;) 2nd with 40D

[Richard Bledsoe]

This is a question that is best answered by a 5D MK II owner who has tried to photograph birds in flight. It seems like a $2700 camera should be able to focus using AI servo. Could someone try it and give us the word?

[Michael Pancier]

The AI Servo on the 5d Mark II works as well as on the 1ds Mark III. It works fine with larger items such as dogs, people, cars, boats, and large birds (GBH's). But try to track something smaller, not going to be as fast.

I've not done birds in flight. I've tested it out with ducks, gators, boats, kids, and it tracks fine.

it's FPS are much less than on the other cameras and the file sizes huge, so in my opinion, if action is your primary focus, be it sports, or BIF, I'd go with a Mark III. But if you're going to use it for an occasional BIF and action shot, secondary to studio work or landscape, then the 5d Mark II is perfect for you.

if you shoot primarily in one shot mode, should be perfect for you.

[Judd Patterson]

I own the old 5D which is supposed to have the same autofocus abilities of the new 5D MII. I honestly find the 5D to have fairly decent AF for birds in flight (I've never owned a 1D series camera). I've even photographed fast swallows in flight with the 5D:
http://www.juddpatterson.com/view.ph...irds&absID=796

Larger birds are not a problem:
http://www.juddpatterson.com/view.ph...irds&absID=849

I think you will find the 5D MII to be adequate if your primary photography is not birds in flight.

[Dennys Bisogno]

The 5D and 5D MII have the same autofocus systems. I own both the 5D and 1DsMkIII and when it comes to focusing there is no comparison. All things being equal, meaning money is not a factor :) - If you want to track objects you better off with a 1D series camera.

I read an interesting article from a Canon executive regarding the 5DMII. When asked about why the new 5DMkII would be using a 3 year old AF (as the 5D), he politely explained that they did not see any reason to give the 5DMkII a different AF system since the 1D series already offered a system to cover for demanding AF environments.

Translation: We are not going to cannibalize entirely our 1D MIII market with a $2,700 system :) :)