How to record a video with Canon 5D Mark II

Introduction

With 5D Mark III already established on the market, an ‘old’ camera, Canon EOS 5D Mark II became one of the most popular and affordable ones and thus more interesting to wider audience. An excellent camera with superb video capabilities and a pioneer when it comes to dslr videography. But when I first tried to shoot video, I must be honest, I didn’t know how to do it. I was searching for the button to enter the Video mode, without any luck.

This is just a short ‘how to’ that will help you set up your 5D Mark II to make your first 5D Mk II footage. We made it easy for you and sort it in a several steps, they’ll help you start making videos with your 5D in no time.

 

Simple steps to record video on 5D Mk II:

  1. Turn the mode dial to M
  2. Go to Menu
  3. 6th menu to the right (2nd yellow)
    6th Menu to the right
    6th Menu to the right
  4. First option on the top LV func. Settings
    Menu Settings
    Live Menu Settings
  5. Check the last, third option – Stills + movie, press SET
    Stills+Movie
    Stills+movie
  6. After 4th you will have 3 options, choose Movie display, press SET
    Movie Display
    Movie Display
  7. Go Back in View/Movie Settings
  8. Set Grid display to Off
    Set Grid Mode OFF
    Set Grid display OFF
  9. Set Silent shoot to Mode 1
  10. Set Metering timer to 1 min
    Timer mode - 1min
    Metering timer  – 1min
  11. Set AF Mode to Live Mode
  12. Set Movie Rec Size to one you want
    Movie format
    Movie format
  13. If you are not using microphones set Sound Rec to Auto
    Sound rec
    Sound recording
  14. Close Menu pressing Menu button twice
  15. Click Live view
    Live View
    Live View
  16. Switch AF to MF on your lens
  17. Set White Balance
    White Balance button
    White Balance button
    White Balance options
    White Balance options
  18. Press INFO button to check all Video settings along with the Histogram
    Info View
    Info View
  19. For best focus you should zoom in first 10x (press magnify button twice) and use the joystick to select the part of the frame where you want to focus and then focus your lens manually
  20. Pick a desired exposure and aperture
  21. Set ISO settings by your needs, lower ISO number, less grain
    SET ISO
    SET ISO
  22. You can pick a preset you would like to shoot with pressing a button
    Presets
    Presets
  23. For Start and Stop Press the middle (SET) button on a dial

 

Canon 5D Mk II will record up to 4 GB file size in Full HD, which is equivalent of around 12 minutes.

You can find very interesting article to keep auto recording for longer time: here or try other easier solution on how to record more than 12 mins, or 4GB is the Magic Lantern software.

About Tommy

Photography allows me to be what I want to be, to be where I want to be, and to do what I want to do ... I'm not professional photographer and I don't need a title, I love to take photographs and that is what I do, I love to learn and I always try to do it better ...

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