To buy or not to buy: DCS 560

[photomd]

I'm going to come out of lurking status to ask a quick question. I did a search and couldn't find the answer, so if it's been asked, please excuse me. I do a little freelance work photographing motorcycles. Most the time this is at a track with bikes at speed. Does anyone have experience with a Canon DCS 560 for sports photography? I can't afford a 1D II and definitely can't swing a 1Ds. I currently use 100-400 IS L lens and an EOS 3. I'm worried the ISO limitation (200) would make it difficult. Thoughts? Thanks!

[Andy_T]

Hi,

I have no hands-on experience with the camera, but I have been pondering the decision to buy one myself.

For your requirement, I think the Canon 1D (Mark I), that should also be available used (though more expensive) has another important advantage: FPS / Buffer size on the DCS 560 are pretty bad (AFAIK: 1-2 pictures/seconds, 4 frame buffer).

As far as prices for used cameras are concerned - I've seen a DCS 560 with relatively few shots and a Canon 28-200 sold for EUR 1.300 on eBay last week. 1D auctions usually yield something above EUR 2.000.

Best regards,
Andy

[CyberDyneSystems]

The Old frankenstein EOS Digital?

Nahhhh.. it's really old,. you may not even be able to get a battery for it,.

If you get one,. get it to toy around with .. but otherwise.. it's 1D, 10D or even DRebel...

[Cordell]

The Old frankenstein EOS Digital?

Nahhhh.. it's really old,. you may not even be able to get a battery for it,.

If you get one,. get it to toy around with .. but otherwise.. it's 1D, 10D or even DRebel...

"It's old". Does that mean it can't be used for his purpose? Will it be to dusty? Spider webs in and out? What, please enlighten me why it can't be used.

I'm sure he is asking about speed and functionality and IMAGE RESULTS. If it cost as much as say a 10D, DRebel, or even an used D60 and D30 I would say don't spend your money.

[photomd]

My problem with a 10D is durability. If I'm shooting a dirt track or MX event, the dust is choking. Road racing isn't too bad, but it's still a pretty dirty environment. One reason I use an EOS 3 with L lenses is that they're sealed. If I could go digital for $1000-1300, I'd probably go for it. As for the digital rebel, I didn't like the feel. (My wife thinks I'm an equipement snob.... :lol: ) Thoughts/experiences? Thanks for y'all's help! :wink:

[CyberDyneSystems]

"It's old". Does that mean it can't be used for his purpose? Will it be to dusty? Spider webs in and out? What, please enlighten me why it can't be used.



In this case it means that the technology involved is so antiquated that it is a bad investment.. IMHO.

Were not talking about film bodies.. the advancement in digital,. particularly in CCD/CMOS desgn and processing electronics has come a long way.

The DRebel with it's relatively state of the art CMOS and Digic processor will render better images,. less noise and better more usefull ISO range. (DCS 560 is iso 80 -200,. that's it)

What about frame buffer and FPS.. it's only 1 shot per second for 3 shots before you are waiting for the buffer to empty, at which point you have to wait 7 SECONDS PER SHOT :( Even the DRebel will blow it away. The 10D is pretty well sealed even if it is not a "1" body.


But the main thing I allready pointed out,. parts,. like batteries may be impossible to find. The Battery only offered about 100 per charge shots new.. and it is a damn NiCad :evil: so by now it will have degraded and you would be LUCKY to get 50 shots out of it.

PC Card storage,. not CF,. No RAW files,. don't even know if Jpeg is a choice,. probably just shoots Tiff...

The drivers were written for Win95 and NT 4... what do you want to bet it has trouble with XP?

No,. I would definately take my chances with a used d30 minimum, or a new 300D.

[photomd]

The DRebel with it's relatively state of the art CMOS and Digic processor will render better images,. less noise and better more usefull ISO range. (DCS 560 is iso 80 -200,. that's it)

What about frame buffer and FPS.. it's only 1 shot per second for 3 shots before you are waiting for the buffer to empty, at which point you have to wait 7 SECONDS PER SHOT :( Even the DRebel will blow it away. The 10D is pretty well sealed even if it is not a "1" body.




Er...umf....Maybe I'll keep looking. That's the info I needed to know. I don't think it's gonna work. Anyone know where I can find a 1D II for $1500.... :lol: ...er maybe not. Thanks for y'all's help!

[Arno van Vught]

Why not look for a used DCS520 ?
They go for as little as $500 on eBay. At least you have 3.5 fps, 12 frame buffer and ISO 200-1600.
There is still a DCS520 sample gallery on DPreview.

Arno