1 Ds Mark II vs 5D Mark II

I have to choose between the two, which one is better, what I lose if I select one. The price difference that I am getting is not much between the two. I am unable to decide what would be the best thing among them for me to choose. I shoot landscape and birds mainly and hence your suggestion is required.

For landscapes, unless you shoot in bad weather, I'd say the weight, battery life (overall portability) and pixel count easily goes to the 5D2. For BIF, the focus system on the 1Ds2 will hold the distinct advantage--unless you learn to use only the center focusing point on the 5D2.

When I was investigating this same upgrade scenario a month or so ago, I ended up with the 1Ds2 and couldn't be happier! I spent considerably less on the camera body (I would have had to add the expensive grip to the 5D2 since I shoot portraits), and have used the money on extra lenses.

I'm not so sure there is a "wrong" decision here. If you got a nice used 1Ds2 for around $2,200 and found that you didn't like it, you could easily resell it for the same price. In the end, if you haven't handled a 1-series, I would encourage you to give it a try. There are so many intangibles that are hard to describe with Canon's top of the line series.

5D MK II
22.0mp
DIGIC 4 image processor
Live view
1080p Video recording
ISO 50 to 25600
3.9 fps up to 78 shots
Standard, portrait, landscape, neutral, faithful, monochrome, and user
defined scene modes
Uses CF cards
3.0" LCD - 920,000 pixels
Lower grip available as an option
900g

1Ds MK II
17.2mp
DIGIC II image processor
No live view
No video recording
ISO 50 to 3200
4 fps up to 32 shots
No scene modes
Uses CF and SD cards
2.0" LCD - 230,000 pixels
Lower grip
1215g
$1000 less that the 5D MK II - used

i would grab 5dmk2 w/1080 hdvideo (awesome with all different lenses) and Fullframe

I have a the 1dsmk2 and the 1dmk2 and im getting a 5dmk2 after summer if they get all the firmwares up to date, the ability of video and native iso 6400 has sold me completely, however if these are not important to you the files that the 1dsmk2 produces are VERY good! better than the 5dc and big enough for any job. Honestly even with my 5dc I was never worried about the the weather sealing, as long as you dont leave them out in hailing rain and use a bit of common sense you wont have trouble with weather.

fjellklatrer wrote in post #7740548
1Ds MK II
17.2mp

Effective pixels: 16.6 million

1Ds2 is more customisable (For one: spot metering from AF point).

5D2 is better at high ISO.

You need to decide which is more important to you on a few features. Physical size, weight, AF, weather sealing, higher ISO and whether or not video has any appeal to you. You can look at the images for days and not know which body took which photo.
http://picasaweb.googl​e.com …key=Gv1sRgCLrLs​L7ttY6AtwE

If you're shooting birds, which have been known to move around a bit, the focus system on the 1DsMkII is going to be impossible to beat, especially in AI tracking mode and under dimmer lighting conditions too.

What good is ISO 6400 and beyond in a dimly lit environment if the focus won't lock?

If you really, really need the video, just buy an HD camcorder. They're dirt cheap these days and far more suited to actually shooting video the the 5D II is.

Cheers!

In your situation, you can't really go wrong with either. I think it should really come down to whether or not you need the high ISO on the 5D or the weather sealing on the 1DsII. Another thing to take into account is the physical size. I recommend the 5DII simply because you shoot landscape and the extra MP can help. Same goes for shooting birds.

I debated this too and went with the 1DsII.

KrysiaG wrote in post #7744489
I debated this too and went with the 1DsII.

I debated it too...............and ended up buying both.

I'm in the same boat! I think I am edging toward the 1DsII. I have the 1DIIn.

i had the same situation and went with the 1ds2. i could not be happier. my main consideration was the focusing ability of the 1 series cameras.

Thanks a lot guys for your nice analysis and giving me nice feedback on what is better and what is best.

One thing that I forgot to mention was that I am mainly looking for a high quality Image and have heard people saying time and again that the Digic IV processor is way better than the Digic II processor. Plus, the new technology is of course better than the previous one.. i.e. Higher ISO, low noise, overall features.

Can you kindly elaborate in this regard.

LL01773 wrote in post #7744993
I debated it too...............and ended up buying both.

After analyzing the input from everyone, I've come to the conclusion that this is the only option available to all of us in this debate.

Now to save money for the 5DII....