Which body?

I'm about to start an apprenticeship with a local photo pro (wedding/portraits/eve​nts). My existing D body will not cut it (300D, too noisy above ISO 400, poor focus accuracy, painful card write/buffer times). My Elan 7N will cut it, but I'm going to be shooting mostly digital from what I can tell.

Anyway, most of my lenses are geared toward the full frame camera (my Elan) so I'd like to stay full frame is possible. I have approx 3 choices in my price range (~$2K):

used 1DS Mark 1
used 1D Mark 2
used 5D

I adore the high ISO ability of the 5D. I want the 1DS for its better construction and unrivaled focus system. I could get both 1-series focus accuracy AND good high ISO performance with a 1D Mark 2, but I really had my heart set on full frame.

I'd love to know what the pros here think is the best choice.

Bill

5D would be my pick of the 3 you mentioned.

I say 1DMKII... but if you look at my signature you'll understand why.

Other than full frame, I would not write off the 30D. Construction solid, features rival above with sign. less cost. Many portrait/wedding use the 20D/30D systems. $2000 doesn,t get you any of the above except a moderately used 5D or highly used 1D. For the same, it would get a 30D plus lens if needed. I understand the 1D merits ( I will eventually get there myself!!!), but $2000 doesn't even come close from the sale prices that I see.

I just purchased my second 5D body. This is what I moved to when I migrated over from medium format film and so far I have not regretted it. The 5D's "negative" is fairly similar to the MF neg that I loved for 30+ years and does quite a good job of delivering the product.....love that FF sensor.

For weddings the focus system of the 5D has been pretty darn good, although very very dark church venues will give a little aggravation from time to time. I use the 580ex flash with it most of the time so when I'm inside ISO is either 400 or 800; the outdoor shots are typically 100 or 200. Can't say anything about the other cameras since I've never used them. - Stu

jcpoulin wrote in post #2422661
Other than full frame, I would not write off the 30D. Construction solid, features rival above with sign. less cost. Many portrait/wedding use the 20D/30D systems. $2000 doesn,t get you any of the above except a moderately used 5D or highly used 1D. For the same, it would get a 30D plus lens if needed. I understand the 1D merits ( I will eventually get there myself!!!), but $2000 doesn't even come close from the sale prices that I see.

I've been watching 1DS Mark 1 used values on Ebay and I can definitely get that body for ~2K.

Bill

Why do you feel you need full frame? I work with two 20D bodies, they do everything I need. I had a chance to purchase a 5D, but the price/benefit equation isn't good enough for me. Don't drop your cameras or leave them out in the rain and the 20D/30D series is great.

I would do the following:

5D - for full frame - light and works great
1DMarkII - 1:3 crop - waterproof for rainy days and is lighting fast
30D - 1:6 crop amazing backup and amazing good camera


You will have all three crop factors as well as a camera that you can use.

1Ds are in need of an upgrade, I will replace mine when the newer version comes out most likely but with the added 5D's to my bag I am not sure now.

Mike Fulton wrote in post #2424130
I would do the following:

5D - for full frame - light and works great
1DMarkII - 1:3 crop - waterproof for rainy days and is lighting fast
30D - 1:6 crop amazing backup and amazing good camera

I have this combination, but I'm using the 1D Mark II as work horse. The 5D for available light or if I need the extra resolution (large group shots). The 30D is just backup. It doesn't reach the 1D Mark II in low noise, accuracy focusing and speed.

What I really don't like is that you have with three cameras and same settings different colours (same conditions)

I have the 5D and the 20D - both great but the colors are amazing on the 5d and many pictures that come straight out of the camera look great and are ready to print. Very little pp is needed on the majority of the photos! It's well worth every penny. I like the 20D as well and I like to use it with the telephoto lens so that I can get even more close up from far away. But the full frame is great to have in a wedding situation. I guess it's all personal preference. Try a few out at your local camera store. See which one you feel more comfortable with.

Do you have a place nearby that will rent pro gear?

I have the 5D as well as the 30D, and I wish I had 2 5D's. There are 3 things that really bug me about the 30D-it's not full-frame, as you know, so it's frustrating when I switch lenses from one body to another and they're different. As an example, my 5D did something weird (turns out it was something I did and not the camera) so I switched to my 30D. I was in a cramped room doing formals, and I couldn't back up any further to put them all in the frame, so I wasn't able to get the group shot until I figured out what happened w/my 5D. I also don't like the small viewfinder (at least it feels small for some reason). After Jamie said he shot w/a Nikon D80 (or whatever that was) I happened to be at Costco and saw one, so I looked through the viewfinder and it was a great size, and now it just bugs me to look through my 30D's. The shutter is noticeably louder than the 5D's, and during the ceremony, I feel like I stick out. The 30D also doesn't seem to focus as well in low light. Sorry, that was 4 things if you happened to read the entire rant. That being said, it does take up less memory than the 5D, it is quite a bit cheaper, and it takes comparable photos to the 5D.

I'm similar to Tim, I considered a 5D, but opted for 2 x 30D's for around the same financial outlay. If budget is a factor (which it usually is) then the 20D/30D series is great value for money.

Personally, I can't stand shooting a wedding with 2 different bodies, it messes with my flow too much.

For 2k, you can have two brand new 30D's after rebates right now. Double rebates = $200 off each body. I agree that the viewfinders are a challenge and full frame can be nice, but imo you'll be really limited as to what kind of work you'll be able to take on with only one good body, and a used one at that.

Even as an apprentice or a second shooter, you're going to be able to produce more work for your own portfolio if you can bring two bodies/lenses with you to a shoot and you'll find that you'll miss less opportunities.

I know plenty of very well paid wedding photographers that use 20D's & 30D's every weekend because the results are good and it's not worth it to them to have to shoot X number of add'll weddings per year just to buy more expensive bodies that won't make or break any gig.

I regularly process images taken with a 5D, as well as images taken with my own 20Ds, the only difference I see is the 5D files are bigger and take my PC longer to process. Until I saw shots taken side by side with a 30D/5D look significantly better i'd not believe that. Two 30Ds is far better than a single 5D IMHO.

Remember as a professional you have to look at cost and value, and cameras have to be replaced/repaired occasionally. The 5D doesn't make economic sense for me right now. Also the full frame sensor can result in more distortion than a smaller sensor and wider lenses from what i've seen.