Canon 1d advise (first time poster)

Hi
Subscribed a while ago to these excellent forums but will make my first post today. Unfortunately I have nothing interesting to contribute but I have a few questions. I have the opportunity to purchase a decent condition Canon 1d at a good price. Problem is it would be my first DSLR. I’ve visited a few camera shops and enquired about the 30d and 1d series. I handled the 400d, 30d and 1d mark 2n. Out of them all, the 1d series handled the best but it’s not just the handling that has me wanting to purchase it. I’m attracted to the 45p Auto focus and 8fps ability. With my film SLR and point & shoot I’ve found myself mainly shooting wildlife and fast moving action such as air shows etc. I understand that DSLR’s such as the 30d have auto settings making them fairly easy to use for beginners but would it be a good idea to go for the 1d? The lens I had in mind was a 50mm f1.8 and once I familiarized myself with the system I wouldn’t mind getting a 135mm f2. Any advise would be appreciated.
Thank you

Film SLR.. are you familiar with the concepts of exposure? If so, it shouldn't be that hard. The 1D has Program AE (P) mode, so even if you aren't that confident, you can get started. I recommend P to most people who are starting out because it controls exposure just like auto, but still allows you full access to the camera's advanced settings (this is particularly true on Canon's other DSLRs). P will set your shutter speed and aperture to get what the camera feels is a proper exposure.

I wouldn't say the 1D is 'too hard' to learn. You might have to put in a little bit more work though, but it will pay off in the end. Understanding the tools go a long way to contributing to your chances of getting the desired results. Myself, I put my 1D in aperture priority, tweak ISO, and carry on not too much to do..

Basically, it's about learning the control set of the camera, which you will on any other camera as well. The manual will help a lot, so make sure they give you one. If I'm not wrong, this is a 1D classic you are talking about? Since you said decent condition I'm going to assume it's an older, used 1D classic.

Your results in JPEG straight out of the camera are going to be fairly bland unlike say, a 30D. This camera basically demands postprocessing, since it has been set to produce images intended for postprocessing. However, there is a simple method of getting good results out of it (that I use extensively, despite all the tools available to me). Shoot RAW files, these will need to be processed by Canon's DPP software supplied free with the camera. Install DPP from the CD, then go to Canon's website and update to the latest version. You get Picture Styles, which automatically set tone curves, sharpening, color, etc. for pleasing results... just click the style you want, apply to all images and convert to JPEG. Essentially, you'll get quality on par with the 30D.

Also bear in mind the focal length multiplier. On digital, you will get a field of view (FOV) smaller than what you're used to on film. For the 1D, multiply it out by 1.3X - a 50mm would work like a 65mm lens.

45 point AF and 8fps are awesome when you shoot action, however you will probably want a telephoto a bit longer than 135mm for airshows.

Hi
It is the original 1d which I'm talking about. The only reason I tried the 1d Mark 2n at the shop was because it looks similar. My only issue with it was that it wasn't a very light camera although that shouldn't really be an issue. I have read up on the 1d and am familiar with the crop factor etc. I will later on invest in some decent lens's but only once I have gotten to know the camera and its functions better. I have heard negative comments on its ISO performance and the fact that the battery's aren't the best type but I guess they are things that come with an aged camera. I have already acquired a copy of Photoshop CS2 and I'm in the process of learning how to use it. I'm looking foreward to purchasing it. Can someone please tell me the approx size of its RAW file? I have heard somewhere that it produces a 10mb file but other sources seem to think otherwise.

Stick it in P, AF, One Shot focus and go blast a GB or 3. Then read the manual again and start changing things from there.

If you can lift it, you can use it.

I have the 1d mkII N which I've recently purchased and am over the moon with it. With the right lens combination it's an awesome tool capable top notch results.

The 45 point AF is lightning fast and this weekend I've been doing some martial arts action photos for a magazine. It's the first time I've really given the 8.5fps a thorough testing and I was very pleased with the results. Pin sharp focus nearly every time and I was shooting in less that ideal lighting conditions.

I wouldn't read too much into the ISO performance unless you intend to shoot ISO 1600/3200 all the time and there are plenty on here who do and do it successfully with the 1D.

This weekend I 've mainly been using ISO400.

As to the lenses you mentioned. It's not essential but a fine camera like the 1d really benefits from some fine lenses. My 50mm prime lens is the f1.4 version which is quite a bit more than the f1.8 but no where near as expensive as the f1.2.

The f1.8 is actually a very very good lens but it's construction is not on a par with the camera. The f1.4 is much better in this respect. For airshow stuff, I'd recommend something like the 100-400 L IS USM which is very quick and will give you the magnification you need. It's also not over expensive and one of those lenses that will be an investment. Also perfect for wildlife.

If you do find yourself shooting in low light then the easy answer is to get yourself some good quality large aperture glass and use a tripod where you can.

Hope that helps.

red-barron wrote in post #2383777
Hi
It is the original 1d which I'm talking about. The only reason I tried the 1d Mark 2n at the shop was because it looks similar. My only issue with it was that it wasn't a very light camera although that shouldn't really be an issue. I have read up on the 1d and am familiar with the crop factor etc. I will later on invest in some decent lens's but only once I have gotten to know the camera and its functions better. I have heard negative comments on its ISO performance and the fact that the battery's aren't the best type but I guess they are things that come with an aged camera. I have already acquired a copy of Photoshop CS2 and I'm in the process of learning how to use it. I'm looking foreward to purchasing it. Can someone please tell me the approx size of its RAW file? I have heard somewhere that it produces a 10mb file but other sources seem to think otherwise.

On the CF card it's approx 3-4MB. The 10-12MB file size you hear is calculated a different way, based on raw pixel data and bytes before loss-less RAW compression.. I managed to find out how they worked it out and while interesting, it really is quite meaningless

The files coming out of the camera will be around 3-4MB, so a 2GB card will be able to hold quite a lot. I use a 2GB on mine. JPEG is ~1MB.

High ISO performance is not as clean as newer cameras but it is manageable. If you can, stay above ISO 400, but don't hesitate to crank it up if you need the ISO to get the shot. Better a noisy one.. you can fix that - than a blurry one - you can't fix that

red-barron wrote in post #2383777
It is the original 1d which I'm talking about. The only reason I tried the 1d Mark 2n at the shop was because it looks similar. My only issue with it was that it wasn't a very light camera although that shouldn't really be an issue. I have read up on the 1d and am familiar with the crop factor etc. I will later on invest in some decent lens's but only once I have gotten to know the camera and its functions better. I have heard negative comments on its ISO performance and the fact that the battery's aren't the best type but I guess they are things that come with an aged camera. I have already acquired a copy of Photoshop CS2 and I'm in the process of learning how to use it. I'm looking foreward to purchasing it. Can someone please tell me the approx size of its RAW file? I have heard somewhere that it produces a 10mb file but other sources seem to think otherwise.

The raw file size for a 1d is in the region of 4-5mb - which makes it quite workable. Using the picture settings in the latest version of DPP will get you some exceptional results from the 1d mk1.

Have a look at www.phsphotos.co.uk and the 2 main galleries in there - these are from this weekend. Shot in RAW (for once paper deadlines were such that I could have a play with RAW again), converted with the Portrait picture style and then some very minor PP work in photoshop (Hue +5, crop/resize then USM).

High ISO performance I haven't had a problem with, I regularly go up to ISO1600 (see here) and am happy with the results. Would recommend purchasing Noise Ninja or Neat Image though so you can do some noise reduction though.

Battery life is mixed - look after the batteries (discharge them fully once a month - the charger with the 1d has a facility for this) and they will last quite well. This weekend for example in very cold conditions (2 degree centigrade) I got about 600 shots out of the battery without it even registering as half full. Again, i would imagine that this can vary from body to body. I hear that the Delkin NP-E3 batteries are very good substitutes for the Canon brand ones (and half the price!!).

I would say whilst learning, avoid Program mode and stick with Av and Tv..........at least here you can see the effect of either Aperture or Shutter speed on your shooting. I believe you will learn quicker that way. If you shoot in RAW as well then you will get the additional backup that if you get the exposure wrong (which you probably won't do as I find the metering on the 1d very good) or the white balance slightly off then you can tweak before converting from RAW to JPEG.

As for learning on it - a number of occasions recently I have found my mother, who is the world's greatest technophobe wandering around the garden with my camera taking pictures of her flowers. Now believe me, if she can use it, then anyone can! (sorry Mum!)

The 1d is a highly customisable camera - however you can just reset all the Custom functions whilst you learn and try them out to find what works for you. I could guarantee if I picked up lightspeed's 1d then it would be set up differently to mine....what works for him would might not feel comfortable to me and vice versa - and that is what I love about the 1d, once you get to know it then you can make it work in the best way for you.

I'd say go for it - you will be happy with the IQ for sure - and with a spare battery or two in the pocket it will last you for a long, long while! Give me a shout if you have any other questions!

prep wrote in post #2383908
If you can lift it, you can use it.

that about sums it up!

Thanks for all the helpful info guys. Very appreciated. I know this is a big ask but would anyone be able to link me up with some high res files created by the 1d? Paul - Those sports shots are amazing however I don't think I'd be able to justify the price of a 300 2.8 for a while yet. I wouldn't mind seeing some shots taken with some slightly cheaper glass. I've browsed various image hosting sites but some have image size restrictions and I believe that small res files don't do it justice.

Well, since I've owned this camera for 10 months now, I'll make my comments. It's a heavy camera, but has superb handling. Images (jpegs) out of the camera are fine, probably the best of all of Canon's DSLRs imho. Noise? Anything about ISO 400 is noisy, 800 is the maximum I'd honestly recommend that you go. 1600 is dreadful, 3200 is absolutely atrocious (at least on my machine). If it's in good condition, low shutter count, and a good price (anywhere from US $1200-1500), then my advice is to grab it. It's not a hard camera to learn to use imho, but like any electronic device, I'd recommend reading the user guide several times and sitting down with the camera to learn what does what. Practice makes perfect.

Dave

red-barron wrote in post #2386241
Thanks for all the helpful info guys. Very appreciated. I know this is a big ask but would anyone be able to link me up with some high res files created by the 1d? Paul - Those sports shots are amazing however I don't think I'd be able to justify the price of a 300 2.8 for a while yet. I wouldn't mind seeing some shots taken with some slightly cheaper glass. I've browsed various image hosting sites but some have image size restrictions and I believe that small res files don't do it justice.

Thank you for the kind comments - not sure I could actually justify the cost of the 300 2.8 at the time, however its paying for itself quicker than I thought it would, so might not have been the worst purchase I ever made!

Drop me a PM with your email address and I can send across one of the RAW files or if you give me about 24 hours I will browse through my archived files and find an original JPEG straight out of the camera.

Might be worth having a look at the thread in this section called "1d finally here" which has a lot of info in the 1d on there. There's also a fair chunk in there on noise (around pages 5-9 off the top of my head) which is worth a read too if you are going to do a lot of shooting above, say, ISO800.