1DsMk2 - I'm tempted.

I just traded my 50D yesterday in on a 1DsII. I have no doubt that the 5D series have equal potential in IQ given both are FF but until you handle one of these beasts you can't understand. It took me back to my days of shooting with my trusty Nikon F2 with drive. There are less bells & whistles like MFA, Live view and a smaller LCD but I was willing to give that up for the advantages of top line autofocus and metering and the build quality isn't even a fair discussion. Any body that needs an accessory grip is going to be at a disadvantage. The 1DsII is now selling for @ $2K and when introduced sold for $9 GRAND!!!! Yeah, it's worth trying one, you can always sell it easily if you find it too much.

AdamLewis wrote in post #9809607
Everything Ive heard about the 1Ds2 makes me think its one of the best cameras that Canon has put out.

Cause it is. A lot of folks that had the money to upgrade to the III didn't because it was thought to have more consistent focus than the III.

I bought the 1ds2 when it is was closer to $3k for a used one. For the prices you see them now, I would not hesitate on picking it up if you are okay with a bigger and heavier body. And I did choose this over a 5d2 and a 1d3.

You really don't hear bad things about the 1ds2 because it just works as advertised.

With the exception of outer focus points/ build and sealing, the 5Dc or 5D2 is a much better choice.

Most people shoot with center point and almost everyone treats their cams like newborn babies so unless you NEED the extra features the 1DsII is getting dated.

People have different priorities. Sealing, 100% viewfinder, and AF were the biggest factors for me. Using sealed lenses with the 1ds2, I have not had to clean my sensor for dust particles for over a year.

David S wrote in post #9810119
People have different priorities. Sealing, 100% viewfinder, and AF were the biggest factors for me. Using sealed lenses with the 1ds2, I have not had to clean my sensor for dust particles for over a year.

About sensor cleaning, I can say the same about my 5d Mark II, but I do baby it, heck if I had the 1DS Mark x I would baby it too, that's a lot of money...anyway, I digress, yes, it is all about what is important to you, someone mentioned that the 1DS2 is "dated"...sure it is, There's a 1DS3 and possibly a fourth on the horizon, but that's just how these things go. If you have to have the newest all the time, one that's not dated, I guarantee you'd go broke, unless you have some nest egg or racket going on to the endless supply of loot.

mikeassk wrote in post #9809970
With the exception of outer focus points/ build and sealing, the 5Dc or 5D2 is a much better choice.

Most people shoot with center point and almost everyone treats their cams like newborn babies so unless you NEED the extra features the 1DsII is getting dated.

Most people dont look further, but how can you go past the QC on a Ds model, the 5d have had its mirror falling out for christ sake, and the 5d2 had its spots etc.. the ds - nada de nada. It was built for professional use, the 5 was not ( yes I know a lot of pros use it) but you cant compare them. Focus, metering, bracketing, PF, CF the list goes on.

Not too ramble but its the same in the case of the 7d - we wanna compare it to the d model, which only cost almost 5 times more... its not just functions, but QC.

Mine should be delivered this Thursday.

mikeassk wrote in post #9809970
With the exception of outer focus points/ build and sealing, the 5Dc or 5D2 is a much better choice.

Most people shoot with center point and almost everyone treats their cams like newborn babies so unless you NEED the extra features the 1DsII is getting dated.

"Dated"... hehe.

The screen sucks and I wish it wrote to the cards faster. That is about it. It is, in every way apart from size and price, a better camera than a 5D Classic. The high ISO is at least as good when you take filesize into account and better when you see that the 1DS2 will never produce banding in the shadows like a 5DC/II will.

navydoc wrote in post #9810403
Mine should be delivered this Thursday.

Nice, HM3.

Just buy one, if you don't like it you can always attach a 70-200 and use it as a big hammer to demolish...oooo...I dunno..... an apartment block.

As Hoff said, downs are screen size and write times and I'd like to add that the buttons take a little to get used to for navigating menus etc. - but you'll get the hang of it pretty quick.

Just sold my 1dsmkII and bought a 1d mkIII. I also have a 5D - the two cams produce very similar images. The 1 series is amazing but I cannot for the life of me see ANYTHING on the 1dsmkII LCD. Also, the interface is just too much trouble. Finally, the thing that really made me sell it? The center AF point is frankly too slow for pitch black rooms with the 580EX assist beam. Accurate, yes, and in better light,the cam AF is amazing. But its too damn slow in the dark compared to the 5D (which essentially has one AF point).

If I wasnt shooting action in the dark, I never would have sold the 1dsmkII.

Well I still have my 1Ds2 and it's my go to body every time. I've owned & sold the 20D, the 40D, 5D, the 1Ds, one of my 1D2n's and the 5D2 I bought, and until I can afford the replacement for the 1Ds3 I suspect I'll still be shooting the 1Ds2. I know the 7D isn't going to bump it from the top of my list either, but hopefully it will be a decent body (the 7D) at R/C events with a long lens taking advantage of the crop factor.

A month ago I had thought the impending spring upgrade for my 20D (finally!) to a 7D was about as absolute a no brainer for me as humanly possible, but the more I research the 1Ds MkII, the more I'm drawn to it.
For "about" the same price of a new 7D (not quite, but ballparkish), a used 1Ds MkII would allow me to experience first hand:
- all that good stuff I keep hearing about the 1D bodies,
AND
- all that good stuff I keep hearing about the FF sensors.
All that in one camera.

And as mentioned before, if it doesn't fit me for whatever reason, I could most likely get out of it in 3 months (assuming I bought well) at a practically break even resale.
Given I'll still have my 20D should the 1.6X factor be wanted... I'm trying to see a downside (for me) to moving to a 1Ds MkII and I can't.
Now can somebody please agree with me before I start researching 1Ds Mk III and really get myself in trouble.
Greg

There isn't a better body for the money than a 1Ds2 in Canon land. No comment in Nikon land because I don't know enough about it to make that judgement.
Re the better IQ of a 5D2 over a 1Ds2 please examine the photos here & tell me what it is that I can't see.

http://picasaweb.googl​e.com …key=Gv1sRgCLrLs​L7ttY6AtwE

They can be downloaded for a full examination using your own software.