1DIIn to 1DIV

[Paz]

I'm toying with the idea of swapping my trusty old 1DIIn for a 1DIV so I'd like peoples experienced opinions on the merits of one over the other, especially for motorsport stills.
Does the lens calibration system actually work and do the images require less PP in comparison to the IIn?

To be honest IIn does exactly what I need but I'd like to try my hand at DSLR movies.
My lens collection comprises 17-40L, 70-200L 2.8-IS and 300L 4-IS, though I've not really missed the gap between 40-70mm I'm also tempted with a 24-70L.

I guess the other option would be to keep the IIn and swap my classic 5D for 5DII but the 5D doesn't get used much, it'd certainly be a cheaper cost-to-change though!

 

[da_nige]

I used the IIn for a few years and I've had the mark IV for a year. I mainly shoot wildlife and weddings (odd combo I know!!).

The Mark IV has significantly better AF and the keeper rate is very very high. In servo it is quicker to pick up the subject and holds it longer than the IIn did.

I've found the mark IV files need a bit more PP but that I think is down to the fact that it is double the resolution e.g. more sharpening required.

I find the extra resolution great for wildlife as I can crop more freely and the high ISO noise is leaps and bounds ahead of the IIn (I reckon about 1.5 to 2 stops). The noise at higher ISOs appears to be more uniform too.

Lens wise I have the 17-40, 24-70, 70-200f4, 300 f4IS and 500 f4 so reasonably similar to you.

With regards to lens micro adjust I haven't found the need to use it as my lenses are sharp enough for me but I know people who have adjusted lenses and it really does work.

Liveview is excellent too. It is really useful for checking fine focus. Its great having the 500 on a tripod and zooming right in to fine adjust the focus so that the shot is really sharp.

Reading your post I reckon you don't really want the 5DII so I think if you bought it you'd wish you had gotten the mark IV. If the IIn does everything you need it to then the mark IV will do it better.

Lastly most (if not all) of the shots on my website were taken using the mark IV.

Any more questions just ask

Neil

 

[Paz]

Many thanks Neil, that's exactly the kind of real-world feedback I wanted.

I guess once I reach my 100 posts etc I'll be able to place my mkIIN in the classifieds, sounds like I won't be needing it for much longer . . .

 

[da_nige]

If you don't need to I wouldn't. I wish I still had mine as a back up. Instead I'm using a 40D.

Remember that the mark IV uses the newer batteries which are smaller, lighter and last much much longer!

Neil

 

[Paz]

It's not been serviced in three years or so and for some reason the 70-200 has started to back-focus a little so I was going to have the IIN serviced and calibrated with the 70-200.
Also be nice to know the shutter count whilst Canon are fettling it.

I could keep it but I'm pretty sure I won't use it, have kept old cameras (10D/20D) in the past only to give them away after a few years gathering dust . . . I know I'd miss it though, it's a very reliable workhorse.