Is 2012, RIP For Canon 5DMKii ?

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As 2012 comes rapidly to a close, it may the end for the Canon 5D MKII.
Production of this camera will cease and be officially retired from the Canon EOS range, according to website Petapixel -

http://www.petapixel.com/2012/12/24/e...

The Canon 5d mk II, release Autumn of 2008 provided a Full Frame Sensor DSLR camera with HD recording capability and an interchangable lens system, it was famous for capturing the official portrait of President Obama, the first time ever American Presidential White House photographs were shot on Digital Camera, by official White House photographer Pete Souza in 2009.

Primarily aimed at photographers who shot video as part of news reportage along with photographs. It would be a photographer by the name of Vincent Laforet who would push and test out the video capability on a short film called Reverie, that he had jokingly dubbed a cheap aftershave commercial.

Many of those with a film production background were amazed at
the quality of image that could be achieved, especially how Vincent
lit it, when told them he shot it with natural night time lighting, they
stunned. Even more stunning was that the camera was on auto mode at the time and it held up so well, no one noticed any fluctuation in lighting or image quality.

Another to take hold of the 5D MkII this time on UK shores was a video based cameraman and DOP Philip Bloom, an advocate of using affordable tapeless HD cameras with film lenses his preference being Nikon, prior to using the 5D MKII. Philip had been using a Sony Xdcam EX1 and EX3 with a Letus 35mm adaptor to get cinematically looking shots, a trademark of his production.

A regular blogger he was sharing what could be achieved with this small camera body and lenses. It was this same camera that got him introduced to Star Wars Pioneer George Lucas and Indie filmmaker Robert Rodrigues.

With sites like Vimeo and Youtube sharing content and tips on the 5d mkii,many in the filmmaking and video fraternity embraced what in essence was a camera that cost half the price of a semi professional camera, but could shoot better quality images with an interchangeable lens offering.

The 5D mk ii image wise didn't have problem, but other areas it did come unstuck such poor audio recording, lack of headphone monitoring and sound for many of those in the film/video sector is a key component. Also it could only record video in short bursts and at only 30 fps back then.

This has Since been fixed with firmware updates to accommodate 25p and 24p recording and manual audio controls.

But enterprising and creative individuals found ways to overcome these limitations and make it work for them. And plethora of companies created a range of accessories
to accommodate for this such a Zacuto, RedRock Micro,Kessler and many others.

Cinematographer Shane Hurlburt shot a film with called Act Of Valor, showing not only that the Canon 5D MKII was capable of feature length work,but due to its size it could be strapped to a person for great POV angles, that would not have been possible with much larger cameras.

Gale Tattershall shot an entire episode season finale of US drama "House" and felt confident that is was more that capable and well upto the the rigour of broadcast
television production.

As 2012 marks the retirement of 5D MKII and introduction for the 5D MKIII its successor. 2012 maybe the end of the 5D MKII but the beginning of a revolution.

It will interesting to note if many will hold onto theirs as keepsakes or mementoes, or trade theirs in for another model. There's always value in keeping hold of a little piece of history.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia...


Source obama
http://www.businessinsider.com/2009/1...

Source http://vimeo.com/775431 philip bloom Piccadilly Furs HD

Sky Shot on the Canon 7D, 2x5DmkII and one Panasonic GF1
http://vimeo.com/8951807
http://philipbloom.co.uk/2010/01/24/sky/

http://www.hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/

Act of Valor Ice Cream Truck Sequence
http://hurlbutvisuals.com/blog/2012/0...

Canon Official content
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consume... credit still

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