for Macro "1DsmkII or 5DmkII" ?

I need your advice; I need a FF camera for macro. I am considering the 1DsmkII or the 5DmkII. They are close in price and both excellent IQ, I already use a 1DmkII which of course makes the learning curve “slight” if I go with the 1DsmkII. I realize the 5DmkII is newer technology, more flexible iso etc. Any thoughts between these two cameras for macro would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I am a little leery of used equipment but willing to give it a go if it is the way to go.


Thank you for your comments and advice, Kyle

I suspect you'll be focussing manually in macro shots?

I'm not sure if the 1Ds has LiveView which would be useful for that.

What "throws me off" is that you say "roughly the same price" - I guess that's a used 1Ds MK III and a new 5D MK II? - Because new I'd say definitely 5D MK II for the financial savings.

The key plus of the 1Ds is better AF and better weather sealing.
The 5D has worse weather sealing, but comes with higher ISO, LiveView and Video - macro video... there's a though anyway - write up a comparison, it's possibly the best you can do.

Wouldn't your 1DII be better for macro than a FF due to its crop factor? What is your current camera not doing for you regarding macros?

TeamSpeed wrote in post #11065061
Wouldn't your 1DII be better for macro than a FF due to its crop factor? What is your current camera not doing for you regarding macros?

My guess is resolution and hence detail

DetlevCM wrote in post #11065072
My guess is resolution and hence detail

yes,,,,,,,,,, i would like more detail to work with, cropping etc.

TeamSpeed wrote in post #11065061
Wouldn't your 1DII be better for macro than a FF due to its crop factor? What is your current camera not doing for you regarding macros?

i would like more detail for macro photography.

subjects, insects, reptiles and high magnification.

DetlevCM wrote in post #11065050
I suspect you'll be focussing manually in macro shots?

I'm not sure if the 1Ds has LiveView which would be useful for that.

What "throws me off" is that you say "roughly the same price" - I guess that's a used 1Ds MK III and a new 5D MK II? - Because new I'd say definitely 5D MK II for the financial savings.

He is asking about the 1Ds Mark II not the 1Ds Mark III. I would probably go with the 5D Mark II because it is newer technology and it has more MP's. It also has Live View.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

DetlevCM wrote in post #11065050
I suspect you'll be focussing manually in macro shots?

I'm not sure if the 1Ds has LiveView which would be useful for that.

What "throws me off" is that you say "roughly the same price" - I guess that's a used 1Ds MK III and a new 5D MK II? - Because new I'd say definitely 5D MK II for the financial savings.

The key plus of the 1Ds is better AF and better weather sealing.
The 5D has worse weather sealing, but comes with higher ISO, LiveView and Video - macro video... there's a though anyway - write up a comparison, it's possibly the best you can do.

A used 1DsmkII, "not a 1DsmkIII"
OR a new 5DmkII

the video could be useful,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, good point

Saint728 wrote in post #11065118
He is asking about the 1Ds Mark II not the 1Ds Mark III. I would probably go with the 5D Mark II because it is newer technology and it has more MP's. It also has Live View.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

thank you,,,,,,, the video also seems useful.

As long as you can deal with the thinner DOF that you will have on a FF. This is why I like crop factored bodies for macros. But between the different FF formats, I would have to say the 5DII .

Ups - 1Ds MK II - that's old - it's late here

Considering how old the MK II is look at it from this point:
Where is the 5D MK II lacking for you?

BTW, I found out that popcorn isn't as appetizing when you look at it as a 20x30 at 280dpi from the 7D...

TeamSpeed wrote in post #11065153
As long as you can deal with the thinner DOF that you will have on a FF. This is why I like crop factored bodies for macros. But between the different FF formats, I would have to say the 5DII .

How would the IQ on a 7D do with macro at 200 to 400 iso with flash compared to a FF camera?

On the macro forum some tend to like FF IQ over a cropped camera IQ for macro. Less noise? Depth of field is different?

I would think the cropped camera would be an advantage?

DetlevCM wrote in post #11065160
Ups - 1Ds MK II - that's old - it's late here

Considering how old the MK II is look at it from this point:
Where is the 5D MK II lacking for you?

i like the 100% view finder, the build quality, auto focus of the 1D cameras. but i admit the 5DmkII has its features of note as well, great camera.

Kyles wrote in post #11065420
How would the IQ on a 7D do with macro at 200 to 400 iso with flash compared to a FF camera?

On the macro forum some tend to like FF IQ over a cropped camera IQ for macro. Less noise? Depth of field is different?

I would think the cropped camera would be an advantage?

I put both the original image taken from the 7D at ISO 1600 (to give me more DOF control) as well as the up-rezzed version for a 20x30 poster. Minimal post processing, light noise removal and lab sharpening.

http://teamspeed.smugm​ug.com …38_sGfyF#104057​1329_YUFhB

If you are curious, you could download both original files and play accordingly.