1D MkII as a first Camera : Please help a new guy

Good evening kind folks on POTN. I am asking for some real advise, as we all started the world of Digital Photography at a point in our lives. I have been surfing and stalking this fine site for two years now, and the good news is...I've finally saved enough $$$ to get started on my hobby. I would like to jump in with both feet. So I ask. Is the 1D MkII too much camera for a guy just getting started?? I did take Photography in High School..um 1983 so things have change so much. I have a gunuine interest in Shooting Motocross, Landscape / Lightning and portraits. I ask for real advise from those who have been in my very shoes. 1K is about my budget to start, and I've also considered the Orig 1D. First post...although much reading. Thank you for having me...SK

Moto4SK wrote in post #13912450
Good evening kind folks on POTN. I am asking for some real advise, as we all started the world of Digital Photography at a point in our lives. I have been surfing and stalking this fine site for two years now, and the good news is...I've finally saved enough $$$ to get started on my hobby. I would like to jump in with both feet. So I ask. Is the 1D MkII too much camera for a guy just getting started?? I did take Photography in High School..um 1983 so things have change so much. I have a gunuine interest in Shooting Motocross, Landscape / Lightning and portraits. I ask for real advise from those who have been in my very shoes. 1K is about my budget to start, and I've also considered the Orig 1D. First post...although much reading. Thank you for having me...SK

Between the two I would go with the MkII but be warned that any 1D series camera does have a learning curve to it. If you've never shot digital it will be a pretty steep curve on top of that.

The good news is that if you're planning on shooting sports the 1D is an excellent camera to do it with. If you can get a good one within your budget range then I'd say go. Just plan to spend a lot of time learning the camera.

Good Luck!

Hi Dennis,
Awe yes...the learning curve. No doubt I'll be learning and seeking advise all the way. Yet the learning curve in an odd way if one of the reasons I've been saving for the 1D or 1D MKII body. A long way to go, but much easier on the knees. Thank you for being my first responder.

Dont expect to jump right in and be comfy with the 1D right away... There is a big learning curve (I have the 1D Original)..."My" biggest problem is there is not enough megapixels for big prints with the 1D. Im not sure what the MKII has ? So I still take my 50D to sporting events because the kids and parents want big photo's !! Other than that, the 1D is solid.

When I first read the 1D MK II would be your first dslr, I instantly thought it'd be too much. But then I quickly reminded myself how much I learned shooting with my first pro body and in Manual mode. Now I can't get out of Manual mode and prefer it over any other mode due to feeling restricted. Like DennisW1 said, it could be a pretty big jump going straight to a 1D though. Perhaps maybe look into picking up a 1D MK II along with a 40D or 50D? That way when those frustrating times come with the 1D you can fall back to the 40/50D to help ease the frustration. That was something I did when I had Nikon gear, had a D90 and a D2h and the D2h's were plagued with bad metering. Didn't really notice the bad metering on my D2h till I shot a race and it was so off I had to shoot in Manual. If I remember correctly, that was the weekend that started me onto the path of Manual only

And the 1D's do have other modes than just Manual, not really sure why I mentioned Manual mode so much hahaha

Do you really NEED a 1D? (I have one and I'm about to sell it because, frankly...I don't really need it). Or are you buying it 'cuz it's cool to rock a 1D (trust me...it is awesome...it's what I assume sex with Halle Berry or driving a Ferrari would be).

But, since you're on a budget, why not spend your money elsewhere? For much of what you want to do (lightning, landscapes), the things that make the 1D awesome (fast burst rate, amazing AF) would be wasted...why not get something that still has a good AF system and good burst rate (30D or 40D) and spend the rest of your money on good lighting equipment, tripod, lenses, etc?

" a 1D (trust me...it is awesome...it's what I assume sex with Halle Berry or driving a Ferrari would be).

Well Halle in smoking hot, and a Ferrari...well they're damn sexy as well. My reason is I will be shooting Motocross and Supercross eventually. I would consider myself a quick learner, and have considered taking lessons and clinics in and around the Austin area. Yes a 1D body is a lot of camera, but the build quality, shutter speed, etc have alway been the goal. Thus the orig question 1D or 1D MkII. That other cameras mentioned sound great also. I'm open to suggestions; as this forum had so many knowledgable people. Please folks keep the feedback coming. I should mention that I'll most likely start out with a Nifty 50 for glass. Good price and sharpness. This is my starting point. Each piece of advise or opinion is appreciated. Thanks again.

Hey D,
I will also check out the 40D. Your advise and honest opinion are very much appreciated...SK

Moto4SK wrote in post #13912948
" a 1D (trust me...it is awesome...it's what I assume sex with Halle Berry or driving a Ferrari would be).

Well Halle in smoking hot, and a Ferrari...well they're damn sexy as well. My reason is I will be shooting Motocross and Supercross eventually. I would consider myself a quick learner, and have considered taking lessons and clinics in and around the Austin area. Yes a 1D body is a lot of camera, but the build quality, shutter speed, etc have alway been the goal. Thus the orig question 1D or 1D MkII. That other cameras mentioned sound great also. I'm open to suggestions; as this forum had so many knowledgable people. Please folks keep the feedback coming. I should mention that I'll most likely start out with a Nifty 50 for glass. Good price and sharpness. This is my starting point. Each piece of advise or opinion is appreciated. Thanks again.

you probably mean fps not shutter speed - why not just get yourself a 7d?

I know it sucks to wait, but you may even want to see how the price adjusts on 1D MK III's with the 1D X coming out soon. I don't think it'll get to $1k, but definitely worth spending a little more on.

I've hit the search bar for 40D and will check out the 7d as well. I want to be clear. When I have seen some nice 1d / 1D MkII with low shutter counts 10k - 20K that when advertised sounded like it was a hobbiest parent shooting their Kids sporting events. I will never purchace any camera body that has been used to the max or beat up.......
When I searched 40D some folks said they would like to go to a FF (full frame)?
Again I'm learning. I did read the intro to DP....an excellent read.

Moto4SK wrote in post #13913018
I've hit the search bar for 40D and will check out the 7d as well. I want to be clear. When I have seen some nice 1d / 1D MkII with low shutter counts 10k - 20K that when advertised sounded like it was a hobbiest parent shooting their Kids sporting events. I will never purchace any camera body that has been used to the max or beat up.......
When I searched 40D some folks said they would like to go to a FF (full frame)?
Again I'm learning. I did read the intro to DP....an excellent read.

Read a bit more - "full frame" Canon cameras (yet to be released 1DX aside) have slower frame rates than you'd want for sports. They need longer (and much more expensive lenses) - and the more you read, the more it should become apparent to you that those who think that using a '"full frame" camera will make them better photographers are either beginners or pixel peepers - No camera will make anyone a better photographer. That's like saying using more expensive brushes would have made Rembrandt a better painter.

As for finding a 1D2 with 20K clicks - your odds are probably better playing the lottery. Probably the same odds as my chances of winning the lottery - only because I've never bought a lottery ticket in my life (also known as a "tax on the stupid") LOL

If you buy a 40D, and decide it isn't enough camera for you - even a year later chances are you'd be able to sell it for virtually the same price you bought it for - so it's like renting a camera for free. (or very close).

One repair to a 1D2 is not unlikely to cost more than the money you paid for it. So you'd have to consider it a total loss.

Most importantly, the lenses will be your bigger (but better) investment.

Best of luck....and seriously - you said you started to read some of the DPreviews - keep at it. They can get a bit technical, but skip over the stuff you don't understand or don't care about. Read "between the lines" and use your head. Also read the "conclusions" page toward the end of each review...

Remember, there are both features and there are benefits - The benefits matter - the features, not so much. What real "benefit" do you think you'd get from a 1D2 compared to something like a 40D or even a brand new 60D (or at that price you're closing in on a refurbished 7D) -

Peace,
D.

Thank you D...Very sound advise. I will check out more body options. I did not know, or was not aware that a repair to the 1d MII would be so expensive. Truth is when I read the 1D MkII user unite forum the body itself just sounded so nice to all the user making remarks. All seemed more than pleased....So that being said.....The appeal of a full size pro body got my mind racing. Time to check myself and listen to those who know. You and the good folks on this most excellent forum. It this gets the bump up....I would love to hear more from y'all. Next week I'm a buyer, and my newbie self will be taking my first baby steps. Now the question becomes once again ....WHAT BODY??? Thank y'all very much for the kind guidence...SK

I don't think a 1D will be any more of a hassle to learn to use than a 7D. I'd seriously recommend spending some time with a 1DII before dropping cash on one though. Big, heavy, crap batteries, tiny low-res screen. They're most definitely not for everyone.

If you want a really user friendly camera that's up to date and that you can grow with, have a look at a 60D.

buy the 1dmk2 and be happy. Weight blaa blaa blaa we not talking 400mm f2.8 here folks. Go buy an iphone then.

I am handicapped small person. Never issue with 1dmk2 and 300mm f2.8 or the 500mm f4. To me price these 1dmk2 are going for you get very nice contestant is made for action. Why you need all this live view stuff IMHO. Maybe someone can show some shots that you can't do using the VF.

learning wise there are probably 4/5 custom functions that you need to be aware off like servo sensitivity and so on. Pretty easy again.