Trading the 1's on 5's?

I'm having a mind-debate between keeping my 1DMKII & 1Ds or selling both for a 50D and 5DMKII. I was just on a serious photography trip and most of big-time pros (NG Shooters) didn't use a tripod and were using shorter glass. They were taking advantage of high ISO and cropping to not have to carry as much equipment. These guys were all about 1 camera and 2 lenses - nothing else in the field.

I can't imagine giving up my tripod because I like to shoot creatively with slower shutter speeds, but I do like the idea of being more portable.

Here's what I'm thinking:

1D Pros:

1. Autofocus is incredible
2. Machine gun shooting (1D)
3. Surreal image output of 1Ds

1. Weight and size
2. Weight and size of batteries plus big charger

1. Smaller and lighter including batteries
2. Better High ISO performance
3. Many more megapixels
4. Dust cleaning system
5. Liveview (useful for holing camera low or overhead)
6. Movie recording on 5DMKII

honestly I think I would keep the 1ds just for the sports side of your shooting... but all are great cameras... it is really up to you and what YOU want to do.

You'll get more answers in the Camera forum. Main thing being, you said that AF and 8FPS shooting is important to you. That would mean 1d series all the way. If you're looking for the better ISO performance, dust cleaning, and more MP, you could sell your 2 1ds and get a 1DIII

TaDa wrote in post #6657898
You'll get more answers in the Camera forum.

Whoops. That was definitely my intention, but I guess I goofed. Hopefully a mod will fix that.

1DMKIII would be a slight solution. There is still the weight/size issue and 2 Mega Pixels (over 1DMKII) isn't that big a deal.

I think you'd find the 50D to be a downgrade when compared to the 1DMII.

If I were in your shoes I'd keep the 1DM2 and sell the 1Ds and get a 5DM2 - would be a pretty sweet combination.

When you talk about 'big-time-pros' you need to examine what they shoot, how they shoot, what their end use is, and what their style is.

I know many big-time-pros personally who travel with multiple Pelican cases of equipment and others who get on a plane with two bodies and four lenses.

Having personally worked all over the world as a photographer, I know I have gotten on a plane checking a case of lenses (400f2.8 & 600f4) and a case of lights (LowePro Pro Roller II with 2 heads, pack, two batteries, light stands, etc etc etc) and five 1D series bodies.

Having spent a significant portion of my career covering pro and NCAA D1 sports I would not give up the 1D series bodies for two reasons. The first reason is NOT the frame-rate, it is the the build of the camera. The 1D bodies can take significantly more banging up than the 5D/50D. This is important in situations where your gear can bounce off of each other. The second reason to keep the 1D series bodies is the weather sealing on the bodies. When shooting sports outside this is helpful when is snowing or a light rain. These same reasons all apply to shooting wildlife.

While I own, use, love, the 1D series bodies, I now primarily use a mix of 5D and 20D bodies. I have gotten on a plane to go completely around the world for a client using nothing by a small non-photo backpack, a 5D, 20D, four short fast primes and a short fast zoom. My pack was lighter, my batteries lasted longer, I had nicer high-ISO images and my client was happy (clients do not care about your gear, they only care about the end product you deliver, keep that in mind........gear is only a tool).

I almost never use a tripod, I often use a baseball hat, a mobile phone, a wallet, etc to balance my camera, although I have begun using the pocket sized Bogen 3007 that can support a 5D w/grip and a 24f3.5 TS-E.

You need to sort out your personal needs, not base your gear on someone elses needs, style and wants.

For some detailed info on traveling as a photog visit my site for traveling photogs at www.flyingwithfish.com

Fish - I have been following your blog for a while. Thanks for keeping it up - it has been an invaluable resource.

You're absolutely right about working toward your own style. The tough part is these guys and I are shooting the same things. I didn't mention that they're all Nikon shooters with D3's, a wide zoom, a 70-200mm and a 300mm and that's basically what I carry most of the time too (except with Canon badges on my stuff).

Do you not carry a tripod to avoid the travel hassle or do you prefer to use higher shutter speeds?

What kind of stuff are you shooting?

I had a 1DmII and got sick of the size/weight as well and wanted to simplify. I had told myself I "needed" it for AF and FPS, but I went to a 5D and 40D setup and LOVE IT... I used the 5D 95% of the time and brought out the 40D just when I needed the FPS or reach. Now I've sold the 5D and am waiting for the mII. I only wish I'd done it sooner (when the 5D was released, I'd bought my 1DmII a few months earlier).

On the other hand, I want to trade my 5D for a 1Ds Mk II.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #6659612
I had a 1DmII and got sick of the size/weight as well and wanted to simplify. I had told myself I "needed" it for AF and FPS, but I went to a 5D and 40D setup and LOVE IT... I used the 5D 95% of the time and brought out the 40D just when I needed the FPS or reach. Now I've sold the 5D and am waiting for the mII. I only wish I'd done it sooner (when the 5D was released, I'd bought my 1DmII a few months earlier).

How long did you have the 1?

4g63photo wrote in post #6659157
What kind of stuff are you shooting?

I shoot wildlife, sports, and landscapes primarily.

blackshadow wrote in post #6657975
I think you'd find the 50D to be a downgrade when compared to the 1DMII.

If I were in your shoes I'd keep the 1DM2 and sell the 1Ds and get a 5DM2 - would be a pretty sweet combination.

That's what my combo will be in the Spring!! I've already got the money set aside and everything!

Poindexter wrote in post #6660275
How long did you have the 1?

18 months I think? Over a year for sure.

Then you definitely knew it well! I'm finding myself in the boat you were in, but I am having a tough time pulling the trigger - I really love the results both the MKII and MKI give me.