Hmmm...lots of good discussion. My perception (admittedly limited to what I've read - I haven't actually seen the camera yet) is that the 5D2 is going to take the serious uw photog market by storm. The size and ability to shoot high quality video are BIG advantages, and should/will attract a lot of users from three major groups:
1. Canon X0D users, who will finally see a real justification for "moving up";
2.
Some Canon 1D and 1Ds users, who will see advantages in size, cost and access to video;
3. Non-Canon users, many of whom might have been thinking they just might switch to Canon and needed a final "nudge."
As I see it, there are still reasons many serious photographers will still prefer 1DX models, the main two being:
1. Speed: a 1D MkII or MkIII, and even the 1Ds Mk III, offer a significant advantage in terms of fps, which - for moving nature (e.g., sharks) and sports photography - is more important than just mp or many other features.
2. Weather sealing: those who use their gear topside in harsh conditions will still prefer the better protected models.
However, those considerations are really only a major issue for the minority of "serious" uw photographers (which includes a lot of dedicated amateurs like me, not just pros). For most of them/us, the attraction of this 5D2 is undeniable -- as this thread makes clear by the caliber of people who are intrigued by it.
If I didn't already have many years' budget already plowed into new Mark III gear, I would be first in line to order a 5D2! In fact, FWIW, if I had known the 5D2 would have video capabilities (why don't you guys "in the know" warn us?!), I would have just kept my 1D Mark II (and housing) for times when I need high fps and/or weather-sealing, and I'd be buying this 5D2 as my primary uw--and topside--camera.
Edited by bmyates, 21 September 2008 - 10:05 AM.
