1Ds Mark II Digital SLR vs 20D

i know he stated that the lenses he had were 18-55 Kit, and 70-300

I almost knocked off the chair reading this post, 20D vs 1DsMkII - Always 2 sides for something, either this is a joke or its so true that it makes you stop and think, what if someone had that option, if someone really had enough money to spend. A novice getting paid over $56,000 for a project, I believe in Luck, but thats gold in a bucket left on your front door by some lost troll.....

If I were in the true side (where I really had that $$$ and it was no object) i wouldnt be here in POTN asking this, instead go to a PRO SHOP, talk to a PRO GUY, Pay the PRO GUY for some overview 1 on 1 lessons, then decide on what to get for this project. I am sure within 4 months I wouldnt loose all those $$$ then maybe I can upgrade my first equipment or maybe get me a H39 back ($39,000 + tax), hire me assistants start a studio business.

I have alot of photographer stories I have gone by, but behind every success story there is somewhat a tiny bit of experience, Ive seen a very famous art director who hires photographers turn photographer himself, got himself a 1dsMkII and in 6 months got signed up with a rep in NY and now he has a name for himself.

I just enjoyed saying this, cause as we all know in this forum, there are bigtime shooters to startup shooters alike, and you maybe knew or you maybe a 35 year veteran, we all know shooting is not all about the camera, its both ways, we are like carpenters, having the right tools we can build a beautiful house, but whats good having the right tools not knowing how to build a house to begin with.

For me, id say get 2 1DMKIIn and get 1DsMKII (24-70L, 85L 70-2002.8isL) 2 580ex's and if you need an assistant to shoot with you in a different perspective, POTN is the best source.

<<we are like carpenters, having the right tools we can build a beautiful house, but whats good having the right tools not knowing how to build a house to begin with.>>

yeah and that's why it is so hard to find someone who can put in crown molding beautifully and quickly, and why it is so hard to find someone who can lay tile with skill. I can buy some quality wire cutters and call myself and electrician, too. Or buy a fancy engine diagnostic machine and call myself a mechanic. Lord help my clients, and his!

i had over 8 clients to garner enough to get me my 1DsMkII - although lucky for some they do it the other way around 8 1DsMKII is to 1 client...again amazing

Consider yourself lucky Ron.
Some of us still haven't made enough money from photography to pay for our gear.

Do I ever agree with this post! I feel like I'm learning photography all over again! Was out tonight shooting the sunset here in SW Florida, and had several "discussions" with my 1Ds about how these shots should look. Bottom line is this: At the end of the day it's the photographer who composes the shot, and he/she had better know how to make their equipment achieve it. I'm having a good time learning that part right now. Not one of my shots tonight achieved the desired composition. That's not to say they were bad....They just weren't what I was after. This camera is seriously good, but it takes time to learn how to use it.

Yes they are and my questions are legit. Both girls have seen several of my movies/commercials and they have seen some of my personal photos on my web sites. Their dad (the father of one of the girls) is one of my clients and he recommended me as someone nice to deal with. Both girls complain that the photographers they have met with were rude to them or condecending to them and they were most unhappy.

I told them I was not a professional photographer and that if they were happy with my work on my site, that they could expect at least that good from their wedding. Keep in mind also, that I am preparing one hour DVD's for each wedding. I'll have to shoot a LOT of video to get an hour out of it.

However, where cameras are concerned, I'm big enough to say to them, and to this forum, that cameras are not my expertise. I'm just looking for and asking for some friendly advice about these two cameras so I can make a good decision about that to do.

So far I know I need a backup body or two and I'm figuring I'll get the Mark II just because I always shop from the right, and I'll get another 20D or a 5D so I'll have three total.

So, no troll...just someone looking for some help from those in the know.

Thanks.

Cliff

bonzaisushi wrote:
that 18-55 EFS lense will work GREAT on the 1ds

Thanks...should I add any? One of the earlier posts says I need three lenses.

^^Well if you buy a 1DsMark II, i know you say money isn't a factor, but there are so many other costs there. Can you afford that?

Glass is more important along with a backup body(and another backup body makes it all the better). The 1DMarkIIN or 5D are great compromises to the 1Ds series.

He was being sarcastic. That lens will only work on the 20D. It won't work on any 1D, 1Ds, or 5D cameras.

The best lens for you would be

Zooms:
16-35 f/2.8L
24-70 f/2.8L
70-200 f/2.8L IS

Depending upon how good your lighting is...

Fixed(which are better for low light):
35 f/1.4L
50 f/1.4
85 f/1.8


The 1Ds and 5D are both full frame, so the lens will give you the actual focal length.
The 1D Mark II, 1DMarkIIN, and 1D all are 1.3 crop(so multiply 1.3 times the focal length to get the field of view)
10D, 20D, 30D, Rebels, etc. are all 1.6 cropped cameras(so multiply 1.6 times the focal length to get the field of view of the lens).

THANK you for a good answer. I have an EFS 18-55 lens and a 75-300 lens. Those are the only lenses I have and one of the earlier posts says I should have three. Do I need to add another lens?

This is my first time on the forum so no, I haven't been in the wedding forum yet. I have less than a month to get my backup camera (pretty much think anthoer 20D would be fine) and do some test shots. I have appts with both girls and family at the country club to do some test shots at the same time of day as the wedding so I can get an idea of what they want and I plan on printing some of those tests to show them and make sure they will be happy with my finished product.

What I've shown them is my personal WEB site with some pics on it from various events in my personal life. They went there and liked what they saw and asked me to shoot it based on that alone. I'm just thinking that showing them tests shots and prints from those tests will give them advance knowledge of what the finished product will be like.

For the first time yesterday, I worked with RAW images in Adobe. I like what I can do with those RAW images and was amazed at the diff between those taken in auto mode vs RAW. So, I figure I'll shoot in RAW and process them after.

Anyway, I need to find out what focal lens conversion is...then I need to go to PC Connection and order my camera and extra batteries and memory.

Thanks again for helping.

I have the 580ex that I bought when I got my 20D. I need another one for the second camera then. I hadn't considered that, much like I had not considered a backup camera. There will be three of us there total...me shooting stills, Todd on the HD video equip, and Hannah collecting things for the scrapbook. Of course we'll have lighting guys onhand but they are just hired help and don't work the equipment. I hope to use the dinners and rehearsals to guage how much manpower to have onhand. More is better I say!

Your two lens, are not what you want to be using for wedding. The ones I listed are some of the best quality lens you can get, especially if money is no factor.

The 18-55 won't work on the 1Ds, 1D, or 5D's. They are EF-S lens. Avoid those if you use 1.3 cropped cameras or full frame. EF lens work with all bodies though, so your crappy 75-300 will work with all, but you need to upgrade your telephoto, that's for sure.

Thank you Grego for your answer and the suggestions on lenses. I think I'm done with this post. I've learned that since I'm already uncomfortable shooting stills for a wedding, I won't add to that discomfort by having to learn a new camera as well. I think I'll just get another 20D body or two and add a lens and go with what I have. I'm comfortable using the 20D and don't even need to look at it to make adjustments.

For all those who helped, thank you. For all those I upset or threw off with the nature of my posts, you have my apologies. One of my computer companies runs several forums and I know how hard it can be to maintain a forum and keep it focused. I truly didn't mean to cause a stir.

So, I'm off to add a couple of 20D's and some batteries and memory to my equipment list. I'll let everyone know how the test shots go and when I'm done, I post the address to the WEB site we're doing for them so everyone can see the photos.

Thanks again to everyone...all of the information I received helped a great deal.

Cliff

See what happens when you start throwing money around... people dream big!

Can someone get a towel to wipe up all this drool... $50,000 for a "one off" wedding shoot. Man, that's livin' the High Life... and then some