5D Mk1 or Mk2

tattywelshie

tattywelshie

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Ian
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Hey guys! My ancient 20D is almost at the end of its long and illustrious life so im in the market for an upgrade.

I want to go FF, so was thinking of the 5D Mk2, however, i photograph dogs, and need a camera with awesome AF that will lock in low-light, many pet photographers have said the 5D Mk2 lacks in this area, and as it's pretty much got the same AF system as the 20D so before i part with loads if cash i was going to wait until maybe the new year to get the 5D Mk3 (or whatever its going to be called!)

So....i was just going to get a camera body in the interim and wondered if i should just get a 5D Mk1 for the time being as i can pick one up for decent money, is FF, and will do until a new 5D comes out with hopefully the 7D AF system.

What do you think? Should i get a 5D MK1 now? Or just just go for the MK2, is the MK2 much better than the MK1?

Sorry if that was confusing!
 
Hi Ian, l have got the 5d mk11 and had the mk1 before that, there are subtle differences between the two, l was never disappointed with the mk1 but do think the mk11 is a better camera. I have never had an issue with either camera struggling to focus in low light, but it will depend on what lens you have on the front.
I also have the 7d and the image quality is very good, the AF system is out of the 1d mk4, so is excellent, there is a lot that you can tailor to your own requirements, but out of the box it's very good.
Hope that helps.
Chris.
 
Yeah Chris, i have a 24-70L, a 17-40L and the 50mm 1.4 so i shoot with pretty fast lenses, as i say, i need something that locks focus quick, i cant be doing with it struggling etc as i shoot pets etc on location and dont really get second chances lol

Its hard, part of me is thinking of selling my Canon stuff and going for the Nikon D800 if it comes out in a few months!
 
How about 1Ds2 as an option? The batteries are cumbersome but it's still a formidable FF camera if you don't need higher ISO performance.
 
I was in almost the same position as you, having sold my 1D last year and going back to my 20D. If you find the 20D AF OK, you won't be disappointed by the 5D's, its the same.

I decided against going for the mk2 on the basis that if the mk3 comes out with better AF I'd probably want that and end up upgrading and losing some money. I went for the mk1 now to tide me over until the mk3 comes out, when I can sell the mk1, hopefully not losing too much money and buy the new mk3 if it has much better AF or hopefully a last of line mk2 if the AF is the same.
 
Craikeybaby said:
I was in almost the same position as you, having sold my 1D last year and going back to my 20D. If you find the 20D AF OK, you won't be disappointed by the 5D's, its the same.

I decided against going for the mk2 on the basis that if the mk3 comes out with better AF I'd probably want that and end up upgrading and losing some money. I went for the mk1 now to tide me over until the mk3 comes out, when I can sell the mk1, hopefully not losing too much money and buy the new mk3 if it has much better AF or hopefully a last of line mk2 if the AF is the same.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my 20d does focus hunt, as i said, i use L lenses, but yeah, it struggles to lock on eyes of dogs and then action shots, its so hit and miss its not funny, in short, pants!

The Mk3 is bound to have the 7D AF system i reckon, which suits me fine, if the 5D Mk3 doesnt have a decent AF system, ill be moving over to Nikon! Still, i just want something in the meantime, how much is a good price to pay for a good second hand 5D Mk1? Im thinking around £600?
 
I was in the same situation, and opted for the 5d mkII. The thing is we dont know when the MKIII will be out and you should also factor its price. New cameras are always expensive and they drop down after maybe a year.
 
I bought a 5D Mk1 recently, then looked on some comparison websites :)
Tbh I prefered the images on the Mk1 on the comparison sights. I just felt that the greater number of pixels on the Mk2 looked more "grainy". Might have been my imagination though, so I'd go look at some comparison sights, Google 5D Mk2 and see where they do a comparison of what's been changed.
As far as I am aware the AF on the Mk1 and 2 is identical so you wont get anything extra there by buying the Mk2. Given you can pick up a Mk1 for about 700 its a whole lot less money than a new Mk2.
I doubt you'll be dissapointed with the IQ of either even at high Iso, although I rarely use mine on high Iso, it isnt what I bought it for, if I wanted that I think I would have gone 7D which seems to be more tuned for high(er) iso.
Just to throw something else into the mix a 1Dmk2 (or 2N) will deliver good high Iso has great AF (in that it never misses) and at 1.3 crop delivers IQ very similar to a 5D and is a lot more weatherproofed when combined with L lenses. It (the 1D not 1Ds) really is a stunning piece of hardware still.

Matt
 
Hi, If you feel I am hijacking the thread please remove but I am also considering going FF from the 40D but have been looking at a used Canon EOS-1DsII alongside the 5D and cannot make up my mind.
Cheers
Russ
 
tattywelshie said:
Yeah im definitely looking towards the 5D Mk1 to be honest, as you say, i reckon if/when a 5D Mk3 comes out, its going to be £2k+ at the moment, a cost i just cant justify at the moment.
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If you're happy with the back LCD of your 20D then you will be happy with
the 5D. I chose the MKII because of the big and crispy LCD, microadjustment, and video is a bonus.

If you decide to go for the MK1, look for serial numbers beggining with "2" or better "3" (that is if you didn't know yet).

I've done my homework before and spent hours on google about it. The older 5D's with serial beggining with "0" and "1" had problem with their LCD, and mirror falling off , its upgraded on bodies with serials starting with "2" and above.

Good luck:thumbs:
 
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