Help needed on Pro Camera choice

[riccardo]

Hi Peeps.

I've finally decided to make the jump and buy myself a Professional D-SLR!
Here is my list of possabilities!!:-

Canon 1D and 1D MARK 11
Nikon D2H
Nikon D1X

Basically I will be working as a photographer for a motorcyle racing team next year and need a camera that will fullfill both action shots and ambient and close up pit lane shots. Do any of you have any experience with these cameras and have any advice on which one I should go for? Other photographers I have came across in the same field seem to be using either the 1D or 1Ds (the later being a little out of my price range!!!!) I'm looking for the highest quality possible as well as the fastest autofocus capabilities for magazine work.
Any helpfull advice would be gratefully received!

Many Thanks,

Rich

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

1Ds is very nice but a bit slow for motorsport action I'd say (waits for someone to step in here....)

1D Mk2 it is then...don't know nuffink about the Nikon ones.

[Ian_H]

1D or a 1D MKII and some decent glass, these cameras were made for motorsport photography






Both taken with the 1D MKII


Cheers
Ian

[simpo two]

Nikon seem to have a D3 waiting in the wings:
http://apphotnum.free.fr/N2BE27.html

I'm guessing you'd want best tracking AF and fps speed, rather than a gazillion pixels.

[Bacardi]

simpo two said:

Nikon seem to have a D3 waiting in the wings: http://apphotnum.free.fr/N2BE27.html

Bd Canon user I am, I know, for posting the above link on another thread, but I thought someone might have spotted the first line of the last paragraph:

"The only main defect of Nikon F6/D3 is to be today entirely virtual and to have been imagined only for April Fool's Day."

Sorry.

1DX is long in the tooth and won't give you the quality. The 1ds is, as Phil says, too slow due to large files, and also and too noisy at higher ASA. But, for ultimate resolution at 100 ASA, it's still the camera to beat in this category.

simpo two said:

I'm guessing you'd want best tracking AF and fps speed, rather than a gazillion pixels.

That'll be the 1D mk II then. Outperforms the D2H for speed and, as a bonus, gives double the resolution.

I'd wait until the end of the month before deciding, to see what is announced at Photokina. I would also hire and play with either models to see if you prefer the ergonomics of one over the other. Not much point in buying into a camera system that you hate using.

[toppstuff]

I'm a Nikon man ( swapped away from Canon ) because i simply prefer the handling.

The Nikon D2H is the best handling camera body in the world. Awesome handling, and fits my (large) hands better than anything else.

But Canon dominate the sports scene because of a wider range of decent fast lenses - but they will cost lots !

You won't go wrong with Canon, but ignore the nerds who think Canon are the only choice, they are not.

Nikon make fine cameras and no doubt the new multi-gazillion pixel version D3 will be awesome ( when it comes out ).

As ever, its the geezer behind the lens that matters.

[dcw@pr]

Bacardi said:

That'll be the 1D mk II then. Outperforms the D2H for speed and, as a bonus, gives double the resolution.

Well, to be accurate, it is actually only 40% more resolution...

[riccardo]

Crikey! Thanks allot guys!! That's given me plenty to think about. I've gone out and bought a bundle of Digi photo. mags and made a snap decision to go Nikon. The D2H sounds like such an all round great camera but its the small Pixel size compared to the D1 range that worried me a little. A friend of mine uses a D100 which he said he can't fault and to be honest in looking at some of his stuff I can't say I would dissagree! However I do totally agree that hiring them first of all would be the best option before handing over the hard earned!
Does anyone know who or where such equipment can be hired from and roughly the costings??
Also I know that there are after market lenses such as 'Sigma?' that fit the Canons. How do these rate compared to the genuine Canon lenses?
Many thanks for all your help guys. First hand experience and opinions I think is invaluable so thanks again!

[riccardo]

Ian_H said:

1D or a 1D MKII and some decent glass, these cameras were made for motorsport photography Both taken with the 1D MKII Cheers Ian

Hi Ian,

These are great mate! Brilliant advert for Canon at least! Did you go to Oulton last weekend by any chance?

[riccardo]

simpo two said:

Nikon seem to have a D3 waiting in the wings: http://apphotnum.free.fr/N2BE27.html I'm guessing you'd want best tracking AF and fps speed, rather than a gazillion pixels.

Absolutely mate, although it does need to be capable with pit lane shots too. Maybe this is why most of the pro's are using 2,3 or 6 cameras!!!!!!

[riccardo]

Bacardi said:

simpo two said: Nikon seem to have a D3 waiting in the wings: <a href="http://apphotnum.free.fr/N2BE27.html">http://apphotnum.free.fr/N2BE27.html</a> Bd Canon user I am, I know, for posting the above link on another thread, but I thought someone might have spotted the first line of the last paragraph: "The only main defect of Nikon F6/D3 is to be today entirely virtual and to have been imagined only for April Fool's Day." Sorry. 1DX is long in the tooth and won't give you the quality. The 1ds is, as Phil says, too slow due to large files, and also and too noisy at higher ASA. But, for ultimate resolution at 100 ASA, it's still the camera to beat in this category. simpo two said: I'm guessing you'd want best tracking AF and fps speed, rather than a gazillion pixels. That'll be the 1D mk II then. Outperforms the D2H for speed and, as a bonus, gives double the resolution. I'd wait until the end of the month before deciding, to see what is announced at Photokina. I would also hire and play with either models to see if you prefer the ergonomics of one over the other. Not much point in buying into a camera system that you hate using.

That makes allot of actually mate. At least I don't have long to wait!!!!

[riccardo]

toppstuff said:

I'm a Nikon man ( swapped away from Canon ) because i simply prefer the handling. The Nikon D2H is the best handling camera body in the world. Awesome handling, and fits my (large) hands better than anything else. But Canon dominate the sports scene because of a wider range of decent fast lenses - but they will cost lots ! You won't go wrong with Canon, but ignore the nerds who think Canon are the only choice, they are not. Nikon make fine cameras and no doubt the new multi-gazillion pixel version D3 will be awesome ( when it comes out ). As ever, its the geezer behind the lens that matters.

Yep that D3 could be a goer! I'm hoping a little more competitively priced than the 1Ds too! I must admit that the Nikon does look fantastic build wise. Have you experienced any difference in the quality of you pictures considering the drop in pixel size?

[riccardo]

dcw@pr said:

Bacardi said: That'll be the 1D mk II then. Outperforms the D2H for speed and, as a bonus, gives double the resolution. Well, to be accurate, it is actually only 40% more resolution...

Considering I am an Olympus E20 owner right now, an increase of 4% would be a bonus!!!!!!!!!

[simpo two]

riccardo said:

Absolutely mate, although it does need to be capable with pit lane shots too. Maybe this is why most of the pro's are using 2,3 or 6 cameras!!!!!!

Wow this thread is getting confusing...!
I've been keeping my allegiances quiet while the Canon boys were banging on , but congratulate you on joining the rising Nikon elite (Mine's a D70 - and at present it's slightly better than I am).
But you have a good idea there with two cameras - otherwise you'll be swapping lenses every 2 mins, missing shots and getting dust on the sensor as well. How about the expensive Nikon for long-range demanding AF stuff, and a D70 with Nikkor AF-S 18-70mm for the pit lane?

[riccardo]

simpo two said:

riccardo said: Absolutely mate, although it does need to be capable with pit lane shots too. Maybe this is why most of the pro's are using 2,3 or 6 cameras!!!!!! Wow this thread is getting confusing...! I've been keeping my allegiances quiet while the Canon boys were banging on , but congratulate you on joining the rising Nikon elite (Mine's a D70 - and at present it's slightly better than I am). But you have a good idea there with two cameras - otherwise you'll be swapping lenses every 2 mins, missing shots and getting dust on the sensor as well. How about the expensive Nikon for long-range demanding AF stuff, and a D70 with Nikkor AF-S 18-70mm for the pit lane?

That makes alot of sense I must admit. Changing lenses on my current E20 is more than just a little irritating!! I think you may have hit the nail on the head for this one! I am swaying towards the D2H particularly as I can get it for around £2200 and I understand lenses are cheaper than Canons.The cheapest 1D 11 is around £2600 and the lenses are about the same cost as a small house! However when Nikon decide to release the D3 I may have to have a rethink! Life is so complicated! All I wanna do is taking pictures!!!!!

[dcw@pr]

I'm a Nikon user but I would strongly suggest looking hard at going the Canon route. I believe their lenses offer better value (more of them have USM/SWM focus motors), but to counter this I think Nikon cameras handle better. There was aquite debate along these lines in another thread in the last two weeks. Have a look back, it would be one of the longer ones. Also, the word in the internet chatrooms is that tomorrow will see the announcement of the new D2X, so maybe that will affect D2H prices, I don't know.

[focused]

This is a good site for comparing cameras and they
have really in depth reviews too.

www.dpreview.com

[riccardo]

dcw@pr said:

I'm a Nikon user but I would strongly suggest looking hard at going the Canon route. I believe their lenses offer better value (more of them have USM/SWM focus motors), but to counter this I think Nikon cameras handle better. There was aquite debate along these lines in another thread in the last two weeks. Have a look back, it would be one of the longer ones. Also, the word in the internet chatrooms is that tomorrow will see the announcement of the new D2X, so maybe that will affect D2H prices, I don't know.

Fantastic! Thanks for that David! I await with bated breath!!!!!

[simpo two]

dcw@pr said:

I'm a Nikon user but I would strongly suggest looking hard at going the Canon route. I believe their lenses offer better value (more of them have USM/SWM focus motors)

Silent-wave motors seem to be moving down into mid-range lenses - the Nikkor 18-70 I mentioned has one (hence 'AF-S' designation). Fast and quiet, and it comes with the D70 body as one of the kit options.


You've got the work but no kit...
I've got the kit but no work!

[Ian_H]

riccardo said:

Hi Ian, These are great mate! Brilliant advert for Canon at least! Did you go to Oulton last weekend by any chance?

Thanks, no I didn't go to Oulton park last weekend, the Ducati is from the BSB @ Croft and the Ferrari from the Sytner Track day @ Knockhill, last weekend I covered a rally in Scotland on the Saturday and a BARC meeting at Croft on the Sunday.


Cheers
Ian