awesome.

Tried a couple different methods before this one without much luck in daylight. Going to try this one later today to see how it works. Thanks for sharing and putting this together for us.

Wow...really useful info! Well done. I'll definitely be playing with this tonight!

Good research, Mark. Thanks for the vid.

I think the easiest thing, for now, is just to use Nikon-compatible lenses with an AF-confirm EOS adapter... then you gain complete physical control over the iris.

It sucks to lose out on all the great EF glass, but that is what Canon is forcing us into with these lame restrictions.

You can then use the iris ring to control ISO, by stopping down to f/22, pointing at a bright light, and locking exposure at ISO 400 or whatever you want. Then you open the iris to control exposure. It works great, and is very fast to do.

Does anybody know why Canon decided to put those limitations on the camera? To me it doesn't make sense, but who knows what the reasoning was. Same thing happened with the 30p instead of allowing both 30p and 24p. Is it possible to change those things with a firmware update (if Canon decided to do so) or would it have to be a physical change in the camera?

cheapos and L lenses? lol

nice work though.

That is how I used to do it, until this method for true control:

vimeo.com/2471679

Too funny... I just posted on another forum about a technique almost identical to this earlier today and someone sent me this link. Funny how we all figure out workarounds when forced. Good stuff.

Mark, Thanks for posting this information.

My 5D Mk II arrives Feb. !!

Cheers Mr F ! Good stuff, clear and understandable.

:)

Thanks for making this video

Tried it again outside today in the daylight at 1.2 - worked great. Going to pick myself up a 2 stop ND filter for more daylight work. Pretty quick at getting it dialed in now. Thanks again.

Fabulous.. thanks for sharing

Though I don't own the camera yet, your courteously-approached and informative adjustments were extremely helpful. I figured you had to "cover" the lens for it to adjust to what you wanted but this explains it far better. Thanks!

Do you think that the 5d ii can soot fireworks easy ?

Just a quick note on something that has been driving me crazy. If you happen to use C Fn. IV-1 set to 3 (as I do)...you cannot lock your exposure prior to starting recording. I have spent a few evenings trying to figure out why I couldn't. That would be why. I switched it over to 2 which gives me sort of a workaround. (I don't like my shutter button to focus). I also just added that C.Fn to My Menu so I can easily change it when shooting video versus stills.

FWIW

Hi all,
Sorry if i'm going off topic and using your video for some technical help! Great video by the way.
EOS Utility keeps crashing half way through transferring video files. They are about 11 minutes in length at 1920x1080. I've had no problem transferring a whole cards worth of shorter 1 minute clips.

I'm on OSX 10.5.6., using EOS Utility 2.5.1. I'm using an 8GB SanDisk Extreme IV card. I'm on a 2.4GHz Intel Core Duo, 2 GB Ram Macbook Pro.

Has anybody else had this problem, or suggest what the issue may be? Is there a maximum file size limit? The manual doesn't mention this. I'd guess an 11 minute clip is about 3.5 GB. I've even tried reinstalling the EOS software and formatting the memory card with no luck.

Any help would be great, i'm pulling my hair out!
Jim

We've added it to the 5D wiki at planet5d.com We've got more 5D reviews/still/video samples than anywhere else on the planet.

There's a site out there (www.canonhack.com) which has the purpose of making someone hack the firmware to enable manual controls of these things, check it out

classic ;)

Excellent video!

thanks for this video.

it worked for me , but not in every case , if i use 70-200mm f4 or 80-200mm f4 then at 200mm i can go down to iso 400 before camera close to the next aperture.
when i lock exposure it appers to be in chosen aperture but it is not actually there , i can even hear aperture closing.

can anybody confirm this ?

thank you very much!!

thank you for replay , i though you have 70-200mm f2.8..
i made little test and with anything over 70mm i cant hit iso 100 in movie mode. longer lens higher iso (example with 400mm prime lowest iso is 400)

I don't get it? I understand it changes the aperture based upon the light but how do yoU LOCK aperture?

Thanks for this tip. It's very helpful.

holy crap this is complicated! i don't think this would be practical on a film set jumping around from set to set.

this is definitely a downer, i love the images so much.

i have an old set of canon rebel 1000f ef lenses that i don't use that much anymore because i don't shoot 35mm as much anymore. would these work with the MKII? if so that would save me a lot of money.

but i have a macbook pro and i'm a little bit worried about the trouble people are having with file sizes and crashing their downloads.

should i buy??? i love the dof!!!!

thx

Mark

Thanks so much for making the video. One question
Is there a way to keep AE lock on after you finish recording? It just turns off and goes back to auto exposure. Like pelicula inc. said above it would be so difficult to start and stop on the same scene with it always going back to auto after you stop recording everytime. And then have to do all the tricking the camera stuff to get it "maybe" back to the same exact exposure with AE lock. If I could figure out how to keep AE lock on before and after recording I can handle the 4 f-stops with EF lenses. Thanks again

Nice one

Great work.Thanks for sharing your useful comments!

I would like to share the following info, if you allow it:

- Here below is a link for an OnLine PETITION to CANON suggesting and requesting Improvements such Full MANUAL Control in Movie & other improvements for Still mode too, for the EOS 5D Mark II via Firmware Updates

- Check it out. If you think ONE or More features listed need to be improved or added in your camera, Please sign it, and SHARE and help to SPREAD it with other users.

It won't take you more than few minutes.
The more signatures, the more chances WE ALL have for Improvements.

- Even if a firmware update is really coming, this Petition may help for future updates.

PETITION to CANON Inc.:
petitiononline.com/5dmark2/petition.html

Thanks a lot in advance!

I'm shooting a music video in 2 weeks with the MK II and will only get about a day to play with it before the shoot. Thank you so much for this video, it'll make my life a little less stressful.... and creative.

Sorry guys from what canon has told me a firmware update will never give control to us. They told me they would have to make another camera most like 6 months after I bought mine cause that what always happens to me lol lol yep firmware update only fix minor glitches

Hi Chas,

-- CANON CAN ADD functions via Firmware Update (of course depending on what kind of functions, but sure they can add manual control to movie because now there is a program wich controls it)

I'm not so sure about what Canon told you.
They have told different things to different people...
(I verified that by myself)

They probably won't tell anything until they release a firmware update.

Firmware Updates CAN really add new features or improve existing ones.

-- HERE IS AN EXAMPLE of Canon ADDING a function (just released few days ago by Canon):
web.canon.jp/imaging/dcp/firm-e/pssx1is/index.html

"NEW FUNCTION:
RAW Image Shooting Function and RAW Image Development Software

Version 2.0.0.0 firmware newly incorporates a RAW image recording function.

You can download the version 2.0.0.0 firmware from next page and update the firmware of your PowerShot SX1 IS camera to ADD this RAW image recording function."

So, they "ADDED" a function that was not present in the camera at the moment the customers bought it.

Despite the differences between PowerShot and EOS cameras, It is still possible to get Manual control and other improvements for the 5D Mark II, no doubt about it.

Canon's decision depend on many factors, one is competition (wich will become very strong soon), and one that can also "help" us is customers requests (by every way you can, place a suggestion/request via phone call or online, to Canon to implement Full Manual Control in Movie Mode. Some people already did)

NIKON adding Full HD on their upcoming DSLRs (with probably manual control, because they have nothing to loose) will help in this matter to encourage Canon to update the 5D Mark II's firmware. COMPETITION is a big force for improvements...

- Here below is the link to the PETITION to CANON wich is another "group" effort to achieve the goal. Please Share and SPREAD it, if possible

- As I already said, if you (the reader) think that one or more improvements requests will benefit your experience with your 5D Mark II, PLEASE sign it.

It ALSO includes requests for STILL mode (such as more frames possible in Bracketing mode)

- It only takes a moment and there is nothing to loose.

Let's all who can, contact Canon (*) and let them know about this request / Petition that has been signed for Many people around the world, even professionals from many countries and working at Professional studios and companies.

--- PETITION TO CANON:
petitiononline.com/5dmark2/petition.html

The More signatures and requests to Canon, the More chances.
(For those who said there is no "history" of Canon adding features, the above example demonstrates they can do it if they want)

------------------
(*): for those living in USA or EUROPE, here is detailed information and Tips about Contacting CANON:
cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=574#p5500

i did this before see this video today, but i have some problems with the shutter, some times goes down before iso goes down,. I am not sure the shutter change for real in de video

Thanks Mark, that's awesome :)

Since we are all interested in Videography and Filmmaking and also in this camera, you may want to take a look at this:

" 1000 People Sign Petition for Canon 5D MkII Camera "
definitionmagazine.com/cameras/canon5dpetition.htm

We hope JOINED EFFORTS and Competition can give us benefits, and next time you make a Film or Footage you will be able to use your Canon lenses, instead of other brands to get "at least" Aperture control...

Maybe a fix is on the way?

canonrumors.com/2009/04/5d-mark-ii-firmware-update-in-the-wild/

Great video tutorial! Gave me a nice kick off with my first hands on Canon 5D Mark II:) Hopefully we get full manual control soon!!

anyway to lock the iso?

No more need for the tricks. The new full manual firmware is out. Whoo-hoo!

good demo.