5D Mk2 or 1D Mk3
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They are quite different cameras with different sets of features.
Only you know the requirements of your work and that should dictate the choice of the camera.
1D3 is 10fps, well built, reliable AF tracking and only 10mp (1.3x crop)
5DII 21Mp full frame high res + video, and a big let down with everything else
a good compromise would be 1Ds II or III if funds permit.
Only you know the requirements of your work and that should dictate the choice of the camera.
1D3 is 10fps, well built, reliable AF tracking and only 10mp (1.3x crop)
5DII 21Mp full frame high res + video, and a big let down with everything else
a good compromise would be 1Ds II or III if funds permit.
Dave Stone
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Are you joking?
I have both. I use the 5D Mk 2 for 90% of my work. Portraits, wedding, commercial, landscape etc. The 1D has the better AF sytem and good high ISO performance. The 5d Mk 2 has fantastic high ISO performance but the AF not so good if shooting fast moving things.
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For what you want to shoot you want the 5DMKII every time
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err no. It has no weather sealing and AI-Servo is hardly up to the task.
modchild
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I've got a 7D and a 5D2 and bought them in that order. If I'd bought the 5D2 first I wouldn't of bothered getting the 7D as good as it is. I had a 550D and would of stayed with that as a backup. I haven't yet found anything thats a big let down. I've even used the much maligned AF to get BIF and lots of other fast moving objects perfectly.
MatBin
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If I were a proffesional I think I'd buy a proffesional camera, in your case that might mean two cameras (or a 1DX) as you will need relaibilty, ruggedness, weather proofing etc and quite honestly the 5d doesnt cut it when the chips are down, fine camera that it is (I have a mk1) its just not a pro camera and if your livliehood/reputation depended on it then its got to be a pro camera, personally I'd get a 1d and a 1ds.
Matt
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Yeah, fair enough but that's hardly an answer when both 7D, D700 and even D7000 have better AF.
A far bigger drawback is lack of sealing. This rules out the camera in case of the rain, dust, and even at the coastline (unless you like claiming on insurance). I am already sick of the threads and ebay listings of dead 5Ds.
I'd go with the 5D2...I have had both together and as others have said, they both have their pro's and con's..
If there is any chance of you haveing to work in a harsher environment, then the 1D everytime but if not, then the 5D2 will be spot on for you...I used the 5D2 early on when I started doing sport and I have some great images using it,but I also had lots of missed focus shots which were thrown.
So from the above, I guess you need to decide what environments you are going to be working in and choose accordingly.
Yellowbelly
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Like it or not, Canon consider the 5D Mk II amongst their professional range.
neil_g
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again the 7D is a different horse. cant comment on the nikons personally.
personally i dont find the sealing too important, while i have a 1dmk3 i dont have any lenses that complete the seal. its not hard to slip on a rain cover if youre going to be exposed to the elements
DuncanDisorderly
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personally i dont find the sealing too important, while i have a 1dmk3 i dont have any lenses that complete the seal. its not hard to slip on a rain cover if youre going to be exposed to the elements
I wrote off my 5DII recently - tripod blew over landing in a shallow pool resulting in brief partial immersion.
Not only was the 5DII water damaged, but so was the 24 TSE II.
A 1DIII 'might' have survived, but the lens wouldn't have done anything different.
Prior to this I've used my 5DII in all weathers and never had a problem.
The real challenge is keeping rain, mist and salt spray off the front element.
I tried a rain cover, but prefer a microfleece towel laid over the camera.
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I wrote off my 5DII recently - tripod blew over landing in a shallow pool resulting in brief partial immersion.
Not only was the 5DII water damaged, but so was the 24 TSE II.
A 1DIII 'might' have survived, but the lens wouldn't have done anything different.
Prior to this I've used my 5DII in all weathers and never had a problem.
The real challenge is keeping rain, mist and salt spray off the front element.
I tried a rain cover, but prefer a microfleece towel laid over the camera.
1DIII would have completed a seal from the rear of the lens. I believe a filter is required too. I don't recommend dunking that kit just to test it out but it might at least have a chance.
DuncanDisorderly
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I'd have thought that too - but checking straight after recovered from the dip and I found no water in the back on the lens. The condensation that formed later was between the lens elements.
I suspect water got in via the focus ring.
When I checked the 5DII after the dip I found no water in the battery compartment, accessory sockets holes or lens opening; all were dry (I was using the RC6 remote release).
After 12 hours the on/off switch locked solid and condensation appeared behind the screen.
I reckon most of the water got in via the switches.
Interestingly, this BBC article talks about a new way of waterproofing existing kit using nano coatings.
The article talks about waterproofing smartphones and they claim up to 30 min at up to 1m underwater
It would be really interesting to know if it would work on a camera body and whether it is sensibly priced.
Dave Stone
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Rather narrow minded. Depends on the Task. Weather sealing can't be that important to you. Only one of the lenses you have on your profile is weather sealed.
For 95% of my work I use the %d Mk 2. Simply stunning IQ.
MatBin
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On their website they consider 50D and 60D Corporate event professional cameras, I wouldnt, as I said the 5D is a very fine camera, I have a mk1 (and a 1D mk 2) it has great IQ etc but personally I just dont think its robust enough for full blown pro use and all that involves. We'll have to agree to disagree I suppose.
Matt
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Houston1863
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Well I guess both the cameras under consideration have been used by professionals for editorial work. There is no doubt that the 5D2 has excellent IQ. I have grown to appreciate mine even more now. However I have also shot successfully with the 1D3 and 4 too it must be said. The handling of the 1D series is unmatched IMHO. It's ergonomics and AF to me are better and I wish the 5D2 had more than 9 AF points.
Professionals use both and both will deliver on image quality. The 5D2 handles low light a stop better than the 1D3 if this is of consequence to you. If you shoot a lot in available light conditions this may be a factor. When I need to shoot fast and need to rely on quick and accurate focusing, I would grab either of my 1D bodies. This isn't to say that the 5D2's AF isn't up to it. For almost every situation it is but where contrast is low, it can struggle a tad. I was using 2 5D2s before but it was for that very reason that I decided to get a 1D3 in place of one of my 5D2s. I also find the +/- 3 stop on a 1D more useful. It all depends on what functions on both cameras you need. If I had all the time in the world and was shooting a lot in low light then the 5D2 would be my choice but if I had only one body and needed to get the shot, I would take the 1D3. The series was built for that very purpose.
Hope this helps
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For editorial work go with a Canon 5D MKII every time.
~ It's full frame & can meet every need when shooting portraits.
I personally own a 5D MKII & find that this is a perfect manual camera.
The AF points don't compare to the 1D MKIII necessarily but I manually
focus my work most of the time, it gives me the flexibility to get the
outcome I wish.
~ It's full frame & can meet every need when shooting portraits.
I personally own a 5D MKII & find that this is a perfect manual camera.
The AF points don't compare to the 1D MKIII necessarily but I manually
focus my work most of the time, it gives me the flexibility to get the
outcome I wish.
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shabba
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Sorry to hijack, how does the AF on the 5d mk2 compare to a 40D? About the same I assume?
I borrowed a 1d mk3 once, really liked it and the AF/ISO ability but would probably still choose a 5D mk2 when it comes to the next upgrade as 80% of what I shoot is ok with the AF on the 40D.
I borrowed a 1d mk3 once, really liked it and the AF/ISO ability but would probably still choose a 5D mk2 when it comes to the next upgrade as 80% of what I shoot is ok with the AF on the 40D.
Houston1863
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Well Ashly, I wouldn't disagree on the 5D2's capability with it comes to portraits. There is nothing like FF for portraits.
However I used to struggle with the AF under certain lighting conditions when shooting events especially when there is little or low contrast. I'm not saying it's impossible. It's just on occasion but it would be on those occasions when you needed the picture. I wonder if it may have been the first 5D2 that I had. I honesltly cannot recall which body but the one I have now seems fine. I find however that my 1D3 copes best in those situations, possibly even slightly better than my 1D4.
It's interesting you focus manually unless I'm misread what you have written. Do you use a non-standard focusing screen? I believe this helps quite a but.
All my best
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Houston1863
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No hijack friend.
While I had a 40D before it was before I switched to the 5D2. I did have the odd AF go-slow with the 40D as did a friend of mine to whom I lent the camera. It could get a trifle annoying at times.
It's probably not material unless you desperately needed to get the shot and the thing won't fire. I find that the 1D3 always got me the shot. Again it's only on occasions when the contrast was low. In broad daylight it's fine.
Cheers
markmullen
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If you're torn between the two why not a 1Ds (mkii or mkiii), 1 series AF, build quality and handling with full frame.
pete.rush
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That's what I was going to suggest
DemiLion
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DemiLion
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The key word that a lot of people seem to be missing here is EDITORIAL, and in the Canon stable the only cameras really worth considering for that at the moment are the 5DII and the 1DsMkIII. Since the latter is double the cost the former would probably be a better, more cost effective option.
Noah_
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Mmm, I've found no flaw with the portraits the 5D MKII's body is capable of!
I suppose editorial usually involves working in well-lit conditions, either in a studio based environment or on location with natural light &/or external lighting. I can't imagine there'd be any AF trouble whilst working with that. I usually focus manually 'cause I like working with shallow DOF & find that it's better to do it myself when I know exactly which part of my photograph I wish to be in focus. I initially learnt my photography techniques using a manual film SLR at college, I guess the manual focusing just ended up becoming part of my technique hahaha.
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Noah_
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Oh &
Perfectly valid points! ↑
This is about which camera would be best for an editorial photographer, not which is best overall.
Perfectly valid points! ↑
This is about which camera would be best for an editorial photographer, not which is best overall.
Houston1863
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I miss my old Pentax MX and browse the pages of the Bay occasionally dwelling on possibilities. Guess over time I've been spoiled by AF. Back in my old film camera days, AF was received with much suspicion and not a little derision when it was first introduced. No self-respecting photographer would expect the task of acquiring focus to be handled by anything man-made!!!
Yes, you're quite right. Point taken
just the discussion i've been looking for. would anybody care to comment?
regarding the suggestions of 5d2 or 1ds m3, for purely editorial/portrait use, can anybody comment on the resultant picture quality produced when shooting with either of these bodies under favourable (clear/bright/well lit) light conditions please? i've seen in low light/high iso the dramatic benefits of digic3 over digic2 and wondered with the exception of higher usable iso, whether the step up from digic3 to digic4 adds anything extra?
despite the video addition, the reported 5d2 issues surrounding AF are of grave concern so with the rumoured specs of the 5d3, would any of you with experience of the 1ds m3 still recommend the 1ds m3 over the 5d2 or possibly the 5d3?
thanks
regarding the suggestions of 5d2 or 1ds m3, for purely editorial/portrait use, can anybody comment on the resultant picture quality produced when shooting with either of these bodies under favourable (clear/bright/well lit) light conditions please? i've seen in low light/high iso the dramatic benefits of digic3 over digic2 and wondered with the exception of higher usable iso, whether the step up from digic3 to digic4 adds anything extra?
despite the video addition, the reported 5d2 issues surrounding AF are of grave concern so with the rumoured specs of the 5d3, would any of you with experience of the 1ds m3 still recommend the 1ds m3 over the 5d2 or possibly the 5d3?
thanks
specialman
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I take it you're already invested in EF lenses, hence the need for a Canon?
Although I think the 5D2 is a camera that only half as good as it should have been, when I've used one for general shooting it's done the job without fuss and the IQ certainly is one of its strong points. It's also more compact than the 1D series, which probably counts for a lot if you're mobile. If you want vertical shooting then you have the option of adding a grip. Plus, the price these days is very attractive.
Although I think the 5D2 is a camera that only half as good as it should have been, when I've used one for general shooting it's done the job without fuss and the IQ certainly is one of its strong points. It's also more compact than the 1D series, which probably counts for a lot if you're mobile. If you want vertical shooting then you have the option of adding a grip. Plus, the price these days is very attractive.
yes.
my feeling is cameras in a similar price bracket unless they've undergone serious redesign or show advanced ergonomics will all be pretty similar. the sheer portability though as you mention of the 5d2 is again of benefit but something like weather-sealing and overall build (even if you're not hanging from the side of a boat notching up frames) in the long run should be an influencing factor. or at least it is for me
my feeling is cameras in a similar price bracket unless they've undergone serious redesign or show advanced ergonomics will all be pretty similar. the sheer portability though as you mention of the 5d2 is again of benefit but something like weather-sealing and overall build (even if you're not hanging from the side of a boat notching up frames) in the long run should be an influencing factor. or at least it is for me
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Noah_
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60221654 said:
I mostly take portraits & altho I am an enthusiast rather than a professional I've found that the 5D MKII is a perfect camera for fine quality photographs & varied control of manual exposures. I have no experience with the 1Ds MKIII but I've found everything I looked for in my camera. Especially combined with Canon L series lenses.