Need a new camera.

[Photolistic]

I am thinking about getting a new backup camera and using it as my main camera in use with my 30D as a backup.

What I am considering.

1D MK II

or

5D and grip

What would be better for weddings? I also shoot portraits too.

[tim]

At every wedding I do one of my 20Ds stops working for a few seconds, until I reset it, because of that i'm tempted by the 1 series. The 5D is popular too, and lighter.

[SuzyView]

Get the 5D. I got one, and it's a keeper! The IQ is just amazing.

[Photolistic]

At every wedding I do one of my 20Ds stops working for a few seconds, until I reset it, because of that i'm tempted by the 1 series. The 5D is popular too, and lighter.

I recently had my 30D give me error 99. Not sure if its my new 4GB card (because the red recording light by the jog dial would not go off even when I turned it off)

Or maybe its my new 17-55 IS?

[xandria]

I love the 5d, the 1D MKII would be awesome if you can do it. The nice thing about getting the 5d to go with your 30D is that the controls are the same, virtually no learning curve.

[coreypolis]

try them both. the 5d is cheeper and may have slightly better images and certainly bigger ones, but as you know being int he PacNW weather sealing is a huge issue, and the speed is nothing to take for granted.

[Stan43]

I second the 5D and grip. You have a wonderfull combo with the 30D for wide, tele anmd everything in between. It makes you want to go FF totally.

[picturecrazy]

Some of my local colleagues also complain about the 5D and 1 series throwing error codes and locking up. I don't think it something you can avoid... unfortunately.

[_Jo_]

I recently had my 30D give me error 99. Not sure if its my new 4GB card (because the red recording light by the jog dial would not go off even when I turned it off)

Or maybe its my new 17-55 IS?

Sounds like the card? I had a similiar error. Maybe the shots were in quick succession and the card could not keep up?

[Photolistic]

Sounds like the card? I had a similiar error. Maybe the shots were in quick succession and the card could not keep up?

Would it say error 99? I thought that 99 was the lens interface...

But yeah when I turn it off its still locked up so I have to take both the batteries off the grip or take the grip off and its fine. Guess thats one reason to bring 2 bodies though, you never know when its going to be permanent or for a while. I once had a sigma lens stop working for a short while, now it works fine on both bodies. *shrug*

[_Jo_]

Would it say error 99? I thought that 99 was the lens interface...

But yeah when I turn it off its still locked up so I have to take both the batteries off the grip or take the grip off and its fine. Guess thats one reason to bring 2 bodies though, you never know when its going to be permanent or for a while. I once had a sigma lens stop working for a short while, now it works fine on both bodies. *shrug*

True. See here:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-55466.html

[_Jo_]

was it the 10D you were using? *doh* my bad - that's what happens when you multi-multi task! I see it was the 30D...*bows out of thread*...

http://www.shawnolson.net/a/1158/canon-10d-err-99.html

[_Jo_]

I recently had my 30D give me error 99. Not sure if its my new 4GB card (because the red recording light by the jog dial would not go off even when I turned it off)

Or maybe its my new 17-55 IS?

Just before I go...;)...my 30D and 17-55 lens did the same, I just turned on and off and it went fine - I did find it a little worrying though! But it was when I was taking shots simultaneously with the external flash and I just felt my card could not keep up writing the images (RAW), but then again, maybe it was the camera that could not keep up with itself?...enough said.

[Banbert]

I recently had my 30D give me error 99. Not sure if its my new 4GB card (because the red recording light by the jog dial would not go off even when I turned it off)

Or maybe its my new 17-55 IS?

What sort of CF card was it ?

I have used my 30D for the last 6 months without a single problem using 4GB Kingston CF cards then a relative bought me a Crucial 4GB card for xmas and ive had a ton of problems with it (sent it back today and got a refund). Locked the camera up when formatting it in camera, red formatting light would be stuck on and I would have to remove the battery to get the camera to reset and it would also write to the card very slowly, deffo something not right with that card as the camera is fine with my other cards.

[coreypolis]

for the record I've never had an error 99 on a d30, 10d or 1d2. Only issue to date is between the 1d2 and 70-200 for about a week weren't making good contact with eachother and the body would show 00 as the aperature. I think my lens mount may becoming slightly loose which caused it, but it hasn't done it since this summer.

[Photolistic]

What sort of CF card was it ?

I have used my 30D for the last 6 months without a single problem using 4GB Kingston CF cards then a relative bought me a Crucial 4GB card for xmas and ive had a ton of problems with it (sent it back today and got a refund). Locked the camera up when formatting it in camera, red formatting light would be stuck on and I would have to remove the battery to get the camera to reset and it would also write to the card very slowly, deffo something not right with that card as the camera is fine with my other cards.

Yeah sounds like it was but was shooting at the end of a 4GB "turbo" from A DATA (120X)
Got it at fry's for $70

[_Jo_]

I only use Kingston Elite Pro or Ultimate 133x. I just find there is less 'risk' using this brand then others (from experience) and when shooting weddings I need all the support I can get!

"When high storage volume, superior quality, and extreme transfer rates are vital, the CompactFlash Ultimate 133x gives impressive professional results. The Ultimate line is also pre-loaded with OnTrack® EasyRecovery™ Professional 6.1 for added peace of mind."

[agosling]

Go for the 1D without a question, I know the 5D is FF but the 1 series is just so much a better camera, it is a proper pro level unit and the build and general quality of it is better than anything else I've ever used, it makes my 20D feel like a toy.

As to 99 errors on 20/30D's, I know that this is supposed to be related to lens connections but I have had the error with mine and it was definately related to the CF card. One thing I have learnt is that my 20D does not like memory cards that have been formatted in anything other than it, I cannot even use cards that have been in my 1D and I can't reformat them either, they just lock the camera up. I had to buy new cards just for the 20D.

I'm just glad that my 20D is coming to the end of it's working life and that I will be replacing it with a 2nd 1D before the end of the year.

[subtle_spectre]

My 20D used to lock up on occassion, usually at high paced events with the 24-70L attached and a flash bracket and a 580EX. After much investigation, I finally determined that it was the grip flexing and ever so slightly pulling away from the body at the riser/battery compartment end.

I shimmed the grip to the body at the opposite end with two layers of black electric tape and have not had the slightes of problems since.

That said, I have opted to begin this wedding season with a trio of ___D cameras, specifically to take advantage of the EF-S lenses, in particular the 17-55IS. Last season I shot primarily with a IDMkIIN but found consistently that I much preferred the images from the 20D, even shooting RAW. I also got much more consistent results with the 20D/580EX combo than I did with the 1DN/580 combo...the 1-series, and I have only my experience to back this up, interacts with the 580 differently than the 20D, and the difference is not advantageous.

IMO, for now anyway, 20/30D's are the way to go.

[jessiper]

My 30D locks up a lot, and gives me error messages sometimes. My 5D is older and has been great, plus I love the FF. Never used a 1 series camera. I thought you just bought a backup camer?

[Photolistic]

I only use Kingston Elite Pro or Ultimate 133x. I just find there is less 'risk' using this brand then others (from experience) "

What brand of a card was this? What happened?

[EOS mE]

Yeah sounds like it was but was shooting at the end of a 4GB "turbo" from A DATA (120X)
Got it at fry's for $70

DOH! Adata cards are never as fast as they claim it to be. i think you got the error code due to the card itself and not from the 30D. most of the 4G and up CF cards uses dual channel controllers to control 2 chips, thus if they were using a lesser quality of controller, then you might have an issue when rapid fire and multiple data is being written to both chips at the same time.

Plus most cards out there uses MLC chips, thus the read speed maybe fast.. but the write speed suffers. But unfortunately consumers suffers from knowing the truth since it's all marketing spin.

[Photolistic]

My 30D locks up a lot, and gives me error messages sometimes. My 5D is older and has been great, plus I love the FF. Never used a 1 series camera. I thought you just bought a backup camer?

Yeah I did just get the 10D but it is not what I expected. I really need DIGIC II for what I am trying to do.

[tim]

I trust Sandisk and Kingston cards, Lexar not so much.

[Photolistic]

DOH! Adata cards are never as fast as they claim it to be. i think you got the error code due to the card itself and not from the 30D. most of the 4G and up CF cards uses dual channel controllers to control 2 chips, thus if they were using a lesser quality of controller, then you might have an issue when rapid fire and multiple data is being written to both chips at the same time.

Plus most cards out there uses MLC chips, thus the read speed maybe fast.. but the write speed suffers. But unfortunately consumers suffers from knowing the truth since it's all marketing spin.

I figured so. I tested the speed and its not that fast at all. But it was an ok price for not being online. $70 for a 4 gig.

That was the first time my cam locked up ever. I will probably take it back and get something better for the "just in case" factor.

[EOS mE]

I figured so. I tested the speed and its not that fast at all. But it was an ok price for not being online. $70 for a 4 gig.

That was the first time my cam locked up ever. I will probably take it back and get something better for the "just in case" factor.

yup.. for the price it's good. but for shooting weddings.. i'd play it safe and get some other brands. here's an article on the Adata card...

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=408&tag=nl.e539

For wedding photogs or just ppl that use DSLR, write speed is more important than read speed. So just remember, the X-factor that you see on retail box or blisters is based off of read speed. look carefully for the write speed.

i'm just hoping CFA will follow what SDA is doing by implementing their SD2.0 spec on 4G and higher capacity SD cards. Each one is labeled with Class 2, 4, or 6. So this way, the consumers will know exactly how fast the SD card's write speed is. So no more fooling around there. Unless if manufacturers finds another loophole to get around it; which i'm sure eventually they will.

[Photolistic]

I trust Sandisk and Kingston cards, Lexar not so much.

I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Kingston or especially Sandisk. But why don't you like Lexar?

[coreypolis]

I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Kingston or especially Sandisk. But why don't you like Lexar?
lexar had known compatability issues with canon cameras for a while. IMO they aren't as reliable on the whole, and in 6+ years of digi shooting I've never lost an image on a Sandisk. I had a lexar go bad on me, and they sent a replacement, and despite my best efforst I can't get it to read as a full 1gb, its always 512. Its likey the put a 1gb label on a 512 card.

[picturecrazy]

I've had a bad lexar card that failed on me. They sent a replacement which has been just fine. I have two other lexar cards that have been flawless too. I think these cards, from ANY manufacturer, are just luck of the draw.

[_Jo_]

What brand of a card was this? What happened?

SanDisk: I had taken approx 200 jpegs and the card showed an error - I lost all data. They replaced the "faulty" card and apparently the store said they had replaced a few with the same type of problem. I never used it again.

TwinMos: Similiar sort of problem - kept jamming - well that's what it felt like. This was using my Pro1 so nowhere as fast writing as the 30D.

After those 2 I started using Kingston and will use nothing else!

Of course, like everything photography related it comes down to personal preference. :)

[tim]

I have never heard anyone say anything bad about Kingston or especially Sandisk. But why don't you like Lexar?

They had a recall not long ago. Also my friend has some lexar cards, and not all of them work in my card reader.

[EOS mE]

I've had a bad lexar card that failed on me. They sent a replacement which has been just fine. I have two other lexar cards that have been flawless too. I think these cards, from ANY manufacturer, are just luck of the draw.

yup, just the luck of the draw. cuz manufacturers buys the wafers, but sometimes, they buy wafers that are not fully tested. and even though the wafers aren't fully tested doesn't mean it doesn't work; but rather when it's cut and packaged into chips, the %tage of a chip failure becomes very insignificantly small.

also there are several factors that contributes to causing the problem... mainly it's either the chips or the controllers that is causing the problem.

so if you have that happen to you.. go buy the lottery ;)

[jessiper]

Yeah I did just get the 10D but it is not what I expected. I really need DIGIC II for what I am trying to do.

That's too bad, sorry. :(

[Photolistic]

That's too bad, sorry. :(

Ehh it will work for now. I should be able to get my money back out of it though, I only paid $350 for it. Want to trade for your 5D? :p
I will even throw in a grip and a spare battery.