Why buy a 1D series camera?

Well, there's lots of reasons. Only issue is that I'm having trouble finding/coming up with a definitive list to bring up when I get asked this question or when a 1DsIII vs 5DII comparison comes up. There's the obvious big-box features (My 1D4 shoots 2 FPS faster than your 7D!/My DsIII has 100% viewfinder coverage), but there's all the 'intangibles' that aren't listed on a Dxomark or Snapsort comparison.

Here's what I have so far:

Reduced shutter lag
Higher flash sync speed
Weathersealing/build/v​ertical grip
45-point AF system
Higher AF motor drive speed due to higher voltage batteries
Silent-shooting mode
Higher quality support circuity (see 5DII's banding in shadow compared to the DsIII's, despite being on the same sensor)
Increased customization available through personal/custom functions

What else?

Shutter lag is so imperceptible these days, I doubt anybody could normally tell any difference.

Flash sync speeds are pretty much very similar, aren't they, 1/300th vs 1/250th, for example?

AF speed has nothing to do with the batteries, I am pretty sure.

Here are my thoughts (some mirror your points):


1) Better build, all-weather
2) Dual card slots
3) More configurability and features
4) Speedy AF, AF points
5) Burst FPS
6) Good compromise between FF and APS-C
7) Status symbol, look professional
8) Gear lust
9) Integrated vertical grip
10) Usually better ISO handling
11) Dependability
12) Gets the girls
13) Gets you into events others have to pay for

TeamSpeed wrote in post #12165209
Shutter lag is so imperceptible these days, I doubt anybody could normally tell any difference.

Flash sync speeds are pretty much very similar, aren't they, 1/300th vs 1/250th, for example?

AF speed has nothing to do with the batteries, I am pretty sure.

Here are my thoughts (some mirror your points):


1) Better build, all-weather
2) Dual card slots
3) More configurability and features
4) Speedy AF, AF points
5) Burst FPS
6) Good compromise between FF and APS-C
7) Status symbol, look professional
8) Gear lust
9) Integrated vertical grip
10) Usually better ISO handling
11) Dependability
12) Gets the girls
13) Gets you into events others have to pay for

I'd agree with all except for #12. Girls seem to like Rebels more since they're easier to carry and handle, or at least in my experience anyways. I've already heard complaints from those who've tried my 50D with my 28mm, and it's a lightweight compared to the 1D series.

But on a more serious note, 1-6 are the biggest reasons I can think of myself.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #12165209
12) Gets the girls

Thats all you needed to say

TeamSpeed wrote in post #12165209
=TeamSpeed; 12165209]
Flash sync speeds are pretty much very similar, aren't they, 1/300th vs 1/250th, for example?

5D mark II is 1/200s

I don't know why, but the 1D bodies seem to reward good photography technique more than any other body I know.

Other bodies are just "point and shoot" in comparison....

Because it is built like a freaking tank.

stickshift wrote in post #12165267
5D mark II is 1/200s

True, and it would've been nice if Canon kept the original 1D specs going forward (1/500th sync) and 1/16000th top shutter speed!

TeamSpeed wrote in post #12165310
True, and it would've been nice if Canon kept the original 1D specs going forward (1/500th sync) and 1/16000th top shutter speed!

Ya, how is CCD technology these days?

1/500th sync is sweet

The M9 has a CCD. AFAIK they're fine (better than CMOS at low-ISOs), but fall apart at high-ISO and have issues with shuttling data off-chip quickly for fast frame rates.

For me, the reduced shutter lag isn't as big of a deal as the reduced viewfinder blackout time. That gives me (and the AF system) a much better chance of tracking a moving target.

Ergonomics is a biggie with me...

All day with big glass is much easier with the 1-series design than with a bolt on grip.

Pete wrote in post #12165282
I don't know why, but the 1D bodies seem to reward good photography technique more than any other body I know.

Other bodies are just "point and shoot" in comparison....

How dare you call my 7D a point and shoot!

TeamSpeed wrote in post #12165209
Shutter lag is so imperceptible these days, I doubt anybody could normally tell any difference.

Flash sync speeds are pretty much very similar, aren't they, 1/300th vs 1/250th, for example?

AF speed has nothing to do with the batteries, I am pretty sure.

Here are my thoughts (some mirror your points):


1) Better build, all-weather
2) Dual card slots
3) More configurability and features
4) Speedy AF, AF points
5) Burst FPS
6) Good compromise between FF and APS-C
7) Status symbol, look professional
8) Gear lust
9) Integrated vertical grip
10) Usually better ISO handling
11) Dependability
12) Gets the girls
13) Gets you into events others have to pay for

This pretty much sums it up!

yourdoinitwrong wrote in post #12165328
How dare you call my 7D a point and shoot!

LOL. Prior to owning my 1D Mk IIN, I had a 5D. Now the 5D was a superb body, but it did everything well and I could rely on it to doa good job in most circumstances.

The change to the 1D forced me to think a lot more about the photography to get the best out of it. I found that if I was sloppy in my technique with the 1D, it would punish me squarely.