Another vote for 5D, unless you need advanced features of 1D. 50D? That's a crop-camera! :b :lol:
In my experience the 5D sensor is not a 'dust magnet', even when changing lenses frequently (opening down, quick). Tip: the initial cleaning took over a dozen repeats because the mirror kept flipping dust on the clean sensor, but now two years later only a few times have used blower to get entirely clean again, no 'dust magnet'. The body, however, does seem to attract dust!
melanopsin wrote:
50D? That's a crop-camera! :b :lol:
And what's the big deal about that?
Every camera has its strengths/weakness. Nobody is dis'ing the 5D (I still have mine) but there are many areas where the compared 50D is far superior.
Shooting wildlife that do not allow close approach is one example - the 50D clearly excels.
Shooting manual focus lens where field of focus is shallow is another. Live view wins.
Trying to shoot with many of the alternate lens discussed on this forum is another. Mirror slap looses.
Bifurcator wrote:
I'm looking at one of these three:
EOS 1D Mark II
EOS 5D (no mark)
EOS 50D
I like heavy cameras and I seem to really like shooting moving/flying birds so, so far that points to the 1dmk2?
The 1Dmk2 looks like the best option for you. 1.3 crop sensor is good for telephoto stuff, but limiting for wide angle. Since you like heavy, this will suit you well, especially since a 5D battery grip will add to the cost. One complaint I've heard about the older 1D cams is the battery and charger, but I have no direct experience with this.
The 5D has great IQ by all accounts (except for one) but may not meet your BIF interests. Otherwise from the photos I've seen from you in the past the 5D looks ideal. Maybe some fit issues on some of the alt lenses because of the close proximity of the mirror to lens.
These are all good cameras, I hope your choice works out for you.
Not an expert by any means but had the 5D and 1dmk2... Sold the mk2 because I was "unhappy" with "only" 8 MP. Got a 5D and liked a lot about it BUT you have to be more deliberate with your focusing and careful with your handling. I look back at some pictures I took with the mk2 and think "wow, do they pop!" and now I wonder why I got rid of it. The pixels are so clean (I was using a Tokina 28-70 lens, I think...nothing L quality). The 1.3 crop factor is not as severe so wide lenses are still reasonable. Prices are so good right now I may get another one. I do enjoy a smaller body for walking around, though. Good luck.
Bifurcator's previous thread and the discussion about the 1D Mark II,inspired me to follow a dozen listings last week on ebay, including a few MK II N's and 1DS MK II's....pulled the plug on a 1D MK II that didn't have a bidding war going on in the last 10 seconds or so on Wednesday and the camera arrived at my Post Office less then 36 hours later...ebay 1D MK II
Only a few tiny blemishes,the camera looks like it was hardly used at all by this lady or saw much usage for her surfing shots,where the sand will take it's toll on bodies and lenses....her web site...Debra Colvin Photography
It took a while with the manual in hand to familiarize myself with this brick and the two button push for most of the functions...once everything was figured out,I must say,a very impressive professional camera.
RustyBug is right on,saying "just a workhorse of a camera"...because of this,got my sights on a clean 1DS MK II....should have never stepped away from pro bodies when I went digital....
If your girlfriend is going to use the camera more then you,I'd say the 50D over the 5D...if your going to use the camera more then your girlfriend and you want a good professional camera at a bargain price for BIF shots,get the 1D Mark II.
Okay, different strategy. I am going to list things that others in this thread have mentioned as weaknesses of the 5D, and simply agree:
- no live view.
- 1DII has much better AF; 5D is not good for birding.
- dust magnet.
- clunky body.
- lower build quality next to 1DII.
- viewfinder is dim.
- 1DII has less problems with mirror using alts.
- low FPS.
- flat colour.
- lack of weatherproofing.
- mirror slap.
Okay, personally mirror slap and the low FPS were not problems for me, but I agree with all the other points. Putting aside the question of how sharp the 5D is, there are plenty of other negatives. I am just a pro body snob, that's all. FPS, ruggedness, controls, 100% viewfinders, there is just a lot to like there. The main downside in this case is slightly lower resolution and a heavier body.
As Bifurcator said...He does a wide range of shooting,and enjoys most forms of photography,with birding being one of them...a good crop sensor camera like the 50D actually does quite well for birding(precisely why more then a few birders have one or a couple of them,the 7D would do even better).
He likes landscape as well and for this reason the 5D or the 1Ds or even the 1Ds Mk II should be something he should set his sights on as well...
He likes heavy cameras(and many who shoots heavy cameras,understand why),so a pro body like the 1D or the 1Ds series will suit his needs...
I'd really have to recommend two cameras,the 50D(for his girlfriend and a light weight birding body) and the 1Ds Mk II(and in a couple of years the Mk III or IV)for his personal shooting forms & style of photography.
I' take a 40D over a @(*#% 50D. The 50D has horrible noise policies in the red channel, why do you think they sat on shelves while 40's continued to sell!
Beyond that, I use all manner of 1D's at work and the mark II is still an excellent camera, it would be my choice in your situation. Not sure bout that price though...
I personally use a pair of 5Ds and haven't had a problem with IQ or ruggedness so far. I picked one up a few weeks back for 550 bills but it had literally been through a desert war zone and then some
They sat on the shelves because everyone was parroting DP Review....had the 40D till about 9 months after the 50D came out,but we didn't see near the image quality after PP that the 50D was producing above 800 ISO...up to 800 ISO the 50D was churning out superior pics without any PP....so sold the 40D...my wife wanted to try the 40D again so we bought another,she found the same thing after PP above 800 ISO,the 50D had better image quality...so we sold the second 40D and got another 50D.
Norman Koren's excellent "Imatest" analysis program for quantitative, thoroughly objective analysis of digicam test images are far and away the best, most comprehensive analysis program to date.These analysis confirm the 50D is does indeed surpass the performance of the 40D.
BTW...the 40D had the same problem with the magenta cast as the 50D...the firmware update 1.0.7 corrected this issue with the 50D back in July of 09.
) but may not meet your BIF interests. Otherwise from the photos I've seen from you in the past the 5D looks ideal. Maybe some fit issues on some of the alt lenses because of the close proximity of the mirror to lens.