Special offer

Canon 5D Mark II

By
Real Estate Agent with SurfTheTurf.com, Inc.

We finally got our Canon 5D Mark II camera body.  I'm sure that it will be a great camera as we love our Canon 5D, original version.  This one is 21 megapixels.

The feature that is really great is the video-related features.  Yes, you can actually take HD video with the camera.  But that's not the feature that has promise.  If you plug the video out plug into the camera, it disables the LCD display on the back of the camera and instead outputs it to the wire.  This means that you can plug the wire into a TV....or a portable TV or a portable DVD player with an A/V in.  THAT opens up the great opportunity for get a small (5-7 inch) flat panel TV and drop a wire from the pole that we use to take our pole pictures.  Thus, when you click on the remote trigger, the output will go directly to the portable TV and you can see the image that you just took!

There are still tests that we need to run like making sure the signal holds up over 20 feet of cable, and we need to get an inexpensive flat panel TV and use velcro to attach it to the pole.  But that very simply output feature is going to provide immediate live viewing of the images that we're taking, and so that will be great.  We COULD do this with the original 5D, but the only way to do it is to use a laptop and control the camera with the laptop, and we have never wanted to get that complicated.

Margaret Hokkanen, Encinitas Real Estate

Paul Guenther - WFG Title
WFG NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY - Flagstaff, AZ
The Extra Mile Is Part Of My Regular Route!

Margaret,

 It sounds great, but I got lost on "pole pictures"  Do you set up camera somewhere on a pole? and sap pictures from somewhere else?  I am sorry I am new to this and now lost :(

Dec 16, 2009 08:28 PM
Eric Lee
Realty Executives - Phoenix, AZ
e-PRO, SFR - Phoenix, AZ

Margaret - Have you seen the video "Reverie" by Vincent Laforet?: http://www.vincentlaforet.com/index_reverie.html

He shot this when the 5D MkII came out and it is entirely shot with the 5D Mk II, various still lenses and mostly available lighting. Just astounding for a $2700 still camera and just as capable as a $100,000 cinematic cameras. He's got a new one out with the 1D Mk IV as well.

I'm really looking forward to eventually stepping up to full-frame. The difference between the APS cameras and full-frame is pretty astounding.

Just a thought on what you're proposing (ie, attaching a screen to the camera for pole shooting.) How would you activate the shutter without the laptop controls? Wireless shutter release? Or are you talking video where you start it and then hoist the camera up and shoot?

Paul - Margaret is talking about Pole Aerial Photography. There is a group here dedicated to it although it doesn't see much action lately: http://activerain.com/groups/aerial  Basically you tie your camera to a pole (I use a 14' aluminum swimming pool pole) and hoist it up to take elevated shots of your listing. It works great for certain properties.

Dec 17, 2009 08:19 AM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Margaret - I love the idea of using an external monitor or TV to instantly view the photos.  I have an older HP Tablet Computer (model 1100TC) that is small, light, has it's own battery and your blog just gave me an amazing idea how I might be able to put it to use again.

Dec 24, 2009 03:28 AM
Floyd Magee
ERA Four Corner Real Estate - Farmington, NM

Margaret - I just bought the new 5D myself. I am taking my business to a new level and couldn't settle for less. Now, just gotta learn Photoshop, and get out there and go for it. I just hope that I can effectively use my new 5D for all it's worth. I have only used inexpensive poinnt and shoot cameras until now. I must say, dropping the $2500 and then $1500 more for my EF 16mm lens, was a huge leap of faith, but the listing photos around here are not very good. I hope to attract more high end listings with better photography. Best of luck to you!

 

Dec 29, 2009 03:47 PM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

Floyd - You made a very wise move by purchasing the more expensive ultra wide angle lens.  I can't wait to see your photos.  

Feb 11, 2010 08:17 AM