To have fun 2/2/22, which additionally falls on a Tuesday – how enjoyable! – I’ve picked a few of my favourite cameras to function a ‘2’ of their mannequin title. To be clear, ‘II’ additionally counts, so don’t fret, all these Mk II cameras are nonetheless within the operating.
If I have been actually dedicated to the theme, I might solely choose a pair of cameras to function, however that may be leaving out means too many wonderful cameras. By the way in which, these are additionally in no explicit order. With out additional ado, let’s get to it.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
The Canon EOS 5D Mark II was a large deal when it was introduced in September of 2008. The 21.1-megapixel full-frame digicam was an enormous step up over the unique 5D. Once I consider the 5D sequence, the Mark II is the primary one which involves thoughts because of its significance for Canon and the way the digicam raised the profile of your entire EOS digicam sequence.
The soar to 21.1MP from 12.8MP was large in 2009. Heck, there are new cameras available on the market now, over a dozen years later, which are nonetheless proper round that very same megapixel rely, together with some full-frame cameras.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
I nonetheless repeatedly see photos on-line captured with the EOS 5D Mark II. Even now, in 2022, it is a very succesful digicam. There are additionally a ton of them accessible at good costs on the second-hand market. Again in 2019, KEH, a big purchaser and vendor of used digicam gear, ranked the highest 10 best-selling digital cameras from 2010-2019 and which digicam topped the listing? None apart from the Canon EOS 5D Mark II.
Fujifilm X-T2 and Fujifilm X-Pro2
The primary X Collection digicam to supply 4K video recording, the Fujifilm X-T2 did not simply comply with within the footsteps of the wonderful X-T1, it utterly overshadowed it. The DSLR-styled X-T2 was a totally spectacular digicam when it launched in 2016. The 24.3MP APS-C X-Trans picture sensor nonetheless holds up nicely to today, and the X-T2 is a incredible instance of what an APS-C digicam can do, each by way of nonetheless images and video.
Fujifilm X-Pro2
Its rangefinder-styled sibling, the X-Pro2, is maybe simply nearly as good, though totally different. Popping out a bit earlier than the X-T2, the X-Pro2 lacks 4K video recording and does not embrace a touchscreen. These have been each considerably disappointing omissions, however nonetheless, the X-Pro2 is a good ‘2’ digicam.
The Nikon D2H and D2X
Nikon adopted up the Nikon D1 by skipping the D2 altogether. As a substitute, Nikon launched a pair of D2-series cameras a few 12 months and a half aside, the Nikon D2H and Nikon D2X. The Nikon D2H sported a 4.1MP CCD picture sensor, which is not notably spectacular now however was ample on the time. However most amazingly, the D2H shot at 8 frames per second, got here with Wi-Fi, and supported a brand new flash system. On the time of its launch in 2003, we wrote, ‘the D2H is well essentially the most pleasant digicam to shoot with that I’ve but dealt with, with a fluid, quick, and simple to make use of consumer interface that intrudes minimally on the capturing expertise.’ That is excessive reward.
The Nikon D2H shell, yet one more tremendous rugged DSLR in Nikon’s historical past
However solely 4.1 megapixels? That is a little bit of a bummer, proper? Nikon agreed that there must be an possibility for photographers requiring extra decision, so the Nikon D2X launched in 2005 with a brand new 12.2MP CMOS picture sensor. You did not even sacrifice a lot velocity, both, because the D2X might nonetheless shoot at 5 frames per second. In case you wished the 8fps velocity of the D2H, that was doable too through the use of a high-speed crop mode that also delivered 6.87MP picture recordsdata.
Whereas the assessments of time have confirmed an excessive amount of to deal with for the Nikon D2-series cameras, on the time, they have been vital cameras for Nikon, signaling that it was nonetheless very a lot a pressure to be reckoned with within the skilled SLR market. It is easy to overlook that the transition to digital was powerful for long-time stalwarts within the business, and Nikon was no exception. Continued success was no assure, even for the giants of the business.
Sony A7 II, A7R II and A7S II
Due to Sony’s naming scheme, there are numerous cameras to select from. No disrespect to the more moderen – and glorious – Sony A9 II, however I’ll concentrate on Sony’s electrical 2014-2015 launch schedule. I do not suppose that 12 months will ever be topped by way of unbelievable cameras popping out from a single producer throughout a 12-month interval. To recap, in November 2014, Sony introduced the A7 II. In June 2015, Sony introduced the high-resolution A7R II. 4 months later, in October, Sony introduced the low-light monster that’s the Sony A7S II.
In lower than a 12 months, Sony introduced and launched three wonderful full-frame interchangeable lens cameras. Not simply three cameras, however three very very totally different fashions. Sure, the physique and designs are just about uniform – which is actually a part of Sony’s aggressive launch schedule – however the picture sensors, goal markets and value factors have been all fairly totally different.
The ‘primary’ mode, the Sony A7 II, launched for round $1,700, which is unbelievable for a full-frame digicam at the moment. The A7 II’s design addressed most of the ergonomic quirks of earlier A7-series cameras and the digicam marked a transition for Sony. The A7 II, and continuing ‘II’ fashions, helped solidify Sony as a official pressure within the digicam world and helped propel mirrorless know-how to the forefront of the picture business. Mirrorless cameras weren’t new by this level, however they hadn’t absolutely caught on. Due to cameras just like the A7 II, mirrorless is the first digicam know-how we see right now.
Am I utilizing this text as an excuse to point out my canine as a pet? Sure. Shot on the Sony A7S II.
The Sony A7R II took a barely totally different strategy, choosing a higher-resolution picture sensor and better value. The A7R IV had the most important bottom illuminated CMOS picture sensor of any digicam available on the market and its 42MP picture sensor holds up exceedingly nicely to today.
Then again, the Sony A7S II packed a full-frame sensor with solely 12 megapixels. That was a low rely, even in 2015, however the $3,000 digicam proved to be a powerhouse for low-light picture and video purposes. It additionally lacked phase-detect autofocus factors, one thing current on each the 24MP and 42MP Sony A7 II and A7R II cameras.
Sony provided one thing for everybody in 2015. There is no doubt that the A7 II, A7R II and A7S II inspired numerous DSLR customers to make the soar to mirrorless and the soar to Sony basically.
Olympus E-M1 Mark II
With a brand new 20MP picture sensor, the Olympus E-M1 Mark II set a brand new commonplace for Micro 4 Thirds cameras. In comparison with the unique E-M1, the ‘sequel’ not solely included a brand new, higher-resolution picture sensor, it additionally included a revamped autofocus system, a pair of sooner processors, 4K video and way more. It isn’t usually {that a} new digicam mannequin encourages somebody to improve as a lot because the E-M1 II did when it launched in 2016. However it did mainly all the pieces higher.
Shot on the Olympus E-M1 Mark II by William Brawley. Olympus 7-14mm F2.8 Professional: 7mm, F3.5, 32s, ISO 1600
Olympus, and now OM Digital Options, has frequently delivered sturdy, rugged MFT cameras with good picture high quality, efficiency and velocity. We wrote of the E-M1 Mark II, ‘The Olympus E-M1 Mark II is an incredible digicam. Executed. Interval. It takes the OM-D system to a brand new stage, particularly in terms of velocity and efficiency.’ There’s not way more to say than that, the E-M1 II is among the finest ‘2’ cameras of all time.
Wrapping up
There are so many cameras that incorporate a ‘2’ into their mannequin title and lots of incredible ones that I have not talked about. Some ‘honorable mentions’ will be fairly doled out to the wonderful premium compact all-in-one Sony RX100 II and its full-frame counterpart, the Sony RX1R II. I’ve talked to my colleague, William Brawley, about my hopes for an RX1R III for years. I do not suppose it’s going to ever come, however I am going to maintain wishing as a result of the RX1R II is a exceptional and incredible all-in-one digicam. Hey, perhaps by 3/3/2033?
Talking of cameras that will by no means come to be, here is one that may positively by no means come to be, the Samsung NX2. The Samsung NX1 was a extremely cool digicam that used a Samsung-made picture sensor. It delivered nice picture high quality, however the NX system by no means took off and Samsung quietly killed its digicam system and left the market. Sadly, the NX2 is a sequel that wasn’t meant to be.
If you need a medium-format digicam, it is exhausting to go incorrect with the Fujifilm GFX 50S II, which is an attention-grabbing sequel insofar because it makes use of the identical picture sensor as the unique however modifications mainly all the pieces else.
Readers, what are a few of your favourite cameras that incorporate a ‘2’ into their mannequin title? Are there any wonderful ‘sequels’ that we missed? Tell us within the feedback beneath.
