50D -> Used 1D IV or new 7D II - Cannot decide

I've used the 1D IV a lot over the last year and I'm one of the people who strongly prefer the newer focusing system on the 7D II. I do know some people feel exactly the opposite though. Although I'm not sure all of these people have used both cameras.

With my current 1DX / 7D II combo, I can honestly say that 0% of me misses using the 1D IV.

Have you had a chance to play with both cameras? If you've tried both and still can't decide, then heck, you could just flip a coin or go with the majority on this thread
This really is one of those decisions where you can't make a poor decision.

I still have one of my 50D's for a backup but my new favorite camera is the 7DII. All the things you list as wants are improved with this camera. I also don't need or want to shoot birds, but I do shoot horses and kids and I have the need for instant perfect AF and sometimes I need it in burst. I've never shot a 1D series, but I can say this camera is miles ahead of the 50D in every aspect, and though I want a full frame really bad, I'm very glad I have chosen the 7DII. Take a peek at my gallery to see what I've been shooting with it, or go to my flickr page. I have a wedding this weekend, a family shoot in 2 weeks, and I'm always trying out new things and new types of photography and I can tell this camera will fit the bill for many years to come.

The difference in resolving sharpness between my 50D and this camera is mind blowing - I'm sure it isn't up to FF standards.. but I bet it comes as close as any crop sensor can. I always applied more than standard sharpening on my 50d images, but I hardly ever touch it off standard unless I did miss the focus a touch. Well worth the money, in my book. Huge learning curve coming from the 50D - still need to learn more to get all the goodie out of this camera.

I don't think you can go wrong with either camera, but I'd opt for newer, rather than older, unless the older gives substantial savings or has functions that trump the newer... JMHO.

Sold my mk4 to buy the 7d mk2. Really miss the mk 4. Hard to take a bad photo. Forgiving files, but alas was too heavy for my old hands.
7d mk 2 is nice and much lighter, better reach, fun camera, but I will always miss the mk 4.

In your boots, I'd only look at the 7D Mark II. So, if you buy a 1D Mark IV, you'll see about the same camera as the 7D mark II. Many of the same bells and whistles. But, you'll have bought a used camera, with all the problems it may come with. I looked up what a used 1D Mark IV would cost on B&H, the average was about $3000.00. You'll get no history of the camera, except it is "used", how well used is anyones guess. It is a professional camera, and probably used by a pro, in a studio or in the field. Again no record of its use, or abuse. How many times has the 1D Mark IV been sent into Canon, or anywhere for repair? Totally unknown. As I said, "In your boots" the 7D Mark II give you totally modern Canon technology, new focus system, new A1 Servo, and much better focus system. Plus, everything is new. The body comes with the paltry Canon 1 year warranty, the shortest in the industry. But, you can be sure Canon will repair anything on that new 7D Mark II, for several years to come. The 1D IV is completely out of production, how long Canon will repair the camera is anybody's guess. The next shot of the 1D IV may be its last. I'm not a gambler, so I'd go for the 7D Mark II, and walk away a winner.

B

I actually had the same decision the other day. Walked into my local Brick and mortar to buy a 7D mark II. They had a used 1D Mark IV with 27,000 actuations on it for $100 more. I played around with both and walked out with the 1D mark iV. The 7D is a really nice camera, but the 1D was magnificent. The 7D actually felt like a toy next to it (yea, I had a 1D up through the 1Ds II). Now, I have all my bases covered. 5D Mark III, 1D Mark IV and a 70D.

I'm really happy about my decision and don't regret it at all. - I have no fear about being able to get it fixed if needed.

Thanks for all the input, and as it turned out I managed to yesterday get myself into an almost mint, ie under 17,000 actuations, 1D IV for a couple of hundred less than a gripped 7D II. When I saw the price, the barely run shutter count and met the seller I figured I had nothing to lose.

I have already had a blast with it at a Carols by Candlelight concert last night, a few hours shooting arrivals at Melbourne Airport this morning (alongside the 6D) and at my wife's work family Christmas function this afternoon.

Will post some pictures in relevant threads but to say I am extremely impressed so far would be an understatement!!

Bill Emmett wrote in post #17330422
In your boots, I'd only look at the 7D Mark II. So, if you buy a 1D Mark IV, you'll see about the same camera as the 7D mark II. Many of the same bells and whistles. But, you'll have bought a used camera, with all the problems it may come with. I looked up what a used 1D Mark IV would cost on B&H, the average was about $3000.00. You'll get no history of the camera, except it is "used", how well used is anyones guess. It is a professional camera, and probably used by a pro, in a studio or in the field. Again no record of its use, or abuse. How many times has the 1D Mark IV been sent into Canon, or anywhere for repair? Totally unknown. As I said, "In your boots" the 7D Mark II give you totally modern Canon technology, new focus system, new A1 Servo, and much better focus system. Plus, everything is new. The body comes with the paltry Canon 1 year warranty, the shortest in the industry. But, you can be sure Canon will repair anything on that new 7D Mark II, for several years to come. The 1D IV is completely out of production, how long Canon will repair the camera is anybody's guess. The next shot of the 1D IV may be its last. I'm not a gambler, so I'd go for the 7D Mark II, and walk away a winner.

B

Regarding Canon service, and how this might soon cease for the 1D4, this summer, Canon officially stopped supporting the 1D2. At the time, I had a 1D3, and I tried to check how long it would continue to be serviced (and, in addition, accepted by the Canadian CPS for membership in their program, which seems to be about the same thing).

To make a long story short, Canon will remove the 1D2N, and then the 1D3, from the supported list, before they remove the 1D4, and I estimate that will happen 6.5 years after the 1D2 was removed.

The 1D2 ended production approximately September 2005 and it was removed from the supported list about April 2014. If the 1D4 lasts as long, it should be removed late in 2020, some 6 years from now.

I also believe Canon tends to retain professional level cameras on the books, so to speak, longer than prosumer and consumer directed models. The oldest non professionally directed body accepted by Canadian CPS is the original 7D; production of the 7D started 2.5 years after production ceased on the 1D2N!

Finally, there is still a large 1D4 professional user base, as the only replacement for it thus far has been the 1D X. As long as that group remains significantly numerous, I believe Canon will support the 1D4.

Had the same thing going on a few weeks ago. 7D Mark II is a great camera. Had a lot of fun playing with one. Its small, light, and fast for sure but once I used the 1D Mark IV my mind was made up. Very Very happy with the 1D Mark IV. I was at CPS a week ago or so and ask about how long the 1D Mark IV will be able to be fixed. The guy laughed at me saying he sees just as many 1D4 as 1DX come thought his door and said that the 1D4 will be able to be worked on for a long time.

Ugh, have a similar thread going...cant decide as well.

I picked up a 1D4 back in October. I think it is still the 2nd best body (1st is the 1DX) Canon put out. There are a lot of the 1D4's out there that are very reasonable in price and condition. I still carry the 7D as my second body be find myself swapping the bodies out to the appropriate lens instead of picking up the 7D. Now the 7D2 is for surea step up from the 7D, but I have NO regrets picking up a used 1D4 over the 7D2.