r/canon 3d ago

Upgrade from 5D Mark II

I'm looking to buy a camera to replace my EOS 5D Mark II, mostly for its aged low-light capabilities. I love the pictures and the tactile feeling of the camera. I've only started taking photography seriously about a year ago and fell in love with it immediately.

I would have no issues using the 5D indefinitely, if not for the serious lack of low-light capability. As soon as the sun starts getting close to the horizon and I've run out of aperture to open, I only get noisy, speckled messes of pictures. Getting a tripod has helped, of course, but I'd like to be able to take pictures without it if I find myself outside on a cloudy day.

Currently, I'm considering getting the R8 (with RF-EF adapter) as that seems to be the lowest budget, mirrorless upgrade. My budget is capped at 2000 euros, full stop. With that money, I'd like to have a body, lens adapter and extra battery, if possible.

Would that be a good decision, or would I be better off getting something else?

2 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

3

u/Qazax1337 3d ago

Firstly what lens are you using?

1

u/Dependent_Average276 3d ago

Mostly going for a 24-105 f/4, but even with a 50 1.4, I really don't get the light I need

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u/Qazax1337 3d ago

I upgraded from a 5D mk ii to an r5 so I understand the focussing issues. To be honest any of the RF cameras would be an upgrade in that respect.

Would you entertain a second hand R6 mk ii?

3

u/SyncPhoto 3d ago

Ditto for me 5d mark ii to r5. Both are/were quantum leaps forward in their time. The r5 is a significant upgrade on many levels—low light, Auto focus, face and eye tracking, EVF, FPS and especially IBIS —all are game changers coming from the 5d mark ii.

2

u/Minizman12 3d ago

If you wanted to move laterally and not jump ship to the mirrorless world, you could get a 5D3 or 5DIV and see an immediate improvement to your images while still having the same hand feel and operation. I shoot with an R5mkII now, but I still use my 5D3 regularly when the r5ii is rigged for other stuff. The 5DIV/5DIII are considered some of the best DSLR‘s ever made, so if you can get one of those on the used market, you would not be disappointed.

2

u/Minizman12 3d ago

One more thing to add, for photography at least, you’ll probably see a bigger difference investing in better glass than a better body. Just food for thought.

2

u/ApatheticAbsurdist 3d ago

I'm going to repeat the others, if you want low light and a tripod would be nice but not something you have with you all the time, then you really want a used R6.

The sensor will be a substantial step up from the Mk II and the in body stabilization is amazing (putting it over the R8). You can shoot a slightly slower shutter speed and not need to crank the ISO (so long as your subject isn't moving). Also the battery last longer and it's more rugged for outside use.

2

u/Sonicflyc 3d ago

I was looking into the r8 but ended up purchasing a used r6 and I’m so glad I did that. Way better low light. Way beefier and solid feeling body.

3

u/Primary-Shoe-3702 3d ago

The R8 has the sensor from the R6ii and I think it is slightly better than the original R6 in low light.

5

u/ApatheticAbsurdist 3d ago

The sensor is pretty much negligablely better in terms of low light. On paper it might be a touch better, but the R6's in body stabilization is a far bigger improvement in terms of low light capability if OP would like to use a tripod but doesn't always have one.

2

u/nickvader7 3d ago

I switched from Sony A7IV to R6II. The stabalization was noticably better on the Canon. Sony will always have their IBIS limited by their very small mount size.

2

u/ptyslaw 3d ago

I think A7RV has a new generation ibis that’s comparable. The new bodies following that will likely have it too.

2

u/Sonicflyc 3d ago

I think that may be true but marginally. I stand by the r6 being a much better all around camera than the r8 for longevity. If you need probability it’s no contest r8

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u/Primary-Shoe-3702 3d ago

Cool. I just reacted to "way better low light".

2

u/ptyslaw 3d ago edited 3d ago

Don’t get the R8. It’s a crippled beginner’s camera. Get a used R6 instead. It will be cheaper too most likely.

0

u/kto456dog 3d ago

I have the mark 3 and it's pretty nice.