1D Worth Using Today?

I see 1D's still coming up for sale and still commanding a decent price albeit closer to "regular" Canon SLR's.
Given that a 40D will nearly cost the same amount, or thereabouts, is it worth getting this older camera?
I'm intrigued by the robustness of it but can't see plunking down $$$'s for any of the newer ones based on my limited abilities.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!

rennwerkes wrote in post #4085044
Any thoughts?

I have two.

1. Post in the correct section.
2. It depends on your needs.

cdifoto wrote in post #4085064
I have two.

1. Post in the correct section.
2. It depends on your needs.

Whoops, sorry, where was it? In the lens area?
Just thinking about using it for general all around use.
Personally, I like anything that's built to last.
Thanks!

The 1D is and will continue to be an awesome camera. Just because something new comes out does not mean the old will become lesser somehow. I see 1D's for sale at around $1000.00 these days, still a good deal if you want/need a speed burner that is weather sealed. The two things it lacks are megapixels and too much ISO noise above 800 compared to the 30 and 40D's of the world.

The 1D is still an excellent camera, capable of outstanding images if you avoid its weaker areas (high ISO noise, long exposures, heavy cropping etc). For the prices that they're going at, they're very good value. I have a 1D, but it is going to be sold shortly to partly pay for the Mark IIn that I've just acquired. Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to be selling my 1D cos it's crap, I just need to pay for the new unit in some way and that means all the cameras that I did own, are going.

Dave

Just make sure you buy lots of extra batteries.

Lani Kai wrote in post #4085162
Just make sure you buy lots of extra batteries.

Does this model use up batteries quickly?

Here is an example of the results produced by a 1D - I think this is a 100% Crop

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rennwerkes wrote in post #4085325
Does this model use up batteries quickly?

It gets about the same as a 10D gets on a single battery. In other words, not the 1000+ of the newer models. More like 300-500. A lot less if you chimp a lot. The LCD seems to really give the batteries a hit.

The 1D is something I'd choose over a 20D or 30D. But with the 40D on the board, I'm not so sure that I still feel the same way about it. It is indeed a great camera and it was at the top of its game when first released. It is by no means lesser these days, although relative to the new cameras, it's really starting to show its age.

However, it's the cheapest means into the 1-series cameras. And many of those who pick one up will never be the same again.

cdifoto wrote in post #4085498
It gets about the same as a 10D gets on a single battery. In other words, not the 1000+ of the newer models. More like 300-500. A lot less if you chimp a lot. The LCD seems to really give the batteries a hit.

Well, Canon Australia told me that 130 shots was the norm (per charge) for a genuine Canon NP-E3 battery in an original 1D unit. From my experience, you won't get much better than this. I have the LCD set to display for 4 seconds, AF indicator in viewfinder is turned on, NO AF as I manually focus (mostly macro work), auto turn off after 8 mins non usage. I chimp a bit, but not as much as some. 3rd party batteries perform better, probably hit around the 250-300 mark per charge.

Dave

Sadly, I traded my 1D for a 30D. I don't regret it since I have a mk2, but it was still a great camera. Do you really need the 8fps? Unless you really need the high fps, there are much more pros to getting a 20d or 30d. With my 1D I only got about 200-300 shots per battery. Scary when you can eat up 50 shots in a minute.

20/30 pros
better high iso
higher mp
flash
ef-s lenses
up to $500 cheaper
better battery life

1d pros
build (which at times can also be a burden if you're not used to the weight and size)
fps
faster focus
IQ (I like the way it captures the colors over any other camera)

I know a few motorsports photog's that use the original 1D since it came out. They are very durable, but they also eat a lot of power. The one pro photog I understudied recently carries 4 batteries with him everyday he's out shooting. The IS on his 300 f/2.8 eats batteries too. He had the mkIIn's, but had some problems with them, so he sold them and stayed with the 1D's. He just picked up a 40D as a backup body though. His 1D has about 250k+ of actuations.

If I was really dedicated with shooting sports, I'd get the 1D over the 40D, but you have to pair it with good glass as your reach is less and you can't crop too much so you have to get your composure and framing down. Also AF is better on the 1D's and more advanced. That would be a great feature I'd get for motion.

i owned a 1d classic last year, and it is still a very capable camera. given the choice between a 20D/30D and 1D classic, if you think you need the features that the 1 series offers i would have chosen the 1D every time, but now that the 40D is out im really not sure anymore. the main difficulties with the 1D are dont bother using ISO over 800, and expect 800 to look pretty bad, and the battery life. i could even work around the lower resolution. also, once you get a 1D, you will never be able to go back, so it just means eventually youll need to buy a new one.

Folks, thanks for all the great advice and info!