5D or 1D Mark II N ?

[PaulSands]

I'm currently dumping off my 30D and replacing it but am a little unsure as to whether to get a 5D or a 1D MkIIN
I was recenly taking images of an indoor equestrian event and was cranking my ISO up and slowing my shutter speed with my 30 to the point of shutter speed 160 ISO1600 at 2.8 and was barely getting an image. A guy stood next to me with similar glass and a 5D was shooting with a shutter speed of 400 and ISO 400 and was getting images clear as day. When I set my camera to those settings I just got black images. To say I was gutted was an understatement. I understand that the 5D is full sensor but had totally failed to grasp the difference that appeared to make. My concern is that the 5D may well be the better choice in low light conditions but would be any good in good light with fast moving objects, say motor sport? I think currently the low light performance takes preferrence and I am keeping my 20D which I totally prefer over the 30D which I loathed.
Advice gratefully received

[George Chew]

Greetings,
I can keep on heaping praise on the performance of 5D at very high ISO till the cows come home. It is known to be the best among all dslrs, 1DsII included. As for 1DnII, this is the fastest machine among all dslrs, faster than nikon D2x in high speed crop mode. I think the decision is quiet clear if you already have what you hope to get from the camera. My opinion for you since you are still using the 20D, 5D may be a better choice as both cameras have similar layout. So you won't fumble when using both together. Thats my experience as at a point, I too own both. Having said so, I do read a review that the noise level of 1DnII is very close to 5D. So, life is full of hard decision. If you are willing to spend, 1DnII is a very good choice. Enjoy...

[PaulSands]

Thanks for that.
First impressions then get the 5 now and then next year replace the 20 with a 1 or whatever else might have materialised.
On past form as soon as I get my 5 it will be replaced with a 6 or something
:D

[EOSAddict]

Paul,

I don't see how you and the 5D chap coud have such fundamentally different exposures if you were both using 2.8 lenses. The exposure system on both bodies is the same. The 5D may well have better ISO performance but the exposure should be very similar.

Don't forget 5fps vs 3 fps if you are into motorsports that could be a difference

(I have a 30D by the way)

[PaulSands]

[quote=EOSAddict;2306702]Paul,

I don't see how you and the 5D chap coud have such fundamentally different exposures if you were both using 2.8 lenses.
[quote]
I was totally knocked flat by the difference. Absolutely ruined my day :)
The motorsport is now very much a secondary (if not tertiary) consideration at the moment and I never used to shoot in bursts that often anyway

[EOSAddict]

Might I suggest there may be something wrong with your body if its that different?

[PaulSands]

Suggest away, thats why its gone back with a request for a full refund :)
The shop I bought it from agreed virtually instantly as they have had a lot of disatisfied punters buying 30's. I was expecting the runaround but was pleasantly suprised

[EOSAddict]

That's interesting. not heard many 30D users unhappy with the body itself. Mine is one of the first i the country and it's absolutely fine! Unless you are desperate for a FF body, why don't you try another 30D?

[radiohead]

Much as I love my 5D, it wouldn't be the body I'd choose for equestrian and motorsports. I'd take the 1D MKII N every time - better AF, faster fps, weather-proofed and a more solid build.

[AdamJL]

+ 1.3 crop!

[stuv]

I have owned all the Canon DSLRs and I have come to the conclusion that the best 2 are the 1DMK2n and the 5D - the 30D is a fair body but I did not like it and I sold my 1DsMK and have gone back to the 5D - the resolution and performance from these two bodies is superb! However you need a good range of good L glass as they show the flaws of a bad lense!

[Cadwell]

Paul, exposure is constant between the bodies. ISO 400, 1/400th and f/2.8 will produce the same exposure (within a very small margin) at the sensor regardless of the camera used... There had to be another issue there.

For sports work, whatever the type, go for the 1 Series. The 45 point AF system has yet to be equalled.

[kram]

I was recenly taking images of an indoor equestrian event and was cranking my ISO up and slowing my shutter speed with my 30 to the point of shutter speed 160 ISO1600 at 2.8 and was barely getting an image. A guy stood next to me with similar glass and a 5D was shooting with a shutter speed of 400 and ISO 400 and was getting images clear as day. When I set my camera to those settings I just got black images.

I didnt get this...... is this really possible that the exposure from a similar lens can be so diff ??

[SeanH]

Paul, that's really hard to believe. #1 There should not have been any differences in the exposure between the 2 cameras..........are your sure you didn't have some exposure comp dialed in. And #2 the 30D is about the same as the 20D which is (IMO) one of the best cameras Canon has every made, I find it VERY hard to believe that alot of people are not happy with it. Knowing camera stores, he probably was just trying to sell you something that cost more money.

I have found reading alot of these types of posts that 95% of the time there is no problem with the camera........just the user....exposure comp, wrong metering mode, set on manual.....things like that. Not saying your wrong, but have you ckeck all that?

[Jon]

3 whole stops difference in exposure? The 5D's "low light" reputation is based on low noise, not on a magical ability to drag in extra light. it's possible that the 5D user was picking his moments to capture the riders when they were best-positioned relative to the lights in the arena. I almost hesitate to ask if you double-checked both that you were at ISO 1600, not 160 (30D, like the 5D, supports 1/3 step ISO settings) and that you hadn't left a polarizer on your lens.

[Sledhed]

are your sure you didn't have some exposure comp dialed in.

SeanH beat me to it, I was thinking the same exact thing. That's what I would check first.

[CoolToolGuy]

When the 5D was announced, I was sure I had to get one to have a camera without a crop factor. But the more I thought about it, I realized the 1D2N was the better choice for me.

I shoot motorsports, and the FPS was a significant factor. But I also shoot indoor events, and the better AF of the 1D2N also helps there. The 1.3x crop is close enough to full frame for what I shoot, and at the time, the price of the grip took the 5D almost to the price of the 1D2N. Now, with the rebates, the price gap is wider and the 5D is much cheaper, but the other factors remain. One big thing in favor of the 5D if you are keeping your 20D is the battery - they use the same battery.

So I would recommend the 1D2N. The controls will take a little getting used to, but it is an outstanding body. You will like it indoors.

Have Fun,

[pieq314]

As many have already pointed out, under the same settings (same ISO, same aperture), both cameras should produce the same brightness. Only the noise level should be different. So I think you may have accidentally set your camera at lower ISO or smaller aperture.

[PaulSands]

We did a straight shot to test at a non moving jump and believe me I was as suprised as you. I checked everything. I was using an EF70-200 f2.8 L