So I never use the 40D. I keep it as a backup and use it sometimes when I am in really low light and the 5D has trouble focusing.

I have been thinking that a 1Ds might be a more interestnig second camera. I dont shoot birds or sports - all urban, landscape, people, events. I virtually never feel the need for more reach.

I can use the 5D when I need the ultimate high ISO shots, but mostly when I am event shooting indoors I am using a flash and ISO 400 anyway.

I smiply dont see any need for the 40D. Can you see any drawbacks? I guess I could get another 5D, but that would be 'boring' - at least the 1Ds has new things to play with, yes?

For your particular shooting needs, I think the 1Ds would be a good fit.

You can always change your mind later

Two caveats with the 1Ds:

1. The interface on the 1Ds is very difference from the 40D and the 5D. Its a matter of personal taste, but I dislike the old 1-series UI.

2. Low light AF on the old 1-series can be sluggish. Both the 5D and 40D AF sensors are more sensitive. I found the 1-series to tend to hunt a lot more in low light situations (something remedied with AF assist either from a flash or ST-E2).

There are quite significant improvements from the original 1Ds to the MarkII. At the current used prices, I would get the later model.

so it's difficult to shoot with both at the same time. What are you getting with the 1DS that you don't have in the 5D? Is it better AF? Do you need the pro body? Is your 5D going to be the backup? Personally, I opted to have a 1DMKII for sports, 5D for portraits, low light prime work, general walkaround, and a crop camera for my wife and for the extra reach. Today, I think I'd better off with Nikon than three camera's but what's done is done. Personally, I don't see where you're making any improvements or adding anything to your kit with this move. Maybe as suggested earlier the 1DsMKII would be a significant upgrade over the 5D, but otherwise, I'd shy away from it. From personal experience, having different series of camera bodies is an inconvenience bording on major PIA. You have different batteries (more expensive in the 1 series), different chargers, (you loose the interchangability between the classic 5D and 40D) and the operational difference is not just a menu, but the two button press. When I'm shooting a wedding with the 1DMKII and 5D, to change the settings will cause me to have to stop and think becauase of the differences. So, given what you shoot, I'm not seeeing a significant improvement. I'd probably keep the two and spend on glass instead.

Jimbobp wrote:
so it's difficult to shoot with both at the same time. What are you getting with the 1DS that you don't have in the 5D? Is it better AF?


I thought it was better AF and weather resistance and a great viewfinder and great outdoor and portraits at 'safe' ISOs. I have no need of crop or framerate or fancy LCD or even deep buffers.

the interface thing I can handle. Having to buy lots of expensive batteries, well, not so happy.

What motivated me with this question is price - a 1Ds is cheap. What I really want is a 1DsmkII.. but in the long run, I might end up with the 5D as backup to a 5dmkII if they get cheap in a year.

you can get a 1Ds2 for around $2k on eBay. It is a most excellent camera! You will most likely end up using the 5D as a backup to it! (way better AF)

as for batteries, there are third party batteries that work well... the delkins for example

joezasada wrote:
you can get a 1Ds2 for around $2k on eBay. It is a most excellent camera! You will most likely end up using the 5D as a backup to it! (way better AF)

as for batteries, there are third party batteries that work well... the delkins for example

That would certainly make more sense. The IDs IMO is going to give you anything and as far as the UI you might as well have a Canon in one hand and a Nikon in the other, the IDS really is very different.

joezasada wrote:
you can get a 1Ds2 for around $2k on eBay. It is a most excellent camera! You will most likely end up using the 5D as a backup to it! (way better AF)

as for batteries, there are third party batteries that work well... the delkins for example

That would certainly make more sense. The IDs IMO is going to give you anything.

Well I got to earn some more money with the camera. Then I can spend it on another body. I would still favor a 1DsmkII over the 5DmkII

The 1 series are special, regardless of how "old" they are. The AF on the 1ds will be better than the 5d if you set the custom function to use 7 point AF as necessary.

What you should really be looking at is if you want all your lenses to be the same (2 FF), or if you'd like to get a 2-for-1 (FF and 1.6). The 85 for example is a nice head and shoulders lens on the 5d, and a nice tight head shot lens on 1.6 crop. Of course, it is also nice to have an 85 always act like an 85.

My vote was for the 1ds; the 1's still feel like they're made from unobtainium