Question (image quality 1Ds2 Vs 20D)

[MDJAK]

Please forgive my relative lack of knowledge (though I'm trying to learn as much as I can) but I'm asking what I deem to be a simplistic question and would appreciate as plain an answer as possible.

I'm waiting for the 1Ds Mark II to arrive. I currently have the 20D, which to me is a much better camera than my former 10D, and I'm talking picture quality-wise, putting aside the much speedier operation which I also appreciate.

Purely speaking picture-wise, with the Epson Stylus Pro 400, printing 16x20, is the picture quality going to be "much" better?

Thanks in advance for taking your valuable time to answer a relative newbie.
Mark

[Persian-Rice]

In terms of print detail? probably not. But images will look nicer........improved DR etc etc

[sGu]

If that's the max print size you can do, then you probably won't see too much obvious difference apart from DR, colour and better details(if you look carefully), however, if you ever get a chance to print much bigger size, 1Ds MK II will show you where the money's gone to :)

[RJSorensen]

Sorry guys . . . what is DR?

[HJMinard]

Sorry guys . . . what is DR?

Dynamic range, RJ ...

[mdr]

Shouldn't you have asked this question before you bought the 1DsMkII? ;)

[MDJAK]

Actually, I have asked this question in other posts, one regarding screen resolution and the other regarding print resolution. I've read enough about the camera to know that I want it. The author of a highly regarded website, http://www.luminous-landscape.com/, who has extensively tested the camera, states that the picture quality is far better than the 20d. I wanted to know from regulars around here their experience.

I am also getting it for the 45 point autofocus, spot metering, etc.

[Persian-Rice]

....................the image is about the same as the 1DMKII, striclty talking about colours and Dr, resolution is double.
Our school just got ten of these last week, signed it out once already, pretty nice. Not as fast as the 1D, but then it has the resolution advantage. The difference is minimal. Great for studio work, but I have the digital large format for that, I just wish it had all the features of the 1Ds MKII............

[MDJAK]

Thanks, Persian and everyone else.

Persian, when you say color is just about the same, but resolution is double, I understand by the numbers it is double, but is it double by looking at the image?

My question becomes more relevant now that the store I ordered it from called me with some story that they thought it was coming in yesterday, but Canon sent them an invoice on a phantom camera that never showed so now they don't know when they are getting it. They are refunding my credit card charge.

I am now having second thoughts whether I should upgrade to the 1D Mark II from my 20D and save four grand.

[Persian-Rice]

See, the 1DsMKII is the best in terms of sensor technology and the image files are physically pretty much double in size. If you print poster sized stuff, it will be really awesome.

I dont really know what to tell you. I have not printed with the 1Ds MKII, I just signed it out to see what the new Canon is capable of. But I have compared my 1D MKII to the Arca-Swiss and with very large studio shot prints there is a big difference.

I have never been big on huge prints until I started studying photography and for presentation purposes I have had to make some exuberantly large prints. If that is the case for you the 1Ds would be the cheapest choice in that resolution range and will come to great use.
If all you ever plan on printing is the occasional 16x20, the 1D MKII is more then enough, and probably more camera then you need as well. The 1D MKII is better then the 20D in every way as well......

If you make huge prints, go for the 1Ds
If you want speed and performance, with similar image quality but much lower resolution, then go with the 1D MKII. I have never found the resolution an issue because I dont personally print that big. The only reason I print big is because of school and they handed me a $20K camera to work with so I dont have that problem........

[HKFEVER]

Go for the 1DsMKII, it will not let you down. I am not sure why, I have more keeper with 1DsMKII than 1DMKII. 1DsMKII seems have richer colour (it seems like the effect of MF).

[MDJAK]

Thanks, HK. I never thought it would disappoint me. The only time it will, is when the next greatest comes out down the road.

Actually, I thought I'd have it this past Friday, but www.thecamerashop.com disappointed me. I gave them my credit card info on Wednesday. The gentleman assured me it would be in their hands on Thursday and would ship overnight to me for Friday. Never got an email with tracking number. Called and he said: It went out yesterday, meaning Thursday. (He was off Thursday.) I told him I called on Thursday and they told me they never got it. He called me back with the bad news. They didn't have it and didn't know when they were going to get it. Perhaps they decided not to honor the excellent price of $7600, which another forum member reported he paid there.

At this point, I'm back to my search. Every place is out of stock. I found today on the web www.normancamera.com in Michigan. I think they might have it. In the meantime, I'll keep having fun with my 20d.