1D Mark II N OR 5D

[dennykyser]

I have ready many threads but some are old and opinions may have changed.

I currently have a 5d, and 20d, before those had a 10D, A2, Elan 7, Elan II, Rebel.
I shoot mainly Portraits and Weddings but will do sports once in a while.

To this point, I have yet to use a camera over 800 ISO, but sounds like I should start so I guess noise will be a consideration.

With all the rebates (I would take advantage of double rebates) $600.00 on the 5D is this a no brainer until something better comes out.

Or do I say to heck with it and just get the 1Ds Mark II? Would this camera be the best of both worlds?

[BrandonSi]

Yes, the 1Ds MII would be the best of both worlds. Of course there is a price for getting the best of both worlds, and it's more than the price of the 5D :)

[dennykyser]

Yes, the 1Ds MII would be the best of both worlds. Of course there is a price for getting the best of both worlds, and it's more than the price of the 5D :)

I never really thought about this camera until I started trying to decide between the 5D and 1d mark II N.
I dont need the speed, but love the build quality. I love the 5D just wish it was built a little tougher, I feel the need to baby this camera.

[heffsarmy]

Your title is confusing 1D MII N then you mention 1Ds MII in the text, I presume you mean the 1D MII N if so I would buy it since you have the 5D, at least when you do shot sports you have the ultimate to do so with 1d mii N.

[EORI]

Of course there is a price for getting the best of both worlds, and it's more than the price of the 5D :)

In fact, for the price of a 1Ds MkII, one can get 2 5Ds and some accessories with the change.

I love the 5D just wish it was built a little tougher, I feel the need to baby this camera.

No need to baby it when you can have an identical backup body. I also think the 5D is built tougher than you think. I don't abuse mine, but I certainly don't baby it.

[Steiglitz]

Denny, for weddings the 5D is the better camera, even better then the 1DS Mark II. Why? because the 5D provides lower noise at higher ISO's. The 1DS Mark II provides more resolution however, but the 5D's 12.8mp is still more then enough for 16" x 20" enlargements.

Since you shoot sports occassionally, replacing the 5D with the 1D Mark IIn would be foolish. Frames/second and build quality aside, the 5D is a better portrait and wedding camera then ANY Canon 1D series. This is based on placing image quality highest on the list of gotta-haves.

I had two 1D Mark II's for my wedding & event work but I found that the 5D produced better image quality, especially in noise performance and resolution too. So I ebay'd away my 1D Mark II's and now use only the 5D's for my business.

You may not believe this but the 5D produces the best image quality of ANY Canon DSLR...the only advantage the 1DS Mark II has over the 5D is (1) build quality, which will add nothing to image quality and (2) resolution for better enlargement quality. But if you're not routinely enlarging past 16" x 20" then a camera having more then 12.8mp is perhaps overkill.

For your uses, forget about the 1D Mark IIn...it produces more noise and less resolution then the 5D, and it's better build will add nothing to image quality.

[dennykyser]

Thanks everyone, When processing through Capture 1 Pro, I get clean enough files to make great enlargements. I have heard all I need to hear, image quality is what I am after. I have invested more in my lighting than I have my cameras and I want the best image possible, sounds like the 5D is the tool I need.

Besides if I do have a body go down, can pick the other up and not have to even think to put it in action.

[Steiglitz]

Denny, in my wedding biz, I don't have the concept of "back up body". I use both my 5D's at the same time....two bodies, having different lenses, so I constantly exchange them to my eye, while both hanging off my shoulder. For this reason, if you shoot weddings it is a must to have two identical bodies. Of course if one of the bodies dies, I can still stumble ahead with just one, but of course two makes for faster work, less lens changes, etc.

You're smart to put most your $$ in lighting....this will do more for your images then the body and perhaps the lenses too.