Just bought a Canon 5D mark ii....my upgrade from 350D

[Andrea1]

Hi Everyone,

I have just bought a 5D mark ii....yes i know the mark iii is out but not in my budget!

So my question is, did you find it a bit overwhelming at the beginning? I'm going out tomorrow to try it out and i'm hoping that i won't be pulling my hair out!

Are there any good sites/boks to help?

Thanks

(please tell me you also got new camera jitters!)

[ricktas]

You have gone from a consumer DSLR to a semi-pro level one, the learning curve is fairly much about features. The basics of ISO, Aperture and shutter speed remain constant across all DSLR. The photographer is the key, composition etc are all up to you! Enjoy the learning experience.

[Andrea1]

I agree Rick, it's the photographer that makes the photo.
I think it's all the different features that i want to become familiar with, the basics are fine.
I probably would've continued with the 350d if it didn't die!

[ricktas]

Remember that most of the extra features are just that extras. The basics are what is needed to get high quality photographs. Learn the extras but do not stress about trying to learn them all. Take your time, but in the meantime, enjoy the new camera, take photos, and have fun doing it!

[fabian628]

I do not think you will be overwhelmed if you knew your 350d pretty well. You will like the large view finder and nice IQ. Need good lenses to get the most out of the megapixels though

[fess67]

YES!!! At the beginning it just felt odd....not wrong, odd. The shutter sound for instance, it has a deeper, more reasonant tone. The shutter feels slower, heavier, more deliberate...it does not feel right, you are used to light and nimble.

Your knowledge is not the issue, you are driving a new car, the controls and feel are different. Once you are used to those aspects you will start to drive it with comfort and confidence.

Then LOOK OUT!!! It is a great camera, I love mine and am always amazed at the quality it produces.

Enjoy the journey, you are about to have lots and lots of fun

[camerasnoop]

There's none of those funny symbols below the green rectangle on the mode dial.

[Andrea1]

I now have a 24-105 lens....a bit different to the 18-55 i used for years!

[fess67]

I now have a 24-105 lens....a bit different to the 18-55 i used for years!

True but then again.....remember you are now on a full frame. 18 back then was 18*1.6 = 28.8. so on the wide side you are already wider with 24.

Go pick yourself 5 subjects and have a play

[roastman]

I went from the 350D to the 50D and now to the 5D MKII. I love it! The frame rate on my 50D was faster, but the 50D has more pixels and is that bit better when shooting low light. The 5D MKII has many shares features with the 350D (in terms of underlying menus), but it has a few extras, as well as the dial on the rear of the camera. Once you are aware of where to find everything, you should find it easier to use than the 350D. One thing that has helped me is to keep an electronic copy of the user manual on my iPad or iPhone. If I then forget how to access a function (recently got stuck trying to work out how to turn on the video shooting function), then I have an instruction manual handy.

It is a great camera. Now, if only I had a great photographer in control of mine!