5D Mk II or 1Ds Mk II?

What do you guys think? I'm trying to decide between getting a new 5D MkII or a used 1Ds MkII. The 1Ds is in E+ (Excellent+) condition from Adorama. I'm really not into video, so that feature on the 5D is a bonus, but not a big deal for me. This camera will be primarily for landscape photography, so the higher megapixel count for the 5D is a bit of a selling point if I want to do larger prints (which I do). On the other hand, the weather sealing on the 1Ds would be huge, though most of my lenses are not weather sealed, so it may not be as beneficial as I'd like. I'll probably also use whichever camera I decide on for indoor/low light sport photography as well to supplement my 40D.

So, thoughts, opinions, etc. . .

I've got both and prefer the 1Ds, though the 5D is new to me so perhaps it will grow on me. The AF on the 1Ds is significantly better than the 5D and I love the spread of AF points when shooting portraits, but the 5D definitely has the better high ISO performance. They are both very good cameras and the files they produce are a pleasure to work with, but they are big which can causes issues with older PCs (my old one really struggled with them). If I could only have one it would be the 1Ds, to be honest if it wasn't for the desire to try video (which I haven't got round to yet) I'd probably have got a second 1Ds instead. As for big prints I can easily get 30"x20" prints from a 10mp camera so I don't see it being an issue unless you're printing really big.

You also need to take into consideration the weight and size of the 1Ds compared to what you have now (40D). It is probably double the weight of the 5D and the 40D, and the actual size although not huge does make the other two feel like toys.

Agreed! If there is only one camera to keep, I will take the 1dsmk2. Just some point to note. Noise control is muh better in 5d2. Liveview is sometimes useful for certain shooting situations. Shutter lag is quite apparent in 5d2 (as compared to the 1d). So it really depends on what you really need.

Thanks for the inputs. I'm still struggling with the decision, but after reading a few more reviews, leaning slightly towards the 5D. The extra weight is a bit of a factor since I often hike quite a distance to my shooting locations. The extra weight/size of the camera is one issue. The next is making sure my preferred, lighter weight tripod is going to be able to handle the extra weight. I think I have it about maxed out with my 40D and 300mm lens. I read about the shutter lag, but my 40D will remain my primary sports camera, as neither the 5D nor the 1Ds is necessarily optimized for sports (though the latter would certainly have the edge). Ideally, I'd have a 1D and a 1Ds (the new 1D MIV looks pretty nice), but photography would have to be a much more significant portion of my income to justify that one.

So, the debate continues. You certainly can't argue with the quality of the 1-series. I just wish I could afford the 1Ds MIII, and then the choice would be easy

I had the same dilemma and went with the 1DsII. The 5D will work better at higher ISO but the 1DsII has better AF for sports shooting. I shoot more outdoors than indoors so for me it was the right choice, I have no interest in video at all.

I too shoot landscape and bought a 5D Mark II last week for $2161. Brand new, not gray market, factory sealed box from brick and mortar store that is a Canon authorized dealer.


Read post 9 and 17 below to see how you can buy one for the above price...

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=857872

This is the same dilemma I'm in. I shoot mainly portraits, people, weddings, kids, and things of that nature. I have a gripped 50D, and use that with the 70-200 IS for sports and such. But, I'm really looking to go FF. The 5D2 is appealing, but I can get a 1Ds mk II for around 1800 with three batteries. The AF of the 5D2 is what scares me. With the 5D2 there's an excellent camera for indoor shooting, that can't focus in low light. The 1Ds II can AF with the best of them, but is lacking at 6400. Currently I'm leaning toward the 1Ds2, with three batteries, and selling off the 50D, adding the difference (between the 5D2 price for a grip and all) and a few hundred more dollars and picking up a 1D3. Then BANG! I have 2 1 series bodies... As an added thought I don't own any EF-S lenses, so I've already begun preparing for the full frame journey. Still amazes me that Canon makes a killer ISO performer like the 5D2, that strains to focus in low light environments...

Still unsure about this situation, not an easy decision to make...

Anybody got a thought on this? I'm open for input here...

I shoot landscapes with a 5dii and a very huge feature for me is it's live view. Makes it really nice to fully appreciate the composition and focus using live view with 10x zoom is a snap. Take the reduced weight and it's a no brainer for landscape photography.

5dii over the 1dsii for landscape work hands down.

i cant comment on 5D2 vs 1Ds2, but i just went from 1D3 to 1Ds2 and here is my feedback since the 1D3 is supposed to be identical to the 5D2 below 1600 iso..

the files behave totally different in post processing (14-bit 10MP vs 12-bit 17MP), and the 1D3 has definitely a 1-stop better performance at 1600+ iso, and the large pixels on the sensor capture data VERY well, allowing you to pull 2.00+ EV in post processing easily without much banding and noise. the 1Ds2 files take noise reduction very well, and the large resolution (17MP) hides the noise very well when the pictures are resized and treated for print. for high-ISO shooting, 1600-3200 are without a doubt useable, BUT they are not forgiving of exposure errors - make sure you expose to the right as the darks tend to be a little grainy and banding occurs when you push them in post too much. the FF sensor on the 1Ds2 has a definite 1 stop (at least) increase in dynamic range, something that initially made the pics look like they lacked contrast! (my first FF camera). the color rendition on the 1Ds2 is GREAT.

overall i'm still trying to get a feel for the 1Ds2, but i think it's a keeper. it's supposedly comparable in IQ and ISO performance to the 5Dc and with the build of a 1D, it's tough to beat.

I personally would go for the 1Ds II. It's a proven work horse and the AF is reliable. Go for it. It's a great deal.

At that deal I say go for the 1Ds2. I switched to the 1D series and wish I had done it much sooner. To call it a tank is very underrated, it's what a tank would call for back up to get the job done right