This $330 Legendary Camera is All You Need to Take Great Photos 

I purchased this camera a decade ago because of you 😏

The first full frame digital camera I ever owned. Good memories. I remember Best Buy in my town only had 1 in stock that was being held for some other local photographer. They told me it was supposed to be picked up that day and if it was still unclaimed an hour before they close it would be mine. Well, I came back and it was mine.

Seeing this camera again after so long makes me feel like we've gone back to the old days of DRTV, it's nostalgic.

Just got bought one of these for my birthday with only 17000 shots on it. I honestly couldn’t be happier with it, the pictures it takes are just amazing. Was so glad I found your channel again, I used to love watching you and Lok when I was a kid, and seeing you both still doing what you love is just brilliant.

These kinds of videos feel like a breath of fresh air compared to the hundreds of 'newest camera of brand x vs y'. Enjoyed the video very much.

I'm a professional photographer and whenever people ask me what camera to get to start out I always suggest the 5D MKII. I have found that rarely do people like the answer of an old used camera though. I think they often just want an excuse to buy something new and exciting.

5D MKII was my first full frame camera, I made a ton of money with that camera, it traveled across countries with me, and this video reminds me how much I wish I never sold it.

Just bought it 3 days ago, it is such an incredible weapon of production, mostly for stills, not recommended for sports, but for studio, it is absolutely great. Thanks Kai, you made me happy with my decision

I always remember Zack Arias repeating for years that a Canon 5D with a 35/2.0 and 85/1.8 is everything you need to get you started as a pro photographer and cover about 90% of situations :)

Coming from a fashion background, I'd say this was the first digital camera to ever truly break the mould in my industry over traditional medium format. It really changed things in terms of ease of use and portability, plus cost! Ultimately, the images could really stand up. Stick a quality prime on the 5D2, at incredibly low cost compared to medium format, and it blew the market wide open. All of a sudden high end commercial photography became truly accessible to a lot of folk. That camera created stunning images. All you needed was the talent to make them. I sat back a few years and ended up with a Nikon D800, and it's still (by far!) my favourite camera, and what I still rely on for my professional work. Build quality on both these cameras is superb. Output - with the right lenses, absolutely breathtaking!

What's crazy is watching you review this camera like a decade ago only for it to be found so cheap now. Thanks for the years of content Kai!

Bought this one in 2011, it changed my life, my first full-frame camera. It was absolutely phenomenal. Sitting in the drawer for years now, I'm too sentimental to sell.

I'm starting to find reviews of old gear much more interesting than the new stuff. It's great to know that you can now get such a capable digital camera for such little money. I'm getting tired of hearing about how the latest overpriced cameras are the best thing ever to happen to photography, only for it to be replaced a year later, and the previous model magically becomes a piece of turd.

I have been saying the same thing for a while. I personally have stuck with a Nikon D700 as my main street photography camera, the color science in that body is phenomenal, weather sealed and just rugged as hell. Even with its lower MP count it still turns out amazing photos today. I have more modern cameras but this is the one I keep going back to. It just works.

I just wanted to say that my early interest in photography as a hobby was largely fueled by your content at DRTV. It took a year's worth of savings over a decade ago as a starving student for me finally get a second-hand 5DII. Worth every penny.

I sold my Mark II in 2014. I’ve had it for almost four years at that point and really put it to good use. I absolutely loved it and what it could do. I currently own a Mark IV and the 5D series truly is one of the best full frame DSLR cameras ever made.

This gave me some real DigitalRev vibes 👌 Can't believe how unobtainable this camera looked to me when I saw you review it over a decade ago.

I bought one of these well used in 2013 for around $1600 and it was my fave camera. I just bought one again friday for $219. Still love how this camera shoots and feels even better than some of the newer mirrorless cameras that I've owned from Canon. Maybe its the nostalgia, but I still love it!

Recently bought a 5D III and have been using it for car and motorsport photography. 10 years old and still an absolute beast!

I am watching this guy after so many years, didn't know he left HK studio and moved back to the UK

love this idea for a video! Please keep revisiting old cameras. What a blast.

It's SOOOOO refreshing to hear *real* photographers like Kai discuss focusing on cheaper bodies and more expensive glass. Nearly everywhere you look you see those annoying videos entitled, _"Is it still worth it in 2023?"_ 🤮 🤮🤮from people who are clearly not real photographers because they have to rely on the absolute newest technology to get anything decent. Whereas if you know how to use a DSLR camera, you don't have to invest in a camera that's only been out for two weeks.

My first camera I learned to shoot photos on was the Canon T6i. What an awesome camera. I remember the smell of it and it took beautiful photographs. There wasn’t too much fanciness which let me learn how to shoot correctly. Fast forward 3 years and I am using a $2,500 mirrorless camera and still learning those basic lessons today. What a fanstic thing photography is ☺️

I become inappropriately excited by the comparison of an Omega bezel sound and the sound of a Canon thumb wheel.

A few years I decided I wanted to try out photography and this is what I went with as well, never regretted the decision once. It has every feature I could hope for, and with everyone going to mirrorless you can pick up some nice EF mount L glass at great prices.

I don't know about anyone else but the 5D Mk II was THE camera that everyone wanted or aimed to get back years ago. As a 7D user I was envious of everyone using the 5D Mk II.

So happy you made this video! I went from a 650D (bought in 2012) to a used 5D Mark II a few years ago and I do not regret it at all! An amazing camera after all these years and with my 24-105mm f4/L and 70-200mm f4/L it takes amazing pictures of anything I’d ever need it for. And it has great low light performance compared to my 650D. Sure, it has the most basic video features by todays standards, no video autofocus, no 4k etc etc, but as an added bonus on top of a solid stills camera, what more to ask for? Also, in the age of mirrorless cameras, you can’t beat a big ol’ chunky loud camera like the 5D Mk II

This is one of your better informational videos it’s about time somebody told the truth about cameras you don’t have to have the latest and greatest you just have to have reliability and proven technology in the UK the camera you bought we call brand old! Nicely done!

Picked a used one up as well for the collection...what a special sensor.

It's funny how people say "this and that is not adequate today" as we used to have 6,3 megapixel DSRL by Canon in 2003 and people managed to get great shots with it and autofocus was crap compared to today's standard. :D

I still use my 5D II. I've tried out many new & fancy models from Canon, Sony and Fuji in recent years, but as I'm taking less photos these days I just haven't felt it worthwhile to upgrade. Yes the new tech is amazing, especially for sports & video, but for high quality everyday slow paced shooting the 5D II still does the job extremely well.

OH KAI.... how fabulous to find a vid with non intrusive background music, tidy cleanshaven presenter, enthusiastic no shouting,, factual clear..Its fun to watch your presentation even if not buying a camera..thankyou... Oh long hair on a male is nice by the way, keep it it look good on you. Adrian london I'm interested your opinion of a small camera useable collectable and worth owning.

Had one of these about 2 years ago. It was amazing but I honestly believe that Canon 6D is also super underrated, it basically retains all the benefits of 5DMII(maybe except for build quality, but that's still great) while feeling significantly "fresher". It was designed as less of a pro body and because of that you can find them all day with very low shutter counts unlike the 5DMII, which when you see cheap with less than 100000 shots has usually had it's shutter replaced. Nowadays you can often find 6D's for 5DMII prices, I got mine quite beaten up but with 25000 shots on the first shutter for about 300usd and it serves me very well.

I agree with this video, you don't need a fancy camera to take great photos. All that matters is your skill you've got to take great photos. I recently bought a second hand Canon 60D (2010) and I have never regret that decision.

I feel old now. I still have and occasionally use a 5D2 bought new, didn't think it is 13 years old! Original batteries certainly not as good as they were but it still works fine.

I just upgraded from a Canon 20D (8MP) to a 5D MKII. Just taking some quick shots with it in the house I am already impressed. When paired up with my 17-40 f/4 Canon L lens, it is amazing. I can't wait to do more photography with it.

loved my 5dm2 and you make me want to get another. That said, there was a magical later model full frame called the 6D which is a sleeper. People thought it was cheaper and it was, but it had a I phenomenal picture quality.

I've owned and used this camera for so long the world has come full circle and it's getting reviewed again. Still my primary digital camera.

With Magic Lantern installed this camera goes even further, allowing recording -3K- *5.2K* RAW videos, enabling tons of options.

Thankyou Kai for saying it out straight and clear! This new age of videocameras called cameras… Photography looking through a real mirror, lenses that are not huge, bulky mounted with powerzooms for filming and what not can be a pleasure. One single autofocus point, backfocus button and a spot metering goes so far… a pleasure without flickering screen full of data. Harmony of photography and ”old school” knowledge takes you far Best regards from Sweden

I mean I still shoot on my 60D all the time. I also adapt a few m42 lenses for cheap and effective birdwatching. Gets the job done if you're willing to go all manual.

Plan: make an absolute classic banger of a Digital Rev throwback video.. 1) Venerated classic god mode camera- check. 2) Kai’s legendary teflon hands- check. 3) Uh, where’s Lok??

Own it. Pretty advanced for it's time, especially with Magic Lantern installed. Wonderful comfort in hands and fantastic ergonomics. Plus acceptable screen with LiveView and 21 full frame megapixels for quite cheap. Although, I like images from 5D Classic more. Gotta keep both.

I got my canon 5d mk ii back in 2011 and it was such a glorious moment. I didnt get another canon until last week in which I finally picked the eos r6 mk ii. I had heard so many bad things about canon mirrorless for years that I kept away. But canon has done great with the r6 mk ii and it really reminds me of my old 5d mk ii days. Thanks Kai and DRTV for the decade plus inspiration. That closing remark is absolutely spot on…spend it on your life!

Indeed, the 5D series offers some of the best all rounds full frame DSLRs. I started off with the Mk II, and I was very happy with what it could do back in the day. I then traded it in for the Mk III, and later for the Mk IV. I KNOW there are newer and “better” options out there, but the 5D series suites what I need, and I am happy enough with all of them for various reasons. Great video.

My first full frame, scared myself buying it and a few lenses for $2k in 2013, and today I still talk about how great a camera it is. Such good color, almost nostalgic rendering, and enough resolution for large printing. Kicked off and held my working career for many years even while the mk4 was out.

Well, second-hand canon 6D mark 1 body is $377 pound in Australia. I think it is much more updated and easier to use with low counts. Canon 5D mark 2 was very good at the time, 5D mark 3 was the sweet spot with even better good improvements over mark 2.

I was an advertising photographer and also movie maker. A few years ago I left and took up a completely different job. I sold almost all the equipment. I've keep 6 different lenses, especially Canon FE 35 mm f/1.4 and a Canon 5d mk2, which it was a pity to sell. Today I took out the camera and charge the batteries to it. Yes, for daily photos I have a good camera phone, Google Pixel 6 pro. I'm happy with it, it's much more convenient than carrying around a few pounds of photo equipment to get better quality shots. But sometimes I want something that the phone simply cannot give. Meditative care in the process of photography. And a slight sense of nostalgia. After all, I've been doing photography for 20 years.

ive been almost only using the mkii with magic lantern for random travel vids

I remember a guy coming to a concert of my old band and filming some clips with his brand new 5dii and we were in such awe how great it looked.. Changed things forever, later I got my own camera and started filming

Reminds me of you running around the Hong Kong marina comparing the 5D MKii to the then new 7D .. man, I remember watching all those videos like it was yesterday. And then came along the 5D Mkiii and everyone went berserk .. good times. Top tip for the 5D Mkii is that you could use it quite well for scanning negatives with a camera scanning set up. I just did a video about that actually, and the Mkii would be an ideal camera for it because it's super cheap but still delivers!

You were the first photography RU-vidr I watched like 15 years ago when I bought a $90 Fuji point and shoot on eBay. Glad to see you're still making great videos.

Thankyou Kai.. I feel justified now being on my 3rd 5D2 and this ones only done 11,000. Brilliant point about vintage lenses.. I have approx 40+ from Yashica to Zenitar to Carl zeiss and I didn't have to spend £5000 on a body.. : )

Bought mine new when Canon 5D3 was just released and still using it as my main digital camera. I love it with the new 24-70mm 2,8 L, to me the auto-focus is fast ! The pros : amazing battery life in photo mode even after more than 10 years of use, great photo quality, simple menu and ergonomics. Cons : weight and big size with the 24-70mm, the screen that do not reflect the quality of picture (hard to judge on the field).

I bought a 5D mkI back when you first made a video about it and I have just upgraded this year to a 6D (mkI) and I cannot recommend these old canon Full Frame DSLRs enough, the value for money for these old cameras is insane. Even the Mk I 5D handily beats any smartphone camera today in terms of overall quality (I have just upgraded to a Pixel 6 and its good but its not *that* good). I honestly feel bad for anyone that buys a new camera these days but then if nobody bought new and everyone bought used there'd be no cheap used cameras :D Also, as far as I can tell you cannot get a split prism focusing screen for the 5D (mk1 & mk2) and 6D (mk1 only), only super precision matte, only the 1D series has a split prism screen and afaik its not compatible >:c

Dude, you have seriously echoed my thoughts! The marketing hype is real! My 5D-III and 1D-MKIV are both OG Cams and are really all I need to take amazing stills even by today's standards! Thanks for the post man.

Photography has come a long way :')

What I learned in last 10 years which I've spend shooting? Don't buy new cameras like crazy. Stick with one with good lens until you will be able to control it without even thinking about it. Don't buy new cameras, buy photography books instead so you will became better photographer.

I've used the 5DII and a 50mm 1.8 for years now, it's such an amazingly simple combo

Had mine for 9 years. Awesome camera even today if you know how to take pictures. 20mp and good low light capabilities. Slap on a nifty fifty or a 35/2 and you have a perfect combo for almost anything.

I was the first one to get it in Slovenia, and I still use it. It’s *very* used, but it still works perfectly. And mine is one of the first one produced 😅

Reminds me of my Pentax K-50. You can easily defend yourself from muggers with it and it does the job

The 5D Mk 2 was one of the very few cameras I bought brand-new. It was totally awesome nonetheless. I remember my first thought when holding it in my hand was: When can we finally get rid of that mirror box altogether! I anticipated I'd dive deeply into video with this camera but it never happend. So it did teach me one big lesson: I was a photographer and not a videographer.

I think for anyone who thinks they might be interested in photography, a good used body like this or the 6D is perfect for starting out. Both are such workhorses and result in good quality images.

I remember the moment when I was choosing my first full frame body and watching your tests of this Canon and Nikon D700. I choose D700. No regrets as well.

That's like saying 'All you need to paint a masterpiece is a great paintbrush'. You can take a great photo with any camera, if you know how.

You can take great photos even with $30 Canon 300D (considering its limits). The gear doesn't that matter, provided it has been made around 2010 (or later). The lens is of bigger importance.

I own a very cheap Mark 1 and Mark 2, REALLY happy with it. The quality is more then enough!

I am still extremely happy with my second-hand Canon 6D, which is roughly similiar to the 5dm2, solid cameras, which produce good images.

I bought an original 5D, pre-owned, then quickly acquired a second pre-owned 5D when the first 5D’s mirror failed. I skipped the Marks II and III, and then bought a 5Ds R and a 5D IV. I believe that the entire 5D series remain wonderful, viable cameras, though, of course, the Mark II was the great leap forward, for those who appreciate or need video capability. I have nothing against the R-series, but, there is no hurry. My “working” cameras were a pair of the 7D, starting in 2010/2011, and then a pair of the 7D Mark II, starting in 2014. (Evidentiary, forensic, crime scene photography; I was a public servant, not a “professional photographer.”) These sufficed for what little video I needed, so, there was no hurry to upgrade along the 5D line.

Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you for the honest review and for helping out so many photographers just starting out. Mirror less cameras are amazing and I use them. The DSLR camera is still able to produce high quality files but we forget about them because they aren't in style anymore. Hey, maybe I'll get an old Nikon D750 or D4?

These are beasts. A friend who was a wildlife photographer had one and it was the most beat up thing I'd ever seen. Absolutely battered on the outside. Still took amazing photos!

Kai, you didn't blur your plates the second time you showed the car.

I was shooting my 5d mkii just this week. Still love it and glad I held on to it. It's got a special place for me. It was my go to camera on travel adventures to China.

Love your work Kai, but really think you are missing something by dismissing the 5D Mark I. I've had the Mark II and wasn't inspired (not that it is in any way a bad camera) but the even more basic Mark I produces files with such character, not to mention the best shutter sound of any 5D in my humble opinion. Cheers.

A couple of years ago I picked up the original 5d with a couple lenses from Goodwill for $50. It works perfectly and I love that thing.

I was an amazing camera. I've been using it for 10 years. Love the image quality, colors, skin tones etc. But... the AF was horrible. I have missed so many shots becouse of it. Constant problems with accuarcy, Front or Back focus. The truth is that mirrorless cameras are much better with it's AF systems that I would never go back to dslr as a main body.

Your channel here is the reason after a long time for me to get up again in photography. And I bought a used 5d mkii because of you! Its the greatest camera for taking pictures and you‘re videos about it and the 24-105 L IS USM is one of the best on the whole internet!! Thank you so much

"Your camera takes great photos!"

Totally agree. I bought a Canon 6D a couple of month ago, just to prove that I can take good pictures no matter the gear. It turned out to be pretty addictive. I love everything about. Low noise, fantastic colors and it’s ergonomic. My Leicas are very jealous. 😅

As someone who started shooting a few years ago on a Sony a6400, I cannot imagine myself using a DSLR. That tech is just obsolete, focusing is a pain in the arse. It's not all marketing BS, the move to mirrorless is more than just marketing.

In 1976 at the Audio-Photo Club on Rhein Main Air Base, (West) Germany, my Air Force bro Larry's girlfriend Liz worked in the photo department and sold me a Canon AE-1. Too many wonderful memories it continues to capture for nearly 5 decades!

This camera was the start of the big-sensor video revolution. And a very formable still photography camera. Still holds a place in my heart

Absolutely! My 5DII just won't quit! Enough res for commercial portraits for digital… it's still fantastic. Old hot shoe and PC cable so it works with all the stuff. A single battery lasts a day of shooting video and stills (…and I've got 4batts for some reason). She's done video, weddings, mud, boats - been dropped and banged many times but no quality complaints from clients and it's fast , unlike Sony's insanely slow A7 apps, a simple Magic Lantern intervalometer is fast to use.

I picked up a 5D I, with a 1.8 50mm, for a whopping 125 bucks this past year. It has rekindled my interest in photography I also like the clunk of the mirror, reminds me of the old Leica R-3 sound..Thanks for making this channel..

I took +300000 shots on my 5D2, its still alive! When I checked that number, I bought the 5D4 immediately. Which is now my backup for my R5, because only after less then 4 years, the shutter motor started to "fail"... I'll get it fixed, but amazed the 5D2 kept on going soooo long!

Bought my own about 10 years ago from a professional photographer who used 1D as a primary and 5DMK2 a secondary/backup. Said he didn’t use it much and sold it to me at the time incredible price of 900 € (including original battery grip and 2 batteries). 5DMK2 was my second DSLR and still is, its got everything I need. Protip: Install Magic Lantern in your 5DMK2 CF-cards for extended still and video capabilities!

If someone is on an major budget and wants a large sensor DSLR, I'd suggest looking for a Canon EOS Digital Rebel. Not a something-D, but the original one. It works with all the EOS lenses from old to brand new and you can find them used dirt cheap because they're APS-C instead of full-frame, so they don't have market value like the 5D but they take great pictures anyway. Of course, I strongly recommend the Panasonic LX7 too. Best premium point-and-shoot from the past, hands down. You'd be shocked how good it is, especially for a CMOS 1/1.7" compact. The f/1.4 aperture really helps out!

Call me crazy, but I bought a 5D MKII for 1000 EUR bout a year and a half ago with a 24-105 kit that came with it plus a 50mm F1.4. Everything was brand new and the MKII had around 300 clicks. BEST decision EVER. I shoot everything from stills in the city to rally cars and the MKII helps me to improve by fighting with its limitations. Not for evening/nighttime photography imho but still a superb camera. Especially at the price it is being sold these days. Great video!

This is my only camera I ever needed. I shoot professional with this camera from 2009. Thank you Kai for this tribute

Just got this camera delivered today £350 under 9k shutter count. Lovely camera and well impressed with video quality straight out of camera. Took me about half an hour to figure out controls and realise definitely easy to use👌

Picked mine up in Tokyo for dirt cheap with a small crack in the body, 4 years later, still works perfectly!

Bought one from a former classmate for 150 euro with a 64gb card about 5 years ago. Found a free red ring 17-40mm lens because it should have a problem, but haven’t found it to this date. Still use this camera to make photo’s of my cars and friends. Best cheapest camera ever

I have been shooting stills since the days of TriX + Multigrade and I love the feel & results of the 5Dii. If I have to be complicated then the ISO is obviously not comparable to today's cameras, and the focus is not "the latest and the greatest" either. BUT, if you know what you are doing this body + good glass can produce miracles. Just look at the photos professionals snapped when this was the go-to workhorse for most... they were fabulous shots back then, and equally fabulous images today. I love my 5Dii and will never sell it...

You introduced me to digital photography. My first camera was the T3i, I learned how to shoot watching you and lok, all these years later and I make my living shooting video and photos. Thanks Kai, you’re the man.

5D II has I think the best sensor canon made, the colors and rendering with an L were magic. I wish Canon made a 5D II "classic" but with a dampened shutter sound and dual pixel focus, that would be a dream.

Yeah I appreciate some of the simple features of older cameras. At the end of the day we photographers just need a solid and reliable piece of equipment to capture beautiful moments.

5dMkII (+ lenses) is all you need for all practical intents and purposes. I still have mine, and it's my favorite FF camera so far (after > 10 yrs). Fave lenses: 24-70f/2.8L, 501.2L, 851.2L, 351.4L... Dreamy.

recently picked up a 5d mkii as a cheap full frame option. Still an absolute beast, I love it to bits!

This was the last camera I owned before going mirrorless. It was exceptional.