Old 1D III or new 5D II

<p>I have an option of buying a second hand 1D III or a new 5D II<br>

I don't do big prints, 10 x8 is the bigest print I do.<br>

Which camera delivers better pictures?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>At that size they are identical. What are the pictures of?</p>

<p>People, group poses as well as candids at weddings and events</p>

What lenses do you have?

<p>The 5D II only has one thing on the 1D III: resolution. In EVERY OTHER RESPECT, the 1D III is a vastly superior camera. It is built to last forever, while the 5D still has some compromises. And don't think of the 1D III as "old". They came out less than 3 years ago, and only 11/2 years before the 5D II. And since they're so tough, a couple years of use doesn't amount to much.</p>

<p>As your question is simply "Which camera delivers better pictures?" I could assume that resolution is that most important thing to you. But if you never print larger than 8x10, it would be hard to argue that the 5D is any better at that than the 1D. Since the 1D is vastly superior in every respect (as a camera), there's only one option: 1D.</p>

<p>The only thing that might sway you in the other direction is if you shoot wide angles with a 14mm or 17mm lens, or something like that. In that case, only the 5D will give you full lens coverage.</p>

<p>My favorite lens is the 24-105 f4 IS zoom lens.</p>

 

<p>Thanks for helping me shape my question.<br>

How does the 1d III compare with the old 5d regarding shooting at iso 1600 or 2000?</p>

<p>Many thanks</p>

 

<p>For all practical purposes, I would consider the performance identical all the way up to ISO 6400. The 5D might edge out the 1D at 6400, but that would be splitting hairs. At 1600 you would never be able to tell a difference. The 5D II, of course, extends up to 25600.</p>

<p>...Wait a minute. Just now, did you mean to ask about the 5D I when you said "old 5D"? Because that's a whole different animal from the 5D II.</p>

<p>I find the 1.3 crop annoying, if you are using full frame then your perfect focal length 24-105 becomes a not as wide but nice bit longer 31-137, if you hover around the 24 you will find the 1D MkIII limiting, if you prefer the 105 end, great for candid portraits, then the additional effective 35mm on the long end will be a boon. I end up using a 16-35 on my 1.3 cameras instead of the 24-70 I use on FF bodies, but I do seem to favour shorter focal lengths.</p>

<p>As Hal says, the 1D MkIII will out perform the 5D MkII in all areas apart from resolution. If you can live with the changed effective focal lengths (reduced fov) then the 1D is a no brainer. BUT, get a warranty and call Canon to find out what has been done to it or needs doing to it.</p>

<p>Here's a fascinating article about Canon gear by somebody who really uses his. http://www.karlgrobl.com/EquipmentReviews/ThrashedCanons.htm He says it best at the bottom of the article on the difference for him between pro and prosumer equipment. I use the 5D II for the lighter weight but I'm easy on equipment and don't travel or shoot high numbers of pictures. Good luck, I dont think you can go wrong whichever you go with.</p>

<p>They are completely different cameras for completely different purposes. The 5D has higher resolution and a full frame sensor, good for portraits, landscapes, and large prints. The 1D III has a slightly cropped sensor and less (but still plenty) resolution, but can shoot 10 frames per second and has better AF and more pro features than the 5D. 1D for sports/action/wildlife, 5D for portraits/landscape. If you don't print over 8x10, then I'd get the 1D III as its a better all around camera, but if you are strictly a portrait/landscape shooter, then I'd go for the 5D. The 5D will produce slightly better bokeh since takes in more of the image circle with the larger sensor, and since the 1D has a 1.3x crop factor, it doesn't offer an "extreme" wide angle lens choice. I would just break it down to whether you're strictly a portrait/landscape shooter, need an extreme wide angle option, or need video. If the answer is "no" to all of those questions, then the 1D is the better choice.</p>

<p>Having owned and used both extensively, I would say the 5D II is better at higher ISOs; overall image quality is better...and it does not feel like a brick in your hands...</p>

<p>In other words, I thought the 1D III was waaaay overrated for the price - and with the AF problems that line has...I would avoid it.</p>

<p>About the only thing the i D III has over the 5D II is that it can shoot faster frames...but who needs that speed? Nice body build on the 1d III - but for many people it is too big.</p>

<p>The 5d II does lovely video. Looked for one of these bodies used (about $2k) or refurbed with the 24-105 lens for about $2600 - a really good deal (check Adorama for the latter).</p>

<p>rdc/nyc</p>