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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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?
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?
