For birding, 5DM2 or 1Ds2?

In a hypothetical situation where you're forced to use only one body, and the available choices are these two (forget crop-sensor cameras for the moment) , which one will you pick and why?

1. 5D2 - 21.1 MP, 9+6 points AF, great LCD, AF-micro adjust, HD video, 14-bit RAW, sensor cleaning system, 3.9 fps (13 RAW buffer), USD 2.7k new

2. 1Ds2 - 16.7 MP, 45-point pro AF, 4 fps (11 RAW buffer), weather sealing, say USD 2.7k used but low mileage.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Romy

I got to think that the 1Ds2 would be a better choice. Better AF, weathersealing, and you are shooting outdoors so high ISO shouldn't be an issue.

BigBlueDodge wrote in post #6420993
I got to think that the 1Ds2 would be a better choice. Better AF, weathersealing, and you are shooting outdoors so high ISO shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks.

After my initial excitement about the bells and whistles of the 5D2, bullet-proof AF (same as my 1DM2) factors very heavily for me too, and I'm leaning towards the old tank. Would like to see the POV of other birders though.

liquidstone wrote in post #6421054
Thanks.

After my initial excitement about the bells and whistles of the 5D2, bullet-proof AF (same as my 1DM2) factors very heavily for me too, and I'm leaning towards the old tank. Would like to see the POV of other birders though.

What no 50D?

silvex wrote in post #6421095
What no 50D?

I already have the 20D, 40D and 1DM2...... and I wish to have a FF birding camera (for greater printability) for the occasions when I can get close to birds.

Having used a 5D and 1Dmk2 and shooting BIF its the 1D hands down. The auto focus been the reason.
My new 1ds3 gives me the best of both worlds but a mk2 will be just as great.
Oh dont do what I did and forgot to change the custom functions.
Was sooting BIF in my landscape settings Wondered why tracking was the pits

The 5D isn't fast enough....and you really want a crop factor to help you get the ultimate close-up shots. Your 40D should do a good job.

1D series is hands down the best for moving subjects. Wildlife/sports/concer​ts/etc... due to the autofocus and better low-light focus.

5D is great, but it's much more suited for still objects.

I dont think you shoot lots of bif so the 5dmk2's slightly slower AF should not be a problem ,21mp should give more detail ( really needed with birds ) and alow a better crop should you need to crop, again giving more detail
on most camera centre point or a single point is the way to go so having 45 makes little diffrence in real life shots.
Micro Ajust is a must have in my book as the narrow DOF of long birding lenses gives NO room for erro so knowing your lens is matched and spot on really matters .
fps are the same so no gains there 4 is a bit slow for bif. 5 or 6 is better to ensure the wing placement is caught but a burst of 8 frames with the 5dmk2 or mk2 will take care of that anyway .
and the 5dmk2 is NEW and may well have a few tweaks we dont know about yet.
Rob.
i would waite till a few reviews are out first though before getting one

edit
As for cost does that really come into it or matter when seaking perfection - i dont think so Romy

Probably the new 5D as it wins in two crucial areas (for me at least). (1) we're always fighting for focal length and the 5D2 allows you to put more pixels on the bird. (2) mirror slap. The 1D2 slaps hard making it more difficult to get sharp shots at very long focal lengths and slow shutter speeds.

Thanks all, looks like majority of the comments are leaning towards the 1Ds2, like I am.

Romy

When I had the 1D MkI and moved on to the 40D, I noticed getting a lot of OOF images due to AF. 1Ds MkII without a doubt.

Romy,

You can get great pictures of birds using an XT so I doubt it would matter which you decide.

But I have to agree that I would want the AF of the 1Ds2 over the new "gadgets" of the 5D2. Plus, the 1Ds2 is a proven camera. The same can not be said about the 5D2. Given Canon's recent "issues" with some of their new releases it might be worthwhile to sit and wait for the 5D2 to settle in the market and see what the masses have to say about it.

Another factor to consider is that you will not be able to use your 500L and 2xTC on a 5D2 without lossing AF.

I'd really have a hard time with either because birds aren't usually sitting still and camera speed is very important. When I was in Alaska photographing eagles, the pro who lead the workshop had a 5D and he was talking about how it was very difficult for him because of that. But given these two choices, I'd go for the 1Ds2 for the same reasons others have mentioned.