Canon 1D cameras....

specialman

specialman

Messages
8,193
Name
Pat MacInnes
Edit My Images
Yes
A mate at work is now looking to buy his own gear but is looking at 2nd hand to get a better deal. He likes gripped bodies so has settled on the 1D series. However, he asked me about which to go for and seeing as I have no experience of these cameras, thought I'd put it out there for some advice.

He's discounted the original 1D because of the megapixel count and he has a 20d currently, so doesn't really go backwards from 8mp. That leaves the 1D mk2 and mk3 models right?

He isn't against FF but would prefer one of the APS-H sensors (is that 1.3x crop?) because he can get a bit extra from the 70-200mm f/4 he fancies. He has a 100mm macro and 17-40 already so isn't limited in terms of lens fitment.

He really wants to get better high ISO performance than what he has on the 20D.

Weather sealing is top-notch on the 1D series isn't it? That's crucial because he's shooting outdoors almost exclusively.

He knows the cameras he's mentioned are older tech than, say, the much newer 50D and 7D, but isn't sure how they stack up in terms of useable high ISO.

I can only really advise him in a very general way, and probably more on what lenses he should purchase in future, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, he wants two bodies and although he hasn't got a set price ceiling, probably £1500-1700 is as much as he'll go to for two bodies. :)
 
Last edited:
For the money he has to spend, a 1D2(N) + a 1D3 will come in about the max he has to spend. The 1D3 will have much better ISO performance compared to his 20D (actually even the 1D2 will be better). All 1 series cameras a weather sealed, so no bother with rain or dust. Also for his lens selection, two 1.3 crop cameras are kind of perfect.
 
I find I get perfectly usable results on my 1DMKiiN at ISO1600 & have no problems shooting at 3200 either.
I had the original 1D & then the MKiiN & am now considering an upgrade to the MKiii. World of difference between the 1D bodies & the 20D & the weather sealing really really works! :thumbs:
AF is instant & it's easily the best camera series I've ever used.
 
If going for the MkII the N is the one to go for, the bigger screen makes all the difference
 
i went from a 20D to a 1Dmk3..

better ISO handling, better AF to name a few. your friend would not be disapointed with that move.

the only things to concider is the drop from 1.6 to 1.3 sensor.. you do lose a noticable amount of focal length to the point where i now use my 120-300 more than my 70-200. also whether your friend has an existing lens that is only designed for 1.6 crop like the sigma DC range for example.
 
Yes the 1D series bodies are weather sealed, however to complete the seal you also need the L series lens thats weather sealed as well.

Your friend 17-40mm f4 is weather sealed, 100mm macro isn't and the 70-200mm f4 (non IS) isn't, he would have to get the IS version of the f4 or the IS version of f2.8

They are weather sealed not weather proof or waterproof

You could pick up the 1D MKII or N (8mp) version depending on conditions for between £600-1000. The 1D MKIII (10mp) for between £1100-1400

Places to check 2nd equipment are Camtech, MPB, Mifsuds, Ffordes, Park Camera's, Digital Depot have all got good reps, or there London Camera Exchange, but they tend to be abit over priced.
 
neil_g said:
worth noting that not all L's are sealed.. and some require a filter screwed to the front to complete the seal.
Click to expand...

yep good point forgot that. Not a complete list and the MKII TC's are also included, but these are most of the L series lenses that are weather sealed

16-35mm 2.8L USM
16-35mm 2.8L II USM
17-40mm 4L USM
24-70mm 2.8L USM
24-105mm 4L IS USM
70-200mm 2.8L IS USM
70-200mm 4L IS USM
28-300mm 3.5-5.6L IS USM
50mm 1.2L USM
85mm 1.2L II USM
300mm 2.8L IS USM
400mm 2.8L IS USM
400mm 4 DO IS USM
500mm 4L IS USM
600mm 4L IS USM
 
Starrider - cheers for the link but that's way over his budget... leaves no room for a second body, although it's as clean as a whistle... looks nice. Anyway, my mate can't buy off TP because he's a non-member and I'm not subbing him a grand and half!! :D :D

FranchiseJuan - 1D mkII N has the slightly bigger screen over the standard Mk2 doesn't it? Anything will be better than that on the 20D. He likes the size on my D2x (think it's 2.5") so that or bigger will be fine. MkIII is the one with the AF problems early in the release isn't it?

To the rest - cheers for the advice. Interesting to know the f/4 70-200 isn't fully sealed, good to know that. Cheers for the list of lenses too. ISO 1600 will probably get used a lot, especially in winter when it's dull, so good to know both the Mk2 and Mk3 are good at this level. He's considered the crop factor and sees it as a good compromise between traditional crop sensors and FF - wide enough to get extra out of the 17-40mm yet not too much of a compromise on the long end of telephotos.

have pointed him the way of a few used dealers already so he's looking. MPB usually has a fair few through its doors and I trust them so that might be a good pace for him to look...

....cheers all for the info. :)
 
Just an extra bit of info, doing a bit of digging you can get a decent Mk2 for under £600 but a decent Mk3 is £1400... why the gap?
 
The gap because the mk3 was until very recently top of the line. It's also significantly lighter and more shots per charge due to a lithium battery. Also high ISO performance is a good step up, allowing the use of f/4 lenses where the mk2 would be dependent on a f/2.8 to get the shot..

From my perspective (as a complete amateur), the mk2 upgrade was evolutionary, while the mk3 is revolutionary. Thus the price.. I have an "original" 1D, and I'm not really considering the mk2 but I'm REALLY thinking about getting a mk3 soon...
 
the mkIII is a good camera, very usable, the mkII is fairly aggressively dated, usable as a second but I wouldn't want one day to day
 
pete.rush said:
yep good point forgot that. Not a complete list and the MKII TC's are also included, but these are most of the L series lenses that are weather sealed

16-35mm 2.8L USM
16-35mm 2.8L II USM
17-40mm 4L USM
24-70mm 2.8L USM
24-105mm 4L IS USM
70-200mm 2.8L IS USM
70-200mm 4L IS USM
28-300mm 3.5-5.6L IS USM
50mm 1.2L USM
85mm 1.2L II USM
300mm 2.8L IS USM
400mm 2.8L IS USM
400mm 4 DO IS USM
500mm 4L IS USM
600mm 4L IS USM
Click to expand...
I don't recall my 85f1.2 being weather sealed?
 
My 85 1.2 II is not weathersealed. I remember being a little disappointed that it wasn't. However for its intended use it does not need to be
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top