I just borrowed a 1D4 for a week....

mike cabilangan wrote in post #10748527
i have the cheaper two of the three looking at that third one

any tips/advice before i hit the buy button?

Rent first =P

themadman wrote in post #10748535
Rent first =P

there's no rental here

i was able to hold a 1DIIN that didn't have any power though

Ok, update.

Firstly 7D vs 1D4 - You know, the 7D's not so bad, just the IQ and general feel of the camera lets itself down. As does the ridiculous noise performance.
If I had to choose one, even factoring the cost I'd get the 1D4 because the resale value will hold better.

I took the 1D4 back yesterday so here's my final thoughts:

It's not worth the money for what I need it for. Just isn't.

I can understand why sports photographers use it as the autofocus is stunning and the FPS is amazing.

That's about it though, it should be priced the same as the 5D2 though as it's full frame and has better noise performance. Yes there are other features on the 1D, will I use them? Doubtful.

Over here the 1D4 is £3300 for the body only.
The 5D2 £1600

I was considering using the 1D4 as a second / backup camera but instead I got:

A 5D2, 24-105L, Grip and Battery with a 3 year warranty for £2500
Bit of a no brainer.

What I didn't like:
The AF points seemed too big. If I was doing headshots the AF point would be bigger than the subjects eye and sometimes the eyebrow was more in focus on my 85L.
The Raw noise at 3200
The cost

What I learnt:
Don't use the stupid freaking focus testing charts to set up AF microadjust on the 5D2.
The 1D4 crapped all over my 5D2 until I disabled that.

Now they are about the same in autofocus sharpness, the 1D4 being faster and slightly sharper overall due to the crop factor.
Colour and general feel of the photos at ISO100 are exactly the same.
THe 1D4 does a better job of Raw to Jpeg conversion HOWEVER most people are going to be using Raw if they own this thing.

I'm concerned what the 1DS4 will bring to the game but severly looking forward to the 5D3

Note to canon, lots of AF points are great but smaller ones on the viewfinder please.

Gel wrote in post #10749220
Note to canon, lots of AF points are great but smaller ones on the viewfinder please.

Please not that I never have used a 1DIV, but isn't that exactly thesame question as the review on CanonRumors is about?

The guy asked for spot-AF implented in a firmware update (although he wanted it for very low light autofocussing). I think that would 'solve' your request too.

Current way to use it, is with lenses which have their own AF-stop button, which aren't that many.

One observation too, the place I borrowed it from said 1D4 sales were slow, the 5D2 is flying.
When I picked up the 5D2 locally I had to wait a week because the things out of stock in a lot of the UK.

It suggests people are buying the 5D2 instead.

Gel wrote in post #10749220
Over here the 1D4 is £3300 for the body only.
The 5D2 £1600

if the 1D4 was £2600. would it change your decision?

Nope, £1600 and I'd get one but that said I'd possibly still get the 5D2 as I was after a backup and I have to consider what I'd use it for.

Not bashing the 1D4, good camera, not a great one.

For me (and only me) the 5D2 has:

Full frame
Higher pixel count

The 1D4 has

Better AF
10 FPS

They share: IQ

That's why I can't see the difference in price. However, someone who will use the 1D4's features it's probably worth it.

^ what about a 1Diii for that price? Not sure on the conversion and your used market, but a used 1Diii and a used 5Dii are the same price here. All you lose is 6mp and video really?

malla1962 wrote in post #10748507
I have all 3 and that is not what im finding.

good to know.

Gel wrote in post #10749220
If I had to choose one, even factoring the cost I'd get the 1D4 because the resale value will hold better.

the resale on the 1Div will TANK if you hold onto it for too long. Short term (<1 year) it'd be pretty good though.

Gel wrote in post #10749253
One observation too, the place I borrowed it from said 1D4 sales were slow, the 5D2 is flying.
When I picked up the 5D2 locally I had to wait a week because the things out of stock in a lot of the UK.

It suggests people are buying the 5D2 instead.

surprised? How many VWs do you see on the road? How many porsches? How many Ferraris?

The whole discussion of resale on a camera body is pretty funny. Who would have guessed just two years ago that the 1D MKIIN would be under $1K (from $2200 down to $900-1000). Like Ben states, if you hold onto it, of course you would have to expect to lose quit a bit of the money you put into it, new releases and age have their way on the cameras.

The ONLY camera that seems to keep holding on is the 5D classic ($1700 2 years ago, $1300 a year go, $1000 now). It seems to have the least amount of drop in several years (my opinion), but again, as newer FF bodies come out, the 5Dc will continue to drop. I expect that in one year, I will be able to pick up a 5Dc for what a 50D goes for now, and the 50D will be priced at what the 40D is now. Older rebels, well, they will stay in the $100-200 range and are simply a great value for budding photographers. There is nothing wrong with an XT or XTi to start out!

Lenses are a different story though.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #10749487
The ONLY camera that seems to keep holding on is the 5D classic ($1700 2 years ago, $1300 a year go, $1000 now).

true, but it was what, $3300 originally? Or was it $3500? Either way it's at less than 1/3 it's original price, but it's been FIVE YEARS...

and speaking of steals, the 1D? $500. 1Dii? $1k. 1Ds, $900.
that's a lot of camera for under $1k. The 1D has battery issues (drains power FAST) but otherwise they're all great options, either as cheap FF with good AF or a fast body. But those 1Ds were $5k way back when? The 1Ds was $8k? so the hit there was crazy, but I doubt ANY of them selling for those rates are coming from people who are the original owner. Those who buy them when they're new, sell them earlier and buy the next one new IMHO.

oh, and want to talk about resale taking a hit?

jacobsen1 wrote in post #10749566
true, but it was what, $3300 originally? Or was it $3500? Either way it's at less than 1/3 it's original price, but it's been FIVE YEARS...

and speaking of steals, the 1D? $500. 1Dii? $1k. 1Ds, $900.
that's a lot of camera for under $1k. The 1D has battery issues (drains power FAST) but otherwise they're all great options, either as cheap FF with good AF or a fast body.

No doubt, I love the price drops! I also loved the fact that the MKIII had such a stigma around it upon release, 6 months after its release, I bought one for $3300, had it for a year and a half, sold it for $2900. Talk about value, the MKIII now at $1800 or so (if you are quick) is a great value too. It is a great time for those that want 1D cameras for sure, even the 1D classic can be found for $400-500 and is still a wonderful camera.

Gel wrote in post #10749220
Don't use the stupid freaking focus testing charts to set up AF microadjust on the 5D2.

Why?

Gel wrote in post #10749253
It suggests people are buying the 5D2 instead.

I very much doubt that, people who don't know what thay want may well opt for the 5d but most people who are serious action photographers and pro sports photographers will opt for a 1 series body, its a totally different market.

I bought my 1dmk2 for just under $600 USD.

To clarify:

What I'm suggesting is that the 5D2 is being preferred now over the 1D4.

Not totally but in greater quantities. Take myself for example...If I was truly happy with it I would of dumped my 5D2 and bought 2 1D's, but I wasn't so bought another 5D2. I'm suggesting there's a lot more people in the same boat as me, the price difference is so great it forces people hands.

To address the resale value. The 1D4 is more desirable and therefore will hold it's value better than the 7D. That was all, not on it's own over a 3 year period obviously.