5dii swap thoughts...

[God]

Howdy people!

I am considering swapping one of my 5dii bodies for a 1d/1ds series camera. Obviously a good move (depending on version obviously) however I'd just like to sense check here - what are peoples opinions on which I should get. I would, ideally, not like to spend any extra for the moment, so that rules out the 1dsiii and the 1div.

I guess what im asking is would you recommend the 1dsii or the 1diii? Or even a 7D?

Lenses, just for info, are Canon 85 1.2, 70-200 2.8 ISii and 24-105 f4.

Thanks in advance people!

 

[draiman]

If I had the choice I'd go for the 1diii. you've got the 5dii for video so that rules out that aspect of the 7d and the focus on the 1dii is amazingly quick and accurate. Not to mention the customisation options.

The 7d is very good too mind and higher pixel density for cropping and gives more reach to your lenses as well as being able to use your 5dii batteries with it.

I'd still go for the 1diii given the choice though. I think the security of it being properly weather sealed would push it for me.

 

[God]

Thanks for your thoughts John. I was under the impression the 1diii wasnt weather sealed? Admittedly it has been a while since I read any reviews...

I am not interested in video - not used it once on the 5D and though good to have I suppose, wouldnt even come into the equation.

Thanks again

 

[HoppyUK]

Keep the 5D2 - best IQ out of all those.

 

[tdodd]

I've got a 5D2, a 1D3 and a 7D. I use them all. In general I will pick the camera with the largest sensor I can fill, unless the performance in AF or frame rate won't be up to my needs. That means that in general I pick the 5D2 over the 1D3 and the 1D3 over the 7D. If I'm focal length limited, such as when shooting wildlife then I pick the 7D in preference to the other two. If I know I'm going to be operating in a downpour then it will have to be the 1D3. If I want to travel light then it won't. If flash sync speed matters the 5D2 might drop to the back of the list. The 7D has a long list of features which outclass both the other two bodies. Whether those features are of value to you is another matter.

They each have strengths and weaknesses, and there are many more to list apart from those above. Only you can decide which strengths you are seeking which are not met by your 5D2s. What is it you want to shoot for which the 5D2s are holding you back?

 

[God]

Tim thanks for getting back to me, those are some thought inducing points you make there.

Nothing is holding me back on the 5Dii set at all, though I am thinking that I would like to move to a 1ds series simply for build and performance quality with one of them, at least then, like you, I am covering more bases. Maybe it is a purely psychological thing, but either way it has been a growing itch for a while now...

 

[mrjames]

funnily enough i'm considering swapping my 1dmk3 for a 5dmk2

you have PM


STAFF EDIT : <Cough> "No buying, selling or trading outside of the classifieds forums : This includes other forum sections, the PM system, signatures and more."

 

[George]

My main objection on the 5D2 is the antiquated af system. Not a problem for landscapes, but not much use for wildlife. Depends on your use...only you can decide. Drawback on 7D is noise at isos greater than 800 or so, otherwise a great camera....but 1.6 crop?..can you live with that?

 

[alsos]

Vaughan I would be interested in a swap probably with cash from my way if you are interested, I have a pretty good condition 1dmkiii with all the original accompaniments, I currently had an add for a 5dmkii in the wanted's, if your interested we could meet to exchange?

 

[Cobra]

Moved to talk equipment as there is nothing for sale

 

[God]

funnily enough i'm considering swapping my 1dmk3 for a 5dmk2

you have PM


STAFF EDIT : <Cough> "No buying, selling or trading outside of the classifieds forums : This includes other forum sections, the PM system, signatures and more."

Thank you for your PM Clark, I think you will find I have replied.

Though in the interest of clarity to all I have agreed something via the classifieds section.

My main objection on the 5D2 is the antiquated af system. Not a problem for landscapes, but not much use for wildlife. Depends on your use...only you can decide. Drawback on 7D is noise at isos greater than 800 or so, otherwise a great camera....but 1.6 crop?..can you live with that?

Indeed, I agree it is not fantastic. I generally manually select the focus point so this is not necessarily an issue. That being said, if the af system was anything near what I wanted it to be, perhaps this wouldnt be the case. I do mostly shoot people/events/comercial/editorial so not all that much need for a super fast af system. That being said, I might find need for it if I had it

Regarding crop, well, the old saying of once you go full frame you dont go back has rung true with me, its just a different picture (no pun intended), that being said, now that I have gone full, I also see the benefits in reach that crop provided, so a battle of sorts there.

Vaughan I would be interested in a swap probably with cash from my way if you are interested, I have a pretty good condition 1dmkiii with all the original accompaniments, I currently had an add for a 5dmkii in the wanted's, if your interested we could meet to exchange?

Hey there, again thank you also for your PM. As per the above, I have already agreed something via the classifieds section though unfortunately.

Thanks again all
Vaughan

 

[God]

Moved to talk equipment as there is nothing for sale

Was this not in talk equipment already?! I am very sorry - I honestly thought I had posted it there... :bang:

 

[alsos]

ok no worries if it doesnt work out let me know.

 

[tdodd]

My main objection on the 5D2 is the antiquated af system. Not a problem for landscapes, but not much use for wildlife. Depends on your use...only you can decide. Drawback on 7D is noise at isos greater than 800 or so, otherwise a great camera....but 1.6 crop?..can you live with that?

The centre point AF performance is quite decent - easily good enough for BIF following a predictable trajectory - and the surrounding assist points can also help out for tricky subjects. Here's a 100% crop example from my 5D2 and 100-400 (not the fastest focusing or sharpest lens in Canon's lineup) which seems just dandy to me....

Cropped and converted to JPEG with no edits....

The big let down is in the outer AF points, wihch are poorly positioned within the frame and, being linear, can struggle to find focus at all with some subject matter. Looking at Vaughan's lens list it strikes me that wildlife is not the main subject matter.

IMHO the 7D outguns the 5D2 in every single aspect of performance and features except IQ. If you don't need to print large then the 7D may offer ample IQ even at high ISOs. Of course there is that little thing about DOF control that full frame offers. Again it is all a big juggling act and only Vaughan knows what he needs and what compromises he is happy to make. Does he shoot at high ISO? Does he print or display at large sizes for close scrutiny? If the answer to both is "Yes" then maybe the 7D would not be the best choice. If one or other is a "No" then perhaps it would be perfect.

If reach is the issue, and I'm not seeing any sign of that need, then with a 70-200.2,8L IS II to play with a simple 1.4X or 2X TC might be an interesting alternative option. Certainly a 1Ds2 will not extend reach and nor will a 1D3, as both have a lower pixel density than the 5D2. Picking the right solution really does come down to properly defining the requirements.

 

[God]

Brilliant shot there Tim, which perfectly demonstrates the capabilities of the 5Dii in the right circumstances.

Your other points are also very valid. I do not usually crave the range of a crop (or indeed longer lens), and I do not try to make a habit of pixel peeping, and not many of my clients do either.

The argument is swinging in the direction of the 7D for all but a few points - ISO performance - I do not necessarily shoot in low light as a habit, but I do find myself sometimes cranking up the ISO in certain situations to get a super fast shutter speed (perhaps another argument for faster focus lies in there somewhere as well), that being said, it can be mentioned that the 1Diii or the 1Dsii are not amazing ISO performers either in comparrison to the 5Dii.

Also weather proofing. I am not a fan of people that wrap their lenses in cotton wool (figuratively), my current 5Dii workhorse is a state, and whilst it gets serviced and its insides are mint, the outside looks like I beat it with a meat cleaver every time it dares to take an out of focus shot; so the conditions I shoot in sometimes demand a better build quality than most. Which is why I feel I am erring towards a 1ds series...

 

[LongLensPhotography]

It largely depends what you are mainly shooting.

I have 1dsII and 1dIII at the moment, and 1dsii is clearly my main camera and the default choice. It produces larger files, and better IQ. I rarely ever need 10 fps, but if I did sport photography my preference could be totally different. If we put 1D mkIV into the mix the situation would become much harder - I do like the lack of "soft" corners on 1.3x 1D, but 10MP is a bit limiting. 7d is a bit too much cropped, but then its great for birding.