Upgrade from D60 to 1D question

[torun2]

I've had my D60 since June and really love this camera. I've used it for annual school picture packages, and lately, have gotten much more into youth action sports shooting. I have captured some very nice action shots this summer and fall, with the D60 but have become very interested in trading off the D60 and upgrading to the 1D. I've never had one in my hands but based on my research, I have no doubt that the 8 fps and the superior AF make this a far better choice for sports shooting. This is not said to take anything away from the D60. I consider it the best buy in it's class and I believe it is one of the best portrait DSLR's avaliable at anywhere close to it's price. My question is to all who have used the D30/60 and 1D.... What kind of advantages or disadvantages will I likely encounter when using the 1D for portrait/senior and wedding shooting compared to my current D60. I look forward to all replies. www.sportsshooter.com/mitchell/

[Transfix]

At 4.1 MP on the 1D compared to the 6 MP on the D60 blowing pics up past 8x10 is where you would notice the difference.

I'm a 1V user wanting to get a 1D, so I can't be for certain.

[Artwerks]

First off there are quite a few differences between the EOS 1-D and the D60. I've used both and I have come to love and trust the 1-D. It's a little more predictable than the D60 (in my opinion).
I use the 1-D for shooting schools and the occassional wedding. In the studio and on location, with a custom white balance set up, it's a very consistant camera, the only issue as of last, has been certain exposure differences, but due to lack of information I won't go into that. Overall we have been very happy with the performance of our 1-D under studio and location conditions using well metered lighting set-ups. The only issue besides the previous that I mentioned is the fact that we are having a hard time finding a good portable flash unit to use with it. I shoot weddings and events and I find myself going from M mode in the stuiod to having to go to P mode in the field and increase the 550EX flash output by 2 stops somtimes. Odd! That has been my only gripe with this model. Sorry to drone on....
Some immediate features is the 45-point area AF. The focusing mechanism appears to be very accurate with the exception that it seems hunt when we're shooting a subject with a plaid shirt.
More features, 8fps. there's nothing like shooting a bouquet toss at a wedding and seeing that thing strobe out and knowing that out of the 21 consecutive frames you just shot you will reliably have that perfect shot.
Magnesium body with protected buttons. Well unless you're going to Afganistan to cover the war, you won't think about it but it's to know that its there.
Lastly, unless you get a booster for the D60 the 1-D just looks a lot more professional.
I hope this helps. I have been very happy with the results we are getting in the studio and outside with the camera. It has cut our time in half and increased our revenue.
Sincerely

[torun2]

Thanks for the input. It's great to hear from folks who have experienced the behaviour and personality of both cameras. Also, if anyone would care to chime in with a reply that is specific to shooting sports, it would be fantastic to hear from you as well.
www.sportsshooter.com/mitchell/

[David Miller]

Dear Artwerks,
I would be interested in how you keep your school packages in sink with the kids you photograph. I have shot hundreds of seniors digitally but I'm not sure of a good way to keep student ID's, class, picture package straight. SnapSync, www.snap-sync.com, has a palm computer thats suppose to work but I would like to hear your method of keeping your records straight.
Respectfully,
David Miller

[pgioia]

Torun2:

I recently upgraded from the D30 to the 1D for the same reason you are looking to upgrade:Youth Sports.

All I can say is NIGHT and DAY. Saying that, I must admit I find my printed D30 images have a certain look (a warm feeling) hard to describe, that I love. The 1D is an amazing camera for capturing action. You will find a lot more "Keepers" when shooitng continuous frames of an athlete running torward you.

I love my 1D; but I will never sell my D30.

Good luck and have fun.

Peter

[torun2]

Peter, Thanks for your reply. I too have a sense of a certain "warmth" from most portraits that are taken with my D60. I have been contemplating selling it to pay for part of a 1D, but I may bite the bullet and keep it for school portraits and a good backup,...decisions...decisions. I was wondering if the battery life is really an issue with the 1D. I've read that this is one area where the D30/60 far outperforms the 1D, (with the BG-ED3 and extra battery of course). Although the file sizes will be smaller, I anticipate needing another CF or two because the 3 fps on the D60 is useless to me for most sports shooting, (I've had to develop good anticipation in order to catch "the shot", and with the 1D I anticipate using the rapid fire 8pfs, to some extent, in every sport that I shoot.
As the 1Ds is not engineered for sports shooters, I really don't expect much more of a price drop for the 1D, but now as supply has apparently caught up with demand....well you never know. I was shooting a youth football game today and had a great opportunity when the running back broke through the secondary to go all the way for a TD. He was running toward me and my MF skills only allowed me a couple of early shots. I'm sure it would have been different with the new toy in hand.
OK I'm fantasizing...but not for long!

[Artwerks]

Hi David,
To answer your question about keeping class records straight. We shoot classes by teachers. These are smaller children usually K-8th. So basically we slate each class in the beginning and then give all of the proofs to the homeroom teacher to sort out. They will obviously know who is who. Sounds simple I know. Seniors I'm sure, would be a little harder and I may not be of any help but we have found just holding up simple handwritten messages and shooting them helps keep things in order. Hope that helps. Thanks again for your input. I've seen your previous messages by the way, and I wanted to thank you for your unbiased information which you supplied to this group. It's very helpful.
-Sean

[David Miller]

Dear Artwerks,
Thanks for the reply. I still haven't got "a plan" on how I will shoot underclass packages next year. Your comments have been helpful to say the least. I should be writing about this under a new topic relating to package shooting or something. Let me tell you more about my situation. We shoot several schools during the year. The most underclass or elementary kids I photograph in one day is usually less than 500 students. We offer about(depending upon the school) seven packages with add- ons. We take one picture of each kid, unless he or she blinks, then we take another. We do not slate, take kids by class, or by packages. Even our "ACES" are thrown in the mix. Elementary schools are done by class which is the only exception.
I never thought about shooting "proofs" but this is certainly an option! One feature which would certainly help, would be for digital camera manufactures to show what frame or file we are on instead of telling us in big numbers how many frames are left. I would like to look at my camera and easily tell my assistant what file I'm about to take. I will also have a TV monitor beside the camera to see if the student blinked. QUESTION-do you have any problem getting your proofs back from the students? Do you do a "spring" shoot with fun backgrounds like some of the major school companies do? I believe its just a matter of time before school photography will all be done digital. I also believe its the paperwork or record keeping that is the real problem with shooting schools digitally, not the actual digital photography itself.
Respectfully,
David Miller

[torun2]

Dear Artwerks, would it be asking too much of you and David to, "get a room" or at the very least, to email each other directly. Sorry but I was reprimanded on another forum just this year for walking all over someone elses post with totally unrelated subject matter. Am I being unreasonable?