A question for those with the 5D MK2

02/17/2009 10:04:47 AM · #1

How long does the battery last?

02/17/2009 10:34:56 AM · #2

I've found the battery to be extremely long lasting, no issues at all.

JaimeVinas

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

02/17/2009 10:40:07 AM · #3

Originally posted by NPShields:

I've found the battery to be extremely long lasting, no issues at all.

Cool, so it should last a day of landscaping photo taking, right? :D

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/17/2009 10:53:01 AM · #4

Good question since extra batteries for it are not yet in the retail chain, unless it has happened in the last couple days. I got one on order.

Over the weekend I took 300 frames at two events. At both events I used a 24-15mm and a 70-200mm lens which are both image stabilized and USM. In most all frames I used a 580EX II flash. In addition to that I gave the continuous frame with flash capability of the 5DII a workout.

The battery was fully charged when I stated. Right now it sits at 71% capacity.

That seems pretty decent to me. One or two extra batteries and you can probably take as many pictures as you want without running out of battery power.

Message edited by author 2009-02-17 11:04:38.

Beetle

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/17/2009 10:53:52 AM · #5

I think they lasted a little longer in my 40D, but not a huge difference.
And the 40D was absolutely amazing in that regard, so I'm happy enough with it.

Using IS lenses makes a big difference, and I assume video would chew through it.

signal2noise

Leica M9

Leica 50mm f/1.4 Summilux M MF - Chrome

02/17/2009 11:19:08 AM · #6

I did two shoots this past weekend with >500 shots per event. I recharged each night, just to be safe, but the battery never registered low during the events.

lifeafter2am

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/17/2009 11:24:23 AM · #7

I shot a little over 500 frames one day with it, never dropped below 50%. I am absolutely amazed with the battery life. I wasn't using the IS on my lens though, but did have the grip on the whole time.

Paul

Leica SL

Voigtlander Ultron 35mm f/1.7 Aspherical MF Wide Angle - Black

02/17/2009 11:35:06 AM · #8

I concur - it lasts much longer than I thought it might; I tend to charge it about once a week. When I shot pins dropping for the Silence II challenge I took easily over 1000 shots that week.

JaimeVinas

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

02/17/2009 11:54:52 AM · #9

Originally posted by Beetle:

Wait a minute here, will the battery on the 40D work on the 5D MK2?

boss351

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/17/2009 12:05:55 PM · #10

Originally posted by JaimeVinas:

Originally posted by Beetle:
I think they lasted a little longer in my 40D, but not a huge difference.
And the 40D was absolutely amazing in that regard, so I'm happy enough with it.

Using IS lenses makes a big difference, and I assume video would chew through it.

Wait a minute here, will the battery on the 40D work on the 5D MK2?

No, its a different battery.

02/17/2009 01:22:06 PM · #11

Ultimately, I guess it's all relative depending on what type of shooting you do. I shoot a lot of high action sports events and this camera and battery have served me well. I have three different camera bodies and sadly they all require different types of batteries; the 5D MarkII battery is not used in any other body that I know of at this time. I did purchase an extra battery so they are available; don't know the rules here to know whether or not I can mention where I bought it! :( I'll learn the ropes soon! I have not used the video aspect and agree that would drain the battery; I also rarely use the "live view" and I'm sure that would also make a huge difference, too.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

02/17/2009 01:35:21 PM · #12

Originally posted by NPShields:

...don't know the rules here to know whether or not I can mention where I bought it! :( I'll learn the ropes soon!

Yep, it's fine to mention where you bought it, as long as it doesn't involve something illegal!

Message edited by author 2009-02-17 13:40:41.

02/17/2009 01:38:25 PM · #13

I purchased my extra battery through B&H and yes, it was a totally legal purchase!! :)

02/17/2009 01:41:37 PM · #14

If someone is considering this camera body it's not the batteries that you need to worry about; it's the CF cards! If you're shooting in RAW the 21 megapixel aspect will make your cards practically "disappear". I really wish that the camera wasn't any more than 15 megapixels; seems to be overkill to me unless you're printing billboards! It is a great camera but you need to include more CF cards when determining a budget.

lifeafter2am

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/17/2009 01:45:18 PM · #15

Originally posted by NPShields:

You can always shoot sRAW1. Personally I like the flexibility of being able to crop a fair amount and still come out with a 12MP image.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/17/2009 03:00:05 PM · #16

Originally posted by NPShields:

Big concern to someone who can lay out $2700 for the camera body? 8 gig card is 60 bucks and that's over 300 raws per card.

k4ffy

02/17/2009 03:14:03 PM · #17

Originally posted by violinist123:

Originally posted by NPShields:
If someone is considering this camera body it's not the batteries that you need to worry about; it's the CF cards! If you're shooting in RAW the 21 megapixel aspect will make your cards practically "disappear". I really wish that the camera wasn't any more than 15 megapixels; seems to be overkill to me unless you're printing billboards! It is a great camera but you need to include more CF cards when determining a budget.

Big concern to someone who can lay out $2700 for the camera body? 8 gig card is 60 bucks and that's over 300 raws per card.

actually i bought a Kingston 16 GB card from J&R on saturday for $27.99 and tested it for sustained write speeds of 20 MB/s. Not bad.

ETA: it was actually $29, still quite a deal.
this was the card if anyone is looking for a cheap 16GB to pick up: j&r

Message edited by author 2009-02-17 16:04:43.

02/17/2009 03:53:27 PM · #18

Thankfully CF cards have come down greatly in pricing and I'm too ignorant to determine whether or not the Extreme IV cards are worth it but that is what I buy because I shoot a lot of action work; I shoot a lot of high volume events, typically shooting with two bodies at once so I would have four 8GB cards. Most people are probably not doing that type of shooting but when recommending a camera I like to warn people of "hidden expenses"; for this camera it's the fact that the batteries are not interchangeable with other bodies and it does eat cards; wouldn't be a big factor for "normal" type shooting but I shoot a lot of Sports, equestrian, etc. Yes, it's an expensive camera but I watch every penny that I put into my equipment, making sure that it's all a good investment. Impressive stats regarding the Kingston card; thanks for pointing that out!

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

02/17/2009 04:38:06 PM · #19

The newer Sandisk Extreme III cards will do about 30MB/s and are reasonably priced. the Extreme IV cards will do just over 40MB/s, but at a significant premium in cost. As far as reliability, I believe that Sandisk has had the fewest problems over the years, and so I will spend a few dollars extra for them.
Whether the difference between, say, 20MB/s and 40MB/s makes a difference in-camera depends on how fast the camera can write from buffer; I'm not familiar with whether it will make a difference with the 5DII.
Upload speeds to the 'pooter with large cards are a concern. A full 16GB card will take over 13 minutes to transfer at 20MB/s, so this is not an inconsequential consideration. In order to take advantage of the high speeds of modern UDMA cards, a *fast* card reader is required.

Artifacts

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/17/2009 09:03:51 PM · #20

Agreed that the 5DII files are gianormous and take lots of card space!

I have three 16 Gig Extreme III cards and hope that is enough. I figure I can only get 1600-1700 images on all three cards, but while in training wheel mode I've been keeping a small .jpg file with the RAW images. I'll probably discontinue that and just keep the RAW so I'll be able to fit a few more images on the cards.

A non-trivial issue for those of us that are impatient is the amount of time it takes to upload large card files. With the USB 2.0 card reader I have it takes over an hour to upload just one card. :( That is way too much time. Firewire or, better yet, eSATA hopefully speeds that up.

My son is building a new desktop for me and the parts arrive tomorrow. Among those parts is an internal card reader with an eSATA connector so I will be able to test and see how much of a "real world" difference in upload speeds that makes soon enough.

In a mini-safari last weekend the camera in continuous frame mode seemed to capture and record images very fast. I think it takes about 4 frames/sec and that is plenty fast enough for my needs. It slows down after a bit but if you hold down the shutter it will keep going until you fill the card.

Message edited by author 2009-02-17 21:05:08.

david_c

Canon EOS-7D

02/17/2009 09:37:41 PM · #21

Speaking of the $3099 (CDN) 5D MKII that I would dearly love to own...it was put in perspective today when I walked in to my local Home Depot. I was there to purchase some screws to finish off a honey-do, and my eye was caught by a sleek green & yellow John Deere riding mower. You know, the best you'd find at Home Depot. The price tag?

$3099.

lifeafter2am