5d mark 2 vs T3i with magic lantern

Ruben/Sheri

Ruben/Sheri

Well-known member
So I have been considering a 5D mark 2 since the price has come down, but besides the low light capability, I wonder if a t3i with magic lantern can or does produce the same image quality in video as a mark 2 without magic lantern? I know that there are benefits to a full frame dslr, but my questions is this, Can a t3i with magic lantern and wide angle lenses produce about the same image quality as a basic 5D mark 2?:dankk2:
 
In perfect lighting a T3i can create some great images, but even in the same light the darker areas seem to have much less noise with a 5D2. The sensor is just has a higher signal to noise ratio and it's not just at higher iso's. Full frame for video has a perspective that is unique and quite desirable inspite of the ability to use wider lenses on a crop cam. The same field of view doesn't move the same way between a crop cam and full frame. I want the reach of a crop sensor and especially the 3x zoom on the T3i and therefore that's the cam I own. If there were a Canon full frame with a true 1920x1080 crop out of the center I'd be in, in a heart beat :)

Cheers,
Pete
 
They're very similar in many respects (DR, colors, codec), the 5D2 is better on others (less noise, higher usable ISO, shallower DoF, slightly less aliasing/moire, better build and ergonomics, including thumb wheel), and the T3i has some wins too (swivel screen, 720p60, 3x crop mode). It's not a simple choice, you have to factor what you want and what your budget will allow (and mind you: the body is only part of the price difference, for APS-C there are some great budget lenses, such as the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 non-VC and the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8, whereas on full frame the equivalents will cost you at least 3 or 4 times as much; if you're using mainly primes, this glass price difference is not so great).
 
Ruben/Sheri said:
So I have been considering a 5D mark 2 since the price has come down, but besides the low light capability, I wonder if a t3i with magic lantern can or does produce the same image quality in video as a mark 2 without magic lantern? I know that there are benefits to a full frame dslr, but my questions is this, Can a t3i with magic lantern and wide angle lenses produce about the same image quality as a basic 5D mark 2?:dankk2:
Click to expand...

No, the 5d provides a look that while comparable to it's aps-c counterparts is simply different. Less noise, wider field of view, shallower dof. The t3i can provide some nice images, but the 5d is different.
 
5d handles color and tones differently, albeit slightly more pleasing to me, but close enough, that there is more to deciding what will work the best for any given project.

http://vimeo.com/36368644

The lowlight ability of the 5d is compromised by how shallow the depth of field gets at wide apertures vs. aps-c. Really depends what you're doing in the end.

Just take it all into account.
 
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James0b57 said:
5The lowlight ability of the 5d is compromised by how shallow the depth of field gets at wide apertures vs. aps-c. Really depends what you're doing in the end.
Click to expand...
This is not correct as you don't have to use such wide apertures on the 5D as the low light capability is so much better (at least 2 stops on the 5D2 or even 4 stops for the 5D3). I have a 600D(T3i) but never use it for video as the image is just not as good as using a 5D2 or 5D3 even aside from the superior full frame aesthetic. You cannot exceed ISO800 on the T3i/600D without the image becoming very noisy whereas the 5D2 can be used up to ISO3200. In the same lighting if you were using the t3i/600D at F/2.8 you would be using the 5D2 at F/5.6 so the depth of field will actually be deeper.

The articulated screen is over-rated & is pointless if you use a loupe while the 3X crop mode is OK-ish if you really need the telephot but is just like having a small sensor video camera with an inferior image compared to using the whole sensor.
 
I think what James meant is that, while the 5D2 has between 1 and 2 stops of cleaner high ISO, if you don't want your DoF expanded you have to multiply your f/ value by 1.6, and that means losing between 1 and 2 stops of light. That is: 35mm f/2.0 at ISO 640 on the T3i will have the same exposure, FoV and DoF, than 50mm f/3.2 at ISO 1600 on the 5D3... and you'll have about the same amount of noise too
 
I have a T2i. Would I like to upgrade? Sure! Would I need to? I don't know.
I'm fine with the T2i for now. I've done some low-light video (using a 50mm f/1.8) and I've been able to get some great stills in minimal ambient low-light, see in this thread.
If you'll make some money out of the work you'll do with it, save more and get the 5D. Otherwise, if you're like me (pro-hobbyist at best!) you should be able to live with the T3i.
 
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