Advice and opinions for stepping into the 1D series

I was a photog for many years back in the pre-digital days, now back into it and have been using a T3i/600D for the past year or so. Loved learning digi on the Rebel, but feel I'm up to speed and maybe ready for a baby step up.

My issue is, I've decided to start traveling once or twice a year choosing destinations with less the perfect weather conditions. Ireland, Scotland, Cuba, and Czech Republic are on the short list.

I've read pretty deeply on POTN as well as around the web, and think I've narrowed my possible options for an upgraded camera body.
My thinking is a used 1D series, mainly for the weather-sealing properties. I've narrowed choices to a 1Ds MkII or a 1D MkIII, to fall into my budget range ($1400 max). As far as my subject matter, I will most likely be shooting locations/landscapes/u​rban and candid portraits. I'll be traveling partially on foot as well as rail, so a shoulder bag will be my primary "container". Still trying to find my niche. Current lenses are all EF, and I will be picking up a sealed lens (maybe 24-70mmL) for bad weather days.

I have spoken to a few 1D owners, but would love any all all feedback. Considering my subject matter, I think resolution would trump fps. Since I'm getting 3.7fps with the Rebel, I can live with that rate.

I'm leaning toward the 1Ds MkII at this point, for the 16MP aspect. I know I'm looking for lower actuations on a unit, as well as the AF "fix" on the early 1Ds MkII's (blue dot sticker I think it's called). Does anyone have any experiences or knowledge of other issues with either?

Thanks in advance for the help!
~J

Based on what you provided, I agree that a 1Ds Mark II seems to be the perfect fit. I haven't shot specifically with that body (only 1DIII, 1DIV and 1Dx), but I generally have heard nothing but praise from those who use it. Based on the lenses you have in your signature, I would look at picking up a 70-200 2.8 IS at some point in the future. That 85 is going to have a wider field of view on the 1Ds than on your rebel.

There wasn't an issue with the AF on the 1DsMKIIs, only the 1DMKIII. The 1DsMKII produced some of the best files I have seen, and I find the files much more pliable than even the 5DII files.

That being said, you will be giving up some things that would be nice to have with the 1DMKIII- the MKIII has a LiION battery, which is FAR superior to the NiMH units in the 1DsII. The 1DmkIII has a slightly better display, has the ability to fine-tune focus (MFA), and one-touch dial controls. The 1DMKIII will go to ISO6400, where the 1DsII maxes out at 3200- it shouldn't matter for landscapes, but if you're shooting low light urban photography, the extra stop may come in handy.

Both bodies have excellent AF, build, and weather sealing. If you have the proper glass, don't have to crop heavily, and aren't going to be printing larger than 16x20 regularly, I'd say go with the 1DMKIII.

I am a great fan of the Canon 1 series bodies (currently have 2), but they are rather heavy! Given your main means of transport I wonder if you wouldn't be better served by a Canon 5D2? True the weather sealing is not as good and the AF is significantly inferior (but adequate IMO) however it is roughly half the weight and has significantly higher resolution and ISO capabilities.
If you don't mind the weight and could save a bit more then a 1DS3 would be perfect - but more expensive!
Just some food for thought.

1Ds has one advantage, more MP.

1D-III has more advantages than I care to list, but will offer these as starters;

-Far superior ergonomics
-Much more intuitive menu and control
-Faster frames
-Better color rendition / more leeway in RAW conversion (14 bit RAW files )
-Significant battery improvement! (working with the old NIMH at this point is rough.. )
-Better in low light at hi ISO settings
-The AF selecting point multi-controller!
-Dust prevention/cleaning system
-LCD Live view
-Easily adjustable frame rates without having to dive into computer tethered menus (in fact all PC tethering for making adjustments is gone)
- Much more useful settings for the dual memory card set up.

There's more, but as I said above are just some of the more important ones.

If you absolutely need the few extra MP... or if your one of those "full frame is required" people, than the 1Ds2 might be the better choice, but I'd strongly recommend you look at the far more evolved 1D3 for an overall better experience.

Your Flickr demonstrates that you are capable of pulling some very nice images out of you T3i. Why not look for some new glass at this point instead of a different body?

I think this might be "why not"?

My thinking is that a 1D series camera is going to be a big, heavy beast to carry around on trains and on foot. With any 1D series model you also won't be able to take advantage of some of the lighter weight and more compact EF-S lenses.

I think it would be better to keep what you've got or, at most, get a 60D or 70D. With money saved, perhaps add a lens (EF-S 10-22mm? EF 70-200/4 IS?) or maybe a small flash.

Then get some plastic bags, rubber bands and gaffer tape in case you need ever to shoot out in nasty weather. Or spend, if you prefer, a few $ for a plastic poncho (to keep both you and your gear dry) and a rainsleeve for your camera and lens.

No DSLR is "weather proof". Some are more "weather resistant" than others. But none are truly waterproof and a few drops of water in the wrong place will fry the electronics of any of them. A few years ago at a rainy Super Bowl, Canon Professional Services who were there in a support capacity ran completely out of backup loaner cameras, so many pros' 1D series cameras were dying due to the wet weather.

In contrast, a few years ago I got caught in a downpour with my 30Ds and wasn't able to get to cover for nearly half an hour. Even had a tarp that was blown by the wind dump a bucketful of rainwater directly onto me and one of the cameras. The cameras, lenses and two 550EX flashes were all soaked. I stopped shooting and as soon as I got to shelter immediately turned everything off, removed the batteries. Back home I dried things out thoroughly for a couple days, but was sure the cameras wouldn't work again. Once dry, they worked fine and still do. In fact, everything survived... No harm done.

Since then I've made a point to have a $3 plastic poncho, a couple plastic bags, some gaffer tape and rubber bands in each of my camera bags... with extras in my car. I have only had to use them a couple times, but they work.

I've been all over England and Scotland, out on the ocean and at the seashore, and to some sub-tropical places such as Bali and Java, even got caught on foot in monsoons in Singapore (every taxi fills up fast when it starts to rain there!).... All with film cameras that were anything but "waterproof".

I do have a 10MP Canon Powershot A640 with an underwater case, for occasional shots actually in the water. Bought it cheap, used. (I'm not a diver, so it's just for swimming pools and surf and such.)

Ooooh, I live in good old blighty, it's been raining for the last 4 weeks and I have a 1Ds2. Here is my thoughts. Some of the pros are also cons. The size and weight can be an issue for some, especially with the "brick" 24-70L attached with a flash if you so choose. I for one don't mind the weight, in fact I'm so used to it any other camera feels like a toy. Build is tank like which goes hand in hand with the weight. My Canon battery (original) has just been replaced with a Lemnar (£30) which holds charge for ages and goes on shooting. As mentioned the battery is a big part of the weight. The menu system takes some getting used to as it is a 2 button operation, apparently to stop accidental button pressing. I'm used to it now. The LCD screen is crap, but I use it only to check composition and histogram. The shutters have a habit of going earlier than their 250k actuations so a low shutter count would be a good idea.

Now the most important part for me is the IQ. With my decent glass I'm very happy with the images produced. I've not a huge amount of experience with other bodies to compare it to, certainly none of the newer beasts. The only real reason I consider upgrading from time to time is iso performance. I try my best to stay at iso 800 or less, sometimes going over, but I know I'll have to work on the noise PP. Not too much of an issue as I'm sure we all PP our good images anyway. Just annoys me a bit sometimes when I compromise shutter speed to keep the iso down.

Anyhow, just get one. The price is great at the moment, the body has lost almost all it's money in depreciation and you can sell in a year for damn near what you paid for it. Think of it as free rental!

Thank you all for the feedback and advice! The weight issue isn't a major factor to me, even with the hiking. I do like the feel of a heavy camera and even my little 3i gripped sometimes feels a little slight.

My main concern traveling is the weather ... I also looked into the 7D (i believe) which is also "resistant". Reading stories, I know there are always bad situations some people may have with any camera, I'm really keeping my options open. I've had my 3i out at a few horse shows this summer covered in plastic bags and rubber bands. ha! Any port in a storm. My favorite photog quote was "if you get home and your not dirty and wrinkled, you didn't work hard enough." Can't remember who said it, but it always stuck with me.

I'm not glued to FF as a choice either. A good photograph can come from any camera, I just figured for the price range a 1D is something that would work well if the weather didn't cooperate ... plus a top of the line camera (even a 10 yr old one) is still quality equipment. Like Mark said, I guess if it didn't work out I could always flip it without a major loss.

I still have some time for deciding, and I really appreciate all your feedback as it will definitely go into my decision. Great group of people here! This little plod has learned quite a bit from you all.
Thanks again!

BlackParrot wrote in post #16588003
... I've decided to start traveling once or twice a year choosing destinations with less than perfect weather conditions...

Since you are obviously heading towards Sweden, feel very welcome and come over and try my 1DX for a few shots.

For that kind of invite, Anders, I would make a side trip!

BlackParrot wrote in post #16591864
For that kind of invite, Anders, I would make a side trip!

If you do, just have a pint or some glogg- and don't touch the 1Dx. Once you shoot with one, you're going to start looking into which organ(s) you can do without in order to purchase one.

The glögg season is running out, but the beer is in season the year around, so that's no problem. And I'll better keep him intoxicated enough so that he doesn't run away with my 1DX.

It's most definitely the best camera I've ever had.

I would buy a 7D or 5DII before I bought one of those two 1D bodies, to be honest. They're both very weather sealed... I use them for work regularly and they get put through their paces on a regular basis without ever giving me trouble. I had two 5DIIs completely soaked this past week in -10 weather with -30 windchill and they worked just fine.

Higher resolution is nice. The 7D's more modern menus and features and autofocus will make you a happy person. The 5DII's full frame, awesome sensor will make you happy.

The 1DIII and 1DsII lack in a handful of places compared to the other two bodies, in my opinion. I had both of those 1D bodies in my locker at work and always take a 5DII or 7D over them.

(I've used all of the bodies in question extensively, if that's anybody's next question)