Do you think the 5D II will stay around

[ss396]

With the 5D III rumored to come in over $3k and the 5D II dropping to$2K, it seems like Canon will have a big hole in its lineup.  Unless a new 7D is quite a pop.  Any ideas?  I almost think I might rather go for a 5D II.  Although the pictures make the III look a bit smaller (read lighter).  I like to take long hikes, so lighter is better.

[K-amps]

Depends on pricing. If the 5D3 comes in at 3.5k then yes, I think there will be demand for the 5d2 @ 2k.  I am one of those. I want to see some basic ML features (5 AEB etc) incorporated into the 5d3, if not I will consider a 5d2 with ML.... still on the fence.

However if the 5d3 is priced at 2.7k then the 5d2 might be discontinued.

I really hope that there will be obvious improvements in the 5d3, since it is approx 4 year newer tech.... it just has to. Right? 

[V8Beast]

I suppose it's a possibility. Unless the noise and DR are substantially better in the MKIII vs. the MKII, I can see how the MKII would be more appealing - assuming a large price gap -  for landscape shooters who don't need the improved speed or AF. In a recent French interview, a Nikon rep stated that the D700 will continue to be sold alongside the D800, so perhaps Canon will adopt a similar strategy with the 5D line.

BTW, is "ss396" a reference to a Camaro, Chevelle, or Impala ?

[well_dunno]

Depends on pricing. If the 5D3 comes in at 3.5k then yes, I think there will be demand for the 5d2 @ 2k.  I am one of those. I want to see some basic ML features (5 AEB etc) incorporated into the 5d3, if not I will consider a 5d2 with ML.... still on the fence.

However if the 5d3 is priced at 2.7k then the 5d2 might be discontinued.

I really hope that there will be obvious improvements in the 5d3, since it is approx 4 year newer tech.... it just has to. Right? 

I agree - if mk3 comes in at 3.5K  Canon will probably need an entry level FF which could well be the mk2...

[awinphoto]

I think if canon were smart, they would keep it and drop it sub $2000 so people an have an entry level FF and be more obtainable to those who would buy a 7D otherwise.  But whether or not canon thinks its worth it or not...

[Del]

As an APS-C user (7D) with a couple of L lenses, I fully intend to progress to FF sensor within a year or so, and intend doing so by purchasing a used (or reduced price 'new') 5D MkII for a little more than half the anticipated price of the new forthcoming MkIII. There are a lot of us crop-sensor users out there who would like to trade-up or have 2 camera bodies like many of the members of this forum.

If the new 5D is $3k+ then then its just a little too far, so I guess that Canon would prefer to have a well-defined progression of customers that will buy their lenses whilst keeping residual values up on older camera bodies. This is what Mercedes-Benz do with their pricing, they effectively manage residual values.

[Del]

Forgot to say, that 5D mark 2 will still be around for some time to come....   ...but Canon will attempt to price their new model as high as possible without creating too much of a price gap that they scare away potential buyers, so I expect to see them price the MkIII between $2699 to $2999

[Otter]

I think if the MK III comes in at $3500(I hope not!) and they leave the MKII at $2000 There will definitely be a market for it.  For how long?  That is another question.  It is older technology, it won't be still selling @ $2000 a few years from now.  If Canon brings in the MKIII in at $2800 there's no point on them having a the older model at $2000.  It doesn't seem feadable that Canon will keep manurfacturing the MKII much after a month or two of launch of the MKIII.  There will be a huge demand with the olympics coming for the 1DX and as well with the announcement of the MKIII it will be hard for them to keep up with the demand as I'm sure most people will be out of stock(@ least with the MKIII).

[dkingentertainment]

It may stay around. I actually have a 5D II and I love it but I use it for music videography and short films. I haven't heard a lot of rumors on upgrades for the Mark III as far as video capabilities, that would make me buy one. Do you think there will be an improvement in it's video quality? No one ever talks about it.lol

[wickidwombat]

i think they will keep the 5d2 around

[Del]

i think they will keep the 5d2 around

+1 Canon will keep as starter FF body for Rebel/60D/7D users

I'd rather keep my 7D and pickup a new/used 5D, keep my telephoto on the crop body and a fast prime on the 5D and have the best of both worlds, plus you get to shoot video in multicam

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Canon production lines have limited capacity, they do not just throw up a new facility in order to keep a older model in production. 

They likely have a very large inventory of older models right now, based on the FY2011 annual report, inventory is pretty high.  So I expect all of their production capacity that was devoted to the 1 Series and the 5D series is churning out the new models, and will be running at capacity for the next year or more.  There is much more profit in the new models, so they will try to produce as many as possible.  Even so, there will be many waiting to get the new models, they just will not be able to make them fast enough for the first year.

[distant.star]

Since none of us really have any idea what Canon will do in the next week, month or year, I think it's impossible to know if the 5D2 will remain.

I am glad one person at least can tell us that Canon production lines have limited capacity. That makes it tough to compete, I'm sure, against those companies that have infinite capacity production lines. Poor Canon; I feel for them.

[Circles]

It's a work horse, Im sure it will be around for a wee bit longer!

[M249]

With the Digic 4 processor still in "service" for the EOS 1D X and maybe the new EOS 5D MkIII aswell (for AE) this means that Canon will continue to produce the Digic 4 chip instead of throw it of the production line like they have done earlier when a new generation of Digic processors hit the market.