It takes work in different situations, but the 5D2 was designed for run and gun video for amateurs, with auto-everything. For the price, can we really complain?
Yes, the 5D is used by a lot of pros, so a happy snapper's video ability is somewhat pointless.
Though I suspected the video control would be pathetic/non existent and so wasn't that excited about getting one.
Looks like the much hyped video feature is on a par with a very cheap video camera but with terrible [video] ergonomics. Albeit with a fantastic sensor that you won't be able to really benefit from, as there's no manual control. Unless you don't use the lenses that you probably have to go with camera. Which kind of defeats the purpose.
This is exactly why RED was formed, through the frustration of video cameras that were deliberately crippled to protect artificially overpriced 'pro' gear'. I did think it unlikely that Canon would release a stills camera that would outshine their more expensive video cameras.
Maybe the guys who provide firmware hacks for the Canon Ixus/Elph cameras to shhot RAW etc... can do a similar thing for the 5DII.
Though shooting wide open in normal daylight is not possible without using ND filters regardless of manual/auto control. 1/50th at 100ISO on a sunny winter's day [no snow], currently gives me a f-stop of 16. It'll be f22 in summer. Cinematography is
not the same as photography, despite the obvious similarities - there are some big differences. You cannot simply use a higher shutter speed as that affects the look of the image and only tends to be done for dramatic effect as the image tends to 'strobe' with faster shutter speeds.