Renting R5 mark II - my thoughts and results vs. R7 and R6ii

[Levina de Ruijter]

I am going to be trying for more high ISO images vs the R6ii which is know for good high ISO performance. I am testing to see if it can replace either or both of the current cameras I have

All things being equal I expect the R6m2 to have the edge with it's larger pixels having a better signal to noise ratio. Having said that, the R5m2 is a formidable camera that handles noise very well in my experience. I mean I couldn't handle the noise on the R7, but have no problem with it on the R5m2: noise is well controlled and cleans up very well.

 

[Jeff WX1USN]

All things being equal I expect the R6m2 to have the edge with it's larger pixels having a better signal to noise ratio. Having said that, the R5m2 is a formidable camera that handles noise very well in my experience. I mean I couldn't handle the noise on the R7, but have no problem with it on the R5m2: noise is well controlled and cleans up very well.

Thank you for the heads up on DxO pure raw, it works great on high ISO images! Here are two images, first the Cardinal is 6,400 and the Dove is 40,000 ! There might be a hint of softness in the Dove

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

Thank you for the heads up on DxO pure raw, it works great on high ISO images! Here are two images, first the Cardinal is 6,400 and the Dove is 40,000 ! There might be a hint of softness in the Dove

I learned of DxO from Patrick (pcs). It's great. The dove is a bit smooth but that is 40,000 ISO! That's crazy high! And it's still usable on the screen.

 

[Jeff WX1USN]

Just got back from the pond, shot about 2,000 shots in 90 minutes and the wind started blowing right into my face! And it was time to hit the restroom also.

It is going to take most of the day to go through them!

 

[Jeff WX1USN]

I processed just a few shots so far as I have so many to go through but I wanted to show what I am seeing so far.

I had both the R5ii and the R6ii and was swapping them out. One thing I noticed right away is that the R5ii's buffer is way better!

Of course I had just switched to the R6ii when an eagle flew over, I caught it out of the corner of my eye and quickly swung my 100-500 with the RF 1.4x so 700mm up and got it in the frame. I wish it was a bit sharper but I was swinging and handholding on it. First I have seen in 2 years.

 

[Jeff WX1USN]

I switched back to the R5ii and there was a swan chasing geese at the far end of the pond 300 yards away, yup 300 YARDS. shot at 300 yards and 700mm with the 100-500 and RF 1.4x on R5ii.

 

[Jeff WX1USN]

Just before the wind started kicking up, straight in to my face and very cold a duck flew by. With my R6ii and R7 I would get rolling shutter even with the R6ii when swinging the lens quickly and the fast moving duck.
The R5ii doesn't really show any rolling shutter, or at least very minimal. First shot is cropped the second is a different shot and softer but it shows the house better to show any rolling shutter.

So far I can see the Rolling shutter is better on the R5ii, the AF against cluttered background is better, more megapixels for cropping but their is more noise due to the smaller pixels.

 

[Jeff WX1USN]

@Levina de Ruijter @Jan1977 I am hearing that Canon is raising prices in the USA by a minimum of 10% and could be higher at the end of April. I am going to have to call my salesman tomorrow about it!
Hunts is having a special on the R5ii it is currently $3,999 but the special is you get a free battery grip a $350 value, also $200 from the rental credited to the price so it would be $3,799.
I always buy the battery grips, not for the battery power but it makes the camera more comfortable for me, the R1 and R3 are really nice that way. So with a free grip I save $350. One way to look at it I am getting the R5ii for $3,450 and buying the grip for $350 total $3,799 LOL.

They quoted me $1,100 to $1,200 for my R6ii, which I would probably take as once I have the R5ii I don't think I would use it much and it avoids the hassle of selling it privately, but Hunts as well as KEH pay 50% of what they would sell it for used.
The R7 they said $500 so I would keep that one for now anyway.

Although with the R6ii and prices going up and I am hearing the R6iii is being delayed my salesman suggested hanging onto it and selling it privately if there is a big price increase in new gear. That would be a decision I would have to make soon, AND I actually lean towards trying to sell privately as I can always sell to KEH a private sale could probabaly get $1300 or so.

With the trade in that would cover the extra battery, CFexpress B card (probably 512gb) and the sales tax, the big question is do I get the extended Warranty, with something complicated like a digital camera I have always gotten them but at the same time I have never had an issue. I think they are about $300 or so.

The Eagle today was with the R6ii at ISO 3,200 and it is soft even after careful processing in DxO so the R6ii is not that much different than the R5ii.

 

[Levina de Ruijter]

So far I can see the Rolling shutter is better on the R5ii, the AF against cluttered background is better, more megapixels for cropping but their is more noise due to the smaller pixels.

The Eagle today was with the R6ii at ISO 3,200 and it is soft even after careful processing in DxO so the R6ii is not that much different than the R5ii.

Yeah, the trade offs. The R6II has less noise at higher ISO's but with 24mpx it doesn't have that much reach so you can crop less. The R5II with 45mpx has much more reach but understandably has a bit more noise at higher ISO speeds. It comes down to what matters most. For me a little bit more noise at higher ISO's is acceptable and it cleans up really well. DXO Pure Raw is a big help with this. Plus I don't print, images just have to look good on a screen, that's all. And they do. I think the images you posted earlier look good too.

As to trading in the R6II or wait a bit and sell it privately, that's a tough one also because tariffs seem to change from day to day almost! If the tariffs for Japan stay in place, prices of new cameras may go up quite a bit. That would no doubt also affect the used market and make your R6II go up in price as well. Tough decision. But $3,799 is a pretty nice deal.

 

[Jeff WX1USN]

@Levina de Ruijter especially with the free battery grip. Canon gave them a bunch of them free and they are giving them out until the supply is gone.

Yup decisions. I am pretty sure I am going to get one and if I do I don't need the R6ii. Tonight I had ham radio testing, I am one of the examiners giving tests, and I took my R7 with the EF-S 18-150 lens, that is such a light rig you almost don't know you have it hanging around your neck. That and the fact that it won't bring much I am going to keep that one.

It is all about getting the right price on the R5ii.

Tomorrow I am going back to the pond I go to in the mornings due to where the sun rises and where I can set up, this morning I was using the 100-500 with 1.4x, this evening the RF100-400 w/ 1.4x and tomorrow I am thinking of taking the 200-800 as well as the 1.4x. Not sure if I will take the R7 as today I did several tests of the two that I haven't processed yet but switching cameras on a single lens in the wind is a pain.