Put yourself in this scenario!

It's April of 2010 and you have no ties to any current dSLR system -- not Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, etc. You are a free agent and you are looking to get back into the game with a full-frame sensor. Knowing all that you know now and have all the options you presently do -- archaic, dated and fresh off the assembly line.

Where would you go, with what camera body and why?

1Ds MK III (possibly wait for 1Ds MK IV)
They're the best!

scpictaker wrote in post #9960576
1Ds MK III (possibly wait for 1Ds MK IV)
They're the best!

I'll agree with you on that, but what is your reasoning for a 1Ds III over say the 1Ds II, 1Ds, 5D, 5D II, etc?

AF abilities. Dual card slots. Etc.

scpictaker wrote in post #9960989
AF abilities. Dual card slots. Etc.

Excellent answer.

Who's next?

If price was no option I would like a D3x please...

But I would wait and see what the 1DsmkIV has to offer, it could quickly change my mind.


Realistically- with my budget I would start out with a 5D classic I think..

DStanic wrote in post #9961036
If price was no option I would like a D3x please...

But I would wait and see what the 1DsmkIV has to offer, it could quickly change my mind.


Realistically- with my budget I would start out with a 5D classic I think..

Realistic responses are what I am looking for. Anyone can play fantasy without applying any real logic to justify their responses.

Why would you go with the 5D over all other options within that given price range?

If I was planning on doing it for a living, probably the 1Ds3, huge cameras tend to make people a touch more concious that you're shooting and they try avoid walking infront of you.
If I wasn't doing it for a living, 1Ds3, I'd just love to shoot with one.
This is of course if I had huge piles of cash to throw at it, I'd probably get a 5D classic like someone mentioned above, maybe a 1Ds2 or even a 1Ds classic.

Luminodio wrote in post #9961047
Realistic responses are what I am looking for. Anyone can play fantasy without applying any real logic to justify their responses.

Why would you go with the 5D over all other options within that given price range?

I would like better high ISO performance and the nice detailed images that the FF sensor produces. The 1DmkIIn would be another option but from what I've been told the high ISO isn't much better then a cropper. I don't need 8 or 10fps (5-6 is nice, but not nessesary). I am considering a 5d/5dmk2 in the future but I figure the cost to upgrade my EFS lenses (the 30mm and 10-20 specifically to 50mm f/1.4 and 17-40) will cost extra as well...

5D classic, which is what I chose over 14 months ago when I posed a similar question, to myself.

$1300 for a FF camera at the time was very attractive, and ~$1000 now remains so.

DStanic wrote in post #9961083
I would like better high ISO performance and the nice detailed images that the FF sensor produces. The 1DmkIIn would be another option but from what I've been told the high ISO isn't much better then a cropper. I don't need 8 or 10fps (5-6 is nice, but not nessesary). I am considering a 5d/5dmk2 in the future but I figure the cost to upgrade my EFS lenses (the 30mm and 10-20 specifically to 50mm f/1.4 and 17-40) will cost extra as well...

Any particular reason why the 1Ds classic or 1Ds II aren't within your consideration?

I'd be torn between the 5D MKII and the D700. Using the Canon gear provides a certain "warm and fuzzy" feeling, the colors are very nice so are the menus and lens selections. For the D700 having all the hard buttons is a very valuable asset and it's a camera I was very into and excited about before buying my first DSLR.

So probably a slight edge to the 5D if not a total coin flip.

MrWho wrote in post #9961144
I'd be torn between the 5D MKII and the D700. Using the Canon gear provides a certain "warm and fuzzy" feeling, the colors are very nice so are the menus and lens selections. For the D700 having all the hard buttons is a very valuable asset and it's a camera I was very into and excited about before buying my first DSLR.

So probably a slight edge to the 5D if not a total coin flip.

It goes with very little question that the Nikon D700 has a very friendly interface and performs very well not only on the market, but in the hands of its users as well. The dedicated MLU button is something I wish Canon would seriously stop pussyfooting around because it is a tremendous asset. My only gripe with the D700 is minor (not 100% VF coverage -- same reason I don't like the 5D as much as others do) and is easily resolved with it's LV (which shows 100% of what the sensor will capture -- 5D II also has this perk as well).

I only wish Nikon had as strong of a prime foundation as Canon does.

If one were choosing current bodies only and not taking the whole system into consideration, then whatever the top-of-the-line Nikon body is looks to have the edge over the 1Ds3 or the 5D2.

But, Canon has a great system and a rep for leapfrogging ahead substantially. This latest crop of Nikons certainly established leadership for now, but I've been very happy with my 5D Classic and 1DM3 -- they are both standard setters in different ways, and I've built up a Canon lens selection that it would be hard to beat (although I really want a 600mm) and I have no doubt that when either of my bodies is unusable Canon will have continued to improved the line and I will miss nothing by sticking with Canon.

tonylong wrote in post #9961248
If one were choosing current bodies only and not taking the whole system into consideration, then whatever the top-of-the-line Nikon body is looks to have the edge over the 1Ds3 or the 5D2.

But, Canon has a great system and a rep for leapfrogging ahead substantially. This latest crop of Nikons certainly established leadership for now, but I've been very happy with my 5D Classic and 1DM3 -- they are both standard setters in different ways, and I've built up a Canon lens selection that it would be hard to beat (although I really want a 600mm) and I have no doubt that when either of my bodies is unusable Canon will have continued to improved the line and I will miss nothing by sticking with Canon.

So if you were in the market for FF body, which body from Canon would you go with? 1Ds, 1Ds II, 1Ds III, 5D, or the 5D II and why?