5D classic + 1D M II N vs 1Ds M II... HELP

Having been shooting with my 350D (even two of them) since February 2006, I've come to the conclusion it's time to upgrade during this summer.

I know I want to go full frame, and that's something I've been thinking about with every lens purchase. Having been following the second hand market, I've noticed that at the moment you can get a used 5D and a 1D2 N for about the same price as a used 1Ds2. The question is, what would be the smarter buy.

I like to shoot a lot of difference things, everything from portraits to architecture to products to food to weddings... and who knows, perhaps even sports at some time.

If I go the 5D + 1D2 N path, I'll probably pick up a 5D first and then sometime later the 1D2 N. If I go for the 1Ds2, I'll probably need to wait a bit longer.

I've been going through this in my head for a long time. Every now and then I come to a different conclusion.


At the moment I've got the 17-40L, 70-200L f/4, nifty fifty, 85 1.8 and the 100 macro. Either way I think I'll need to add the 24-70L and probably the 135L. These lenses should be quite suitable for all three cameras.

HELP!

Given the IQ of all cameras involved....you have one option that gives you two bodies instead of one...I know that is the direction I would head. The 5D is capable of producing stunning images, as we have seen time and time again...and the 1Dmk2n is just an amazing camera.

The 1Dsmk2 is no slouch either, but when I can have two excellent bodies for the price of one..............

The 24-70 is a dream lens....especially on a FF body.

There is of course a third possibility... getting a 1D2N first, and then get back to debating the 5D vs 1Ds2 later... LOL... I'm hopeless. I do understand that whichever path I take, it will be an substantial upgrade from the two 350Ds.

5D is really quite all you will need.

What do you shoot? Do you really need the AF of a 1 series?

Personally, I would go for a 5D and a 40D/50D. Unless your shooting sports this makes more sense to me. I'm sure you realize this, but the 1DmkII is 1.3X crop and not FF.

versedmb wrote in post #7931799
What do you shoot? Do you really need the AF of a 1 series?

Personally, I would go for a 5D and a 40D/50D. Unless your shooting sports this makes more sense to me. I'm sure you realize this, but the 1DmkII is 1.3X crop and not FF.

Well, as I said

I know that the 1D Mk II is a 1.3x crop, that's why I would combine it with the 5D. The 1D AF is sure nice, wether you really need it or not. Other nice features of the 1D is a rugged weather sealed body with a large and bright (and 100%) viewfinder. Also the built-in portrait grip is much nicer than the add-on ones. It just seems like you're getting a lot for the money if you buy them used at the moment.

40D and 50D don't look that interesting to me, especially if you compare it price-vise to a used 1D2N (or 1D2 for that matter).

fi20100 wrote in post #7931927
Well, as I said....

Well, that's what I get for trying to read too fast so early in the morning.

fi20100 wrote in post #7931927
Well, as I said

I know that the 1D Mk II is a 1.3x crop, that's why I would combine it with the 5D. The 1D AF is sure nice, wether you really need it or not. Other nice features of the 1D is a rugged weather sealed body with a large and bright (and 100%) viewfinder. Also the built-in portrait grip is much nicer than the add-on ones. It just seems like you're getting a lot for the money if you buy them used at the moment.

40D and 50D don't look that interesting to me, especially if you compare it price-vise to a used 1D2N (or 1D2 for that matter).

If I had to choose between a 5D/1DmkII and a 1DsmkII, I think I would go with the former if for only the reason as I like having a small sized full frame body.

It doesn't matter as much to me, but with the 5D/1DmkII you also get the combination of excellent high ISO performance (5D) and AF/speed for when you need it (1DmkII).

versedmb wrote in post #7932021
If I had to choose between a 5D/1DmkII and a 1DsmkII, I think I would go with the former if for only the reason as I like having a small sized full frame body.

It doesn't matter as much to me, but with the 5D/1DmkII you also get the combination of excellent high ISO performance (5D) and AF/speed for when you need it (1DmkII).

See, this is why I like this forum so much Even though I'm asking something that has been asked a million times (well, at least 50 ), you still get someone to discuss these things with

The smaller size and especially the excellent IQ is exactly why I have been dreaming about the 5D for so long. Thanks for your input

Be warned, once you go full frame, you get spoiled. My 5D is my main camera. It's just the perfect camera for what I shoot. For backup/sports, I picked up a 1D2 and sold it a week later. I was just spoiled by full frame and didn't like how my lenses acted on a 1.3 crop. My favorite lens is the 35L, so when it came time to pick up a backup, I picked up a 1Ds. This way, I have all of the goodness of full frame on both bodies, and have pros and cons with each body (1Ds doesn't handle noise well where the 5D is amazing, the 1Ds smokes the 5D with auto-focus, etc.)

I now find myself using both of my bodies.

Now, that being said, that is for me. I tend to mainly shoot portraits. In your situation, I would go for the 5D/1D2 combo. They're really a great combo, just didn't fit me. Anything that will get you into the goodness of the 5D is a great option.

I've got all three and love each one. However, my 1Dn is my back up/remote camera only because it has the smallest sensor. I'm in the process of selling it to fund a 5DII because I shoot mainly weddings and I need high ISO more than I need 8 fps.

However, if I was a sports shooter, the 1dn would be my first choice followed by the 1Ds.

Thanks guys Seems one can't really go wrong with these cameras... still, at the moment I think a used 5D might be the first buy

Having owned both the 5D and 1D mk II n i think they have quite different strengths. The 5D, IMO, has a tad better IQ and is smaller/lighter for walkaround, but the N has a way better AF system and FPs and build. Seems the 5D would suit from what you say about interests, but despite the crummy ergonomics the N is a very, very good and well sorted body. Easily my first choice for wildlife. Together you are sussed for whatever you want to shoot. More modern bodies are 'better' but really you're talking marginal differences for most people.

This is an odd post for me, I have just been through the exact same choice in the last couple of weeks
In the end I went for the 5D and 1D2n, I did it to get the full frame of the 5D and the AF speed and reliability of the 1D series. The fact that I got both of them for about the same price as a 1Ds MK2 would cost me also helped in the decision.
My 24-70L is also on the way from my crack dealer (sorry I mean lens supplier :P).

condyk wrote in post #7958505
More modern bodies are 'better' but really you're talking marginal differences for most people.

With that combo, it really seems like you're getting a lot for the money. I mean, the cameras haven't gone bad just because there's a newer generation out

onefstopshort wrote in post #7958612
This is an odd post for me, I have just been through the exact same choice in the last couple of weeks
In the end I went for the 5D and 1D2n, I did it to get the full frame of the 5D and the AF speed and reliability of the 1D series. The fact that I got both of them for about the same price as a 1Ds MK2 would cost me also helped in the decision.
My 24-70L is also on the way from my crack dealer (sorry I mean lens supplier :P).

LOL, I also thought about getting the 24-70L after the 5D, and perhaps waiting a little bit longer with the 1D2n... Have you had a some time to play with the cameras already? How do you find them?

They are both great cameras. The images on the 5D are amazing and the speed of the 1D does make a big difference when shooting wildlife. But the images on the 1D are also excellent. With both of them it is me that is holding back my photography not the cameras in anyway.

The 1D is a bit fiddly to use at first but within an hour or so I found it quite easy to understand. I still have not explored all the custom functions properly I think there is a lot more I can get from it. The 8.5 fps is just pure geeky joy when you use it first

I shot a lot of full frame film years ago and it is nice to have that back again, especially the large bright viewfinder. Not sure if noise is an issue for you (or your subjects) but to my ears both of there mirrors sound louder especially the 5D.

I would happily recommend either camera. Just get them from a dealer you trust or at least one that has an easy returns policy and you wont go wrong. Other then the cost I can't think of any bad points to either camera.