Michael Guncheon - Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Michael Guncheon
CANON EOS 5D Mark II

Magic Lantern Guides

Michael Guncheon

A Division of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
New York / London

Editor: K. Helmkamp
Book Design and Layout: Michael Robertson
Cover Design: Thom Gaines Electron Graphics

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Guncheon, Michael A., 1959
Canon EOS 5D Mark II / Michael Guncheon. -- 1st ed.
p. cm. -- (Magic lantern guides)
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-60059-536-3 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Canon digital cameras--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 2.
Photography--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3. Single lens reflex
cameras--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 4. Photography--Digital
techniques--Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title.
TR263.C3G95 2009
771.3'2--dc22

2009001437

1 09 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

First Edition

Published by Lark Books, A Division of
Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
387 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016

Text 2009, Michael Guncheon
Photography 2009, Michael Guncheon unless otherwise specified

Distributed in Canada by Sterling Publishing,
c/o Canadian Manda Group, 165 Dufferin Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6K 3H6

Distributed in the United Kingdom by GMC Distribution Services,
Castle Place, 166 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England BN7 1XU

Distributed in Australia by Capricorn Link (Australia) Pty Ltd.,
P.O. Box 704, Windsor, NSW 2756 Australia

This book is not sponsored by Canon.

The written instructions, photographs, designs, patterns, and projects in this volume are intended for the personal use of the reader and may be reproduced for that purpose only. Any other use, especially commercial use, is forbidden under law without written permission of the copyright holder.

Canon, EOS, Rebel, Speedlite, and other Canon product names or terminology are trademarks of Canon Inc. Other trademarks are recognized as belonging to their respective owners.

Every effort has been made to ensure that all the information in this book is accurate. However, due to differing conditions, tools, and individual skills, the publisher cannot be responsible for any injuries, losses, and other damages that may result from the use of the information in this book. Because specifications may be changed by manufacturers without notice, the contents of this book may not necessarily agree with software and equipment changes made after publication.
If you have questions or comments about this book, please contact:
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67 Broadway
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 253-0467
Manufactured in the USA
All rights reserved
ISBN 13: 978-1-60059-536-3
For information about custom editions, special sales, premium and corporate purchases, please contact Sterling Special Sales Department at 800-805-5489 or specialsales@sterlingpub.com.

Advanced sensor and image processing technology have greatly improved the the quality of photos captured with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

When Canon introduced the second-generation 5D, many people were surprised. The addition of high definition video recording capability in a digital SLR took the industry by storm. Announced at the international Photokina photography exhibition in Cologne, Germany, the already-popular full-frame camera showed that Canon had been working hard to bring a new and improved 5D to market. This is not just a slightly improved EOS 5D, it is a completely redesigned camera with improvements on almost every aspect of the 5D.

Introduced in September of 2008, the EOS 5D Mark II body measures 6.0 x 4.5 x 3.0 inches (152 x 113.5 x 75 mm) and weighs 28.6 ounces (810 g) without the lens. The new full-frame sensor increases the pixel count from 12.8 to 21.1 megapixels. The sensor also incorporates improved circuitry and an advanced color filter that increases sensitivity and improves color fidelity. A key feature of this new CMOS sensor is low power consumption that allows for HD video recording through the Live View shooting feature.

At the heart of the image processing circuitry is a brand-new DIGIC 4 image processor. This special chip is the latest in a long line of Canon-designed image processors. The DIGIC 4 provides even faster image processing than ever before with higher sensitivity and lower noise.

As a matter of convenience (and for easier reading), in this book I often refer to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II as the 5D Mark II. The original camera was known as the 5D not the 5D Mark I, so when the two cameras are compared it is accurate to refer to the 5D and the 5D Mark II.

Some photographers have purchased the 5D Mark II as an upgrade from the EOS 30D, EOS 5D, 1D Mark II, or 1Ds Mark II. Others, however, are making their first high-quality digital camera investment. For those photographers new to digital SLR photography, this book begins with an assortment of basic topics and concepts. Experienced digital photographers (or anyone who has read guides to other Canon EOS digital SLRs) already familiar with these terms and concepts should skip ahead to the detailed sections on camera operations beginning on .

Canon created this high-performance camera so that it would meet the requirements of professionals and advanced amateurs. Since photographers with a wide range of backgrounds use this camera, the first chapter starts with some basic information about digital photography. While this book thoroughly explores all of the 5D Mark IIs features, you certainly dont need to know how to operate every one of them.

The EOS 5D Mark II is one of Canon's most evolved digital products to date. This full-frame model is the first to offer high-definition video capture in a single-lens-reflex camera, and is the first camera maker to offer this technology.

Once you comprehend what a feature does, you may decide it is not necessary to master it in order to achieve your desired photographic results. Learn the basic controls. Explore any additional features that work for you. Forget the rest. At some point in the future you can always delve further into this book and work to develop your 5D Mark II techniques and skills. Just remember that the best time to learn about a feature is before you need it.

Digital cameras do some things differently than traditional film cameras, making them exciting and fun to use no matter whether you are an amateur or a pro. For digital beginners, many of these differences may seem complicated or confusing. Though most of the features found on a traditional Canon EOS camera are also available on the 5D Mark II, there are many controls and operations unique to digital. Other features have been added to increase the cameras versatility for different shooting styles. The goal of this guide is to help you understand how the camera operates so that you can choose the techniques that work best for you and your style of photography.

Just a few years ago it was easy to tell the difference between photos taken with a digital camera and those shot with a traditional film camera: Pictures from digital cameras just didnt measure up in quality. This is no longer true. With the 5D Mark II, you can make prints of at least 16 x 20 inches (40.6 x 50.8 cm) that will match an enlargement from 35mm film.