New Canon?

I am an advanced ameteur photographer who is about to turn pro. I am replacing

a stolen Nikon with a Canon. Any help on which one? I am looking at the EOS 5D

and the EOS 1Ds MK II. Both have the full frame sensors. The varience in cost

is huge. Is it worth the money jump? I shoot weddings, reunions, sports,

portfolios and portraits.Any owner comments?

It comes down to what you need - do you shoot often in the rain - then the 1Ds would be better because it has weather sealing, the 5D doesn't. Do you need super fast frame rates - again the 1Ds will beat the 5D. Do you shoot often in low light and need high ISO - then the 5D would be the way to go - it handles noise better than any other camera in the market today. There are always compromises - only you know what is best for you. I have the 5D, but I am no pro and I avoid shooting in pooring rain - I shoot mostly landscapes and don't care at all about the frame rate - never used continuous shooting mode. I love the camera!

do you need 17mp or 12mp? do you need faster focus and well build body and shutter that will last? 1ds MKII is always my dream camera, but I don't shoot enuff studio portraits to justify the cost. So I went with the 1dMarkII because I need the speed & build of 1d series and the high ISO noise is as nice as the 5d.

Quite a few photographers I know are shooting with the 5D and are very happy with it - It's smaller, less intimidating and quite nice. One guy told me he invested the difference in lenses - a better investment as far as he was concerned, and yes, he switched from Nikon too.

 

You might seriously consider getting 2 5D's if this is your business.

 

I've shot with a 1DS (mark I) in the past, I loved the 45 point AF, but I'm still happy with my 20D's AF, and the 5D's AF is supposed to be slightly better than the 20D's. I haven't systematically compared image quality from 1Ds Mark II and the 5D.

 

I shot a wedding with the 1Ds - at the end it was a bit heavy and large for my taste. For your use, I think the 5D would be fine, but if you're serious about sports, you might consider a 1D mark II, 8 frames per second, but 8 megapixels and 1.3 crop.

For weddings, reunions, portfolios and portraits I think the 5D will be the better choice because of high ISO-performance, which means in a lot of cases, you don't need flash. But it doesn't have weather sealing like the EOS 1Ds MK II.

 

For sports 30D or Canon EOS-1D Mark II N will be the better choice besause of more frames per second with continuous drive (30D: 5fps ; EOS-1D Mark II N: 8,5 fps ).

 

EOS-1D Mark II N also have weather sealing, and a 1,3 crop sensor. 30D has a 1,6 crop sensor, which will save you a lot of money for tele-lenses at the stadion.

 

If you want one camera for all puposes, I would get the 5D or the 30D.

Apart from that I just looked at your homepage:

 

http://photoshow.net/bjbiker

 

Some of the photos are fine, but most of them doesn't have pro-quality. So I think you need more practise and education before you turn pro.

The 1DsMkII is the 16.7mp pixel camera, and not the 8.5fps, 8.2mp 1DMkIIn camera. Some of the comments misstated it.

Kevin Phan, the 1D Mark II noise performance is not as good as the 5D's. I have both of these cameras....the 5D produces less noise at ISO 800, 1600 and 3200 in comparison to the 1D Mark II.

 

Also, the 5D produces noticably better image quality then the 1D Mark II. I've shot thousands of frames with both cameras, on same shoots, so I know.

 

Also, when shooting at 13" x 19", the 5D images are noticably better with higher detail retention then what I have gotten from the 1D Mark II. I had two 1D Mark II's and one 5D....recently eBayed off my 1D Mark II's and now have two 5D's.

 

However the one thing the 5D does not give me that I miss from the 1D Mark II's are the better ergo's of the 1D's, and the better feel, and responsiveness of the 1D's. In those categories, the 5D almost feels toyish, and it's shutter action is mush.

Dan, fyi - i said as good ok. Not better. As good mean close to. And of course the 5d 13x19 will look better because it has 4more megapixel to render more detail. Try to crop the 5d down to 8mpxl and see which is better.

 

you can't use a single camera for all your need and you already know that by owning both. I have try the 5d out and also a 1ds mark I, but it wasn't what I need. 1ds mark I was too slow and nasty lcd screen and the 5d body really suck compare to 1d series. Noise in high iso also depend on how good your lighting is. If you look at my work http://www.kelvinphoto.com, most of my indoor shots were beyond iso 1000.

Someone wrote: "Some of the photos are fine, but most of them doesn't have pro-quality. So

I think you need more practise and education before you turn pro."

 

The OP did not ask for your subjective opinion of his photography. He asked whether the

difference in price between these two cameras is worth it.

 

The appropriate place to offer your feedback on his photographs would be in a critique

message.

Thanks to all who have written. I think I will go with (1) 5D, 24x70 and 70x200 lenses. I have the backdrops and lighting.

To the fellow that critiqued my "Home Page" pictures, Those are just that, Personal home pix shot with everything from a Sony, Olympus, Nikon and instant. Most were while enjoying the parties myself.

I have shot over 5,000 nudes and that site does not allow nudes, so you did not see my work. Eventually I will post and cherish the praise that you give me. Just kidding, I really wasn't looking for a critic. I'm leaving a six figure income as an engineer to venture out into your world, and I'm nervous enough.

I thank all of you for the help. Starting with only $250,000 saved up, means I have to make good decisions to enable me to replace my income, not to mention insurance. This site is wonderful, and the help you all have given is well recieved.

Kelvin, true one camera cannot do it all...I used the 1DM2's for my daughter's sports for the high frame rate, but everything else I used the 5D. Agreed, the 5D handling, it's feel, and mushy shutter button really suck once one feels the nirvana of 1D ergos. By the way, you've got some very fine work on your site!

As good is equal to, not "close" to.

 

Dan, Can you tell me, you are talking about the mark II? Does the mark IIn have better noise performance than the mark II?

 

I only ask, because I'm really thinking about the Mark IIn instead of the 5D.

 

Mike

Ok. . .. I can't resist. . . .

 

By leaving a 6 figure income for a lower income with only $250K in the bank. . . .then money IS a factor. Remember that dSLR's are NOT investments. They are tools that have a useful professional life of about (probably) five years. Lenses will last longer.

 

The 1Ds is in a different class than the 5D. . . but many pros earn good income with the 5D. Heck. . I would not rule out the 30D. Basically, a 5D with a smaller sensor.

 

If you are investing in Canon. . .consider the peripherals. The 24-70/2.8L and 70-200 (any flavor) are excellent lenses. You may want a 85/1.8 for portraits.

 

Do not overlook the flash units. 430EX is excellent. BUY ONE. If you need two flashes. . .buy a 580EX and a 430EX. If you need more. . .get proper studio lights.

Mike,

 

Check out this thread and related links regarding noise on the 1D bodies vs. the 5D.

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00HaOO

 

I've since switched to Nikon, but I stand by what I saw, read, and said in that thread.

 

Bogdan

"The 1DsMkII is the 16.7mp pixel camera, and not the 8.5fps, 8.2mp 1DMkIIn camera. Some of the comments misstated it."

 

I think you misread my comment: "EOS-1D Mark II N: 8,5 fps" - there is no "s" in the name. I know it is confusing that Canon names some of their cameras almost identical, even when the specifications of the cameras are very different.

 

"The OP did not ask for your subjective opinion of his photography. He asked whether the difference in price between these two cameras is worth it. The appropriate place to offer your feedback on his photographs would be in a critique message."

 

I'm sorry! My intention was not to criticize Brads photos, but to save him from a bad career move. I'm glad to hear, that you (Brad) has a more professional body of work. Good luck with your new career!

The amount of excellent information gained in this forum is exceptional. I feel I am back in a study group in college. Thanks , again. As far as studio lighting, I am OK for now. I have a myriad of lights, filters, soft boxes,backdrops, props etc. I still have my Nikon Speedlight, and Stroboframe, but will invest in the 580 and sister slave. Most of my studio shots are done low light and soft light. When I shoot cars and motorcycles, I use large back drops to do most of the work, for background, and clean up with CS2.

I'm not as well read on this as I should be, as evidenced by your thorough replys. I made a little ove $50,000 last year, apart from engineering, part time, shooting items for sale and marketing them, so the jump is not a blind one.

Once I feel worthy, I will submit some of my artistic shots. Since the market that was purchasing from my deleted website had no interest in artistry, they are few. I will try to upload one I used to advertise for a dancer.

I can see that most agree that the switch to Canon was a proper move. It was hard to do as my first camera at age 16 (in 1975) was a Nikon.

I look forward to sharing my companies progress and the direction I have take by "Standing on the shoulders of those before me" from this forum.<div></div>

My attachment was too large. I will try again. I apologise.<div></div>

"I can see that most agree that the switch to Canon was a proper move. It was hard to do as my first camera at age 16 (in 1975) was a Nikon."

 

Well it's a Canon forum! :) Mostly people are talking about 1D(s) vs. 5D.

 

I recently went to Nikon from Canon as I said. Check out why here:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00IKYe

 

I'm not trying to sway you, but I am curious why you are switching. Don't you have Nikon glass? Was everything stolen? In my case I was able to sell it (my Canon lenses) in Eastern Europe for what I paid for it so I didn't lose anything.

 

Anyway, I see 2 main reasons to switch to Canon:

 

1. Full frame if you need it

 

2. Better noise at ISO > 800 if you need it (i.e. shoot at those speeds)

 

The rest is individual preference and what lenses you need.

 

Bogdan

Bogan, Excellent points. I do have some of the glass left, but most was stolen. I parked a new Hummer at a 5 star hotel in Houston, after a shoot and felt safe. Ten vehicles were burglarized and they hit the jackpot with mine.

I may do a Nikon and Canon. I have Nikon film cameras, an Olympus and lenses, but nothing high quality in digital as a back up.

I just got a job, 20 minutes ago to shoot and sell the "88 Lambo" used in Cannonball run. I have to get a decent camera fast. I will purchase the 5D and lenses tonight. I'm getting a 100mm lens for studio but may change to an 85mm due to an earlier comment in this forum. I'm still getting the other two lenses.

For spending $7,000 on the above, I think I may be ahead of buying the 1DS MK II. After all I still need to get more practice and feel comfortable joining your ranks. I'm quite intimidated now, but due to the sales I have had, feel that I can learn and earn at the same time.<div></div>

As Henrik pointed out, I'd save the money, and work on your skills.

 

An H2, and some money in the bank isn't going to make you a better photog.

 

It's getting deep in here, I'm going to go get my boots :)

Mike, I looked at your pictures and this criticism I welcome, as I appreciate your skills. I have not posted my work, other than a glimpse at my family candids. When I do, I would welcome your comments and advice. I love your style in photography.

I admit that having money does not equate to good photographic skills, but having skills in marketing can make up for the skills lacking, until I get them.

You are one that I wish would follow my journey and comment, although I do not agree with your humor. Your skills push that aside.

To all,

Thanks for the help. I purchased a Canon EOS 5 D with 2.8 24-70, 2.8 70-200 IS, 8 hr battery & charger, and 580 speedlight. I will follow with an EOS 30 as a back-up when I practice more. My partner is a photographer in Dallas and he will carry our company forward artistically until, I gain the skills. I will handle the business side. I will continue to ask questions and learn, as long as you will have me.

I apologise if I sounded pompass. It was un-intentional.