> -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jeff LeFever > Sent: Friday, December 09, 2005 9:27 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [inbox] EOS 1ds / 1dmk2n / or 5d ? > > > Here is a question to anybody with the experience with all these > fine tools. > > I shoot professionally with a 1dmkII and recently in the middle of a job, > the top dial stopped functioning. I do not have a back-up camera. > It appears > time to get one. The majority of my work is small to medium > product and some > assignment shooting (photojournalism) - I shoot RAW only. > > Here is my choice to make by this Saturday. > > A used 1ds > > A new 5d > > Another (new) 1dmkIIn > > I have been told the best of the group - if I am shooting RAW > only, will be > the 1ds. I would like to hear what the group has to say. > > Thank you in advance. > > Jeff > > >
Hi Jeff, Let's think about it for a minute. You have a 1DmkII and you could buy a new mkIIn to shoot with as a primary body and use your mkII as a second body and as a back-up. This is a good idea but the truth is that the new 1DmkIIn works differently enough that once you learn how it works you'll rely on the mkIIn completely and only go to the 1DmkII if you have to. Sure the 1DmkIIn has very slightly lower sensor noise but it really is nothing new except the control layout and yet another new set of features. If you're like many working photographers you probably rarely have the time or patience to figure out when or how to use them I know I don't. I would never rely on a new body for a paid shoot with a camera until I've had some time with it and looked at what comes out of it. The 1DmkIIn brings nothing rely new to your toolset. Which brings us to the full frame EOS 1Ds and EOS 5 bodies. The EOS 1Ds is an older but very well proven bullet proof body, I use mine almost everyday. Sure it's less than ideal for sports due to the sheer size of the resulting RAW files and it's limited to 3FPS in continuous shooting. But that's why I have an EOS 1D. Noise can be an issue if you tend to underexpose and the EOS 1Ds really doesn't like going much over ISO 400 even with good histograms without using some kind of noise reduction in post capture. But for the well exposed frame, just like a well exposed chrome, the reward is plush image and color quality that I can hardly live without. The other thing that you will find is that with a FF sensor you have a whole new world out there to explore at the wide end that you simply cannot do even with a 1.3X sensor. I may be biased because I'm shooting a lot of architecture but I can do shots with the EOS 1Ds that I just cant' get without a FF sensor body. One of my favorites is to use an EF 15 2.8 fisheye and de-fish the image for a very wide 12mm view. I also like to use it for vertical mode stitched panos, people love them on their walls. Now with the new EOS 5d FF body there is a lower cost option for those who don't abuse their gear and boy am I tempted to go buy one. BUT I made that same mistake with the EOS 5 many years ago back when I was shooting a lot of motorsports. If you have ever shot motorsports or any outdoor sports you get wet, you get beat up in the crowd of other photogs all trying to get the shot. You NEED a bullet resistant body to shoot this stuff and it must also be very resistant to the elements like water and dust. Needless to say the EOS 5 was a very fine camera in it's day and it was a pro quality shooter but they saved a lot of money by leaving out the toughness and that IMO was it's downfall. The new EOS 5d is just like the EOS 5 was, all the features, good speed but without the characteristic toughness of an EOS 1 series body. For me that's a deal breaker. So knowing what I know today my choice in your situation would be a nice clean EOS 1Ds or 1DsmkII. The main reasons are the full frame sensor, image quality and reliability that you will be putting in your bag which will be rounding out your equipment's range and capabilities and your own. Cheers/Chip * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
