Need a 2nd body for weddings. How best to complement my 5D2?

Dr.Pete wrote in post #11714994
I'm afraid that if I get my hands on a 1-series body I might never settle for anything less, and I can't afford that.

Be afraid...cuz its true!

Dr.Pete wrote in post #11714994
Gah. Now I've gotten a recommendation to get a 1D3. I'm afraid that if I get my hands on a 1-series body I might never settle for anything less, and I can't afford that.

I'm in thesame boat as you are.. looking for a second body to shoot weddings with and already have a 5Dmk2.

there are many possibilties.. many are already mentioned before..

5Dc seems a good option if you want to be most cost effective.. they can be had for around 750 euro..

other option 1Dmk3, almost twice that price. do you need a 1Dmk3 for wedding? don't think so..

another 5Dmk2, about thesame price as the 1Dmk3, exactly like your current body. maybe this is the best choice. but having two exactly thesame camera's feels like too much of thesame thing if you get me?

then you have the 1Ds mk2 which is really cheap, have seen them for alot less than a used 1Dmk3. this seems the equivalent of the 5Dc option but then with a pro body, better AF etc.

Then there is the 1Ds mk 3 which is like the equivalent of a 5Dmk2 but more expensive!

you could get 2 5Dmk2's or 2.5 1Dmk3s or 3.5 5Dc's for exactly thesame price as 1 1Dsmk3

In my opinion the 1Ds mark3 is way overpriced. when it came out and even now on the second hand market..

you pay around 3000 euro's for what is in DSLR terms and old camera.

last choice is the 1Dmkiv, a camera that seems to struggle with focus in low light.. and is very pricey too..

Conclusion?

haven't got one really... the dark side is calling me

bnlearle wrote in post #11717767
I used to shoot 1 series bodies and then I got the 5D and stopped using my 1 series

I still say the 5D is the wisest choice. It's the only one that you'll be able to buy used for a grand and then, whenever you want, you'll be able to sell it for likely the EXACT same price. Look at it as a free rental until you upgrade.

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Good points... I think I'm primarily torn between 5Dc and 1Ds2 at this point, with the 7D now lagging behind a bit. With some more looking, the 1D3 seemed like it had quite a few issues, and I don't want to buy a used 1D3 not knowing if all the recalls/fixes/etc. have been addressed. Not to mention that a 1D3 (or even a 1Ds2) would be a bigger expense.

Oh well, I have time to decide, I guess.

5DC would be my choice for sure. Cant go wrong with that body.

Just my topic this!
I shoot 2 bodies at all my weddings, always have as I just like having the option of 2 lenses available all the time.

Until last week I used a 5D2 and 5D classic, well the focusing was getting to me a bit as i,m using fast primes so I was looking around and just loved the 1Ds2, well I found a very low used example for a few $$$ more than a second hand 5D, this body is a beast and when you think a few years back it was a 5K body.
I used it at a wedding the weekend and the images just have a different look to them, a bit less digital or more natural in colour + it feels like a tuned up slicker smoother 5D.

Noise wise I find it a lot better than old 5D and very useable at 3200, bit of lightroom 3 noise reduction and images look great.
Looking for a second body I would not hesitate to look for a good example of one of these.
Seriously a lot of pro camera for not a lot of money.

I'm in this same sort of decision. I've added a 5Dc, but will have a second shooter at some spring weddings and so am contemplating adding another camera. I have loved the capability of the 1D3 and you can buy it used for around the same price as the 5D2.

Because I already have 5D2... 1D3? Crop body, 10 MP files are large enough... I don't know. I just missed buying a 1Ds3 on the boards here, and am thinking a little clearer now, and not sure I want to spend that much $? Yes, I'll listen to any advice...

To the OP, I agree with Earle, 5Dc is an awesome camera and like he said, basically a free rental.

Do you guys honestly believe that a 5d3 will hit the market before they update the 1ds. Not a chance. 5d2 killed 1ds sales. canon is going to update the 1ds first and the 5d2 will stay put for another 14-16 months.

To the op, 5Dc would be my first choice, 7D is you wanted to add a crop, which is a good idea.

Well, the good news is I have time. i'm going to wait and see if the 5D3 rumors materialize into anything. Some are suggesting that a Canon press conference in Sweden may bring a 5D3 announcement... Not holding my breath on that one.

umphotography wrote in post #11777468
Do you guys honestly believe that a 5d3 will hit the market before they update the 1ds. Not a chance. 5d2 killed 1ds sales. canon is going to update the 1ds first and the 5d2 will stay put for another 14-16 months.

http://www.canonrumors​.com …1ds-mark-iv-5d3-thoughts/

I'm really happy with 5D² and 7D. This gives me the opportunity to take all the photos I want during a wedding day !

Sorry I didn't read the second page of comments so pardon me if this has already been discussed, but if your hold up about the 7D is the battery life I wouldn't count it out for just that! I ran off to Mexico with my 7D before my back-up battery arrived (Amazon order). I bought a back-up battery at Best Buy but considering their outrageous prices I planned on not opening that battery if I didn't need to and returning it when I got home. I shot an entire wedding that started at about 9AM and ended with us doing night portraits around the resort at about 10PM (though there was a 3 hour period we weren't shooting anything in the middle). Half of the day I shot with flash and I used the 7D the entire day- didn't have to change the battery once. I even came home and used the 7D half a dozen times to take product shots for my other business without charging the battery just to see how much longer I could get the battery to go.

So I was able to return my overpriced Best Buy battery and now I don't worry one bit about my 7Ds battery life. I do have a second battery for it and will get a third soon for when they start to age, but really it's a non-issue, IMO. Even when shooting with flash it still lasted a lot longer than I expected.

OK... After more agonizing I've decided I definitely want to go with a different sensor size for my second camera. Now I just need to decide whether it's going to be APS-C or H... That is to say I'm torn somewhat between 7D and 1D3. The 1Ds2 keeps popping into my head but when rationality kicks back in I realize it's not adding that much.

Since I'm likely buying sometime this spring, I'm sure I'll flip-flop several more times.

I would confidently recommend a 1D3 to complement your 5D2. It's a body that can shoot anything. Indeed why else would pros use it? Canon build the 1D series to very tight tolerances so IQ is not an issue. Ergonomics are outstanding, battery life is wonderful and the build quality is first class. Sure it's one stop behind the 5D2 but that's nothing to worry about since you have an arsenal of fast lenses. I use mine at events and it works very well in harmony with a 5D2. With the 1.3x crop factor, it also gives you that extra element of reach with no compromise on quality. Over the past year I've found myself picking up the 1D as my body of choice. You'll enjoy using the 1D3.


Happy Shooting

Dr.Pete wrote in post #11800387
OK... After more agonizing I've decided I definitely want to go with a different sensor size for my second camera. Now I just need to decide whether it's going to be APS-C or H... That is to say I'm torn somewhat between 7D and 1D3. The 1Ds2 keeps popping into my head but when rationality kicks back in I realize it's not adding that much.

Since I'm likely buying sometime this spring, I'm sure I'll flip-flop several more times.

My 1D III is great with my 5D, great combo for events or anything actually.

I had a pro photog following me around at work for some promotional materials for the hospital. He's a Nikon shooter, and assured me I'd be much happier switching to the D700. I told him what I was looking for with regard to better AF, etc. and he said that the D700 absolutely blows the 5D2 away in the low-light AF department, with a little less noise at high ISO.

As if I needed more to think about. The sheer PITA involved in trading my entire kit is a big deterrent, though.