1Ds vs 5D

[KevC]

So I'm dreaming about full-frame goodness. It seems that these two cameras are very similar in price ~$3000. However, the 1Ds would be "well used" where the 5D would be brand new.

Sure, add the battery grip to the 5D and it'll be *SLIGHLY* more expensive than a well used 1Ds, but how about performance?

No doubt the 1-series will be slick with the weather sealing and built like a tank... but what else is there? Amazing autofocus?

I am guessing the image quality of the 5D will be significantly better than the 1Ds? Or am I off? It's a newer camera... higher ISO performance would definitely be better.

Thoughts?

[tim]

I would take a new 5D over a used 1Ds for what I do. High ISO performance is one issue, so is the warranty. AF would be better on the 1 series though.

[picture-this]

Hope this helps your decision a bit.

5D- good points:
fast start up/write speed
iso performance + 1600/3200
12.8mpxl
35 zone metering
ettl II
large screen
lightweight
0-7 step sharpening/refined in camera pp perameters

Bad:
96% viewfinder
compact style body missing a few useful buttons/displays/controls

1ds- good points:
auto focus system
100% viewfinder
weather sealing
+-3 stop meter showing ambient/flash exposure
multi spot metering
large capacity battery
eyepiece shutter
separate */fel buttons
pre registered focus point and white balance shift button
clear display of all settings via upper and lower lcd
highly customizable via custom and personal functions
sound clip recording

Bad points:
used
iso performance/1250
slow start up and write speed


The iso part makes It a tough choice. Good luck :confused:

[Tom W]

I would take a new 5D over a used 1Ds for what I do. High ISO performance is one issue, so is the warranty. AF would be better on the 1 series though.

In low-light, the 5D focuses very well, and at a bit lower light level vs. the 1-series (-0.5 EV vs. 0 EV). Fast action might benefit the 1Ds, though it's really not the king of sports either.

Clean image quality, to me, favors the newer design though I've seen a few pining for the "old" look of the 1Ds, saying it's more "film-like". Given the graininess of some of my slide and negative scans, I'm not too sure that I like the film look any more.

Obviously, the 1Ds is built like a brick outhouse. It's a hammer.

Other than that, Picture-this outlines most of the differences quite well.

[René Damkot]

Fast action might benefit the 1Ds, though it's really not the king of sports either.
IIRC the 5D is actually faster . . .
I'ld go for the 5D. Higher ISO (1Ds goes to 1250 only, and that's as noisy as the 5D's ISO 3200), lighter weight, new vs. severely used, ettl2. Also IMO the newer camera's (1D(s)Mk2, 5D) deliver better colors then the original 1Ds.
When considering, I'ld also check out the 1DMk2.