1dsMkII or 5d

[SeanKernan]

I've been happy with my 1ds, even for studio still lifes, but it's getting time to see what's out there now. So has anyone any meaningful comparisons between 5d and IdsMkII?m By meaningful I don't mean numbers as much as the results. How is color, what is the difference in a carefully made photo...if any?
Sean Kernan

[John_Richard]

If you already have a 1Ds a 5D is not going to be an upgrade unless you want high ISO capability. The 1DS2 has marginaly more detail but I doubt you could tell them apart without carefull side by side viewing at 100% - compared to the 5D it now seems a bit expensive for what it offers image wise - the Current price drops of the 5D that dealers are offering make the 5d a bargin.

Sean,

The 5D is a remarkable camera. I have had one for three weeks, processing RAW files with Adobe Camera Raw in Photoshop CS2. It would be a step up from the 1Ds in terms of image quality and ISO performance.

I have also owned the 1Ds and currently own the 1DsII but it's currently for sale due to the fine performance of the 5D.

I feel that the 5D is a much better tool overall than either the 1Ds or the 1DsII. I personally can't see any difference in resolution, when compared to the 1DsII, but to be honest I'm not really looking with a hyper-critical eye at extreme magnifications. My work rarely gets enlarged past the native capture size of any of the above cameras. The 5D provides more than enough sharpness and detail for any commercial print work that eventually is converted to CMYK.

For me the 5D is superior in these areas.

-small form factor really fits my hands.
-reduced weight of camera plus battery and charger make a real difference.
-bigger LCD for quick viewing, sharper than a MkII but not as contrasty (which I miss).
-improved zoom-in on LCD screen for checking focus.
-larger and crisper text on menu screen helps if you're slightly farsighted like me.
-less complication on accessing menus meaning not having to use two fingers to hold while scrolling with opposite hand.

Potential downsides.

-It looks like a consumer camera. Not a problem for me but some folks have a real need to "look" a certain way.
-The light weight of the camera makes for a less substantial "feel" if you know what I mean. A lack of gravitas so to speak.

Other people rave about the high ISO performance and improved dynamic range. I haven't seen a dime's worth of difference between the files of the 1DsII and the 5D. I can neither rave nor complain about dynamic range or ISO performance since the files from both the MkII and the 5D look fantastic to me.

[NickSpurrier]

I use the 1DsII for my employer and own the 5D (and 20D as well). I don't see an awful lot of difference in the Raw files between the two but I do find the 5D easier to use and it's less intimidating for the subjects and a lot lighter. Having said that, the 1DsII files will bear more upsizing than the 5D ones and if you need to make the perfect large print and would like to keep the camera for a long time and money doesn't make any difference, I'd recommend you to go with the 1DsII. But there's not much in it.

Hey Sean,

I bought the 5D as a casting/location camera, and was shocked at how good it was. It's a great camera for the money, but the more I use it, the more I see little things that bug me about it, over the 1ds2. The ASA is hard to change, the meter is harder to read than the 1ds2, and for some reason, the meter seems to get fooled easier. I think the 5D is great "walk around camera", but when there's money on the table, which there is in your case, you can't cut corners. The 1ds2 is the only one. I have also fought the color palette with the 5D; a bit too saturated for me, but I'm sure that amateurs love the pop, right out of the box. I rarely fight the colors with the 1ds2; actually, always love them. The 5D has a role; just keep it as a "fun" camera, but never put that grip on it; keep it simple. Adding that grip is like when Hollywood costume people add those fake muscles underneath the clothing of actors; just does not feel right. Let it be what it is. Don't try to make an EddieHaskell camera into a JackieChan camera.

Hope you're well. Take care,

Mark

[AliceRhoden]

[ QUOTE ]
The 1DS2 has marginaly more detail but I doubt you could tell them apart without carefull side by side viewing at 100%

[/ QUOTE ]

For me it's easy to see the difference in the files between the 1DS and 1DS Mark II. I have both cameras. The differences are about much more than resolution. I have to say that I'm astonished at the better color out of the 1DS Mark II and the fact that I generally have to do much less postprocessing with the newer camera. I was actually disappointed to learn this, as I was hoping to justify being able to keep the 1DS in conjunction with the new camera. But if I'm honest with myself, there's really no reason to hold on to the 1DS standard.

The funny thing about this camera was how my perception of its capabilites were initially formed from various posts on this forum. The usual cabal of Canon fans and Canon bashers were in top form. It's great...it sucks... blah blah blah. I was perfectly happy with my 1DsII but the weight and the brick sized charger were annoying. I wasn't looking for a change but for 35 hundred I thought why not try it out. I went to a local dealer to have a looksee and my first impressions were very negative. It's very plasticy and not at all substantial. Two weeks later I changed my mind and ordered one. It wasn't love at first sight but after a couple thousand frames I'll say that I'm quite impressed.

A lingering problem for me was that the color was too subdued. I initially chose the "neutral" setting and found myself pumping color and contrast in Photoshop. I went back to the default "punchy" standard setting for tourists and bloggers. I really like the look. For me it's the closest digital rendition of Velvia.

One man's sushi is another man's bait.

Visit the B&H Pro Photo Store for the best Gear Prices and regular specials!

Brilliant Color for any Digital SLR
White Balance Cap
The Pros Agree on ColorRight
What People Are Saying