Upgrading Canon Body

[Antarctic Mat]

Hello there!
I'm coming up to upgrading my Canon 20d, I brought it on the way down here and it's done me proud, works amazingly down as low as the temperatures get down here, -47 being the lowest so far. Anyway, it's done two years now and I have the opportunity to get a new body and maybe a new lense sent down here in November time of this year, we only get one post a year in December.
I'd like to stick with Canon as I have a couple of nice lenses and would quite like to go full frame as I do a lot of landscape work, obviously the choices are 5d or 1Ds Mk2. Are there any 1DS users on here? Is it still the best DSLR out there? I have no problem spending the money on a 1DS if it is still worth it, I am planning on taking a year to travel to the most remote places I can find to photograph. Anyone using the 5D having problems with moisture or dust? I love the look and size of the 5D, would have been perfect but for the lack of weather proofing.
I'm asking here as I don't have any opportunity to test for myself, I will have to decide and buy blind and live with what I get so any thoughts much appreciated.
Cheers.
Mat.

[Andy M]

I always recommend the 5D, but in the environment you're going to be using the camera I think you've got to go for a 1D.

Once the 1D mk3 has its focussing issues sorted, I think you should maybe give it some serious thought...

The 1Ds 2 is old hat now, though still head and shoulders above most.

[350Wedge]

Sample 1DS II Image taken today with an 'Old Hat' Camera

Seriously though, for outright quality and detail a DSII cannot be beaten currently. The 5D isnt too far behind in terms of detail, but as mentioned it doesnt have the build quailty or the dust/moisture proofing of the 1 Series

[F308 MAN]

Andy M said:

The 1Ds 2 is old hat now, though still head and shoulders above most.

you are joking, yes ?

the 1Ds Mk II is (by far) the finest piece of kit out there, and will remain so for some considerable time.

plus of course it's waterproof, so you keep shootin' when all around have gone home !



d

[Antarctic Mat]

Thanks for the responses guys, superb images too!
I'm not sure about the weatherproof side of things, my 20d isn't weatherproof and has been through so pretty tough times and always come through, we have had an aurora tonight and it's -41 and it's coping fine.
The 1DS2 does have so much detail, it's amazing. It is knocking on a bit now, testament to the quality of it if it's still number 1. The 1D3 looks interesting although I'm not really in need of it's amazing speed and it's not a full sensor which puts me off a little although I could have a 1D3 and a 5D for the price of the 1DS2 give or take. Any news of the 1DS3? Is that likely to be announced anytime soon? Sods law says it will be announced the day after I buy!
Cheers.
Mat.

[tvrforever]

What are you planning to do re the 20D then? (might be interested)

[Byker28i]

More importantly - where are the pics you've been taking? Sounds like you've got a brilliant location

[Andy M]

F308 MAN said:

Andy M said:

The 1Ds 2 is old hat now, though still head and shoulders above most.

you are joking, yes ?

the 1Ds Mk II is (by far) the finest piece of kit out there, and will remain so for some considerable time.

I'm not trying to belittle the 1Ds 2, but the market has now moved on. Yes, it still has the highest number of megapixels in its range, but in almost all other areas it is beaten by the new 1D 3.

Over the Ds, the new D 3 has:

- better menu system
- improved Metering and Autofocus
- much better screen (with live view)
- the new dual-Digic III chip
- true 14 bit processing
- massively better ISO noise control, with the D 3 going up to ISO 6,400
- supposed better battery
- in-built sensor cleaning
- better view finder
...blaa blaa blaa blaa blaa

I own neither, and have no interest in buying the D 3, though I think it's currently the better choice - image focussing issues aside.

The 1Ds mk2 is a truly excellent camera, and it's hugely impressive that in the 3 years since its release none of Canon's competitors have been able to better it, but still, technology has moved on in the 4+ years since it was designed. It's younger brother highlights this more than ever IMO.

[Antarctic Mat]

I agree with a lot of the things you are saying there Andy. No doubt the 1DS is an incredibly capable camera, but it is getting long in the tooth now, technology moves on so rapidly, is it really better than the 5D and the 1D3, I could buy them both for the same price.
What concerns me about the 1D3 is the files size, it doesn't come anywhere near the 1DS, I'm hoping to get some really good images along the way, would be really annoyed if I get some commercial quality shots only to find the image files are to small to be considered by agencies of image banks.
What are the professionals on here using? Anyone using medium format digital for field work? I don't have a great deal of time before I have to make the plunge, I will be visiting South Georgia on the way out of here plus some other islands and want to make the most of the opportunities.
Thanks again for comments.
Cheers.
Mat.

Pic from last nights Aurora, bloody cold!

[F308 MAN]

hi andy ... in my opinion, the market hasn't moved on ... the 1Ds II takes the finest quality shots of any dslr out there ... and as previous, will continue to do so for some considerable time.

i don't care how fast it focusses or meters (Mk III), or if it has a self clean sensor ... oh and yes, ISO 6400 will come in dead handy at the next wedding when the lights go out !

i don't care if i have to work a tad harder, i want the best pics.

through CPS i had the opportunity to loan a mk III for a week or two .... i read the spec and decided "no" ... give it to mr paparazzi for a fortnight.

• **************

hi matt .... google Andy Rouse photographer ... he spends a lot of time down your way, "shooting" penguins & icebergs (nothing else, is there ?)

cheers for now,

d

[Andy M]

F308 MAN said:

hi andy ... in my opinion, the market hasn't moved on ... the 1Ds II takes the finest quality shots of any dslr out there ... and as previous, will continue to do so for some considerable time.

i don't care how fast it focusses or meters (Mk III), or if it has a self clean sensor ... oh and yes, ISO 6400 will come in dead handy at the next wedding when the lights go out !

i don't care if i have to work a tad harder, i want the best pics.

through CPS i had the opportunity to loan a mk III for a week or two .... i read the spec and decided "no" ... give it to mr paparazzi for a fortnight.

Fair enough, we'll have to agree to disagree

Why didn't you loan the 1D 3? It appears you had nothing to lose...

[F308 MAN]

Andy M said:

Why didn't you loan the 1D 3? It appears you had nothing to lose...

i think it's 'cos of the file size .... at 17.2mp one has either great crop opportunities or tremendous detail.

if i cover a race meet, the longer lens is always on the 1D and the shorter on the 5D ... no matter how much i try and persuade myself, i just don't want to shoot with the 5, and find myself swapping lenses as situations occur.

s'pose once you've driven a lambo, the metro just doesn't cut the mustard.

you've probably seen this before, but the huge file size made a fantastic poster size print (it's not my car, by the way)



cheers for now, d


d

Edited by F308 MAN on Sunday 15th July 17:19

[Antarctic Mat]

Stunning image there f308 man, some dirt on the sensor too! The amount of detail is incredible, I suppose that's something you only get with the big files. I've had a look through some of my mountain shots and nowhere near the same definition, I guess I shouldn't really expect it from a 20D. Do you have anything you have shot with both the 5d and the 1ds? Comparisons would be good, not sure I believe they are Lambo and Metro in there performance though, even if the 5d is a huge amount cheaper.
Cheers.
Mat

[F308 MAN]

Antarctic Mat said:

....... Do you have anything you have shot with both the 5d and the 1ds? Comparisons would be good, not sure I believe they are Lambo and Metro in there performance though, even if the 5d is a huge amount cheaper.
Cheers.
Mat

you can cocoa, mat !

i stumbled across this yesterday:
http://luminous-landscape.com/forum/index.php?show...
and specifically, post #12




d

Edited by F308 MAN on Saturday 1st September 20:47

[V6GTO]

The 5D is a fine camera, but it feels like a piece of cheap plastic in your hands when you have held a 1D of any flavour.

Martin