Well, its a new year and new things to deal with. I'm very happy with my D300 (sorry, I'm not trying to start anything but it is relevant) but I'm shooting for the yearbook and they're all Canon.
I have the following lenses: 24-70 2.8, 24-105 4 IS, 70-200 2.8 IS and several other "lesser" lenses, BUT the best body available is a 40d and there is only one or two to go around (20+ shooters), the rest of the bodies are Rebels.
For that reason, I'm thinking of selling my D300 and spending all the money on a body because lenses are available.
My thoughts:
1d Mark 2 - I hate the little LCD, but everything else checks out. A little old, but whatever.
5D - The king, I would scoop it up if not for the fact that a lot of what I'll be shooting is sports, indoor and outdoor and I'm just not sure if its up to the task.
50d - Looks good on paper, doesn't exist. Not a pro body.
1ds Mark 1 - Its a 1dinasour, but from what I've seen a lovely camera.
Other suggestions are happily taken. My max would be $2000 if necessary. This is out of pocket but I'll be using it for personal use too so I don't mind the price.
That's kind of what I was thinking. The 1.3 crop factor is a nice compromise and they can be had on the cheap. Megapixels really don't matter because its all going to be little prints. I figure I can put it on my Op/tech strap and it won't be too much more neck stress. I'm reading through the 5d II rumor thread now, any chance it'll be $2000?
David Tognazzi wrote:
The 1D Mark IIN has a 2.5" LCD (much better) as an option?
From what I've seen, it sells for around $2500 on the B/S here. That's too much
I didn't know Nikonians have another calendar (or did you mean the Nikon Fiscal year ) , but anyway: happy New Year!
Oh man this is gonna be so nice for you. The real EOSfun is around the corner.
Well from what you say the 50D seems to be the best choice to me, but you'll have to have some patience until it's available. If you can't wait, the 1DmkII is sooooo fine. You'll get used to that LCD you hate and forgive the camera it's not up to the latest the greatest, for it is really the photomachine for sports. If you can live with the 8mp GO FOR IT. It'll even take away upgraditis for longer than you'd expect given the age of this classic gun! Welcome aboard and have EOSfun!
I've actually had a foot in both camps for some time because I shot for the school (but not for the yearbook) with a 30d last year. I've had the D300 as my personal camera because I love everything about it but my guess is that the vulnerable 1d can match it.
The 50d sounds nice, but like I said, its a dream right now. My first shoot is this Friday, although I may have to use the D300 or a loaner body for that.
I have an idea-get a 5D, and if you need to shoot sports, trade it for a day for one of the 40Ds, or in a pinch, the 5D can shoot sports just fine. The frame rate is a little slow, but some good timing can make up for it. The pixel density is the same as the mark 2, so you will not be losing reach.
By far the best camera in your price range for the application you mentioned is the 1dm2. The new 5d will absolutely be more than $2000, and the only knock on the m2 is the lcd. I don't chimp very much, but the screen is plenty big enough to check composition and the histogram.
Taylor Barrett wrote:
That's kind of what I was thinking. The 1.3 crop factor is a nice compromise and they can be had on the cheap. Megapixels really don't matter because its all going to be little prints. I figure I can put it on my Op/tech strap and it won't be too much more neck stress. I'm reading through the 5d II rumor thread now, any chance it'll be $2000?
From what I've seen, it sells for around $2500 on the B/S here. That's too much
Taylor,
I picked up a used (about 140K actuations) but still in very good shape MKIIN from a person here on FM for a bit over $1800. I'd played around with the MK II and found the improvements and additions to the N well worth the extra money. It's a whole lot of camera and I really like the images I get with it particularly when I'm using a good lens. I think the whole 1D/1Ds series do "stress" lenses.
If you watch the buy/sell forum's you'll see IIN fairly often for around the 2K mark.
If daytime sports, you could bottom feed a 5D and a "bargain" condition 1D classic together for less than $2,000.
The 1D is a very capable machine, the files are very nice (and sharp) and it has 1/500th flash synch. It' doesn't look that great above ISO 800 IMO (especially compared to the mkII/IIN). It eats batteries - but they are all over the place for $500 and less.
I shot hockey, ice skating, and gymnastics with the 40D, and it's a solid performer. Still, I'd be hard pressed to give up the superior auto-focus on the 1DII and go back. The camera itself doesn't capture better images, but it makes it a lot easier to capture more keepers.
If daytime sports, you could bottom feed a 5D and a "bargain" condition 1D classic together for less than $2,000.
The 1D is a very capable machine, the files are very nice (and sharp) and it has 1/500th flash synch. It' doesn't look that great above ISO 800 IMO (especially compared to the mkII/IIN). It eats batteries - but they are all over the place for $500 and less.
I agree with Mark. You already seem to like the 5D, but it doesn't do everything you want. The 5D/1D classic combo would be the best of both worlds and you would still be at your $2000 price point. I have seen used prices 1D classic go from anywhere from $500+ and the 5D from $1300+.
I recently sold a 1DMKII and that is the other option I would recommend if you are looking for a one camera solution. I loved that camera and sold it because I wanted the better high ISO capabilities of the 1DMKIII....Buying both the 1D Classic and the 5D would give you both the High ISO capablities of the 1DMKIII (with the 5D) and the speed (with the 1D classic).
Lots of good responses here. I would love to pick up a 40d and call it a day, but frankly nothing about that camera impresses me... so I also hesitate about the 50d. I liked my 30d but the D300 is clearly better in my opinion.
I'm now up between 5d alone, 5d+1d classic or 1d2. I'm just going to make a list of merits and decide.
Anyone in Seattle want to lend me a 5d for an afternoon so I can test the speed?
eosfun wrote:
I didn't know Nikonians have another calendar (or did you mean the Nikon Fiscal year ) , but anyway: happy New Year!
Oh man this is gonna be so nice for you. The real EOSfun is around the corner.
Well from what you say the 50D seems to be the best choice to me, but you'll have to have some patience until it's available. If you can't wait, the 1DmkII is sooooo fine. You'll get used to that LCD you hate and forgive the camera it's not up to the latest the greatest, for it is really the photomachine for sports. If you can live with the 8mp GO FOR IT. It'll even take away upgraditis for longer than you'd expect given the age of this classic gun! Welcome aboard and have EOSfun!...Show more →
Taylor Barrett wrote:
Well, its a new year and new things to deal with. I'm very happy with my D300 (sorry, I'm not trying to start anything but it is relevant) but I'm shooting for the yearbook and they're all Canon.
I have the following lenses: 24-70 2.8, 24-105 4 IS, 70-200 2.8 IS and several other "lesser" lenses, BUT the best body available is a 40d and there is only one or two to go around (20+ shooters), the rest of the bodies are Rebels.
For that reason, I'm thinking of selling my D300 and spending all the money on a body because lenses are available.
My thoughts:
1d Mark 2 - I hate the little LCD, but everything else checks out. A little old, but whatever.
5D - The king, I would scoop it up if not for the fact that a lot of what I'll be shooting is sports, indoor and outdoor and I'm just not sure if its up to the task.
50d - Looks good on paper, doesn't exist. Not a pro body.
1ds Mark 1 - Its a 1dinasour, but from what I've seen a lovely camera.
Other suggestions are happily taken. My max would be $2000 if necessary. This is out of pocket but I'll be using it for personal use too so I don't mind the price. ...Show more →
Why get rid of the D300? What other Nikon lenses to you own?
Why not invest in some sharp Nikkor zooms such as the VR 70-200?
Color accuracy or image quality differences between Canon and Nikon shouldn't be an issue for a yearbook.
Looks good on paper, doesn't exist. Not a pro body. 
) , but anyway: happy New Year!