I'm in a great position but it's killing me... I've struck a deal with a great FM'er here who's trading me his 5D for my 1Ds. He's generously sent me his 5D and has given me the option of keeping it and sending him my 1Ds or sending back his 5D. Really, it's an amazing gesture of trust and one reason why I really like doing transactions here on FM. At any rate, I've not got the choice of keeping the 5D or keeping the 1Ds.
I shoot lots of things. My personal work is landscape heavy and I would really appreciate the lighter weight of the camera and batteries of the 5D. I also shoot weddings on the side and would appreciate the higher ISO capabilities, faster review times and lighter weight of the 5D. I shoot some fashion work as well for print/advertising and need all the resolution I can get. Again, the 5D has more res.
Now, I love the feel of the 1-series camera bodies. It's solid. And heavy.... Definitely not one to trek around the mountains with. But, it is weather sealed and solid. And the shutter has a solid sound to it. It just feels like a good pro camera. Am I just sentimentally attached to the 1-series camera or should I embrace the newer technology of the 5D? The 5D definitely doesn't feel like a "pro" camera in it's build.
The benefits of the 5D to me is the high ISO performance, lighter weight, takes the same light batteries as my 20D, small/light charger, more resolution, faster "chimping" ability, bigger LCD and easier to navigate. The benefits of the 1Ds is the build quality, the weather sealing and 45 point autofocus (which I've really come to love).
What would you choose and why? I want to hear some insights that I might be overlooking. Also, it would benefit me to hear from an outside viewpoint as I'm emotionally tied to the 1Ds. Thanks!
Do you feel the 45-point AF is of great use in landscapes?
Does your camera get wet or knocked about often?
If the answer to the above is NO then the 5D would seem to fit your needs. It does have newer electronics and operating systems than the 1Ds. Both cameras are supremely capable of fulfilling your requirements so for me, assuming the two questions aren't of too great an importance, I'd go for the one that just feels right.
I don't use the 45point autofocus for landscapes, but do use it for wedding work. And I don't get my camera wet much or knock it around. Seems like the 5D fits my needs well. I just love the feel of the 1-series cameras....
I had to make a similar decision one month ago. I sold a 1D and 20D in order to finance a move to higher resolution. My local shop gave me the choice of a used (full kit) 1Ds or new 5D. While I am not wild about the 1D-type interface, I do appreciate the build. The 1Ds had only 1800 actuations... so I decided to go that route. I carry a lot of gear and I live in a place that has real winters...
At this point... no regrets!
Good luck... and try not to be seduced by something simply because it is the new kid in town
cheers...
I had the 1Ds when it first came out. Loved it. Loved the build etc. I shoot mostly landscapes. I know own the 5D. There are some things I miss about the 1D body (build, 45point focus, etc) but overall I don't miss the weight. Putting some big Tele's on the 1Ds really tired me out faster on hot days. The 5D is so light in comparison. I also think the images are much better. I don't regret changing.
Also carrying the 5D around draws a lot less attention. Was always getting stopped and asked about the camera etc. when the 1Ds had like the 70-200L f/2.8 IS on it. Candids were not easy.
They're both fantastic cameras. I was in the same boat awhile back. However, shooting weddings with a photojournalistic style required great high ISO abilities. For this reason only, I stopped looking at the 1Ds. Another really nice setup I enjoy with the 5D is it's ability to be very compact or use the grip for that extra support. The difference in size between the 5D with and without grip is much different than the 20D with and without its grip IMHO.
akivisuals wrote:
I shoot lots of things. My personal work is landscape heavy and I would really appreciate the lighter weight of the camera and batteries of the 5D. I also shoot weddings on the side and would appreciate the higher ISO capabilities, faster review times and lighter weight of the 5D. I shoot some fashion work as well for print/advertising and need all the resolution I can get. Again, the 5D has more res.
i would say you shouldn't decide until you have used the 5D to shoot a wedding. apart from this, it sounds like you really want to keep the 5D, although i cannot imagine that there is much of a difference in the resolution of these two cameras. what the 5D brings with the newer technology, the 1Ds should bring in sheer quality.
Actually, the guy who is trading me the 5D has generously allowed me to use the camera on my wedding this Saturday to see if it's up to task. Shows that there are some really nice, generous people on this forum that are willing to help others out. I'll probably wind up shooting with it for the wedding and my guess is that I'll keep the 5D and send the 1Ds out. For wedding work, I'm thinking that I'll need the high ISO capabilities more than the build and 45 point autofocus of the 1Ds. I'll miss it though just like I miss my old 1D that I sold a little while back. I think the end result for me will be better though. E-TTL2 is pretty huge for me and I like the flash exposures from my 20D way more than the 1Ds.
Andrew,
One benefit of a move to the 5D will be uniformity in OS. I have found it quite difficult to shift between my 1DS and my 20D. The button/menu configuration is significant and reduces my ability to work intuitively. This lack of uniformity between the 1 system and the other bodies is my only frustration with my move to Canon (from Nikon) 1.5 years ago.
Either way you will be working with a fine tool.
regards,
bruce
It sounds to me as if the 5D is the camera for you. I actually like the interface of the 10D type cameras better than the 1-series. Switching back and forth between my 10D and 1D at a wedding I shot, I much preferred the 10D's simple controls and larger numerals on the top screen.
You're going to be using the center focus point most of the time anyway, so 45 autofocus points aren't that big of a deal. The lighter weight of the 5D will be a boon to your landscapes where you have to carry your gear. For what you do the decision should be an easy one.
Don't forget that the 1Ds like the 1D have a "special" film-like output while the 5D output is in the same league as the newer cameras 1DsII and 20D. I sold my 1Ds and bought a 5D about 10 days ago. At first I hated the new look, now I'm just starting to get used to it. But I'm not sure I'll ever like it.
I've been playing around with both cameras at home. The 1Ds feels so right... But in the end I think the 5D will give me better results and I think my gut knows that. The difficulty in letting go of the 1Ds is that I know it's a solid, pro workhorse while the 5D is a prosumer level camera, although a great, high performing camera.
Hi, Just curious what this older "film" look is all about. Can you post an example? It would be great to see the same shot with the 1Ds and again with the 5D, in order to see what you mean...
I have a 1Ds already, and didn't even seriously consider swapping. If I had to start over somehow, I'd seriously consider getting the light weight body because of the light weight.
Reasons to prefer the 1Ds that I'm aware of are durability/weather sealing, autofocus, or interface/battery continuity if you have another 1-series camera.
Reasons to prefer the 5D that I'm aware of are weight, high ISO performance, and interface/battery continuity if you have a 20D or similar. I've never even handled a 5D, however, so I can't speak to it.
Once you've shot a wedding with the new camera, you'll be in a position to make a decision without hearing from strangers on the internet, but the 5D sounds to me like a better choice as long as you find it useable at the wedding.
I have a 1Ds already, and didn't even seriously consider swapping. If I had to start over somehow, I'd seriously consider getting the light weight body because of the light weight.
Reasons to prefer the 1Ds that I'm aware of are durability/weather sealing, autofocus, or interface/battery continuity if you have another 1-series camera.
Reasons to prefer the 5D that I'm aware of are weight, high ISO performance, and interface/battery continuity if you have a 20D or similar. I've never even handled a 5D, however, so I can't speak to it.
Once you've shot a wedding with the new camera, you'll be in a position to make a decision without hearing from strangers on the internet, but the 5D sounds to me like a better choice as long as you find it useable at the wedding.
