EOS 1D (Mk1) advice

A camera shop in the United Kingdom I know of is selling an EOS 1D (Mk1) original model body, described as 'excellent' condition with 31,000 shutter actions for £269 (UK pounds).

I know this is now an old model, but is it worth purchasing this original 1D body to go along side my EOS 5D (Mk1)..?

Is the classic 1D original as good as they say?

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

I wouldn't, unless I'm just an equipment collector. I hear the battery sucks on those things. It's really old tech (in this digital age).

macvisual wrote in post #13646610
A camera shop in the United Kingdom I know of is selling an EOS 1D (Mk1) original model body, described as 'excellent' condition with 31,000 shutter actions for £269 (UK pounds).

I know this is now an old model, but is it worth purchasing this original 1D body to go along side my EOS 5D (Mk1)..?

Is the classic 1D original as good as they say?

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO

Any advice appreciated, thanks!

The 1d is a beast and if you need the features it has, 8fps and deadly accurate focusing and is in as described condition that is a bargain.

Be warned as I was that after you have a 1D series you won't want to settle for any other camera.

And the sound the shutter makes is like hearing Angels sing.

Thanks for the info;

Yes the shutter sound on my EOS 5D classic is lovely to!!

I Love my 1D Classic, I'm selling it partly because I don't use it and partly because I need to pay some bills . If you can get it cheap, its a fun toy with a shutter that goes to 1/16,000.

Not to mention a flash sync to 1/500-

And a body you can use to drive nails--not like the new featherweight 1 bodies

It's only 4 megapixels, and noisy when pushed over about 400 iso, it's heavy, battery life sucks.

But I use mine for most of my "fun" work (as opposed to stuff I'm getting paid for)

Shooting with a mk1 is a challenge, you have to frame stuff right, as you can't really crop.
You almost need fast primes, as it gets very noisy when pushed above 400iso
But it doesn't have an upper limit to the sync speed (providing you are using a pc cable, wireless won't keep up, andit will switch to HSS if you use a ettl cable
and as you get into the upper reaches of the shutter speed, you will lose flash output as you are slicing of smaller and smaller bits of the flash pulse.

From what I have read, the mechanical shutter goes to 1/500 and after that it's just the CCD turning on and off

The 1Dc is amazing fun, and that's pretty much market value for one. As long as it has the factory charger, it's a good deal.

The Canon OEM batteries SUCK. The Lenmar branded aftermarket batteries are 1/3rd the cost and easily outperform the Canon offering. Make sure you get at least one of them.

The autofocus is really neat once you get used to it, and the burst is awesome if you shoot action. I use it primarily for dogs, although I've also shot a wedding with it.

Over ISO 400 it can be a touch grainy, but it cleans up well. Get to ISO 800 and you'll start to run into banding, so don't expect a great low-light performer.

1Dc is great fun BUT low res screen, most likely poor battery life and limited size CF cards Oh and ISO is not anything great to go buy. Damn I actually want one again.

3rd party batteries for the 1D do quite well. Yes, the menu is a challenge to use, and some key functions require a 2 button press to change. Furthermore, noise and moire can be challenging at times. Also, the 1D is the heaviest of all of the 1D series bodies.

HOWEVER, the files the 1D produce are fabulous, and actually look beefier than 4.1 mp. The 1D, along with the old 10D render the best REDS than any other Canon body since(in my opinion, of course). Also, 1D files easily up-rez.

I have personally printed un-cropped 1D files at 11x14, and I've been most pleased with the final product.

It is an excellent body, though dated. If you really want to experience a 1 series body on the cheap, then why not.

But to the OP, you may want to pass for now and save for more glass...or a 1D MKII instead.

Hey, it's your money, do as you please.


Jason C

Virto wrote in post #13653291
The 1Dc is amazing fun, and that's pretty much market value for one. As long as it has the factory charger, it's a good deal.

The Canon OEM batteries SUCK. The Lenmar branded aftermarket batteries are 1/3rd the cost and easily outperform the Canon offering. Make sure you get at least one of them.

The autofocus is really neat once you get used to it, and the burst is awesome if you shoot action. I use it primarily for dogs, although I've also shot a wedding with it.

Over ISO 400 it can be a touch grainy, but it cleans up well. Get to ISO 800 and you'll start to run into banding, so don't expect a great low-light performer.

How do the Lenmars work in the cold(think 10 degrees F and below)? The 1Dx1 seems to use the same NiMH batteries as the 1D2...

I ask because my 1Ds1 battery died while skiing this year. Was a LOVELY 4 pound weight to sling around after that.... Mad....possibily!

I'd jump on it in a heartbeat.

pyrojim wrote in post #13655533
How do the Lenmars work in the cold(think 10 degrees F and below)? The 1Dx1 seems to use the same NiMH batteries as the 1D2...

I ask because my 1Ds1 battery died while skiing this year. Was a LOVELY 4 pound weight to sling around after that.... Mad....possibily!

Haven't used it in the cold for long periods, but I know they do fine in high temps. Like any battery in the cold, I'd imagine that it's less effective, but I'd suspect it's still usable. If you want to carry the camera around for 5-6 hours outside in those temps, you might run into issues regardless of battery choice.

I'd toss it outside and let it chill and then burst-fire it to death, but somehow Chicago is pushing 50 degrees today. After last year's blizzard, I'm not complaining.

Also, the 1Ds eats the battery a bit more quickly than the base 1D, but it should not be a dramatic difference. I've always wanted a 1Ds, but the ebay auctions get sniped to huge numbers at the last second.

Virto wrote in post #13657677
Haven't used it in the cold for long periods, but I know they do fine in high temps. Like any battery in the cold, I'd imagine that it's less effective, but I'd suspect it's still usable. If you want to carry the camera around for 5-6 hours outside in those temps, you might run into issues regardless of battery choice.

I'd toss it outside and let it chill and then burst-fire it to death, but somehow Chicago is pushing 50 degrees today. After last year's blizzard, I'm not complaining.

Also, the 1Ds eats the battery a bit more quickly than the base 1D, but it should not be a dramatic difference. I've always wanted a 1Ds, but the ebay auctions get sniped to huge numbers at the last second.

I was just outside shooting my 1Ds and it's -18C here at the moment and have had it out working down into the -30s.

You are correct about the battery life... it drains FAST if you let them get too cold.

I'm picking up a few more batteries as if you have three (i like the extra) you can rotate them keeping at least two in your jacket warming while you shoot with the third.

Would totally grab a 1D Mk1 if the right price came along as well.