1D or D60 for theatrical shooting?

[SharenKB]

It's time to go digital and I would love some feedback on the D1 vs D60. I've read several comparison articles and am leaning toward the D1.

I am not a studio shooter - I am a dance performance photographer. I wish I could wait for the D1s, but the "Nutcracker season" is quickly approaching and I need to buy something now. (Lord, how many Nutcrackers can I shoot before I go blind or insane?)

I typically shoot ASA1600 film with a 300 2.8 or 70-200 2.8. and a shutter speed of 1/125. Stage lighting runs from high key, high contrast to flat and nearly non-existent in the course of one performance. Print size is usually 5x7 or 8x10.

Okay, any suggestions? THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT!!!!

Sharen

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Sharen,

http://www.pbase.com/c_kuiphoff/root This fellow shoots a lot a theatre stuff with a Canon EOS 1D and seems to do a pretty decent job. :)

Max ISO on the D60 is only 1000, so that could be a problem. The 1D is a much better - and more expensive :) - camera. If you can afford, I would go for that; the 1Ds is not here yet and is likely to be a big chunk of money more.

Regards,

[darrell]

Depends on what type of images you're looking for. I've shot theater, ballet, and ice skating with my D30, works pretty well. Here's a link to a showing of fiddler on the roof at a local dinner theater. http://www.rubber-monkey.net/DIGITAL/fiddler/index.htm

Here's some stuff done at the local professional ballet.
http://www.rubber-monkey.net/digital/ballet/merrywidow/

Other than being of a higher resolution and a couple of improvements, the d60 is not much different than the D30. the info is attached to each picture, so you can see what I'm shooting.

Roger was talking about the canon 1D, your post says D1. Nikon?
what lenses do you presently own? If you have canon lenses, stick with canon, if you have nikon stick with that unless you find a reason to change out your whole system. Supposedly nikon has sharper wide to normal lenses, canon makes better big glass.

[SharenKB]

Well, duh. I did mean the 1D (D1 was a typo). I'm currently shooting with A2 bodies and Canon EF lenses.

Roger and Darrell, thanks for the links! The images look equally good on all of them. This is a tough decision and the cost difference between the 1D and the D60 is not a big issue. ISO and shutter speed are my requirements, so I guess I'm leaning toward the 1D.

If you're interested, here is the link to my film images:

http://DancingImage.PhotographsToGo.com

Thanks for the input!

Sharen

[darrell]

sharen, if you're still undecided, go rent one of each to try out. Take your regular film camera along with one of the rented digitals and see what does best. putting that much cash out for a digital kind of makes it important that it does what you need it to. eventually I'm going to upgrade my D30 to a 1D, mostly because I've gotten into gymnastics photography, and may do some skiing photography this winter., and the D30 just isn't fast enough for peak action.
I liked your site layout. I wish I could specialize enough to actually form a theme, but it's kind of hard when you're shooting indoor gymnastics one weekend, wolves at a wild animal park the next, and covering a enviromental protest the week after. either that or it's my ADD kicking in.